Sensor network using Power-over-Ethernet

A generic sensor network architecture is developed, combining Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) and Internet-of-Things (IoT) concepts. Distributed sensor nodes consist of a local controller (Raspberry-Pi board), to pre-process and format data collected from several sensors, and an Ethernet and power management circuit, to interface with PoE-enabled Ethernet ports. The system design follows a client-server architecture: by combining PoE with the IoT, the endpoint clients and servers (PoE controller modules) can communicate in local area network using the Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP). Clients can send commands to observe sensor data, change data acquisition sampling rate, and post new sensor resources. As data gets observed by clients, it can be further stored in a custom-designed HDF5 (Hierarchical Data Format 5) file format, for post-processing, visualization and data management. The convergence of data and power flow control enables a smart power management at the network level - most of the sensor nodes will be powered-up (awoken) only after custom triggering events detected by a main subset of always-on sensing nodes. These PoE controller modules are intended for structural and environment monitoring in one of the tallest wooden tower in the world, to be built in UBC campus. The generic architecture may be further adopted in the future for other types of applications, like environmental monitoring or human health.