Scottish Sensor Systems Centre

University: Professor Ivan Andonovic and Dr Lina Stankovic, Centre for Intelligent and Dynamic Communications (CIDCOM), University of Strathclyde

Collaborative Partner: Scottish Canals and Freescale Semiconductor

Project Type: Prototype delivery (£20K Grant)

Project Duration: 12 months (start date Jan 2012)

Project Abstract

Scotland's canal network requires particular care and attention in terms of asset monitoring of structures, embankments and bridges. In an era of declining capital and revenue budgets, the asset management industry needs to monitor infrastructure cost-effectively, and Scottish Canals must do this in a sustainable manner in order to fulfill the economic, social and environmental potential of the network.

This project focuses on the development of a wireless sensor network testbed for monitoring and control with a self-configuration capability, low power consumption, long life, maintainability, and without interfering with surrounding equipment, e.g., electronic pumps. Its novelty lies in the design and deployment of intelligent wireless sensor platforms capable of displaying autonomous behaviour.

A complete solution is planned - from capturing end-user requirements, to the design of the monitoring and data collection platform, and the design of software to enable levels of autonomous reconfiguration based on policy supported by decision-support applications – creating a system that can identify and predict irregularities and critical events in time for remedial actions to be taken. The key focus will be on:
•Data acquisition: developing systems based on sensing capabilities via sensors and sensor networks, including drainage and civil structure damage location.
•Engineering of ICT systems: a means to configure new and complex end-to-end ICT systems for large scale monitoring in rugged environments.
•User-centric systems: the development of methodologies and tools aligned with Scottish Canals asset inspection procedures providing real time asset condition feedback, monitoring of both the asset and its reaction to a variety of environmental influences.

Project Impact

The opportunity to monitor canal assets remotely using wireless sensor networks as opposed to the current practice of visual inspection, makes it possible to monitor infrastructure in a more cost-effective way, delivering sustainability and promoting enhanced data quality and accessibility for best practice in environmental management. The project outcomes should not only offer Scottish Canals the potential to improve monitoring regimes, but provide an opportunity for national or regional hub development.

The project will deliver a demonstrator of the opportunities associated with utilising wireless sensor system monitoring techniques and intelligent data mining to assess infrastructures and inform management decisions. These technology advances in sensing electronics and wireless communications present a significant opportunity to enhance data quality and promote cost effective efficiencies in a wide range of commercial applications. Monitoring equipment manufacturers, manufacturers of communications of through-water and through-ground technologies, data analysis contractors, and asset management teams in the utilities industry, are only a few of the direct beneficiaries whose market opportunities would benefit from this technology.

This target market in the UK is estimated at £1bn pa, globally that figure could reach £100bn pa. The platforms this project will develop will also be capable for forming the foundation of asset monitoring solutions for other key industry sectors including transport, marine and energy.