Flood

Low Power Flood Sensor Network

 

Member profile details

Membership level
2018-2019 Team
Team Name
Flood
Project Title
Low Power Flood Sensor Network
Design Challenge
We are building a network of sensors to detect areas of flooding and relay the information for the use of first responders. From the sensors to a front end user interface, we aim to streamline real-time data collection during heavy rainfall. Houston floods often, and we hope to create a system to collect data used for flood analytics and prediction modeling.
Design Summary
Our system includes a network of rain gauge and pressure sensor nodes to be deployed across an urban area to give reliable real-time data. Sensor nodes will consists of two parts, one part mounted on high off the ground to allow for optimal signal transmission, and the second part run down to the ground level with a sensor to take in the water level. The node will be designed for low power consumption as it will be run off a solar panel or a small battery that will allow it to continue sending data for at least a couple of days without reliable solar power. Additionally, there will be capabilities to store in memory the data collected in the case of disconnection from the network. It will then send over the collected data once a connection is reestablished.
Sensor nodes will relay information to a central relay node using the low-power radio protocol LORA. Each relay node will be responsible for receiving information from up to 20 sensor nodes and then send the data out through the cellular protocol MQTT. Relay nodes will be connected to the grid for power an also include a battery providing enough power to continue sending data for up to 2 weeks in the case of grid failure.
All the data collected from the relay nodes will be aggregated into user-friendly a web-based front-end to visualize water levels and rainfall on a map.
The low-cost system will need to be weather proof and resilient of theft, vandalism, and damage. The network will include a robust power management system and be redundant enough to survive the elements and sustain transmission even during grid failures and disconnection from other sources of compunction, allowing data collection and disaster response when it is most needed.
Date Updated
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Sponsors
Joan Gurasich
Department(s)
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
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Faculty Advisor 1 - Name
Gary Woods
Faculty Advisor 1 - Department
  • ECE
Client Company/Organization
Houston
 

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