LoRaWAN sensors
Long Range Wide Area Network sensors (LoRaWAN, or LoRa for short) are used to collect data in support of MIVSP's operations. Rijkswaterstaat has been researching this technology since the inception of MIVSP and is now actively developing its use within the project.
How does LoRaWAN work?
LoRa is a technology that converts data into electrical signals, enabling long-distance transmission of data messages using different modulations, channels, and power levels. The LoRa network assigns each sensor a unique network address, allowing messages to be sent to connected users.
The sensors are small and powered by batteries or solar energy. They consume very little power, meaning they can often last for years. To receive data from a sensor, a LoRa gateway is required. This is a type of router that forwards the data to the LoRaWAN. Users can then connect their own applications to the network. There are various types of LoRa sensors for different applications.
Providers
There are several LoRaWAN providers. Their networks use their own gateways, which only pick up and forward messages from registered sensors to connected applications. Rijkswaterstaat is currently developing its own LoRaWAN for use on offshore platforms. The MIVSP platforms also feature gateways from network provider SkyLab, which forward messages from sensors on other networks, ensuring they reach the correct provider’s gateway.
Application
The collected data is used for the maintenance of MIVSP sensors and is not public. LoRa is particularly valuable within IoT (Internet of Things) applications. At MIVSP, LoRa is used to gather additional information about the sensors and their environment, such as temperature, humidity, and vibrations. This data helps better assess the condition of the sensors and improve maintenance predictability. As a result, they are playing an increasingly important role in Offshore Condition-Based Maintenance.