Wireless Operational Link for the Field (WOLF) - A Need for Wifi in the Field

In this post I will discuss the rationale, architecture, and results for developing a portable wireless rig for scientists conducting fieldwork. I should first mention the need for wireless connectivity to research plots is not a new concept. At the Toolik Research Station, "wireless for the final mile" has been almost a holy grail wish list item. With wireless connectivity researchers could deploy sensors to monitor their work, but also could use the internet connection to find reference documentation while working in their plot. The realization that all equipment as well as equipment manuals to research references must be prepped for offline use is almost unthinkable to a smartphone society that takes constant connectivity for granted. Yet even while the need for internet connectivity is justified, the cost of surveying, designing, deploying and maintaining a permanent solution has been prohibitive in both personnel availability and cost.

Ok. I will back up a bit now to explain a few things not necessarily apparent to those not directly involved with fieldwork....To fully understand what a "research plot" is, I will demonstrate here:

For research that involves the monitoring of vegetation cycles, gas release (such as co2) from the soil, and other measurements of interest; researchers set up experiments on a section of ground called a "research plot." The plots must be setup in coordination with the station's GIS staff in order to comply with Federal permit regulation of protected land issues as well as preventing one scientist to set up shop on top of another scientist's experiment. For reference, the map below shows the established research plots located near the Toolik field station. Notice the concentration of plots south of the lake. This is "the next mile", which also happens to be located over a reasonably-sized hill comprised of solid rock (not wireless signal friendly).

If you are interested in the comprehensive overview of the Toolik plots, please refer to the GIS informational page for plots/permits.

An actual research plot up close looks something like this:

This plot in particular, utilizes a greenhouse. The location of this plot is in the middle of the mass of yellow dots south of Toolik Lake.

At this point, it should be apparent why wireless access to research plots in an area as remote as the Toolik station is desirable but presents challenges. It is also worth mentioning that wireless to "the last mile" is a fairly easy task compared to delivering internet connectivity to plots located 20 miles away from camp. Which, also happen to be accessible only by small helicopter.

Next post on this topic will discuss the design I came up with for the WOLF rig...