Power Management Solutions for a Landslide Monitoring Network

A wireless sensor networks (WSN) is, basically, like the human sensing organs within an Internet of Things (IoT) approach, whereas the IoT itself is the brain which processes, organizes and takes decision over the collected information. In this context, seamlessly operation of a WSN is a must. The problem tackled in the paper is on how to manage the hardware and software components of a WSN devoted to monitor natural hazards deployed in fields without access to a permanent power grid, so that the power consumption be minimized. The analysis is performed on the basis of the results obtained from exploiting a real WSN prototype conceived for measuring the parameters that characterize some potential factors responsible for a landslide occurrence, as well as other parameters directly related to landslide activity. The result of the analysis consists of rules proposed for carrying out a right design of the WSN, having as main criterion minimizing the power consumption of the network in balance with data reliability.