LoraWAN advantages for the Internet of Things, also known as IoT, are discussed in this article.

LoraWAN is a useful technology for business process improvement.

LoraWAN is a low data rate, low power, long-distance wireless technology.

The ‘Lora’ part of the name, stands for ‘LOng RAnge’.

LoraWAN is designed for Internet of Things (IoT) uses.

LoRa technology offers bi-directional communication, end-to-end security, mobility and localisation options.

Lora typically operates within license-free ISM (Industrial, Scientific, Medical) radio frequency bands located below 1 Gigahertz (GHz).

Operating in the ISM frequency bands, allows anyone to build a LoraWAN network, without the cost of Ofcom (in the UK) spectrum operating licences.

Lora technology provides a very long-transmission range, compared with Wifi & Bluetooth etc, while using exceptionally low power consumption.

There are of course IOT applications that are better suited to other wireless technologies, such as Wifi.

LoraWAN can only transmit small amounts of data at a time, so is not suitable for streaming video for example.

Lorawan Advantages are listed below:-

Long-range and deep penetration

LoraWAN is good at penetrating into buildings, or even underground. Therefore Sensors can be located indoors, outdoors and even underground, and still be able to communicate with the receiving Gateway device.

Distances of up to 50Km can be achieved in open areas and up to 10km within a town or city.

Low Power

LoraWAN’s advantage for IoT is offering low data bit rates, which results in low energy consumption.

Environmental Sensors such as Smart Parking or Soil sensors are designed with Lora technology, to send small amounts of data when required.

How often the small amounts of data are sent can be designed to be event-driven or at a scheduled time period.

This enables battery life to last for up to 10 years.

High Network Capacity

Lora uses an adaptive data rate and features a multi-channel multi-modem transceiver in the gateway device.

This allows for simultaneous messages to be received on multiple channels.

Therefore a LoRaWAN network has very high capacity and scalability options..

Open Standard, unlicensed band

The LoRaWAN specification is supported and maintained by the LoRa Alliance.

LoraWAN mostly operates in the licence free ISM (Industrial Scientific Medical) bands.

In Europe the frequency is 868MHz, and 915 in the USA etc.

The advantage of LoraWAN operating in an ISM band is that there are no expensive licence fees to be paid to local regulatory bodies (Ofcom in the UK, for example).

A potential disadvantage of using unlicenced frequency spectrum is interference from other users.

Security

Lora has AES-128 encryption built in as standard.

Ease of Installation

As Lora connected Sensors consume only tiny amounts of power, they can run from batteries for a number of years. This makes installation simple, as time-consuming & expensive cabling isn’t required.

Uses of LoraWAN

LoraWAN is great for a number of application areas. Some of these are listed below:

Smart Agriculture

Smart agriculture is a term that refers to using sensor technology monitor environmental factors.

Environmental factors that are monitored include soil Ph, moisture content, water levels etc.

The data from the sensors is fed back to the internet or local server, for analysis and processing.

As Lora is a two-way technology, it can also be used to send data commands out to equipment in the fields, as well as receive data.

This could for example allow water valves to be remotely controlled when the sensors detect a field that needs watering.

Smart Cities

Smart cities monitor environmental conditions and adjust and respond.

Lora is a perfect technology for sensors, as batteries can last for years, and it is long range.

An example application of LoraWAN as part of a Smart City ecosystem is its use in Smart Parking systems.

Smart parking systems use sensors embedded into the floor of a car park, to detect whether there is a car in a parking space.

This data is used to direct motorists to available free parking, and to make cities run smoother.

Yesway is based in Lincoln, UK.

+44 (01522) 740818

This article was written by Yesway engineer Craig Miles

Internet of Things | Two Way Radio Wireless Communications – Yesway Communications

Pouring water on an Induction Motor may stop it working, which can be monitored with IOT.

The reason water stops the motor working, is due to the lowering of the insulation resistance of the internal motor coil windings, but what are the wet induction motor symptoms.

The coil windings are located inside the metal case of the induction motor, and are what generates a magnetic field, which makes the motor turn.

This article will focus on what are known as ‘three phase’ Induction Motors, which have three sets of coil windings inside the motor. It will also be expanded to include the advantages of adding IOT monitoring.

The internal motor windings are wound together in a component known as a ‘Stator’.

Each winding is electrically separated by an insulation layer on the copper wire that makes up a stator winding.

