Magneto-inductive wireless underground sensor networks: novel longevity model, communication concepts and workarounds to key theoretical issues using analogical thinking

Abstract

This research has attempted to devise novel workarounds to key theoretical issues in magneto-inductive wireless underground sensor networks (WUSNs), founded on analogical thinking (Gassmann & Zeschky 2008). The problem statement for this research can be summarized as follows. There has been a substantial output of research publications in the past 5 years, devoted to theoretically analysing and resolving the issues pertaining to deployment of MI based WUSNs. However, no alternate solution approaches to such theoretical analyses have been considered. The goal of this research was to explore such alternate solution approaches. This research has used the principle of analogical thinking in devising such alternate solution approaches. This research has made several key contributions to the existing body of work. First, this research is the first of its kind to demonstrate by means of review of state-of-the-art research on MI based WUSNs, the largely theoretical genus of the research to the exclusion of alternate solution approaches to circumvent key theoretical issues. Second, this research is the first of its kind to introduce the notion of analogical thinking as a solution approach in finding viable workarounds to theoretical impediments in MI based WUSNs, and validate such solution approach by means of simulations. Third, this research is the first of its kind to explore novel communication concepts in the realm of MI based WUSNs, based on analogical thinking. Fourth, this research is the first of its kind to explore a novel longevity model in the realm of MI based WUSNs, based on analogical thinking. Fifth, this research is also the first to extend the notion of analogical thinking to futuristic directions in MI based WUSNs research, by means of providing possible indicators drawn from various other areas of contemporary research. In essence, the author believes that the findings of this research mark a paradigm shift in the research on MI based WUSNs