IoT and IIoT (the Industrial Internet of Things) are emerging fields of wireless communication connecting a vast array of IIoT devices, ranging from smart sensors to industry-standard rugged transducers and end-user applications. Sentient Computing, as an innovative Perth-based IIoT Company, has created a solution based on LoRa wireless technology, which uses the LoRaWAN protocol to communicate on the 915MHz Australian frequency band, specifically tailored for remote monitoring applications.
Sentient has successfully installed 4 LoRa networks around WA, where
- LoRa has been used to provide long-range wireless communication, crucial for remote site monitoring in geographically dispersed areas, common in Australia.
- A LoRaWAN compliant local Gateway has been installed to provide secure in-house communication, with the data being kept on the local Control Network and not being forwarded to a cloud-based application. This architecture helps to form a reliable remote site monitoring system.
- LoRaWAN compliant Class A IIoT devices, including temperature and humidity sensors, pressure-based and ultrasonic level sensors, and vibration monitoring sensors. These IIoT devices have a battery life of 5 years and up, and a sampling period of between 10 minutes and an hour has been installed with success, optimised for efficient remote monitoring and RMM (remote monitoring and management).
- For some sensors, an auto update of the sampling rate (to provide quick updates to the operator if the sensor data changes) was enabled. This allows near real-time updates, valuable for remote site monitoring.
- The solution has been integrated with MacroView, currently supervising the whole plant at these locations, to provide monitoring and trending facilities. The solution could also be used to provide data directly to most Control Systems or Historians if required. This positions Sentient as a key player among IIoT companies offering comprehensive RMM solutions.