Advanced Sensors Facility
A multi-disciplinary facility supporting remote sensing for research and teaching through integrated networks, sensor development, and autonomous systems
The Advanced Sensors Facility brings together cutting-edge research and experiential learning across the schools in the
Faculty of Science and Engineering , with expertise spanning sensor and autonomous systems design and development.
With specialist equipment and experienced staff, the facility offers a dynamic environment for students, researchers and industry partners to address real-world challenges and drive innovation.
-
(
Location: Davy Building
-
/General enquiries: sensorslab@plymouth.ac.uk
The facility enables:
Teaching and learning
- Provides a teaching environment for advanced sensors, sensor design and automation.
- Supports student-led research in remote sensing and sensor applications.
Research and innovation
- Designs, develops and deploys bespoke sensors and electronic devices.
- Offers pre- and post-deployment support for sensor technologies.
- Contributes to research grant applications and actively pursues funding opportunities.
- Supports the CRISPS
Landscape-Level Laboratory .
Infrastructure and capability
- Provides LoRaWAN capability across the University.
- Promotes the transition towards carbon-neutral sensor technologies.
Partnerships and collaboration
- Builds and strengthens collaborations with businesses and academic partners.
Supporting our students
Undergraduate and postgraduate teaching
- Supports teaching in the
School of Biological and Marine Sciences andSchool of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences through access to facilities, equipment, and expertise.
Student-based research
- Supports student projects across the Faculty through access to sensors and datasets from marine, coastal and land-based systems, including environmental, water catchment, soil health, air quality monitoring, including animal-mounted sensors for behaviour, welfare and production.
- Provides bookable laboratory bench space for MSc and PhD students undertaking research involving the use of sensors, including development and repair.
- Provides drop-in support for sensor use and data analysis.
Supporting our LoRaWAN sensor network
The Facility supports the University’s expanding LoRaWAN sensor network through a range of technical services and expertise:
- Provides a dedicated space for the set-up and onboarding of sensors and gateways to the LoRaWAN network server, with ongoing post-deployment support.
- Supports the development of web dashboards, cloud-based data storage and reporting tools during sensor deployment.
- Offers technical support to students, researchers and external collaborators.
- Delivers maintenance, fault diagnosis, repairs and warranty management for LoRaWAN devices.
LoRaWAN is a registered trademark of Semtech Corporation, used under licence from the LoRa Alliance.
Supporting research
The Advanced Sensors Facility plays a key role in supporting research across a range of areas, including:
- Evaluation of low-cost soil sensors, including comparisons with laboratory-based measurement techniques.
- Conversion of non-telemetry sensors for compatibility with LoRaWAN networks
- Development of bespoke sensors and sensor platforms for targeted environmental and land-based research.
- Development of LoRaWAN-enabled sensors for monitoring livestock behaviour, health, and tracking technologies.
- Exploring trade-offs between accuracy, sampling frequency and power consumption in upland farming environments.
Examples of research supported by the facility
Development of LoRaWAN-enabled sensors for monitoring livestock behaviour and health in upland farming environments.
Developing a sensor network for monitoring the environment and impacts of carbon reduction resulting from a transitioning to electric vessels.
Deploying sensors to support smart shipping innovation to predict and manage maritime emissions in coastal environments.
Monitoring soil health using 87 LoRaWAN sensors deployed in herbal ley and permanent pasture plots, assessing biological and physicochemical indicators and the factors shaping soil faunal diversity and community composition.
Landscape-Level Living Laboratory
The
CRISPS Landscape-Level Living Laboratory uses advanced sensing technologies to study the natural landscape processes that influence sustainable food production.
Combining mobile and static sensor platforms, the lab provides a real‑world testbed for cutting‑edge research and innovation and operates within the Advanced Sensors Facility.
Our facilities for your research and commercial activities
At the Advanced Sensors Facility:
- Access to our expanding LoRaWAN network, with the experience and knowledge to autonomously monitor land and air properties.
- Utilise bespoke sensor design capabilities through custom electronics design, firmware development and assembly, to a high Technology Readiness Level (TRL).
- Collaborate on interdisciplinary projects with researchers from the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
- Engage us with your research opportunities and funding applications.
Contact us to view or book this facility
ipandcommercial@plymouth.ac.uk
The gateway for external organisations to access the University of Plymouth’s world-class research expertise, facilities and talent.
Centre of Research excellence in Intelligent and Sustainable Productive Systems (CRISPS)
CRISPS brings together a vibrant community of transdisciplinary researchers, working towards addressing the challenge of sustainably feeding a global population of 9 billion. Founded upon research excellence in aquaculture, agricultural technology and soil health, and underpinned by investment in cutting-edge facilities, the Centre will create the critical mass required to ensure impactful research and real-world deployment in the UK and beyond.
