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Guide to LoRaWAN® Monitoring Systems
The following is a guide to specifying and deploying monitoring systems that use LoRaWAN® It contains important concepts to understand and ensure you are making the best choices for your requirements. Hopefully, it will also dispel some of the myths and mis-understanding around LoRaWAN® and how it is used within energy monitoring systems.
IMPORTANT: LoRaWAN® is a wireless technology - it still needs meters, data collection devices, software and expertise to deploy a robust solution.
Metering and monitoring systems are complex. LoRaWAN® is a useful technology, and it makes some aspects of a system much simpler (mainly complex cabling and battery powered sensors), however, the downside of LoRaWAN® is its complexity to configure, and to operationally manage.
Clients should not be misled, LoRaWAN® helps in many areas, but also adds complexity, it is not a 'silver bullet' solution.
Clients should also be careful that they are not inadvertently persuaded to use proprietary solutions under the guise of LoRaWAN®, that is not a good long-term solution.
It is still possible to deploy LoRaWAN® solutions using open protocol devices and open data access.
Contents :
What is a monitoring system using LoRaWAN® ?
A monitoring system using LoRaWAN® technology, is a collection of devices and software (just like and convention monitoring system):
LoRaWAN® is a communication mechanism. It is not a single piece of hardware or software.
LoRaWAN® is a wireless technology for reading sensors, it is a very useful technology for collecting data from remote sensors but by itself it is not a monitoring system - an analogy would be to think of LoraWAN® like 5G without mobile masts, software, SIM cards , mobile phones etc. Both in isolation are not solutions.
The LoRaWAN® protocol is a Low Power Wide Area Networking (LPWAN) communication protocol based on LoRa. LoRa is a wireless radio frequency technology that operates in a license-free radio frequency spectrum.
The big advantage of LoRa technology is its use of the ISM operating band: 868 MHz. These frequencies are much lower than the popular 2,4 GHz and 5 GHz, resulting in lower transmission losses and much better penetration through obstacles such as building walls or trees. This is the key point for LoraWAN®
Site installed hardware typically includes:
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Metering (electricity, gas, water, heat etc)
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LoRaWAN® sensors that connect the metering hardware
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LoRaWAN® sensors with integrated measurements (temperature, humidity, CO2 etc)
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LoRaWAN® gateways that are used to receive the signal from the LoRaWAN® sensors
It is IMPORTANT to note, it is still absolutely critical that the metering devices are installed and commissioned by experts, LoRaWAN® does not remove the need for high quality installation, design and commissioning
LoRaWAN® sensors are used to connect the physical meter wirelessly (typically pulse meters, Modbus meters etc)
If required, there are LoRaWAN® sensors that also provide measurements such as temperature and humidity, these devices combine measurement and wireless communication.
The following simplified diagram would be the typical site based hardware, it still requires meters for electricity, gas water etc
Considerations for Site Equipment when using LoRaWAN®
Use standard metering with standard open protocols (it is recommended to use Modbus for electricity and heat metering, and pulse meters for mechanical meters (gas and water))
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Use installers who are expert with metering systems - LoRaWAN® does not remove the need for expertise and knowledge
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Use installers who guarantee their metering work and fully commision the whole system (end to end)
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Test and verify LoRaWAN® signal strength - LoRaWAN® is good but there are many scenarios where signal can be poor, due to interference or physical barriers
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Ensure the solution is sensor and meter agnostic, meaning it will be able to work with existing meters and 'new to market' meters, different LoRaWAN® sensor providers etc. Avoid being restricted by technology for future changes or expansion
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Ensure the system has full, remote diagnostic capabilities. Checking all devices are operational, data is complete and battery status is monitored
If you want you metering investment to pay back, your system must be robust, reliable and operate for many years
Remote Data Collection when using LoRaWAN®
So far, this document has covered some of the considerations for site based equipment, however, the data need to be collected remotely and provided to a system for analysis. The system could be a dedicated energy monitoring platform or to BI tools such as MS PowerBI or other systems the customer may have.
As mentioned earlier, systems using LoRaWAN® are complex and prone to mistakes with regards naming/setup/commissioning. Generally, the time saved in the field, is reflected in the additional time required to diligently configure at the back end.
One advantage of LoRaWAN® is that the gateways can read all sensor in range, meaning the addition of a gateway adds to the robustness of the system and can fill in the areas of poor signal.
The gateways need to send their data offsite (back haul) so it can be processed and presented for reporting. A typical system would use the gateway would be connected to the site IP network or cellular connectivity (4G), most gateways can use both. Although, Wi-Fi is an option we would not recommend using it for data back haul.
Data Processing and Management
Elcomponent has 3 main components to manage, collect and share metering data.
1. LoRaWAN® Server - this is an enterprise grade commercial platform for processing LoRaWAN® messages
2. Enterprise Meter Management - this is a set of tools with a number of functions
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Collects the messages from the LoRaWAN® server and interprets device payloads (data)
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Runs remote diagnostics (with Dashboards) in real time for every device (gateway/sensor/meter)
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Runs remote battery maintenance checks
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Verifies all system process and verifies data is proceed and stored correctly
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Provides data directly to Client system such as Power BI or in house Analytic platforms
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Unifies metering data from other sources Data Loggers / Utilities / BMS / CSV Files etc
3. MW2 EMS System is a full energy manage platform, with automated reporting, dashboards, alerts etc.
The 'end to end' Process is Complex and Requires Knowledge and Expertise
Key Considerations
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LoRaWAN® is a wireless technology not a complete monitoring solution
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Metering and monitoring systems are complex, LoRaWAN® is a useful tool as part of the system
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LoRaWAN® is not the only solution and system that can utilise wired and wireless system are best
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Quality of design, installation, commissioning and operation are still the most critical part of a successful system
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Don’t underestimate the complexity LoRaWAN® can add to a system
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Use contractors with a track record of delivery
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Use contractors who have operated and managed system for long periods of time
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Avoid being misled in using to proprietary solutions
Only a robust, reliable metering system capable of working accurately over many years will deliver the required outcomes