A framework for the use of wireless sensor networks in forest fire detection and monitoring

Abstract

Wireless sensor networks have a broad range of applications in the category of environmental monitoring. In this thesis, we consider the problem of forest re detection and monitoring as a possible application area of wireless sensor networks. Forest res are one of the main causes of environmental degradation nowadays. The current surveillance systems for forest res lack in supporting real-time monitoring of every point of the region at all time and early detection of the re threats. Solutions using wireless sensor networks, on the other hand, can gather temperature and humidity values from all points of eld continuously, day and night, and, provide fresh and accurate data to the re ghter center quickly. However, sensor networks and nodes face serious obstacles like limited energy resources and high vulnerability to harsh environmental conditions, that have to be considered carefully. In our study, we propose a comprehensive framework for the use of wireless sensor networks for forest re detection and monitoring. Our framework includes proposals for the wireless sensor network architecture, clustering and communication protocols, and environment/season-aware activity-rate selection schemes to detect the re threat as early as possible and yet consider the energy consumption of the sensor nodes and the physical conditions that may hinder the activity of the network. We also implemented a simulator to validate and evaluate our proposed framework, which is using an external re simulator library. We did extensive simulation experiments and observed that our framework can provide fast reaction to forest res while also consuming energy e ciently.