Therefore there should be a high level of electrical resistance between each of the three coils.

This ‘Insulation Resistance’ is typically above 2 Mega Ohms in a correctly operating Induction Motor, however for marine Induction motors 0.5 Mega Ohms is the stated (Solas) minimum.

If the coil windings become wet, then the insulation resistance would drop to a low level, which would prevent the motor from operating, due to a short circuit between the coil windings.

The good news is that induction motors can usually be dried out, and therefore returned to having a high insulation resistance between the Stator coils.

Methods for drying out the stator coils to restore an acceptable insulation resistance include hot air, or heating the coil windings using a welding set.

It is of course vital that the motor is disconnected from the electricity supply, and that only a qualified person carries out the work.

On land based industrial installations a damp or wet  Induction Motor, should trip the safety circuit breakers (RCD), and isolate the supply.

This is because on land, the priority is to safeguard the safety of people and livestock.

On board ships and Super-yachts however, the priority is to maintain the ships important systems, such as Steering gear.

Therefore ships electrical systems are designed to tolerate a single earth fault, without shutting down the whole circuit.

A wet Induction Motor would cause an earth fault to be detected by the ships ‘fault panel’, but not trip the whole circuit.

Yesway has experience of working on Marine Induction motors, and years of related experience.

Monitoring Using Radio Communications

Radio communications technology can be used to monitor the condition of induction motors.

This can be part of your overall business improvement process.

Sensors can be attached or even integrated into induction motors, to monitor motor conditions.

Induction motor parameters that can be monitored by sensors are:

Phase Current

Motor speed RPM

Vibration

Torque

Connecting via LoraWAN

LoraWAN is a wireless technology that can be used for creating a Smart Factory.

Advantages of LoraWAN is low power consumption, so the sensor attached to the motor can be battery powered, and last years.

Another advantage of LoraWAN for monitoring wet Induction motors in Smart Factories is long range, and good signal penetration through walls.

Internet of Things | Two Way Radio Wireless Communications – Yesway Communications

This blog article is about the Intercom product design process of designing an outdoor two-way radio wireless Intercom.

Background To Project

An existing industrial manufacturing client emailed Yesway to ask if we could ‘programme up’ a couple walkie talkies.

The customer needed to start locking their store room when unattended, due to workers helping themselves to supplies.

They wanted to mount a couple walkie-talkie radios on the wall, so that workers could call for the store to be unlocked.

The client wanted one radio to be mounted directly outside the storeroom, and the second outside the building.

They thought that perhaps the radios could be mounted in some sort of external case, to protect them.

This is especially important for the radio mounted outside the building, due to rain and snow.

The potential problem with mounting expensive handheld two-way radios outside, is also theft.

The clients site is on a secluded industrial estate, and the entrance to the car park, and hence the exterior of the building is open.

After clarifying with the client as to exactly them wanted, the intercom product design process began.

I sent them the rough idea for a radio linked Intercom.

The photo above shows the rough initial idea for a wireless outdoor intercom.

Luckily it was exactly what the customer was looking for.

So now I knew what they client wanted, all I needed to do now is figure out how to make it work.

RF Electronics Options

The design brief from the client, requires the intercom to be able to call the portable digital two-way radios that the factory managers have.

The purpose is so that they can come and unlock the storeroom, or unlock the outside door (both of which are now locked).

After a personal brainstorming session, I came up with the following options.

• Bluetooth link, with audio capabilities.
• DECT communication technology, like cordless phone.
• Licenced PMR Digital Radio.
• Unlicenced PMR446 Radio (analogue or digital)
• Audio over Wifi

Once I had come up with the initial list of possible ways to link the intercom with the existing two-way radios, it was time to evaluate.

Firstly I considered Bluetooth.

Bluetooth was introduced in 1994, and is currently up to version 5.

In addition to what is now known as Bluetooth ‘Classic’, there is now also ‘Low Energy’, and ‘Mesh’.

As the names suggest, ‘Classic’ is an updated version of the original Bluetooth.

‘Low Energy’ is designed to use less current from its power supply.

This makes it suitable for the Internet Of Things, as enabled sensors can last for years on same battery.

Product like Smart Watches use Bluetooth Low Energy, or BLE as it is commonly known.

Bluetooth Mesh allows data to ‘flow’ through multiple ‘nodes’ en route to their destination.

