Connecting
Biology and Technology

The scope of this three-year project was primarily focused on implementing a variety of wireless system models to aid Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) sites. Within the past three years, we have looked at satellite communications, spread spectrum point-to-point and multi-point radios, and a few minor experiments with low power narrow band data radios. Most of our communication system models were successful at making the scientist more effective, data more immediate, and in general has proven the ability to cover a greater geographic sampling area without increasing man-hours required for the larger effort.

However, the models created are not the definitive solution for all sites, but rather each was conceptual proof of a model using a limited set of technology solutions within the many possible variations available to solve a problem. After proving the concepts, and realizing success with both the technology application and acceptance by the scientists, it became apparent a far greater potential for ecological research and geographic coverage could be easily obtained. To achieve this potential, simple changes can be made to existing rules, and adopting other proven models could prove extremely valuable.

General Discussion:

Sharing the intricacies of wireless systems and creating models was only a part of our project. There was also the bigger picture. Technology integration, identifying technical needs and often working as a team to help redefine traditional processes with the introduction of new technologies and inherent requirements was just as important. At every site we visited, we would impose on a scientist to explain in fair detail what they do, why they do it, and what the result should be. In time we understood a part of the challenge the scientist faced and could usually conceptualize a solution to the problem, returning later to implement a new model and to prove a new concept.

This model would include, in nearly every case, what is generally known as the "Last mile" portion of connectivity, such as from the site of interest to the nearest high-speed communications infrastructure or data storage location. In some cases the high-speed communications infrastructure does not exist. Such was the case at El Verde Station LTER in Puerto Rico. When we first worked with the scientists at the site, only a cell phone, with poor connectivity, represented the voice-only communication to the outside world. So our connection from the remote sensor was not to the Internet, but rather to a local PC at El Verde Station. The data is then used on site or taken by sneaker-net to the University in San Juan, (UPR). (Sneaker-net is a high-tech term reflecting a low-tech solution: To hand carry data on a floppy or other media).

During this project, the LTER at Trout Lake near Rhinelander, Wisconsin implemented a broadband T1 connection down to Madison, Wisconsin. Prior to the T1 line, Trout Lake communicated via a low speed line, (56Kb?) not quite adequate for effective communications. At both El Verde Station and Trout Lake, costs were quite high for utilizing a broadband connection to the university campus.

Telecom companies are faced with a challenge to provide services to remote and rural areas. They cannot conceive of a business case to provide high-speed communications to these areas and research facilities at a low cost. The business model just does not work. Utilizing telecom companies for the more remote connectivity requirements is likely not the right answer. It is forcing a business model beyond the limits of the profitable business case, resulting in much higher costs for both supplier and consumer. It is also not readily mobile, so the sites of interest are limited in geographic scope. However, the demand is there, a desire to connect remote sites and very remote sites to our scientific infrastructure. Here is an example of a desire for an enhanced method of study, an excerpt from the web pages of Michigan State University: http://www.cevl.msu.edu/envirosonics

"Thorough study of the physical, chemical, and biological health of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is important for managing the complexity of watersheds. The CEVL is involved in an innovative monitoring program that includes developing response-stressor-land use models to manage watersheds and new measurement systems that will engage and educate stakeholders about the intrinsic value of ecosystems and how human activities affect them. Specifically, we are involved in the development of a methodology to use automated sensors at selected Muskegon River Watershed sites (www.cevl.msu.edu/envirosonics). Data from these sensors will be transmitted instantly using advanced radio-telemetry so that stakeholders can access video, sound, and environmental data to monitor the heartbeat of their ecosystem with a web-based "clickable ecosystems page."

As a "stakeholder" in this environment and as a techno-geek-biologist-wannabe, concerned about the environment, I want this. I am sure many people would take advantage of this capability, especially our young biologists to be -- students. However, note the following terms used above: "Transmitted Instantly", "Video, Audio and Environmental Data". The desire is clear, but how do we support these needs? Present telecom infrastructure does not even exist in some of the areas research is conducted. Last "mile" connectivity now becomes last 10 to 50 mile or longer connectivity challenges!

Add to this, even more technical implementation challenges: biological studies are often conducted in the lower aquatic areas or watersheds in our nation, where a more complex method of connectivity, such as a repeater, is required to get up to a higher elevation point where a longer communications path is viable. If there is a city nearby, most are located near a water supply, by default also in a lower area. In wireless terms, we call these low-lying areas "Holes". Another repeater may likely be needed to get the data from the long-haul communications path into the populated areas where high-speed telecom based communications is more likely to exist. Now the model for wireless communications from the remote site to the area of interest has grown fairly expensive with at least four radio sites (origination + repeater + repeater + end node) and a challenge to implement. Though the radios are still far more cost effective and supportable than a Telecom based solution into remote areas, it presents a technical challenge beyond the scope of many LTER site personnel. It indicates a need for informed integration oriented personnel to help implement the more complex last mile links and to work with scientists with the overall plan for ecological study coverage.

