Integration of a wireless sensor network into a reliable data flow process for slope monitoring

Slope monitoring in inner-alpine regions is important for early warning systems to detect potential landslides. Such slopes are often located at areas without wired infrastructure. Thus, wireless sensor networks (WSNs) can be used as measurement and communication system. Each sensor node is equipped with a GPS receiver and is placed in the monitored slope. After transmitting the raw GPS data to the base station, (near) real-time positioning algorithms determine the movement of each sensor node. To achieve accuracy in centimeter range, these algorithms need a continuous data flow of the received GPS signals. This paper presents the integration of an energy harvesting WSN into a reliable data flow process to enable a continuous slope monitoring.