Annotation
An Italian SME has developed an innovative and reliable system for monitoring natural risks (e.g., volcanos, earthquakes, avalanches) or high-impact anthropic phenomena (e.g., explosions) based on the real-time detection of infrasonic waves and geolocalisation of the source, with very low power consumption, reliable data transmission, ease of use and maintainance. The company is interested in a joint venture or service/subcontracting agreement with partners in the environmental sectors.
Offer description
An high-tech SME based in the south of Italy and specialised in the design and development of measurement and real-time monitoring applications, has developed a very reliable and resilient solution for monitoring natural and anthropic phenomena that are sources of infrasonic waves. An infrasonic source produces a sound with low frequency (below 6 Hz) that propagates for long distances at the speed of sound and can be revealed with ground based instruments. Provided the sensors are adequately positioned, it is also possible to derive directional information to geolocalise the source of the waves. Typical infrasonic sources include situations of natural risk (such as volcanos, earthquakes, avalanches, meteor detection, etc.) or militar events (such as missiles launch, nuclear explosions, etc.). The developed solution includes different infrasound sensors: - stand-alone nodes to be integrated in existing monitoring networks to detect the amplitude of an infrasonic wave: such devices are designed to work with a range of voltage supply, protected against lighting and over-voltage, shielded against electronic noise, and protected by a hardy aluminium alloy case. - arranged in array of sensors to monitor, in real time, amplitude and direction of the infrasonic waves: an 8 channels receiver collects data from low-power sensor nodes, transmitting data over optical fibres to ensure integrity against lightnings, and to monitor temperature, charge status of the battery and obviously the infrasound signal detected and digitised. The direction of the ultrasonic sound is identified by a triangulation that correlates the signals of the different nodes. In addition, the system adopts an innovative solution, currently unique at world level, to simplify the recording of the acquisition time for collected data. The classical solution is to use a GPS receiver at each array of sensors to obtain the UTC reference time. However, this solution is very energy-consuming and more demanding in terms of maintenance than the rest of the infrasonic array and as such, it is not suitable for installation in remote places, especially in harsh conditions (e.g., high volcanos). The company has developed a device to be placed at the base station (where electricity and maintenance are not so problematic) that is able to mix data from the remote sensors and the time stamp from the GPS. The overall solution is already in place in several early warning systems in Italy (for eruptions, tzunami alerts, etc.). The company is looking for industrial partners working in the environmental sector (monitoring natural risks, early warning, civil protection, etc.) to establish a joint business proposal, to operate as subcontractor or for a service / subcontracting agreement. In the first case, the company is interested to establish a collaboration for a specific realisation (e.g. project, contract, tender) identified by the partner, for a natural risk monitoring system. The partner could provide complementary services and/or supporto for local maintainance and installation. In addition, the company is ready to provide its solution as a subcontractor for a prior contract already established Alternatively, the company can operate under a manufacturing/service agreement to offer products (i.e. infrasound sensors and base station) and related services (i.e. design, installation, maintenance, etc.) to a provider of environmental solutions.
Innovations and advantages
The solution exploits the possibility to derive directional information about the infrasonic wave to estimate the infrasound source position. This is important in a number of situations (explosions, fires, tsunami, etc.). The solution is based on the real-time detection of infrasonic waves with: - Very low power consumption; - Reliable data transmission by using optic fibres; - Unique solution, with low energy consumption, to assign the acquisition time to all collected data; - Simple integration also into existing monitoring networks; - Sensor nodes with full diagnostic functionality to allow the installation without additional measure instruments; - Full system of remote diagnostic for battery charge and temperature.
Market application codes
03007002 Other measuring devices
09003001 Engineering services
09003007 Other services (not elsewhere classified)
09008004 Other utilities and related firms
Profile date
16.03.2019
Сотрудничество
Area of partner's activity
The company is looking for industrial partners working in the environmental sector (monitoring natural risks, early warning, civil protection, etc.) to establish: 1) A joint business proposal. The company is interested to establish a collaboration for a specific realisation (e.g. project, contract, tender) identified by the partner, for a natural risk monitoring system. The partner could provide complementary services and/or support for local maintainance and installation. 2) Subcontracting. The company is ready to provide its solution as a subcontractor for a prior contract already established 3) Manufacturing/service agreement. The company can operate under an agreement to deliver its products (i.e. infrasound sensors and base station) and related services (i.e. design, installation, maintenance, etc.) to a provider of environmental solutions.
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