Flood Monitoring with Remote Camera Stations UTILIZING ADVANCES IN CELLULAR TELEMETRY

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Austin Seback, Field Tech/Hydrologist, Water & Earth Technologies, 4-21-16, AUG Conference

What is Cellular Telemetry? Cellular Phone

Output wattage: 1-2 watts

Antenna gain: 0 dB

Cellular Radio Modem Output wattage: 1 watts

Antenna gain: variable

Cellular Tower Network Divided into hexagonal cells

Dependent on area needs

Range varies from ½ mile to 10 miles

Connected to wireless carrier network via base station

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PresenterPresentation NotesCellular Phone Telemetry components1-2 Watts depending on frequency with gain of approximately 0However since towers don’t need to fit in your pocket, i.e. have little to no size/power constraints high quality amplifiers and low loss filters allow towers to have a huge effect on quality of the signal received

Cellular Radio Modem components1-2 Watts again depending on frequencyAntenna gain is variable depending on proximity to cell tower (corresponding to signal strength) and thus can be compensated for accordingly

Cellular Tower Network:Divided into hexagonal cellsCell size is dependent on the needs of the area: i.e. population demographics, businesses, event centers, etc..Depending on your location you may have access to many of these cells – Called frequency ReuseCells cover a range which will vary:½ mile in cities10 miles in rural areas – In some cases in clear open areas cell signals may reach as far as 25 milesTowers are placed accordingly Towers are connected to the wireless carrier network via base stations

Cellular Networks

Data

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PresenterPresentation NotesCellular Networks can be divided into the following categories in terms of what the signal is carrying:Voice, text and data

In terms of telemetry we are concerned with the ‘Data’ which is common in our modern day cellular networks. When a cellular device connects to the internet it does so by using the cellular Data network.

Data Evolution

Late 90’s 2G 2005 3G 2010 4G 2015

4G LTE

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PresenterPresentation Notes

This cellular Data Network is what allows us to establish an internet connection

However this hasn’t always been possible:

G is for Generation

2G – EDGE – E on Phone – Late 90’s - Flip phones 3G – 2005 - Smartphones appear4G – 2010 - Modern day phones4G LTE (Long term evolution) - 2015

Upload Speed

2G = not possible

3G = 25 Seconds

4G = 1 Second 4G LTE =

Video Speed

3G = 480p @ 10 fps

4G = 1080P @ 30 fps

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PresenterPresentation NotesHowever we don’t only want to be able to upload photos we want to be able to view the camera in real time:3G: Had to reduce the image size to 480p and a frame rate of 10 fps4G: Allows us to view the image in 1080P HD and at a frame rate of 30 fps- This means the image appears clear and smooth

SO 4G elements of cellular network are what we are most interested in now and is what we will base the rest of this presentation off of

Flood Warning Networks

Crucial Components Meteorological Forecasts

Real-time Data Rain

Where?

How much?

Streams Where?

Stage/Discharge

Knowledge of the Related Affects

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PresenterPresentation NotesMetrological Forecasts:Want to know where it might rain and how much it could rainAlerts us to potential flooding threats in the area Real-time DataMany of you are familiar with ALERT Networks: ALERT – Automated Local Evaluation in Real TimeGoal is to let you as the administrator know what is happening in the area in Real-TimeRain:How much?Where?Streams:What is the stage?How does it relate to dischargeNone of this really means anything however without knowledge of the related affectsRegions have different rain fall ratesStreams have different sizes and therefore different flood discharges associated with different stagesCellular Telemetry allows us one more tool in this knowledge of related affectsVisual Verification

Uses of Camera Monitoring 1: Visual Monitoring Periodic Maintenance

Trash racks Channel constrictions

Channel Flows Spillways Detention basins Flood diversion channels

Road crossings

Security Vandalism

Sensitive locations

Meteorology Dam/Spillway monitoring at Matilija Dam, Ventura, California

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PresenterPresentation Notes Add notes

2: Data Collection Water Level

Visual reading of staff gages

Channel Constraints Visually monitoring

of flow conditions

Time Lapse Conditions over

extended periods of time

Flood control channel water level monitoring in San Bernardino, California

PresenterPresentation NotesTime lapse of S Platte River here

3: Data Verification

Stage Verify stage readings

Gates/Diversions Verify gate position

Sensitive Locations Verify field data

Irrigation gate monitoring on S. Fork Boulder Creek , Colorado

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Installation Compact

Internal Antenna

AC or Solar

Solar flood control channel water level camera monitoring site in San Bernardino, California

