Speed ​​cameras and traffic management

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When we talk about traffic management in large cities and the road network, it is essential to be able to have remote access to three basic elements: speed cameras, traffic cameras to monitoring the state of the roads and management of LED information panels in real time. To control all this, it is important to ensure that connectivity is not lost, ensuring maximum reliability and speed in data transmission that allow quickly and safely access to all the information from the cameras and speed cameras while controlling the messages displayed on the LED information panel.

Device: MTX-Router-EOS, compact industrial IoT router with LTE, dual SIM and 3x Ethernet

Platform: platform of the integrator

The traffic management application we are faced with has very clear requirements. Speed ​​cameras have Ethernet connectivity. Also via Ethernet, the IP cameras are connected that allow monitoring the state of the roads in real time. On their part, the informational LED panels can have both Ethernet and serial port connectivity. In addition, the need for a reliable connectivity makes it essential that the selected connectivity device has dual SIM in order to have a second LTE/4G connectivity option in case of failure of the first. Because of this, we need a basic router that has at least three Ethernet ports, as well as an RS232 serial port and dual SIM with LTE/4G connectivity. In addition, the selected equipment must have a wide operating temperature range to be able to work both in cold environments and in the sun during summer.

Due to these requirements, the most recommended MTX equipment is the MTX-Router-EOS, an Entry Level router with basic features and an adjusted price, which provides all the requirements needed.

The MTX-Router-EOS has three Ethernet connectors, allowing the connection of up to three Ethernet devices, which can be any combination of speed cameras, IP cameras and information panels. Furthermore, if the information panel has an RS232 serial interface, it could also be connected that way, freeing up one of the Ethernet ports for another device. In short, infinite solutions in a single router with a reasonable price. In addition, thanks to its dual SIM it has a high tolerance to network failures because two SIM cards can be inserted so that in the event of a network failure, one of them automatically connects through the other to be able to send or receive the panel updates information. This is of special interest in a traffic management environment in which the installations are not always at locations with good coverage. Furthermore, the MTX-Router-EOS has an industrial temperature range that ranges from -35ºC to + 75ºC, allowing its correct operation in extreme weather situations.

Communication between the connected devices and the traffic management platform is carried out in a transparent manner, sending the data frames as they are generated, ensuring the integrity and quality of the information.

The MTX-Router-EOS is an entry-level industrial router with a reasonable price that offers industrial benefits and great reliability for IoT solutions that need a fast and secure transmission of information in a transparent way. It has a very compact design with a very resistant case and accessories to mount on a DIN rail. It has dual SIM, 3x Ethernet, VPN client and 3 antennas included (another for optional GPS).

Submetering of Electric Meters IEC870-5-102

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We are in a context of great opportunity for energy advisers. With a vast market for company digital electricity meters deployed throughout the country and with a picture of growing energy costs, it is necessary to make intelligent use of this infrastructure to optimize consumption and make a rational use of electricity . Now it is possible to offer energy saving solutions thanks to the IEC870-5-102 protocol of the smart electricity meters deployed in Spain, together with the possibility of sending submetering information via LTE / 4G almost immediately to the energy advisers.

Device: MTX-IoT-S,MTX-IoT-XS,MTX-IoT,MTX-T,MTX-T2, 4G IoT modems with MTX-Tunnel IEC870 software

IoT platform: Cervello IoT Platform

When we are faced with a scenario in which we want to carry out an energy efficiency project based on submetering, the most recommended option is to take advantage of the installation’s own recording meter, an infrastructure already deployed and that is useful for our project as long as we are capable to read and understand the protocol they use, the IEC870-5-102.

In Spain, there is currently a meter park of several million units from which much more could be obtained than it is currently available. The meters are classified, according to the regulation of measurement points (RD 1110/2007), in five different types depending on the power contracted in the installation. The meters for installations with greater than 15kW contracted power have the same communications protocol: IEC 870-5-102.

These meters, already installed, supply rates of three and six periods, and constitute a great source of information since they allow obtaining electrical information retroactively. They store up to six months of the load curve (average active power value), the reactive energy of the four quadrants and the last twelve billing closings (distribution of consumption and dates of maximeters in the different pricing periods).

The needs, therefore, of the energy efficiency consulting company go through being able to monitor several of these indicators in real time (readings every 15 minutes) of the Active Absolute Energy (VabA), Inductive Reactive Absolute Energy (VabRi) data, Capacitive reactive absolute energy (VabRc) of an IEC 870-5-102 meter. In addition, in case of poor coverage, the connectivity equipment needs to store the recorded readings and send them the moment coverage returns.

For this purpose, the connectivity device that MTX proposes is the MTX-T modem (or any módem with firmware MTX-Tunnel), a basic modem at a competitive price with an RS232 interface (to connect to the meter) and 4G/LTE connectivity. Thanks to the firmware of this modem, the MTX-Tunnel, the device can be configured to take the readings of the required values, store them in the internal memory and transmit them immediately or, in case of bad coverage, at the moment in which the connectivity.

The modem configuration, having the IEC 870-5-102 protocol included in its firmware, passes only by indicating the identifier, the network address, the measured point address and the password of the meter, in addition to other generic configurations such as operation datalogger, port information or connectivity. All this configuration is done through a simple and convenient TXT file that is loaded directly into the modem.

Once the meter readings have been read and stored, the MTX-T sends the data to the final platform of the energy efficiency advisor, which will analyze the data from the submetering carried out to offer all the detailed information to the end customer.

