Deployments stages - Pilot and Live
Validate the scalability of the Silvanet System using a Pilot deployment followed by a full-scale Live deployment.
Deploying a Silvanet Network in a forest is a two-stage process:
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Pilot (2 - 4 months): Small-scale deployment of up to 400 sensors that demonstrates Silvanet's scalability and Mesh Network to detect controlled test fires.
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Live (10-15 years): Large-scale deployment of the required sensors and gateways across a targeted forest area (a Site) that uses the Silvanet System to detect wildfires during the ultra-early phase (smoldering fires).
Pilot deployments
A Pilot deployment validates Silvanet System's core functionality and scalability. This deployment typically has a duration of approximately 2-4 months.
This type of deployment typically monitors an area of about 400 to 500 hectares (approximately 1000 acres to 1250 acres).
Example Pilot deployment
Device planning
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Number of Sensors | Use at least 400 sensors. Garden wire is typically used to temporarily attach sensors to trees in a Pilot deployment. Sensor spacing can be 80 m to 100 m between the sensors. |
| Number of Mesh Gateways | Use from four to eight Mesh Gateways for an area of 400 to 500 hectares, depending on the terrain and RF signal propagation conditions. Hilly areas need more Mesh Gateways. Less dense and relatively level forest floors need less Mesh Gateways where 4 should be sufficient. |
| Number of Border Gateways | Use one Silvanet Border Gateway. Additional Border Gateways can be added for redundancy. Power the Border Gateway using a reliable power supply and where it can have Ethernet Internet connectivity. It is also possible, but not recommended, to power the Border Gateway using only its solar panel. |
Site planning
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Site topology | The topology of the Site needs to be considered when planning Packets. The deployment area can be hilly, rocky, include forest lanes and roadways. However, we recommend line of sight between Mesh Gateways and Border Gateways. |
| Installation plan | Consider how the deployment teams must traverse the forest so they can efficiently use the time. Several teams of two workers may be required to deploy all the sensors. Ensure you prepare one site Packet per team, considering how the team must navigate through the forest. Ideally, create one Packet for one day's worth of work for a single team. |
Important
To deploy 400 sensors and Gateways, a team of 2 people can deploy 20 to 50 devices a day. However, this depends entirely on the difficulty of the terrain and state of the forest floor. In general, deployment is achieved quicker when more teams are available to deploy the devices.
Live deployments
Live deployments of sensors and gateways across a targeted forest can use the results of a Pilot deployment (but not necessarily) to determine the number of sensors and gateways needed to effectively cover the entire Site. This has a deployment duration of 10-15 years.
Live deployments may not have a minimum or maximum dimension but may expand to cover additional hectares. Additional sensors and gateways can then be added as needed. The scale and scope of the deployment determines the planning parameters.
Device planning
When planning Live deployments, you can use the follow (maximum) ratios:
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Sensors to Mesh Gateways: 100 to 1.
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Mesh Gateways to Border Gateways: 20 to 1.
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Number of Sensors | Use sufficient number of Silvanet Sensors as required by the deployment plan. Treenails are used to permanently attach the sensors to trees rather than garden wire. |
| Number of Mesh Gateways | Use sufficient number of Mesh Gateways based on the required ratio of Mesh Gateways to sensors. Hilly areas need more Mesh Gateways. Less dense and relatively level forest floors need less Mesh Gateways. |
| Number of Border Gateways | Use at least one Border Gateway as well as a fallback Border Gateway. Provide them with a reliable power supply and Ethernet Internet connectivity. It is also possible, but not recommended, to power the Border Gateway using only its solar panel if a power supply is not available. |
Site planning
Sensor density is based on human activity in the f (or by Wildlife Urban Interface):
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For areas of high human activity, distance between sensors should be no further than 100 m between devices.
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For areas of low human activity, distance between sensors can be increased to 400 m to 500 m between devices.
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Site dimensions | The size of the Site in hectares determines the number and type of Silvanet devices to effectively cover the Site area. |
| Site topology | The topology of the deployment area also determines the number of sensors, Mesh Gateways and Border Gateways to be deployed. Hills and rocky areas may affect transmissions between the Border Gateways, Mesh Gateways and sensors. Also, emissions from vehicular traffic on roadways and lanes may interfere with sensor calibrations. Furthermore, ensure a direct line of site between the Border Gateway and at least one Mesh Gateway. |
| Sensor density | If the Site has a high level of human activity (such as trails or camping sites) or if it is in a WUI area, this determines the sensor density per hectare. |
| Installation plan | Consider how the deployment teams must traverse the forest so they can efficiently use the time. With such a large deployment area, several teams of two workers may be required to deploy all the sensors. Ensure you prepare one site Packet per team, considering how the team must navigate through the forest. |