The EcoCommons serves as an ecological environment abundant with sensors collecting campus data for research and student use. A platform installed over a bioswale in the northeast corner of the site serves as a vantage point in understanding the function of a seepage wetland.
What information/data are we tracking with sensors?
More than 20 data sensors are monitoring air quality, air temperature, water quality, soil percolation, humidity, wind speed, carbon dioxide levels, and barometric pressure.
How were the data metrics selected?
A planning committee invited more than 25 individuals from Georgia Tech’s research and academic communities to participate in a stakeholder focus group. Through online surveys, personal interviews, and discussions, the committee selected the top results that were feasible within the scope of the project.
Where is the data stored?
For the first two years of operation, the data was stored on a server managed by the Georgia Tech Research Network Operations Center (GT-RNOC). Currently, the data is collected via the Internet of Things network which is a LoRaWAN protocol. This is a non-cellular open source protocol. LoRa is the physical layer for a method of transmitting wireless radio signals that uses a chirp spread spectrum to send data and enables long-range communication links. LPWAN (Low-Power, Wide Area Network) defines the communication protocol and system architecture for the network which is designed for sensors and applications that need to send small amounts of data over long distances a few times per hour. If you are interested in receiving this data, reach out to I&S Data Analytics by selecting the Request Data link.