The TTN (The Things Network) Smart Sensor by Imbuilding is an Internet of Things (IoThing) sensor device that uses the principle of digital telemetry to transmit data regarding various physical or environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, air pressure, light exposure and occupancy detection. This device, once activated, commences data gathering independently. It subsequently transmits gathered data to a LoRaWAN gateway at set intervals or as defined by the user.
Installation, which is quite straightforward, encompasses three basic steps:
Location Choice: Choose an optimal location that would enable the sensor to incur the least amount of interference (physical barriers, electronic or electro-magnetic interferences, etc.), and hence relay accurate results.
Configuration: The sensor should be configured next. This includes setting transmission intervals, data ranges, and other settings via the software application provided by Imbuilding.
Mounting: After configuration, mount the sensor securely on the desired location. Depending on the sensor type, they can be affixed to walls, ceilings, or embedded into other appliances/mechanisms.
The sensor uses LoRaWAN (Long-range, Wide Area Network) technology for connecting devices. LoRaWAN operates on the license-free spectrum sub-gigahertz to wirelessly transmit data collected by the IoT sensor across significant distances, ranging from 2km to 5km in urbanized settings and up to 20km in rural areas.
The TTN Smart Sensor (Imbuildings) is designed to operate on low power consumption principles; thus, it has a long battery life. Depending upon the sensor's usage pattern, i.e., data transmission and reception frequency, as well as the environmental conditions the sensor is deployed in, the battery life can extend up to several years.
These sensors are crucial in multiple sectors, including:
Smart Buildings/Homes: The TTN smart sensors can be used for temperature and humidity control, smoke detection, and intrusion detection.
Industrial Manufacturing: They help monitor industrial machinery's performance parameters, optimize operations, and perform routine maintenance.
Agriculture: Data on soil moisture, temperature, and crop health could be gathered and analyzed for optimizing yields.
Smart City Infrastructure: They can monitor parameters like traffic flow, waste management, energy consumption, etc.
While the TTN Smart Sensor provides a myriad of benefits, it does have certain limitations:
Signal Interference: Despite the long-range capabilities, LoRaWAN transmission can encounter obstacles in densely constructed areas or buildings with thick walls, which can hinder signal transmission.
Power Dependent: Although the sensors are designed for low power consumption, they are still reliant on their batteries. The need for battery replacements or recharging may render them temporarily non-functional, especially in inaccessible locations.
Data Security: Even though LoRaWAN comes with built-in security features, there could be potential risks of data breaches, especially if the sensors are not maintained with the latest security patches and updates.