This enables data to travel longer distances than would otherwise be possible using ordinary Bluetooth.

Mesh technology is great for controlling projects like Smart Lighting, but is not needed for our simple intercom design requirements.

As you hopefully have now appreciated, there are different types of Bluetooth for different purposes.

Bluetooth was originally designed as a technology to wirelessly replace RS232 type Serial communications cables.

It has also developed  into a technology capable of  transmitting audio.

Bluetooth modules capable of audio, have a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) included in their design.

Positives of using Bluetooth for the Intercom Product Design Process

The intercom has the following design requirements:

• To allow instant wireless voice communication at the push of a call button.
• Be capable of being powered by battery, with long battery life.

Bluetooth audio could provide the communication link between the intercom and the two-way radio.

It uses fairly low power consumption.

Could also be made to work with app on mobile phone, as all smartphones now have Bluetooth built in.

Disadvantages

Relatively short range, which might be an issue, if the receiving Bluetooth module of the two-way radio, is too distant.

Time delay to establish the connection, unless left connected (which has power consumption implications).

At the time of writing (27th November 2019) , I am still researching Bluetooth technology in more detail, so I might still use it for the design.

DECT RF Technology

The next RF (radio frequency) technology that I considered for the intercom design, was DECT.

DECT is short for Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications.

Sometimes you may also see it called Digital European Cordless Telecommunications, as the technology originated in Europe.

DECT has been adopted worldwide, and is most commonly used in cordless phones.

However I considered using DECT to provide the wireless communications link between the intercom and the two-way radios.

Advantages

DECT provides clear two-way audio communication.

DECT operates at 1900 Mhz  (1.9Ghz) which has the advantage over Bluetooth & Wifi, which operate at 2.4Ghz (2400 Mhz).

1900 Mhz is an advantage because it is a less crowded frequency, and therefore less subject to potential interference from other users.

Disadvantages

There is less choice in DECT modules available, compared with technologies such as Bluetooth.

The modules for DECT enablement of the wireless outdoor intercom also seem to be more expensive than Bluetooth.

Licenced PMR Digital Radio

PMR stands for Private Mobile Radio.

…..more information on the design project coming soon. Come back regularly.

Craig

Yesway is based in Lincoln, UK.

Our phone number is: (01522) 740818

This article was written by Craig from Yesway.

What is it

The Things Network is a worldwide crowd funded LoraWAN

Internet Of Things Network, which started in Amsterdam.

It consists of sensors, such as air quality sensors that transmit data wirelessly via ‘Gateway’ devices to the Internet Cloud.

It is rapidly expanding around the world, including the UK.

Why do we need this network?

The world is undergoing rapid change in the world of work, and it has been predicted that many jobs will become automated in the coming years.

The Internet Of Things, or IOT for short, along with Virtual Reality & 3D Printing  is part of this new industrial revolution.

It is therefore vitally important that we educate the current and future generations quickly, so we don’t get left behind as a nation.

The Network helps educate people, and lets businesses cost effectively develop new IOT products.

Where Does The Lincoln Network Cover

The Network is based on a wireless technology called LoraWAN.

As with all wireless technologies LoraWAN, which the Network runs on is range limited.

One of the great features of LoraWAN technology is that the signal can travel a long distance, using low power.

However as with all wireless technologies, buildings and natural objects in ‘line of sight’, will reduce the signal range.

The Network uses devices called ‘Gateways’ to receive the signals transmitted wirelessly from the remote sensors and puts the data onto the web.

The Lincoln LoraWAN LPWA network is now live, and ready for use by business, schools and the public.

The network is expanding around the City of Lincoln, and we are always looking for new sites.

As the Network is essentially a voluntary community effort, we welcome help from schools and local businesses.

Please get involved, as any help is appreciated.

Who is behind the Lincoln things Network?

The Lincoln TTN was initiated by Craig Miles, who can be contacted via the community page at https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/community/lincoln/

Alternatively, he can be contacted via his personal website at  www.craigmiles.co.uk

Yesway sponsored the components to build the first Lincoln LoraWAN Gateway.

Internet of Things | Two Way Radio Wireless Communications – Yesway Communications

Condition Monitoring

Smart factories improve automation and efficiency compared to traditional factories. LoraWAN is one type of LPWAN wireless technology.

Efficiency is increased both through process decisions being made without human intervention.

