Smart Water-Metering Stack Validated for LoRaWAN Utility Networks
The Overview: A LoRaWAN repeater validated in smart water-meter stacks
Abeeway’s LoRaWAN Relay, a device that extends the reach of LoRaWAN networks, has been validated across a complete smart water-metering stack. It offers end-to-end compatibility with Itron’s Cyble 5 RF module and the Netmore Group’s LoRaWAN network.
Who Needs It & Why: Network integrators looking to plug signal gaps
Ideally, water utilities want to achieve 100% meter read rates for their advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). In fact, it’s often both a regulatory and commercial requirement. The LoRaWAN Relay, which is standardized under the LoRa Alliance’s TS011 specification, provides coverage for that last 10% of devices in hard-to-reach areas of large-scale network deployments.
Under the Hood: The elements of the AMI stack
The integration brings together three components across the AMI stack:
- Itron’s Cyble 5 communication module transforms Itron’s range of mechanical water meters into smart, connected meters without disrupting operations. The module, which offers a 15-year design life, provides simultaneous automated meter reading (AMR), AMI connectivity, and LoRaWAN compatibility; helps utilities operate their networks more efficiently; detects leaks faster; and accelerates digital transformation.
- The Abeeway LoRaWAN Relay, a battery-powered device developed by Abeeway, a Netmore Group company, is fully compliant with LoRa Alliance TS011 1.0.0. Capable of managing up to 15 devices in isolated locations, the relay extends network reach without modification to the end devices it serves.
- Netmore’s LoRaWAN network offers native relay management built into Netmore’s ThingPark platform, which enables remote relay configuration via standard MAC commands.
What LoRaWAN Relay means for water utility AMI
As large-scale AMI programs accelerate globally, it's critical that network operators achieve complete meter coverage without disproportionate network infrastructure investment. The validation of a complete smart water-metering stack demonstrates that a fully standards-compliant relay solution, deployable within an existing LoRaWAN network and managed remotely through the Netmore platform, is a viable option for utilities.
Learn more about the LoRaWAN standard
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About the Author
David MaliniakDavid Maliniak
Executive Editor, Microwaves & RF
I am Executive Editor of Microwaves & RF, an all-digital publication that broadly covers all aspects of wireless communications. More particularly, we're keeping a close eye on technologies in the consumer-oriented 5G, 6G, IoT, M2M, and V2X markets, in which much of the wireless market's growth will occur in this decade and beyond. I work with a great team of editors to provide engineers, developers, and technical managers with interesting and useful articles and videos on a regular basis. Check out our free newsletters to see the latest content.
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In his long career in the B2B electronics-industry media, David Maliniak has held editorial roles as both generalist and specialist. As Components Editor and, later, as Editor in Chief of EE Product News, David gained breadth of experience in covering the industry at large. In serving as EDA/Test and Measurement Technology Editor at Electronic Design, he developed deep insight into those complex areas of technology. Most recently, David worked in technical marketing communications at Teledyne LeCroy, leaving to rejoin the EOEM B2B publishing world in January 2020. David earned a B.A. in journalism at New York University.