Sensor: ttn-smart-sensor-aquascope

TTN Smart Sensor (Aquascope): Technical Overview

1. Working Principles

The Things Network (TTN) Smart Sensor (Aquascope) is an advanced, Internet of Things (IoT) enabled device designed for real-time water quality & level monitoring. It utilizes core technologies such as LoRaWAN for long-range communication and MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) for precise detection of water parameters like pH, temperature, turbidity, etc.

The sensor operates by deploying a probe, submerged at a constant depth in a water body. The measuring probe consists of multiple individual sensors, each assigned to monitor a specific parametric value. The adoption of advanced MEMS technology ensures superior sensitivity and reliability in readings.

2. Installation Guide

Installation of the Aquascope sensor involves two main parts: physical setup and network configuration.

Physical Setup

• Identify a suitable location in the water body where the sensor will be stationed. Note that, the probe must remain submerged for accurate measurements.
• Securely fasten the sensor housing to an adjacent solid structure (a pillar, pole, etc.) making sure the sensor probe is submerged in water.
• Ensure the sensor antennae have a clear, unobstructed path for signal transmission.

Network Configuration

• Connect the sensor to your gateway using the TTN console.
• Configure the application parameters like AppEUI, DevEUI, and AppKey against the sensor.
• Test the sensor by monitoring the live data flow on the TTN console

3. LoRaWAN Details

The Aquascope sensor uses Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN), a media access control (MAC) layer protocol designed for large-scale public networks with a single operator. LoRaWAN delivers excellent reach in rural areas, making it ideal for environmental monitoring applications. Aquascope operates on the European 868MHz or the US 915MHz ISM radio frequencies.

4. Power Consumption

While the Aquascope sensor's power consumption significantly depends on its configuration and transmission intervals, it is generally designed for low-power operation considering its typical deployment in remote and off-grid locations. Barring any configuration changes, under standard conditions, the sensor runs efficiently on a pair of AA batteries, providing multi-year operation.

5. Use Cases

• Aquascope can be employed in environmental monitoring applications, such as detecting water pollution levels in rivers, lakes, or oceans.
• Water utilities can utilize this sensor for monitoring water quality in reservoirs, detect possible contaminants, track temperature changes, and more.
• It can also be used in fishery or aquaculture industry to continuously monitor and control the water conditions necessary for optimal growth of aquatic organisms.

6. Limitations

• The sensor requires a clear line-of-sight for optimal LoRaWAN communication which can be challenging in densely populated urban areas or landscapes with significant physical barriers.
• While the Aquascope is designed for low power usage, replacing batteries in remote locations can still be a logistical challenge.
• It requires calibration for accurate measurements which can be a meticulous process, requiring technical knowledge and specific calibration solutions.

Overall, the TTN Smart Sensor (Aquascope) is a versatile tool for water monitoring, providing reliable, accurate data that can be the cornerstone of sustainable water conservation efforts.