Abstract
This paper focuses on the realization of an Internet of Things (IoT) architecture to optimize waste management in the context of Smart Cities. In particular, a novel typology of sensor node based on the use of low cost and low power components is described. This node is provided with a single-chip microcontroller, a sensor able to measure the filling level of trash bins using ultrasounds and a data transmission module based on the LoRa LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network) technology. Together with the node, a minimal network architecture was designed, based on a LoRa gateway, with the purpose of testing the IoT node performances. Especially, the paper analyzes in detail the node architecture, focusing on the energy saving technologies and policies, with the purpose of extending the batteries lifetime by reducing power consumption, through hardware and software optimization. Tests on sensor and radio module effectiveness are also presented.
Highlights
Wireless sensor networks (WSN) are employed in the most diverse contexts, especially when the monitoring of random phenomena is requested
A WSN deployed in an urban scenario has to fulfill several requirements: sensor node casing has to be designed in a suitable manner so to protect the node from atmospheric agents, real time monitoring should be ensured if needed, power consumption must be optimized in case the node has to be installed in places not covered by the electrical grid or by renewable energy sources
The final node architecture is described by the block diagram shown in Figure 1: in addition to the main components, two switching circuits turning off respectively the LoRa radio module and the node in its entirety were added in order to implement duty-cycling policies
Summary
Wireless sensor networks (WSN) are employed in the most diverse contexts, especially when the monitoring of random phenomena is requested. Waste management has been for several years a hot topic whose optimization has been constantly increasing This is the typical framework within which Smart Cities are defined: deploy sensor nodes forming a network, better if wireless, so as to monitor the occurrence and the extent of events in order to prevent car crashes, or to safeguard inhabitants health, or to manage assets and resources efficiently. A WSN deployed in an urban scenario has to fulfill several requirements: sensor node casing has to be designed in a suitable manner so to protect the node from atmospheric agents, real time monitoring should be ensured if needed, power consumption must be optimized in case the node has to be installed in places not covered by the electrical grid or by renewable energy sources The latter reflects the case of study of this paper since the node has to rely only on a limited source of power provided by four AA lithium batteries, as it will be seen later on.
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