Real time global subsurface geo-sensing and monitoring can be achieved using a new concept of wireless sensor
networks. The new concept uses the signal strength variation of wireless sensor nodes in the host medium as the main
indicator of a subsurface event or change in physical properties of the soil such as water content, density, and formation
of discontinuities. The feasibility of implementing the wireless signal networks for subsurface monitoring has been
investigated through laboratory simulation experiments which demonstrated that the wireless signal networks is a viable
approach for a reliable geo-sensing and monitoring of subsurface hazards. The challenges facing the wireless signal
networks for implementation in geo-sensing and subsurface monitoring are discussed in this paper. These challenges are
divided into network and geo-media categories and potential solutions to these challenges are offered for most cases.
With the concept and application of the Underground Wireless Signal Networks (UWSNs), the global subsurface
monitoring in real-time can be achieved. The wireless signal networks use the signal strength variation of wireless sensor
nodes in the host medium (i.e., soil in this case) as the main indicator of an underground event or a physical change in
soil properties. However, the deployment of underground signal/sensor networks has more constraint than aboveground
deployment, because installation and management of sensors are more difficult and the radio signal attenuation is much
higher than above ground communication. This paper summarizes practical potential applications of underground
wireless signal networks and challenges and possible solutions on underground signal network deployment. The two
representative applications of underground wireless signal networks are experimentally evaluated by laboratory
simulations.
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