Architecture

Subnetwork with Backchannel Communication
In the example shown below, inexpensive sensor devices can be networked in small clusters and connected to environmental monitoring stations as described above. The clusters of sensor devices can also be connected to each other, creating a subnetwork of sensor devices. This may enable the use of other methods for long-distance communication to the offsite host. In the example below, each cluster of sensor devices has a connection to an environmental monitoring station with satellite communication capabilities; in addition, the larger subnetwork of sensor devices has a connection to a gateway device that provides communication with the host via an existing communications network. When such a communications network is available, this may provide a less expensive means to communicate with an offsite host.