ICFOSS treads a new path in data collection

The past few weeks have been nothing short of extraordinary, even in the context of the new normal of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. During the first 11 days of September, eight distinct regions across four continents saw catastrophic events.

In northeastern Libya, tens of thousands of lives were tragically lost as two dams collapsed under the weight of intense rainfall, resulting in devastating floods.

Central Greece, Turkey, and Spain were also inundated by deluges, while southern Brazil and the southwestern United States grappled with relentless rain and flooding. Southern China and Hong Kong experienced torrential downpours that brought life to a standstill.

In a matter of hours, the Libyan city of Derna received the equivalent of eight months’ worth of rainfall, while Hong Kong recorded the most intense storms on record since 1884.

These alarming shifts in weather patterns underscore the pressing need for a comprehensive overhaul of current climate monitoring systems. Accurate and timely information is now more critical than ever, as it plays a pivotal role in disaster response, the development of resilient infrastructure, and food production.

Highly localised weather patterns have made it increasingly common to witness heavy rain in one area while a nearby location just 10 kilometres away remains dry. Currently, weather predictions rely predominantly on data collected from a few points within a large area. Such systems are becoming outdated rapidly.

Revamping the weather monitoring system is a costly and time-consuming endeavour, particularly when it involves integrating advanced technologies like satellite data into prediction programs. Furthermore, with weather changes necessitating widespread micro-level monitoring to accurately reflect patterns, cash-strapped governments face significant challenges in updating their systems.

Now a new ray of hope seems to have emerged. Scientists at the International Centre for Free and Open Source Software (ICFOSS), an autonomous organisation established by the Government of Kerala, say they have established a communication network capable of delivering weather and other data swiftly and cost-effectively from even the remotest parts of the state.

 The devices they have developed use Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) technology, allowing information to be transmitted via radio frequency. This means that these gadgets can function even in areas where telecommunication networks fail to reach.

What sets these gadgets and software apart is that they were created using openly available resources, eliminating the need for licensing patented proprietary technologies and thereby reducing costs.

This approach aligns with the core mission of ICFOSS, which was established in 2009 to promote free software activities within the state and position India as a prominent contributor to the global open-source community.

ICFOSS says they have already established weather monitoring centres in all 14 districts of Kerala and have made key data from these centres accessible through their portal website

“The primary goal is to showcase the feasibility of collecting continuous data from various locations within a geographical area,” explains Srinivasan Ravindran, Program Head at the ICFOSS centre situated at the Greenfield Cricket Stadium complex in Trivandrum.

“We have developed both hardware and software solutions using open-source technologies. Any government agency, private enterprise, or individual entrepreneur can leverage this to create public utility services or business opportunities.”

Data on temperature, humidity and rain are currently transmitted through wireless gateways deployed in each location. These data are then transmitted to ICFOSS servers.

The data-collection gadgets utilise Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) technology, enabling the collection of information from even the most remote and difficult-to-access areas without relying on traditional telecom channels.

The network can utilise wireless audio frequency technology that operates within a license-free radio frequency spectrum. This capability is particularly valuable during natural disasters, which often disrupt conventional telecommunication channels, as it ensures the continued flow of critical data.

“What we have accomplished is a demonstration of the potential of such a communication network,” says Sreenivasan. “We installed the devices in various engineering colleges to acquaint students with this technology. Once they grasp its capabilities, they can embark on their own innovative projects.”

This wealth of data can be a valuable resource for government agencies such as the agriculture and irrigation departments. It enables them to enhance the management of natural resources and deliver more relevant and insightful information to farmers and other related sectors, ultimately contributing to more informed decision-making and sustainable practices.

This network can also integrate other data collection gadgets like drones and submersibles to develop a comprehensive information gathering system.

Some authorities have already begun harnessing power of this network. Kattakada Panchayath, situated in the suburbs of Trivandrum, is implementing a project to become carbon neutral and data collection is key to that.  Local MLA IB Satish says that this pioneering initiative will also empower the community to seek solutions for pressing issues such as pollution and efficient water management.

The data gathered from various collection centres can also be instrumental in assisting farmers in processing information and establishing automated systems for tasks like starting pumps or initiating drip irrigation. As part of an experimental project, ICFOSS has installed a few devices at a local farm, and the owner of Daisy Farm receives regular updates on temperature, humidity, water quality, and soil analysis.

ICFOSS is actively engaged in discussions with various government agencies to assist them with data collection and analysis, paving the way for informed decision-making and improved resource management. They are also open to helping startups who want to make use of such data networks and develop their own products or services.

Efforts are also underway to harness the extensive Kerala Fibre Optic Network (KFON) that spans across the state, promising a significant enhancement to the data collection infrastructure in Kerala.

While the work being carried out by ICFOSS on this front remains relatively unknown locally, it has already garnered attention from the global open-source community.

The international association of companies supporting the open LoRaWAN network has invited ICFOSS to showcase their ongoing project in Kattakada Panchayath during the forthcoming global LoRaWAN Summit scheduled for October in Tokyo.

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