IoT - based Microseismic Detector

Abstract: Rockfall, which is the detachment of rocks from a mountain, is a major hazard in the mining industry. To help combat this issue, this thesis aims to develop a sensor platform that is able to detect both the potential risk for rockfall and if any rocks do hit the ground. The platform requires wireless communication in order to output relevant information and in order to be part of an IoT-network of sensors.The design of the platform used three different sensors, a geophone, an accelerometer and a microphone. The main focus of the design process was to keep the platform low power, enabling long operation times. The final design had data output from both the microphone and accelerometer, with the accelerometer able to pick up the impact from a falling barbell. Wireless transmission of data is possible for up to 7.5 meters using Bluetooth Low Energy. The low power design was met, with an average current consumption of 26 milliamperes during transmission using Bluetooth Low Energy. That gives a theoretical operation time of 27 days with the battery used. As the accelerometer can pick up a falling object and with a theoretical lifetime of 27 days for the platform, it can be argued that the goals, except for detecting potential risk for rockfall, were met. In order to properly function, however, the platform needs more development, but the most important conclusion of the work is that it seems possible to build this type of platform. Further research and development outside the scope of the thesis is connecting several platforms together.