Sensor: ttn-smart-sensor-orbiwise

Technical Overview of TTN Smart Sensor (Orbiwise)

The TTN Smart Sensor (Orbiwise) is a state-of-the-art sensor used in numerous IoT applications that require low-power wide-area networking (LPWAN). The sensor leverages the advanced features of the LoRaWAN protocol, and is equipped with several transducers, making the device capable of measuring various parameters including temperature, humidity, pressure, and light levels.

Working Principle

TTN Smart Sensor (Orbiwise) operates fundamentally based on the LoRaWANTM (Low Power, Long Range, Low Cost), a media access control (MAC) layer protocol for managing communication between LPWAN gateways and end-node devices, being optimized specifically for low power consumption and excellent range.

The sensor module collects ambient data and sends the acquired measurements to a LoRaWAN gateway. In turn, the gateway transfers the packets to the cloud server using IP backhaul (Ethernet, WiFi, or Cellular). Subsequently, IoT applications can access the data from the cloud server via APIs.

Installation Guide

1. Connect the Orbiwise sensor to your asset or desired location, ensuring it is within the range of your LoRaWAN gateway.
2. Switch on the sensor.
3. Use the TTN platform to generate a device EUI, application EUI, and application key.
4. Enter these credentials into your Orbiwise sensor using the configuration interface.
5. Configure the sensor output and reporting interval per your requirements.
6. Your sensor is now ready to send data to the TTN platform.

LoRaWAN Details

Frequency and operation mode strictly depend on the regional regulations. The European version operates in the 863–870 MHz ISM band while the US version operates in the 902–928 MHz ISM band.

Power Consumption

The TTN Smart Sensor uses a minimal amount of power due to the uniqueness of the LoRaWAN, which is designed for minimal energy consumption. Actual battery life will depend on the sensor reporting frequency and other operational parameters.

Use Cases

TTN Smart Sensor finds its application in various fields, including:

1. Environmental Monitoring: To measure parameters like temperature, humidity etc.
2. Asset Tracking: Monitor and track the location and conditions of goods during transport.
3. Smart Agriculture: To analyse soil and weather condition for precision farming.
4. Industrial Automation: For predictive maintenance, quality control, and safety monitoring.
5. Smart Cities: Use cases such as waste management, smart parking, and street lighting.

Limitations

While it provides several advanced features:

1. The sensors are limited by the range of the LoRaWAN network, which depends on the density of the gateways in the area.
2. Real-time data transmission is limited as LoRaWAN is designed for low power operation, and frequent data transmissions can significantly reduce battery life.
3. As with any wireless technology, data transmission may be susceptible to interference from other devices.
4. May not be ideal for applications requiring the transmission of large amounts of data due to LoRaWAN's focus on low data rate transmissions.

In spite of these limitations, the TTN Smart Sensor (Orbiwise) excels in a wide range of applications where long-range, low power communication is a key consideration.