In order to integrate equipment from different vendors, wireless sensor networks need to become more standardized. Using IP as the basis of low power radio networks, together with application layer standards designed for this purpose is one way forward. This research focuses on implementing and deploying a system using Contiki, 6LoWPAN over an 868 MHz radio network, together with CoAP as a standard application layer protocol. A system was deployed in the Cairngorm mountains in Scotland as an environmental sensor network, measuring streams, temperature profiles in peat and periglacial features. It was found that RPL provided an effective routing algorithm, and that the use of UDP packets with CoAP proved to be an energy efficient application layer. This combination of technologies can be very effective in large area sensor networks.

A sensor network is described which obtains data from nodes on and inside glaciers. Power management through scheduling and selective control is used to allow a lifetime of at least one year on batteries. Radio links in the glacier and across 2.5 km distances are used for data and commands. The prototype system was installed in Norway in 2003 and this paper describes details of the full design for 2004 through discussion of the lessons learnt.