LoRaWAN Wildfire Suppression Network for Early Fire Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wildfire detection and suppression systems are ineffective at early detection, prone to false alarms, costly, and environmentally harmful due to satellite-based monitoring, and lack reliability and autonomy.
Innovation Solution
A wildfire suppression system utilizing a LoRaWAN network with stationary and mobile sensors, including infrared cameras and gas sensors, for precise detection and autonomous wildfire suppression units like drones equipped with extinguishing agents, enabling early detection and targeted suppression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If satellite-based monitoring is used for wildfire detection, then monitoring coverage is improved, but cost and environmental harm increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive satellite systems with a network of inexpensive, ground-based optical sensors that can be deployed densely across the monitored area. These sensors provide continuous local monitoring without the high launch and maintenance costs of satellites, achieving broad coverage through quantity rather than expensive individual units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical/physical satellite system with an electronic sensor network connected via communication infrastructure. This replacement eliminates the need for satellite launches and orbital maintenance while providing equivalent or superior monitoring capability through distributed ground-based detection.
2Measurement precision
If optical sensors are used for wildfire detection, then detection capability is improved, but false detections increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detection methods including optical sensors, infrared sensors, and gas sensors into an integrated detection system. This multi-sensory approach allows cross-validation of detections, where multiple sensor types must confirm a wildfire event, thereby reducing false positives while maintaining high detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where detection data from multiple sensors is continuously analyzed and validated against historical patterns and environmental conditions. This feedback loop allows the system to learn from false detections and adjust detection thresholds, improving reliability while preserving detection sensitivity.
3Loss of time
If IR cameras are used for early wildfire detection, then detection timing is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection function across multiple sensor types distributed throughout the monitoring area, with each sensor type optimized for specific detection scenarios. Infrared sensors are deployed strategically rather than universally, combining them with cheaper optical and gas sensors to achieve early detection capability without the cost of deploying expensive IR cameras everywhere.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs multi-functional sensor nodes that can detect wildfires through multiple modalities (optical, infrared, gas detection) using a single integrated platform. This universal approach allows early detection capability without requiring separate expensive IR camera systems, as the multi-functional nodes provide comprehensive detection at lower cost.
4Measurement precision
If close-meshed satellite monitoring is implemented, then detection precision is improved, but the number of satellites and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a distributed network of ground-based sensor copies that replicate the detection function of satellite sensors at ground level. Instead of launching multiple satellites to achieve close-meshed monitoring, the system deploys numerous identical or similar sensor nodes across the terrain, providing high-resolution local detection without the complexity of multiple satellite systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly wildfire detection and suppression, allowing for early intervention and efficient use of resources.
Implementation Method 1
The system utilizes a LoRaWAN network with stationary and mobile sensors, including infrared cameras and gas sensors, for precise detection
Implementation Method 2
The analysis is, for example, a gas analysis and a recording of the temperature of the gases that are produced during a wildfire
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for suppressing and/or extinguishing a wildfire using a wildfire extinguishing station, having the steps of receiving information, generating a control command, transmitting the control command or information, and carrying out the wildfire suppression process. The invention additionally relates to a wildfire suppression system comprising a network device, a server unit, a gateway, a first terminal, said first terminal having a sensor unit, and a second terminal, said second terminal having a wildfire suppression element.