Modern cellular networks are enabling monitoring of remote sites across various industries, including water utilities.
Many industrial operations benefit from remote site information sent to local systems. For example, knowing the temperature in a remote water facility or whether a pump is running at peak performance or a tank is empty can eliminate action needed by on-site personnel, or trigger a workflow notification for necessary maintenance.
Network solutions to acquire data from remote sites include:
- Creating a connection, either wired or wireless, between locations with fibre, copper or specialised wireless solutions.
- “Leasing” a connection using a dedicated leased line from a telco, who likely has some wired infrastructure already in place.
- Creating an IoT solution to publish data from a remote location utilising IoT hardware, such as I/O devices that support almost any number and type of inputs or LTE-enabled gateways to use cellular networks.
Modern cellular networks allow for broad reach, are available in nearly every populated area, and provide effective two-way remote communications. Cellular networks can also improve applications that are already utilising newer technology. For example, water systems where utilities collect readings from low-power RF emitters at a meter still require on-site personnel. Utilising cellular technologies, the meter reads can be done fully remotely.
LTE networks allow municipalities and technicians to procure meter readings remotely, more frequently, and at a lower cost. Cellular deployments also eliminate the need to own and maintain a communications infrastructure, because LTE offers proven, secure, future-proof and omnipresent networking.
Previous concerns about the longevity of cellular networks are fading. Major telcos continue focusing on the industrial market and municipalities as the next frontier of growth for communication infrastructure. With billions of dollars of revenue at stake, cellular carriers make longevity a main point of progression.
To deploy LTE technology effectively, end users need hardware that is carrier-agile, cost-competitive and offers flexible configuration interfaces to fit M2M (machine-to-machine) applications. Carriers continue to invest and rapidly build out LTE infrastructure for long-lasting connectivity, which is ideal for remote monitoring.
Types of cellular networks
There are various types of cellular networks:
- LPWA. Low Power Wide Area – Unlicensed LPWA includes LoRa and Sigfox.
- 5G. Public Cellular Networks – defined by 3GPP (cellular standards body). Includes LTE M and NB-IoT.
- NB-IoT. Narrow Band IoT.
- Cat-M. Category M LTE.
- LoRa. Developed and licensed by private companies. Multiple versions, but not 5G.
Choosing the right option
When selecting connectivity options, the potential application will drive the choice. Digital transformation should be focused on implementing appropriate solutions efficiently, rather than implementing technologies just because they are new. For instance, the growing 5G technologies are best for the following use case scenarios:
- Critical communications: 5G is reliable with low latency.
- Massive IoT/LPWA: 5G offers reliable coverage that is low power with high connection density.
- Enhanced mobile broadband: 5G can provide a better experience for human-centric applications.
Find out more in the white paper on water system digitalisation.
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Article courtesy of Advantech.