Components are Vandal Resistant

Installation able to adapt to a majority of site constraints

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PresenterPresentation NotesInstallation:Compact – single enclosure with minimal additional extremities Antenna has option of being internal in areas where signal strength is not poorOtherwise an antenna can be fixed to the support structureAC or solar power meaning the site can be virtually installed anywhereComponents are vandal resistant in that it is out of reach In case of vandalism parts are easily replacedInstallations nature allows it to adapt to the majority of locations

Ventura County Watershed Protection District Case Study CASEY LANIER

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Installation and Operation of Remote IP Webcams

How it works

Installation Considerations

Overview of Installations

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How it works

IP webcam

Fixed

Pan Tilt Zoom (PTZ)

Cellular Modem

Allows communication with camera anywhere

with a decent cell signal

Image storage and retrieval

Cloud-based storage of camera images

Camera images sent to FTP server

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PresenterPresentation NotesExplain the difference between fixed and PTZ cameras.

Explain how the cell modem worksUses a SIM card from VerizonGiven a static IP address for remote accessAccess from anywhere for live view change view and settingsExplain how the CameraFTP site worksImages uploaded by the camera every 15 minutesImages stored for two weeks then deleted

www.vcwatershed.net/fws/cameras

IP Cam Viewer App – Live simultaneous view of cams

VCWPD webpage contains most recent camera Images updated every 15 minutes

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Three Installation Sites in Ventura County

Sespe Creek

Arroyo Simi

Matilija Dam

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PresenterPresentation NotesThere were three main considerations that drove the design of the camera mounts: POWER, VANTAGE POINT, and VANDALISM

Some sites may have AC power and a building to mount to, but are subject to heavy and frequent vandalismOther sites may have a great vantage point of the stream but no reliable power source

These considerations were overcome by placing the cameras on top of 15 – 20 foot masts which created the problem of accessing the cameras for maintenance.

A hinged-mast design was developed. This keeps cameras and solar panels out of reach of vandals and allows the camera to be raised and lowered for maintenance

Three sites were chosen to have cameras installed in Ventura County – Sespe Creek, Arroyo Simi and Matilija Dam

Each site had a unique installation with regards to power, vandalism and camera mounts

Arroyo Simi at Madera Road Simi Valley, CA 17

Arroyo Simi Fixed IP Camera

• Foscam Model FI9085P • Outdoor, fixed-view

• Sierra Wireless GX 450 Cellular Modem – Verizon • Solar Panel • 20 foot hinged mast

• 110 AHr battery in gage house across stream

• A scribe was used to transfer contours of ground to concrete form • This method allows for a very tight fit of the form to the ground

PresenterPresentation NotesBox was set in it’s final place plumbed and leveled. A scribe was then used to transfer the bottom contour to the concrete form.

The form was then cut along the scribed line using a jigsaw

Once in place, spray paint was used to mark the correct location for replacement later.

Give credit to Mark

Camera base is placed onto bolts, leveled and plumbed

Anchor bolts are also installed for redundancy and strength

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PresenterPresentation NotesExplain detail of camera base (erection plate, anchor bolts etc.)

Entire base is 4x4” ¼” hollow structural section steel, ½” steel erection plate, ¾” base plate and 5/8” hinge plates

Hinge plates are secured with ½” steel hinge pin tack welded to prevent removal

Hinge plates are secured with 4 – ½” stainless bolts. Base also has a lock box to prevent lowering even if bolts are removed

Rigid conduit was used to connect the base to the existing conduit on bridge

Conduit strapped to ground then encased in concrete

Weatherproof junction box connects conduit to camera base

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PresenterPresentation Notes

• Wire has been run from panel, across creek to gage house and back to camera

PresenterPresentation NotesView of mast that has been attached to base. Wires have been run from gage house across stream, into junction box, through conduit and up to top of mast.

Conduit was used to ensure wires were not pinched between plates on base and mast.

Power runs from solar panel across channel to gage house to charge batteries and power logger and transmitter. Then runs back across channel to power camera.

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PresenterPresentation NotesView of completed camera install.