The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) is a proposed network, consisting of both an infrastructure of high-speed inter-city networks as well as smart and traditional sensor systems located at study sites. So far, NEON proposals target the metropolitan areas due to many ecological study sites existing in close proximity to the majority of colleges (if not within the college). Typically the colleges are located near the major population centers. However, other sites of study do exist outside of the metropolitan areas. Some are located hours away and it is assumed most remote sites cannot easily or economically be connected to the NEON infrastructure if NEON is created. NEON is chartered to be a data-warehouse facilitator, a place where composite environmental data could be entered and accessed by K-12 and the general public, along with scientists. However, the data will obviously be flawed if all the ecological studies are close to metropolitan areas as planned, and thought is not given to the remote areas where the balance of the earth's eco-diversity is represented by something other than nearby smog, acid rain and hot pavement. Consideration needs to be given to the diversity in our environment and these remote sites. How do we get data from a site in a very remote location to the NEON data warehouse, unattended and in a cost effective manner?

Brain-Storming Solutions to Remote Ecosystem Studies:

A Model: Amateur Radio / APRS

The Amateur or the "HAM" radio community has contributed a great deal to technological advancements over many decades. The technical capabilities of HAM radio operators could provide a great opportunity to advance remote ecosystem monitoring directly or as a model for the present and future scientific community. HAM radio operators, such as myself (KD5MFM) feel the use of HAM radio gear to assist scientists is a gray area of the rules. HAM operators are not allowed to provide radio services on amateur bands for gain or in competition with commercial services, but I feel justification is warranted to clearly define the rules, clearing the way for HAM operators to assist remote scientific research as long as no monetary profit is realized from the effort, and the HAM operator remains responsible for the radio operation within the HAM bands.

The Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS) was developed by HAM radio operator Bob Bruinga (W4APR). APRS is a system utilizing the Global Positioning System (GPS) signals with off-the-shelf radio and support equipment available and affordable by the average HAM operator. APRS is a system that may be utilized by Technician level HAM radio operators for long distance, low data rate messaging. This includes environmental monitoring. APRS is based on a relationship between the remote radio sites, which may be mobile, and radio-Internet gateways referred to as "Digipeaters". Digipeaters exist in at least two forms, terrestrial and extra-terrestrial. The International Space Station (ISS) carries several pieces of HAM gear, one part of which is an APRS Digipeater. Several small Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites (PC-Sat) are dedicated to APRS digipeating, accepting signals from earth and repeating the signal back to earth where it is picked up by a Digipeater tied to the Internet. The data then is transferred to an APRS database such as http://www.findu.com. APRS is a very significant, cost-effective model for many applications. For remote ecological monitoring, APRS-like systems could allow monitoring of numerous ecological sites all over the planet. See http://www.aprs.org for more details about APRS and http://www.amsat.org for details about HAM radio satellites.

Another tool available to the HAM radio operator model is the lower frequencies and higher power available. This model, if used by trained scientists or HAM operators working in cooperation with ecological studies, could result in increased foliage penetration, greater last mile coverage and alleviate the challenge of connecting remote monitoring sites to existing or new infrastructure such as the proposed NEON system. Finally, the technical experience the HAM radio community willingly shares could be a local resource if not a partnership with science, if only for educational purposes.

ISM BAND POWER

Clearly, consideration is needed for more flexibility within the Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) bands specifically for the scientific and educational community. (ISM band usage for science is typically Spread Spectrum at 915MHz, 2.4GHz, and 5.7GHz.) Many remote locations could really benefit from higher effective power ranges required to satisfy a robust communications path. The general population now uses the bands, and it is wise not to allow operation at high power levels in metropolitan and industrial areas by the general public or industry located in these areas in fear of creating another "garbage band", such as the Citizens Radio band, (27MHz) where long distance communications are washed out by so much use and abuse of the bands.

Several methods of implementation ISM band flexibility could be used, such as power indirectly proportional to the number of people per square mile, limiting power to no more than 10Db above minimum calculated fade margin, or a flat maximum of Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) from an antenna that allows greater path lengths covering 25-50 mile links. My preference would be a combination of a human population formula and direct power increases with an increase in antenna gain providing a simple, yet very capable, focused long distance link, limited to the minimum radio power necessary for effective and reliable communications. This would benefit both scientific use and educational links in rural America.

High Frequency (HF) Bands

The name "High Frequency" often conjures up ideas of really high frequencies. In reality, today these frequencies are very low when compared to computing processor speeds! The HF bands include short-wave radio bands (approximately 6MHz - 26 MHz) amateur radio bands (160M through 11M) and several other long-haul bands, varying in frequency assignments. Low power radios plus atmospheric conditions can create virtual, inter-continental conduits allowing communications over great distances on only a few Watts of power, (QRP). Very low power communications (less than 5 Watts) will easily provide communications across several states. Using a small portion of the band (perhaps near the CB radio band (26-27MHz) for low data rate digital or spread spectrum communications could provide very remote environmental monitoring systems the long haul path necessary to connect to an Internet gateway.

Conclusion:

Remote scientific monitoring systems could benefit from a more agile set of communication tools. With cost effective communication tools, more flexibility in FCC rules, the opportunity exists to provide greater sampling and study coverage of our ecosystems. Today Spread Spectrum and Satellite communications can provide network topologies able to facilitate many monitoring sites. However, financial and monetary resources still limit the number of remote sites monitored. A number of solutions can be implemented to expand coverage and enhance remote ecosystem research, such as:

· Lower cost, intelligent communication and environmental monitoring systems
· Capitalize on proven models such as APRS as low-rate data messaging services
· Leveraging the technical and local expertise of the helpful HAM community
· Provide the scientific community with more flexibility within the ISM bands
· Entertain an assignment or shared allocation of the HF band for scientific use
· Utilizing LEO satellites for store-and-forward messaging

Michael Willett
Senior Technical Assistant and Collaborator

 

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