Wireless M2M Communication Solutions Provide Seismic and Volcanic Monitoring for Early Eruption Warning in Ecuador
Company Size
1,000+
Region
- America
Country
- Ecuador
Product
- FreeWave Technologies’ serial radio solutions
- FreeWave M2M communication solutions
Tech Stack
- M2M communication
- GPS technology
- Serial data transmission
Implementation Scale
- Enterprise-wide Deployment
Impact Metrics
- Cost Savings
- Customer Satisfaction
- Productivity Improvements
Technology Category
- Networks & Connectivity - Cellular
- Sensors - GPS
Applicable Industries
- National Security & Defense
- Security & Public Safety
Applicable Functions
- Field Services
- Quality Assurance
Use Cases
- Predictive Maintenance
- Remote Asset Management
- Remote Control
Services
- Hardware Design & Engineering Services
- System Integration
About The Customer
The Institute of Geophysics of Ecuador, established in 1983, is responsible for seismic and volcanic monitoring throughout the country. Its mission is to improve disaster preparedness and lessen the impact of seismic and volcanic phenomena via constant monitoring, scientific research, and technology that promotes a precautionary culture. The Institute operates the National Seismograph Network and the National Volcano Observatories, issuing early warnings based on risk maps produced by scientists. The dedication to seismic and volcanic monitoring has helped warn hundreds of thousands of people early, getting them out of harm’s way and saving countless lives during eruptions of the Tungurahua Volcano in 2006, 2008, and 2010.
The Challenge
The Institute of Geophysics of Ecuador faced the challenge of implementing an affordable, real-time telemetry system that is simple and sturdy for seismic and volcanic monitoring. The need for early warning of volcanic eruptions is critical to ensure that authorities and citizens have enough time to take appropriate precautionary measures. The existing systems required constant maintenance and were not always reliable, especially in extreme conditions. The Institute needed a solution that could provide real-time data transmission from remote and harsh environments, such as the tops of active volcanoes, to improve disaster preparedness and lessen the impact of seismic and volcanic phenomena throughout Ecuador.
The Solution
To address the challenge, the Institute of Geophysics of Ecuador adopted FreeWave Technologies’ serial radio solutions for data transmission. These M2M communication solutions were first installed to transmit data from the Cotopaxi Volcano and the Galapagos Islands. Despite initial uncertainties about the mechanics, features, advantages, and costs of these solutions, they delivered excellent results, reducing maintenance of monitoring stations to zero. The Institute expanded the use of FreeWave M2M communication solutions to various monitoring applications, including real-time broadband seismic stations, accelerometers, meteorological stations, volcanic gas monitoring stations, deformation stations using GPS technology, remote digital cameras, and mud flow quantification stations. The performance and flexibility of FreeWave M2M communication solutions allowed the Institute to continue using this equipment for different applications and projects, providing a cost-effective and reliable solution for real-time data transmission in extreme conditions.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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