For more than ten years, KELLER AG für Druckmesstechnik has been producing remote data transmission devices that use mobile networks to transmit measured values such as pressure or temperature to data storage on the Internet. Initially, 2G, 3G, and 4G technologies were used for this, and since the emergence of LPWAN data transmission technologies on the market, such as NB-IoT and LTE-M.
Over the past three years, we have also released LoRaWAN*-compatible devices ARC1 and the new ADT1. LoRaWAN is an Internet of Things** network protocol based on chirp spread spectrum technology, which can be used with compatible mast antennas operated by telecommunications providers for data storage on the Internet. One of the many advantages of LoRaWAN is that this technology is very energy-efficient and therefore allows work to be carried out in a more affordable and environmentally friendly way. They operate in an unlicensed frequency band, which means anyone can create their own network. To connect any number of remote transmitters to multiple pressure sensors, you do not need a SIM card, and you can purchase a "LoRaWAN gateway"!
* Long Range Wide Area Network: an energy-efficient network communication protocol for wireless applications (in particular, for the Internet of Things). With a maximum data rate of 50 Kbit/s, this technology is designed for relatively simple metrics such as sensor measurements (as opposed to, for example, HD video streaming). The range of LoRaWAN is several kilometers, and it also penetrates buildings.
** Internet of Things: a virtual network of objects created to improve their interaction with each other or with people. Information from sensors, converters, software, and human input is transmitted to the network and can be used to optimize the current situation. Applications for smart enterprises/smart homes and Industry 4.0 are examples of applications that use such Internet of Things networks.
Figure 1: LoRaWAN Gateway with ChirpNest and the "Kiwi Desktop" upload and visualization software operates without an Internet connection
The gateway, which is connected to the Internet, receives encrypted measurements from LoRaWAN converters and forwards the data to the Internet, where it is then stored. As a data storage, KOLIBRI Cloud can be used, which is optimized for measuring pressure and final water or tank content levels.
However, there are situations when the Internet is completely unavailable, or customers are not allowed or do not want to store data on the Internet.
Two students from Zurich University of Applied Sciences, including KELLER employee Lukas Rashle, addressed this topic in their thesis – and managed to solve it!
The goal of the thesis was to develop a suitable, customer-friendly, and open solution that works without the Internet. Nevertheless, the advantages of the new wireless Internet of Things technology should be used to collect and visualize data from many different LoRaWAN converters.
What is the result? The open-source solution "ChirpNest." It is freely available and registered on GitHub: https://github.com/ChirpNest/ChirpNest
ChirpNest provides functions similar to KOLIBRI Cloud but in a reduced form. The idea is to use a special gateway, for example, LORIX One, and combine the following features in the device:
- Gateway with antenna
- LoRaWAN network server with management devices
- Data storage
- LAN interfaces for connecting the device to a local network or laptop
The installation is designed to be as simple as possible so that the user can operate it without KELLER's assistance. Of course, instructions are also provided.
All you need is a "LORIX One" gateway, an SD card with the ChirpNest image recorded on it, and some LoRaWAN devices from KELLER.
Data collected on the "LORIX One" can be read as often as needed and exported in various formats. All you need to do is connect your computer to the "LORIX One" using a network cable and select the required data.
Available formats include Excel, CSV, and KOLIBRI, so they can be imported into "KOLIBRI Desktop" if necessary.
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