Radio Wave Propagation and WSN Deployment in Complex Utility Tunnel Environments

Mikel Celaya-Echarri; Leyre Azpilicueta; Peio Lopez-Iturri; Imanol Picallo; Erik Aguirre; Jose Javier Astrain; Jesús Villadangos; Francisco Falcone

doi:10.3390/s20236710

Sensors (Nov 2020)

Radio Wave Propagation and WSN Deployment in Complex Utility Tunnel Environments

Mikel Celaya-Echarri,
Leyre Azpilicueta,
Peio Lopez-Iturri,
Imanol Picallo,
Erik Aguirre,
Jose Javier Astrain,
Jesús Villadangos,
Francisco Falcone

Affiliations

Mikel Celaya-Echarri: School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, 64849 Monterrey, NL, Mexico
Leyre Azpilicueta: School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, 64849 Monterrey, NL, Mexico
Peio Lopez-Iturri: Electric, Electronic and Communication Engineering Department, Public University of Navarre, 31006 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
Imanol Picallo: Electric, Electronic and Communication Engineering Department, Public University of Navarre, 31006 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
Erik Aguirre: Electric, Electronic and Communication Engineering Department, Public University of Navarre, 31006 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
Jose Javier Astrain: Mathematical Engineering and Computer Science Department, Public University of Navarre, 31006 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
Jesús Villadangos: Mathematical Engineering and Computer Science Department, Public University of Navarre, 31006 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
Francisco Falcone: Electric, Electronic and Communication Engineering Department, Public University of Navarre, 31006 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/s20236710
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 20, no. 23
p. 6710

Abstract

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The significant growth of wireless communications systems in the last years has led to the adoption of a wide range of applications not only for the general public but, also, including utilities and administrative authorities. In this context, the notable expansion of new services for smart cities requires, in some specific cases, the construction of underground tunnels in order to enable the maintenance and operation works of utilities, as well as to reduce the visual impact within the city center. One of the main challenges is that, inherently, underground service tunnels lack coverage from exterior wireless communication systems, which can be potentially dangerous for maintenance personnel working within the tunnels. Accordingly, wireless coverage should be deployed within the underground installation in order to guarantee real-time connectivity for safety maintenance, remote surveillance or monitoring operations. In this work, wireless channel characterization for complex urban tunnel environments was analyzed based on the assessment of LoRaWAN and ZigBee technologies operating at 868 MHz. For that purpose, a real urban utility tunnel was modeled and simulated by means of an in-house three-dimensional ray-launching (3D-RL) code. The utility tunnel scenario is a complex and singular environment in terms of radio wave propagation due to the limited dimensions and metallic elements within it, such as service trays, user pathways or handrails, which were considered in the simulations. The simulated 3D-RL algorithm was calibrated and verified with experimental measurements, after which, the simulation and measurement results showed good agreement. Besides, a complete wireless sensor network (WSN) deployment within the tunnels was presented, providing remote cloud data access applications and services, allowing infrastructure security and safety work conditions. The obtained results provided an adequate radio planning approach for the deployment of wireless systems in complex urban utility scenarios, with optimal coverage and enhanced quality of service.

Published in Sensors

ISSN: 1424-8220 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Technology: Chemical technology
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/sensors

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