In addition, thanks to Cervello Stem, it is possible to manage all the devices in the IoT network in a fast, comfortable and intuitive way. From this IoT device management platform you can monitor the status and connectivity of the modems, in addition to being able to configure alarms, execute configuration commands or perform remote firmware updates.

Smart Metering for Electric Meters

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Smart Metering or remote telemetering of supply meters is already a fact. In an increasingly digitized society, it is essential that electricity operators have the possibility of knowing in real time the quarter-hour measurements of all consumption points that have access to their network, dispensing with other more rudimentary and outdated methods such as visit of staff to take these measures. Now, thanks to wireless communications and modems with 4G connectivity with a compact size and competitive prices, this is possible.

Device: MTX-IoT-XS, 4G compact programmable IoT modem

Platform: Cervello IoT Platform

When we are faced with a scenario in which we have thousands of digital electrical meters without connectivity deployed in the field, the fastest, cheapest and most effective solution to move from the traditional measurement method to a context of Smart Metering or remote telemetering is to provide 4G/LTE communication to these meters at a low cost, without taking up too much space in the meter boxes and adapting to the interfaces that these devices have. To do this, we need a basic and compact modem that can be easily installed and configured, that allows serial data connectivity, and that sends data via 4G/LTE. Furthermore, it is important that, in those meters where it is allowed, the modem can be powered from the meter itself thanks to an RJ11 power supply interface.

According to the characteristics sought, the equipment that best adapts to those in the MTX catalog would be the MTX-IoT-XS, a compact IoT modem, in a metal box and with LTE/4G connectivity that has up to two RS232 interfaces (and option RS485) in RJ45 ports (which would allow to provide connectivity to up to two meters) and an RJ11 power port that would allow it to be powered directly from those meters that have this possibility.

Thanks to its installation on a DIN rail or on the wall, it allows easy installation next to electric meters. Through its RS232 interfaces on RJ45 connectors, it receives information from up to two different meters. This information is stored in the modem’s own memory and sent to the network either in previously configured periods or at the request of the final platform.

The Cervello Stem IoT platform, functioning as Head End System, allows us to unify all the readings, coming from meters from different manufacturers or, even, with different protocols in a single frame that is sent directly to the final platform of the electricity company. In addition, Cervello Stem IoT Platform allows us to monitor and manage all devices (modems) connected to the network. Being able to make global or selective updates (by groups of equipment or only for specific equipment) of the modem’s working mode, configure alarms or even carry out a remote firmware update.

Storage Silos Monitoring

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In cereal and grain storage systems, the greatest financial losses are due to two basic reasons. On the one hand, due to a lack of monitoring of the temperature and humidity of the silos, which causes poor storage conditions and, therefore, the total or partial loss of the stored merchandise. And on the other hand, due to the need to know in advance and remotely the level of their content in order to program the most effective route for trucks. However, in the IIoT society, thanks to communication equipment and the correct probes or sensors, it is possible to remotely monitor the conservation characteristics of the stored product and the filling level of the silos without the need to transfer staff to the facilities and being able to receive alerts directly on our computer or even on our mobile phones.

Device: MTX-StarSensor, 4G IoT modem for sensor monitoring, IP67, ULP and battery

Platform: Cervello Stem – IoT Platform

In storage silos there are three variables that need to be monitored periodically. On the one hand, temperature and humidity guarantee the ideal storage conditions, for which the use of a temperature and humidity sensor with industrial features and analog output is proposed. On the other hand, probably the biggest challenge is when measuring the level. Ultrasound sensors commonly used in other environments to measure the level have been shown to be useless in this case study because dusty environments tend to give wrong measurements due to reflections. However, using a radar sensor, which are immune to dust and reflections, we obtain better results and more accurate measurements.

These silos, normally found in rural, agricultural or industrial environments, are usually devoid of all types of power supply, so a self-sufficient solution is essential for years both for the sensors and for the communications equipment that will receive the data and send it to the cloud, where it will be processed. Due to this, the equipment proposed for this case study is the MTX-StarSensor.

The MTX-StarSensor is an IoT modem specially designed for sensor monitoring and control solutions in different fields. Thanks to its special firmware that takes full advantage of the Ultra Low Power features and battery management, the use of the MTX-StarSensor allows to manage analog sensors without the need for an external power source for years. Its configuration allows the device to wake up in the windows that have been configured, power the analog sensor with its own batteries, obtain the measurements, turn it off again and send the data through LTE/4G before turning off again until the next window of monitoring. Thanks to this, it allows years of operation of both the modem and the sensor without the need for an additional power source. This characteristic makes it the ideal solution for monitoring solutions in remote environments such as rural, agricultural or industrial lands.

In addition, the MTX-StarSensor has sufficient data storage capacity to also allow local collection or maintenance of information in cases of lack of coverage or failure. Once the data is collected and stored, it is transformed and sent through MQTTs to the Cervello Stem IoT Platform, where it is analyzed and graphically displayed on a dashboard to suit the final customer. Furthermore, both in Cervello and in the modem’s own firmware, alarms can be configured in the event of temperature or humidity peaks that jeopardize storage conditions.

The IP67 case makes the MTX-StarSensor a robust communication device, shockproof and prepared for harsh environments loaded with heat and humidity, making it an all-terrain equipment specially prepared to provide monitoring solutions in agricultural and industrial environments.