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PresenterPresentation NotesTime lapse video of early January storm and run off event

Sespe Creek Fillmore, CA

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Sespe Creek IP Camera

• Foscam Model FI9085P • Outdoor, fixed-view

• Sierra Wireless GX 450 Cellular Modem – Verizon • Solar Panel • 20 foot hinged mast

• 110 AHr battery in gage house

• Camera base anchored anchored into existing slab • Two ½” stainless u-bolts provide additional strength due to high winds in area • Mast offset from center of base and hinge plates • No lock box

• Hinge pin welded to

prevent removal

PresenterPresentation NotesCustom made u bolts by bending stainless steel all thread

No lock box needed because u bolts are secured inside gage house

Staff Plates

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PresenterPresentation NotesArrows pointing to staggered staff plates

Staff Plates

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PresenterPresentation NotesSespe night view.

Infrared lights illuminating trees.

Staff plates somewhat visible

Matilija Dam Ojai, CA

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Matilija Dam IP Webcam

• Foscam Model FI9828W • Outdoor, Pan Tilt Zoom

• Sierra Wireless GX 450 Cellular Modem – Verizon • 15 foot hinged mast

• Float charger in gage house keeps 92 Ahr battery charged • Two 10 dB gain antennas

• helps with very poor cell signal in canyon

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• 3/4” steel base plate • 5/8” hinge plates with 1/2” hinge pin

welded • Lock box

• Stainless steel all-thread anchors base through gage house roof

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PresenterPresentation NotesHoles were drilled through roof of gage house and base was through-bolted to roof.

Roofing mastic used on this installation to prevent potential water leaking on logging and transmitting equipment in gage house

• Extremely weak to non-existent cell signal resulted in poor image quality • Poor signal also prevented communication with camera.

• Two large, 10 dB gain antennas installed to utilize MIMO capability of cellular modem • MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) takes advantage of multipath propagation transmission of radio signals.

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PresenterPresentation NotesThe stock antennas with the modem work well in areas with a string cell signal. We were unable to access the camera and change the view. Any images that did come in were corrupted and infrequent.

The 10 dB gain antennas were the third attempt to improve signal quality and strength. A smaller external antenna was previously tried as was a signal booster. Each had limited success.

The large gain antennas allowed us to adjust the camera view and change to a lower quality improving transmission reliability and communication with the camera.

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Cellular Network Existing telemetry backbone is

already incorporated into a large portion of the US No backbone installation needed

Can easily be found on sites such as Open Signal

Concentrated around urban areas

SIM card and Modem only required field components to integrate

FCC No license required

Public Safety Filing Priority of signal

Reliability

Connecting anywhere EASY INTERFACE ALLOWS USER TO MONITOR AND/OR CONTROL CAMERA REMOTELY

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PresenterPresentation NotesConnect to San Bernardino Camera

http://166.154.142.101/

Data Display Integration

IP Connection to cloud based storage service Utilize FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

Email

SD Card

Webserver

Integration of Camera Sites into existing ALERT Data Display, San Bernardino County, California

Photo Delivery

Display Alongside ALERT Data

Webpage

Available anywhere with an internet connection

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PresenterPresentation NotesDelivery from your camera location:IP enabled camera allows it to be connected to interned via cellular modemCameras take snapshots at a user-specified interval and send photos to cloud based service via FTP (File transfer protocol)This ‘cloud based service’ archives photos for an agreed length of timeThese photos then can be pushed to any platform of your choosing

Additional independent capabilities of Modem/Camera:- Can be Setup for:EmailSD Card logging of photosWebserver display

Display Examples would include:Alongside your ALERT DataWebpageAnywhere with a connection to the internet

Summary Reliability Ease of Integration

Cloud Access to data anywhere

Compliment existing flood warning stations and network Diverse

Use existing telemetry backbone

Increase Versatility of Flood Warning Network

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Questions?

Flood Monitoring with Remote Camera StationsWhat is Cellular Telemetry?Cellular Networks DataSlide Number 5Slide Number 6Flood Warning NetworksUses of Camera MonitoringSlide Number 9Slide Number 10InstallationVentura County Watershed Protection District Case StudyInstallation and Operation of Remote IP WebcamsHow it worksSlide Number 15Three Installation Sites in Ventura CountyArroyo Simi at Madera Road�Simi Valley, CASlide Number 18Slide Number 19Slide Number 20Slide Number 21Slide Number 22Slide Number 23Slide Number 24Sespe Creek�Fillmore, CASlide Number 26Slide Number 27Slide Number 28Slide Number 29Matilija Dam�Ojai, CASlide Number 31Slide Number 32Slide Number 33Slide Number 34Slide Number 35Cellular NetworkConnecting anywhereData Display IntegrationSummarySlide Number 40