Hydrological Information System: Module 18 - Telemetry Systems
Hydrological Information System: Module 18 - Telemetry Systems
System
Module 18 – Telemetry Systems
Anish
….. Hydro-Informatics Expert
The World Bank
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Module Contents
Introduction
Sensor Wireless Communication
Communication Options
Earth Receiving Station
Transmitter Specification
ERS Specifications
Telemetry
Sensor to Data logger
Data logger to Control Room
◦ Earth based Communication
GSM / GPRS
Introduction
Master Station
Ground Water Sensor
Water Level
Climate Station
Advanced Sensor Communications
Sensor Communication
Wireless Sensor Communication
◦ Effective in combining sensors
◦ Saves cost of data logger/transmitter
◦ Effective in reducing long wire runs, or providing data
collection where running wire is not feasible or
possible
◦ Utilizes low power spread spectrum transmission
frequency (similar to that used by portable phones)
◦ Operates on very low power at 12/24/48 Volts
Wireless Sensor Connectivity
Slave Equipment connected to Sensor
Sensor Communication
• GSM/GPRS systems can work by sending text messages and/or data files
• Allows two-way communication, with the ability to change program
settings, download data, or just query for the most recent measurements.
Internet
Mobile Service
Provider Tower
GSM - GPRS General Information
No Master control Room or ground
station needed
Cloud based computing and data is
made available on web
GSM/GPRS – Reception Window
GSM Communication
Advantages/Disadvantages of
GSM/GPRS
• Advantages
GSM Communication
Raw
Data
Data Transmission Module
through satellite
from Remote Stations
Data Transmission
Data
Earth Receiving Decoding
Station Module
DAS Server
Database /
Backup
Server
Satellite-based solutions: INSAT
INSAT Communication
Data
Decoding
Module Raw
Data
Module
DAS
Server
Dish on Rooftop
Database
and
backup
Server
Advantages/Disadvantages of INSAT
INSAT Communication
Advantages
◦ One of the great advantages of INSAT is that communication is
possible from virtually anywhere in India
◦ Satellite is not affected by local weather events that can often
disrupt terrestrial-based communications, such as GSM/GPRS.
◦ High reliability and implicit data sharing
◦ Operates on very low power
◦ Low running cost
Disadvantages
◦ WPC clearances and Licenses fee required
◦ One way communication
◦ Radios are more expensive than GSM
◦ Requires a ground station
Satellite-based solutions: VSAT
Concept
VSAT Communication
VSAT Communication
needs much higher
power, so size of Solar
panels and Battery
backup goes up
Advantages/Disadvantages of VSAT
Advantages
VSAT Communication
Cost (Initial)
GSM/GPRS Low
INSAT Medium
VSAT Low
Factors: Recurring Cost (Use Fee)
Communication Options
There is an initial cost to installing equipment,
and a recurring cost of operating the equipment
Some solutions have user fees, while others do
not
◦ Mobile phone network users must pay for the use of the
network
◦ Changing telecommunication methods after the initial
installation of equipment can be great, so it is incumbent
upon the user to consider recurring fees and the
uncertainty of the cost of the technology in the future
Recurring Cost
GSM/GPRS Medium
INSAT Low
VSAT High
Factors: Data Distribution
Communication Options
Itis often an advantage to employ a real-
time data relay system that inherently
provides data distribution
Good Data Distribution:
◦ INSAT, where data from all users is transmitted
from space to all points in India. All one needs
is a satellite ground station
Difficult Data Distribution:
◦ Terrestrial based radio system, and GSM/GPRS
Data Distribution
GSM/GPRS Low
INSAT High
VSAT Medium
Factors: Latency
Communication Options
Latency in hydrometric data systems has to do with the
delay from the time the data is measured to the time it is
received by the user
Institutions that have a public safety mission generally
require the least latency, as increased latency reduces the
lead time to react to a given situation
Institutions that are tasked to monitor flash floods,
tsunami, or other natural threats to the population and
industry are examples of systems that require low latency
Most hydrometric data relay solutions have very little
delay from the time of data collection
to receptionLatency
by the
user GSM/GPRS Low
INSAT Low
VSAT Low
Factors: Maintenance
Communication Options
Some hydrometric systems have greater exposure
to substantial maintenance issues
High Maintenance
◦ VSAT Systems
Low Maintenance
◦ GSM/GPRS and the INSAT data collection system
Maintenance
GSM/GPRS Low
INSAT Low
VSAT Medium
Factors: Privacy
Communication Options
Insome instances the monitoring agency may
want to keep hydrometric information private
◦ This is not typically the case of most agencies operating
hydrometric systems, as data is shared to avoid
duplication of effort
High Privacy
◦ GSM
Low Privacy
◦ INSAT
Privacy
GSM/GPRS High
INSAT Low
VSAT High
Factors: Sustainability
Communication Options
Complexity of the solution that is being utilized.
◦ If a given user is the only one using a certain technology, then the
challenges for sustained operations are more of a challenge.
◦ If real-time telemetry solution is shared among many cooperating
agencies, then this leads to a much greater chance of
sustainability.
◦ Control a user has over the technological solution being used can
lead to greater sustainability
◦ Highly sustainable solutions
GSM is mostly under the control of the user. This generally
leads to a more sustainable solution.
INSAT is also a highly sustainable solution because of the
commitment of IMD and ISRO to fund this
important
Sustainability
component of the INSAT services. GSM/GPRS Medium
INSAT High
VSAT Medium
Factors: Comparison
Communication Options
GSM/GPRS
INSAT
VSAT
Availability Medium High High
Cooperation & EC Medium High Medium
Cost (Initial) Low Medium High
Data Distribution Low High Medium
Latency Low Low Low
Maintenance Low Low Medium
Privacy High Low Medium
Recurring Cost Medium Low High
Sustainability Medium High Medium
Earth Receive Station (ERS)
Every real-time HIS network will need a
Earth Receive Station
INSAT
VSAT Earth Station Specification
An VSAT System requires the ERS to receive transmissions
directly from the VSAT satellite, and not data which is
relayed through the Internet
System Characteristics:
◦ Overall data collection system performance better than 99.9%
error free data (Receiver must collect all data successfully
Specifications
Internet