Hideo Yoichi

Field server: multi-functional wireless sensor network node for earth observation

1. Field Server Field Server is a small Web server, which can be installed globally for long term by using wireless LAN and the Internet. Field Server can monitor environmental conditions and ecosystems in real-time by high resolution camera, multiple sensors and LED lighting. Ad-hoc Wi-Fi mesh-network is created by Field Servers, and also Wi-Fi hotspots can be created around Field Servers for ubiquitous networking. Field Servers can be used also as a platform to use network devices and electroequipments in open fields. In Field Server’s case, all devices are connected by Ethernet or Wi-Fi, that is, inside of Field Server is also sensor-network, which can realize layout-free architecture, plug & play, robustness and various designs for Field Servers.

Field Server Projects

A field server is a sensor node which can create a wireless sensor network and simultaneously serve as Wi-Fi hotspots in open fields. Since 2001, we have been working on several Research and Development projects to develop field server technology and its applications. So far, three generations of field servers have been developed and are in use in more than a dozen countries for collaborative research and educational applications such as a global sensor network for Earth observation, food safety/IT-agriculture, advanced sensor technology in fields and image monitoring for urban areas. The field servers have proved to be quite robust for field applications. More work is in progress to develop applications for the field server and resolve issues with power consumption and increasing the communication range for certain applications

Trials to Deploy Field Servers in China

It is recommended that your abstract contains 150-200 words. So far, we have deployed field servers for tests at dozens of sites such as in Japan, China, and USA. Especially in China, we met a lot of unexpected troubles. Environmental conditions, Internet connections and stability of electric power supply are different at each site. Activities of human and livings have caused unexpected troubles. We tried to solve the problems to improve field servers and to develop new technologies to avoid the troubles

Sensor Network Architecture Based on Web and Agent for Long-Term Sustainable Observation in Open Fields

Architecture of sustainable, robust and scalable sensor networks is proposed. To monitor environmental condition and ecosystems for many years in open fields, Web-based Sensor network can be employed. Agents control them by using purely HTTP. Functions of the sensor nodes can be reduced as much as the agent can assist the sensor nodes. Applications for the sensor networks are distributed Web services. All devices in the sensor nodes are Web servers such as data acquisition Web-server card and IP camera, and they are connected by Ethernet. That is, all devices are only Web servers. Power supplies for all devices in the sensor nodes are controlled by the agent, which can restart the freezing devices automatically. The Web-based sensor networks were tested at many sites, and rationality of the proposed architecture was examined.

Trial to develop extreme environmental field server

Field Server is environmental monitoring equipment which can construct wireless sensor network. Needs of Field Servers is the more in the further places and especially extreme environments. Field Servers for extreme environmental should be small, light and long lifetime. We deployed a prototype of the Field Server in Namche, Himalaya to test the reliability. Combination of the functions may make troubles under unexpected conditions. If almost all devices can be controlled remotely, Field Server can be maintained by changing inside condition like homeostasis of human body.

Architecture of the advanced Field Severs

Field server is a kind of wireless sensor node based on Web server (HTTP) and Wi-Fi wireless LAN. On 2001, The first field server was developed as a multifunctional sensor node to monitor environment and ecosystems. So far, functions of the field server have been extended to solve diverse problems mainly in agricultural fields. Since 2005, we have been investigating advanced field servers adapting also for urban areas. The advanced field servers (AFS) are equipped with remarkably new functions such as Wi-Fi mesh-network, multiple sensors, serial/USB interfaces, network streaming music and image projection. The distinctive functions are image monitoring such as high-resolution imaging, infra-red imaging and real-time pattern recognition. The AFSs are redesigned to be platform to mount these devices easily. The AFSs ubiquitously fixed in open fields such as streets, parks and gardens will be able to provide pedestrians and residents rich information services as stewards.