Wireless Internet Sensing Environment (WiSE): Resource Management using Satellite and Wireless Sensor Networks

Monitoring how natural resources and biodiversity respond to environmental change and land management is critical for economic, ecological and social sustainability. However, effective monitoring which provides accurate, timely and sufficiently detailed information on wild animals in their natural habitat is particularly challenging and embraces issues of governance, ecology, economics and technology. Camera traps have become a widely used tool for the remote and non-invasive monitoring of wildlife, but suffer from a number of weaknesses. Large quantities of data are acquired, including a high proportion of false positives, and cameras require frequent physical visits to retrieve imagery and replace batteries. The WiSE project is a multi-disciplinary activity funded by the RCUK dot.rural digital economy hub. The project is developing a digital platform for smart Internet-enabled video monitoring of the environment. WiSE seeks to provide timely and accurate information in a flexible manner. The platform is WiFi and satellite communication enabled to allow round-the clock connectivity through Internet (IPv6), and two-way communication and control from anywhere that has been authorised in the Internet. Smart power management, advanced compression and data streaming techniques allow the platform to run from solar panels enabling extended deployment in remote areas. The latest developments in communications, sensors and video technology will be utilized to create an innovative and extendable platform. The developed platform can be used for similar scenarios under the broad area of surveillance and asset management.