A three-tiered architecture based on IEEE 802.15.4 and Ethernet for precision farming applications

This paper proposes a three-tiered network architecture to support precision farming applications over large cultivated fields. The hybrid network combines IEEE 802.15.4 Wireless Sensor Networks, operating in a multichannel mode, with Switched Ethernet. The network design has to fulfill several objectives, such as, achieving a tradeoff between energy saving for battery-operated devices and timeliness of precision farming applications over large areas, while providing scalability, robustness and cost efficiency. The work presented in the paper is based on real-world specifications provided by end users, i.e. qualified farmers, during a comprehensive investigation and requirement analysis phase. The paper first discusses the constraints that drive the network design and then presents the three-tiered architecture. Finally, the performance of the network, obtained through OMNeT++ simulations, are discussed.