Efficiency is also increased by using sensor data to monitor the condition of machinery, such as three-phase induction motors.

Monitoring of induction motors, can include vibration sensors, which monitor the condition of the rotor bearings. A worn  bearing will cause increased running friction, which can be monitored by attaching external vibration sensors to the motor casing.

Other conditions that can be monitored on a factory induction motor, are rotor speed, Stator winding temperature, single phasing faults,  current drawn and voltage levels.

Other uses of smart factory monitoring systems, are the monitoring of the production process.

Smart Factory  Buildings

The factory building that houses the operational machinery, also forms part of  smart factories.

Automated temperature control has been around for years, and is also used in almost every home too. Its called an automatic thermostat!

Smart buildings can adapt the heating control automatically, by sensing where heat is needed in the factory building.

For example sensors, can detect if people are working in a particular section of the factory.

The sensor data is used to only heat the parts of the factory that require it.

The use of sensors can also be used to switch lighting on or off, depending on actual real-life demand for light, within sections of the factory.

Smart control of lighting and heating systems within the factory environment, reduces the variable costs of the the business operation.

Wireless Connectivity Options

Various wireless technologies can be used for wireless smart factory connectivity.

The choice will depend on a number of factors such as communication range needed, data rate and bandwidth requirements.

Technologies that can be used include:

Bluetooth

LoraWAN

Zigbee

Wifi

Yesway is based in Lincoln, UK.

Our phone number is +44 (01522) 740818.

This article was written by Craig Miles of Yesway Ltd.

Antenna length plays an important role in maximising radio performance in a vehicle based installation.

This video explains why in more detail.

A Video Review & Demo of the Hytera PD405 digital DMR radio.

Sledging radios

Sledging radios for skiing this year, despite Covid?

Depending on where you are going will make a difference.

For example, if you are planning a commercial event in Aviemore, in the Scottish Highlands for example, then a licenced VHF handheld might be the best option.

These licenced hand-held radios typically produce 5 Watts of RF power output, and allow reliable communication over a wide countryside area.

These radios can be hired or bought from Yesway.

The licenced radio solution however does have some drawbacks for sledging or skiing events.

The main disadvantage is that licenced radios are only licenced for your particular country, in most readers circumstances, the United Kingdom.

Therefore if you are an event company that organises events in more than one country, you might want to consider PMR446.

PMR446 is a licence free handheld radio standard, that allows usage in the European Union & EEA countries.

Therefore a sledger or skier could move between european countries without the licencing headaches of having to apply in each country for a licence.

The downside is range. PMR446 handheld radios operate at UHF (Ultra High Frequency) frequencies. These generally perform less well than VHF (Very High Frequency), in terms of maximum communication range.

Another important downside of PMR446, is that the RF (Radio Frequency) transmit power output is only 1/2 Watt (0.5 Watt). This compares with typically 5 Watts (0.5 Watts) for a licenced handheld radio.

Whilst having 10 times the power, does not mean the signal traveling 10 times further, it does give it more ‘punch’. This ‘punch’  helps get the signal through obstacles, such as trees, which ‘attenuate’ the signal.

For help with sledging radios, contact us.

Range

What determines range? Bluetooth is designed to achieve a wide communication range between two devices, or between one device and multiple devices.

Bluetooth is one of a number of competing short range wireless communication technologies.

A range of factors determine the range, which are as follows:-

Radio Spectrum

PHY

Receiver Sensitivity

Transmit Power

Antenna gain

Path Loss

Types

There are in fact a few types of Bluetooth technology.

There is the original standard that was first introduced 20 years ago.

There is also BT low energy which, as the name suggests, uses less power, and is therefore suitable for remote IOT sensors.

There is also ‘BT Mesh’, which allows communication between the sender and the receiver end point, to be transmitted via all Bluetooth ‘nodes’ that are within receiving range.

This has the advantage that if the battery fails in one of the ‘nodes’ in the communication path between the sender and the receiver, then communication still happens.

Compare the above with using WiFi, which uses a router, which if it fails, communication stops.

The latest Bluetooth standard is BT 5.

Bluetooth is considered by many to be a short range communications technology, but this doesn’t have to be the case.

Distances of over a Kilometre are possible.

Yesway is based in Lincoln, UK, and can be called on +44 (01522) 740818.

This article was written by Yesway employee Craig Miles