MicroSeismic will rely on the CTS private network for more timely sinkhole detection and intervention
Communication Technology Services (CTS) said that MicroSeismic, Inc is leveraging its private LTE wireless Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) solution over Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) radio spectrum to support sinkhole detection for a large industrial facility in Florida. MicroSeismic’s KarstAlert technology detects subtle shifts in underground rock formations that may signal sinkhole formation and growth, and by carrying this data on a private LTE network, argued CTS, more timely intervention is possible.
MicroSeismic was established in 2002 and operates in 18 countries. Its data is generated at detection stations and now, with CBRS as the communication backbone for its operations at the Florida industrial facility, this data can be cost-effectively delivered to the MicroSeismic datacenter for analysis. Wi-Fi was deemed by the company to be insufficient, in terms of coverage and reliability, for the amount of area that required coverage.
“Finding a wireless communication solution that provides high volume data collection in remote locations has been a real challenge for us,” commented Jerry (JD) Driskell, operations supervisor at MicroSeismic. “We turned to CTS to create a private wireless network that met our complex requirements. Following the success at the first site, we’re already in the planning phase for our next CTS network.”
The full scope of CTS’ involvement in the project included designing and engineering the radio coverage, constructing the infrastructure, turning up the network elements, as well as providing 24 x 7 x 365 monitoring, management and operations of the network.
“MicroSeismic is the industry leader in high-resolution acoustic monitoring. Their technology can solve the mission-critical task of detecting sinkhole development in time to make an appropriate response. We value the opportunity to solve MicroSeismic’s communications challenges,” Dean Fresonke, CTS vice president of channel development said.
Sinkholes are dangerous and can have devastating effects. Homes, business, city infrastructure and even lives have been lost to them. This is why timely detection is so critical. According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, sinkholes are a common feature of the state’s landscape, due primarily to erosional processes associated with the chemical weathering and dissolution of limestone or dolomite, the two most common carbonate rocks in Florida. While there are no specific numbers, CNN reported in 2013 that the Florida Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance revealed that insurers had received 24,671 claims for sinkhole damage in the state between 2006 and 2010.
