Marine IoT

Long Range Wide Area Networking

Mark Jennings Presented to the IMA

Communication Systems Group 24 August 2017
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
UWI
St. Augustine
Outline
• Introduction
• LoRaWAN Networks
• Network Architecture
• Network Components
• User Applications
• Hardware Installation
• Software Installation and Configuration
• Conclusion
• Questions

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Introduction
Low Power Wide Area Networking (LPWAN):
 low bandwidth
 longer range
 low power
 lower cost
 low data rate
(0.3 to 50 Kbps)

Figure 1: LPWAN Bandwidth requirements and range capability as compared to other wireless technologies 3
Source: (http:// http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/427771/LPWAN-Brochure-Interactive.pdf)
LoRaWAN Networks
Open source LPWAN specification:
 public and/or private network deployments
 network based on LoRa communications protocol
 physical layer
 protocol layer
Protocol Layer
(LoRaWAN™ MAC and network architecture)

Physical Layer
(LoRa® spread spectrum modulation)

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Figure 2: LoRaWAN protocols Layers
Network Architecture: Cellular Backhaul (existing)
End-device Gateway/Concentrator Network Services

Small fishing User

vessel Applications
Network Application
LoRa End-device Server Server
 Location Tracking
 Sea state monitoring Cellular Network
 Emergency Alerting (Digicel/TSTT)
FEWER Marine IoT
(Private LoRaWAN Network)

Cell Tower

LoRaWAN Gateway
GPS module and Accelerometer
Backhaul: GSM (Existing)
(IMA Weather Buoy)

Small fishing LoRa Communications Link

vessel
LoRa End-device Cellular Backhaul Link
 Location Tracking
 Sea state monitoring
 Emergency Alerting
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Figure 3: FEWER Marine IoT network architecture (cellular backhaul)
Network Architecture: LoRa Backhaul (proposed)
End-device LoRaWAN Repeater Network Services + LoRaWAN Gateway

Small fishing User

vessel Applications
Network Application
LoRa End-device Server Server
 Location Tracking
 Sea state monitoring
 Emergency Alerting ISP
FEWER Marine IoT
(Private LoRaWAN Network)

Internet Router
LoRaWAN Gateway
Digicel Cell Tower

LoRaWAN Repeater
GPS module and Accelerometer
Backhaul: LoRa (Proposed)
(IMA Weather Buoy)

Small fishing LoRa Communications Link

vessel
LoRa End-device LoRa Backhaul Link
 Location Tracking
 Sea state monitoring
 Emergency Alerting

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Figure 4: LoRaWAN Marine IoT network architecture (LoRa backhaul)
 Network Components
End Device: Network Server:
 remote sensors & /or actuators  S/W running on generic HW server with
 LoRa/WAN Internet connection
 MCU-based  end device data rate management
 self/hybrid/ac powered  network security (authentication &
encryption)
  6 x 5 x 4 cm  application-to-end device message transit

Gateway (& repeater): Application Server:

 message aggregation  S/W running on generic HW server with
Internet connection
 packet forwarding
 user application hosting and programming via
 wired & wireless backhaul JSON API
eg: Ethernet, cellular, WiFi, TVWS,
Satellite and LoRa  accesses end device data via network server
 ~ 9 x 6 x 5 cm  application to end device mapping 7
 Network Components
End Device: Network Server:
 remote sensors & /or actuators  S/W running on generic HW server with
 LoRa/WAN Internet connection
 MCU-based  end device data rate management
 self/hybrid/ac powered  network security (authentication &
encryption)
  6 x 5 x 4 cm  application-to-end device message transit

Gateway (& repeater): Application Server:

 message aggregation  S/W running on generic HW server with
Internet connection
 packet forwarding
 user application hosting and programming via
 wired & wireless backhaul JSON API
eg: Ethernet, cellular, WiFi, TVWS,
Satellite and LoRa  accesses end device data via network server
 ~ 9 x 6 x 5 cm  application to end device mapping 8
User Applications

Typical features:
 Remote network administration
 Remote control and monitoring
 End device setup and configuration
 Formatting, processing and presentation of sensor data

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 GPS antenna RF antenna

SMA-M to SMA-F bulkhead

UFL to SMA-F bulkhead

LoRa End Device GPS Module

Key Features:
 based on Atmega328P MCU Dragino LoRa shield

 RFM95W LoRa transceiver

Lithium Ion Battery

 Geolocation applications using Arduino UNO

GPS module

Low battery Indicator

 Sea state monitoring using Accelerometer

triple-axis accelerometer - +
5v

Solar Power Module

3.7v
5v

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Solar panel Connection
 Waterproof USB
RF antenna Ty pe A

UFL to SMA-F bulkhead

Gateway/Repeater

USB cable
Accelerometer

Key Features: Raspberry PI 3 Model B

 based on Semtech SX1301 data

concentrator and SX1257 RF

Lithium Ion Battery

GPS antenna GSM modem antenna
transceiver UFL to SMA-F
bulkhead iC880A Lora Concentrator seated on backplane

 Backhaul:

Low battery Indicator

 Gateway (Cellular)
 Repeater (LoRa)
 Geolocation applications using - +

GPS module Micro USB

 Sea state monitoring using

3G GSM Modem Solar Power Module
3.7v
5v
triple-axis accelerometer Solar panel Co nnection
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LoRaWAN Repeater
 Augment existing software library and device firmware to support
LoRa backhaul to a LoRaWAN gateway
 Enable repeater encapsulation layer on network server
Lora End Device Network Server
Encrypted
LoRaWAN LoRaWAN
Repeater Gateway
Slave Master
Packet Forwarder Packet Forwarder
Backhaul Backhaul
HAL HAL HAL
IP stack IP stack

LoRa PHY LoRa PHY LoRa PHY LoRa PHY

Backhaul
(secure)
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Source: https://www.lora-alliance.org/what-is-lora
Hardware Installation
Phase One
Hardware:
 LoRaWAN Gateway (IMA Buoy)
Mounting Requirements:
 Gateway (30x30 cm footprint)
 Antennas (GPS, GSM & LoRa)
 Solar Panel (25x25 cm footprint)
Electrical Requirements:
 Battery power with solar charging
module
 Solar power
Phase Two
Hardware:
 LoRaWAN Repeater (IMA Buoy)
 LoRaWAN Gateway (Cell Tower)
Mounting Requirements:
 Gateway (wall mounted)
 Antennas (GPS & LoRa) on suitable standoff
 Repeater (identical to Gateway on IMA buoy)
Electrical Requirements (Gateway):
 110V AC power
 Power over Ethernet (PoE)
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 Hardware Installation: IMA Buoy

Solar Panel mounted at an angle

25 x 25 cm footprint LoRaWAN Gateway
30 x 30 cm footprint

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Software Installation and Configuration
Network and Application Servers:
 software installation and configuration (https://www.loraserver.io/)
 Network setup and configuration
 End users, end devices, gateways and repeaters

End Devices:
 software library installation
 device programming and firmware updates

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Conclusion
 As one of the more popular LPWAN technologies, LoRaWAN is an
open source specification facilitating a combination of both public
and/or private LPWAN network.
 The low cost of installation and long range communications
capabilities makes LoRaWAN well suited for marine deployment
scenarios
 Abundance of software libraries for end devices, open source
network and application server software and other installation and
configuration documentation reduce the firmware development time
and complexity

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QUESTIONS?

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