NFL Advances In-Stadium Wireless Connectivity
(Image courtesy of www.sportsauthorityfieldatmilehigh.com) With the NFL season kicking off, we decided to investigate one of the more overlooked aspects of the game: in-stadium wireless communication. Surprisingly, several aspects of the game experience rely heavily on wireless communication: coaches headsets on the field and in the booth, concession stand payment processing, and, of course, fans with smartphones. Anyone who has attempted to connect to publicly available wireless internet in a stadium, concert venue or otherwise generally crowded area knows that connectivity is finicky at best and nonexistent at worst. In the era of instant score updates, fantasy leagues, Twitter and other social media applications, fans expect to be able to use their smartphones during a live-game experience. Additionally, even just a few years ago coaches themselves dealt with connectivity problems: … The tablet computer in his left hand — a high-tech replacement for the black-and-white printed pictures coaches have used for decades to review plays — kept losing its Internet connection, leaving Belichick unable to exchange images he and his coaches rely on to make in-game adjustments. The fault is apparently in a new private Wi-Fi network the NFL installed in stadiums this year to great fanfare. Internet service is erratic, making a system financed by one of the world’s richest sports leagues little better than the one at your local coffee shop. … Of course, since then, the NFL has gone out of its way to better incorporate wireless communication technology into the stadium experience for fans and personnel alike. This year, the Denver Broncos 3,000 5 GHz wireless antennas in Mile High Stadium (we should note, the claim of ‘most of any NFL venue’ is unverified): To increase fan connectivity, Broncos announce install of 3,000 5GHz wireless antennas at stadium, believed to be the most of any NFL venue. pic.twitter.com/ES2CWZhJ0z — Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) September 5, 2017 For the NFL, and other large events, the question of connectivity has more to do with bandwidth capacity than access to a wireless network. Most cellular carriers provide access to LTE networks in the populated areas where stadiums and event centers are located, but the sheer amount of data being used during an event like the Super Bowl has grown exponentially over the years. In 2014, data usage at Super Bowl XLVIII totaled around 2.5 terabytes. Super Bowl LI, played in February 2017, saw nearly 12 TBs transferred throughout the game over WiFI alone, with Facebook and Snapchat accounting for almost 10 percent of the total bandwidth. Verizon and AT&T customers combined to use another 20 TB of data over those networks. With those numbers in mind, it makes far more sense to utilize high-bandwidth technology like WiFi, rather than relying on the LTE networks to support those big data figures. When IIoT and the NFL Collide The average consumer thinks of WiFi as a broadband service facilitated by a router in one’s home or office. When scaled to the usage size of a football stadium-worth of bandwidth consumption, however, a regular router will not suffice. Instead, these stadiums use wireless communication technology that has been deployed with regularity in the Industrial IoT for years: signal repeaters and access points peppered strategically throughout the necessary coverage areas. Just like companies in the utilities, oil and gas, precision agriculture and smart city industries, these stadiums are relying on industrial-strength WiFi platforms to handle the data demands of teams, vendors and fans. An additional consideration for stadiums and critical industries is the security of these networks, so tech vendors must be able to supply built-in security measures within the access points. These networks must be secure, flexible and reliable in order to support the massive demand being made for hours on end. The New Generation of Stadium Experiences We tend to take internet access for granted these days. Connectivity is already nearly ubiquitous and only growing each year, so it makes sense that stadiums would eventually start to catch on to the technology being used to propagate these industrial-strength networks. At this point, it is not just the NFL that is working on pushing the stadium experience into the next generation, other professional sports leagues, music venues, and festival sites are catching up to the IIoT technology that is proving to be a literal game changer.
The Next Generation of IIoT: Micro & Macro Connectivity
From a consumer standpoint, the impact of IoT connectivity is clear. People can purchase smart home systems and automobiles with increasingly autonomous features. Looking at the potential changes to our daily lives in the coming years, all things point to connectivity. We are eyeing a future where we can monitor and control our homes, vehicles and business around the clock. The news stories are exciting and tangible because new products are frequently unveiled and we see them being used in our everyday lives. This impact has spread beyond the scope of the consumer market, which ultimately led to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Traditional businesses, like those in utilities, oil/gas and agriculture, face a future that has the potential to transform entire industries due to the power of digital disruption. Despite the growing pains and challenges of “going digital,” industrial businesses face almost limitless potential to streamline operations and control large distributed networks with a level of precision that was previously impossible. As these industries pick up on the value of data and connectivity, next generation applications have emerged that will drive competition and increase productivity. Data and analytics will be available via the cloud and accessible from any device. And even better, the quality of data will be controlled through automation and the incorporation of third party applications. What this means for businesses is they will be able to monitor their networks on a micro level. This allows problems to be stopped in their tracks and for precise process adjustments that streamline operations. With third party applications, there is not only substantial business opportunity for developers, but there are endless possibilities for process control, security and operational apps that will drive down costs and support increased production. Most business decision makers are aware that there is no stopping digital transformation because research shows that it’s already happening. Many businesses are in the process of digital transformation and have already thought about these next generation systems and the research proves this: 75 percent of IoT providers say that big data and analytics are among the top skills they look for when adding talent to their teams. 50 percent of companies look to hire specialists in mobile development. A recent TechBullion article states: “they already have noticed the close relationship of mobile and IoT and plan to launch IoT projects for their businesses within the nearest 5 years.” Gartner says that by the end of 2017 demand mobile application development will grow five times faster than the number of IT companies able to meet this demand. A new report from Frost & Sullivan anticipates a trend in the transition from connected devices to the use of cognitive or predictive computing and sentient tools in the next 12-18 months. So what does this mean for industrial business? It means they need to invest now in the communication technologies that will deliver the data that is absolutely critical for future networking needs. It means they need to think about how they can enable programmability at all network endpoints – even at the edge. And lastly, it means they need to start working through the challenges of a digital shift now so they are prepared for an automated, connected future.
Node-RED: The IoT Programming Language No One is Talking About
Sussing out the key pieces of the Internet of Things is usually accompanied by caveats ranging from the established uncertainty of the future, the security problems of the present, and the legacy system integrations of the past. Industry gurus and thought leaders predict growth in the billions – dollars, devices, deployments, Cloud applications, etc. Networking experts waffle on standardization. Hardware providers sprint to keep up. But one of the critical pieces of the Industrial IoT is something you won’t find jumping off front-page headlines – yet: Node-RED, the programming tool for wiring together hardware devices developed by IBM, is the power behind the IoT throne, and no one is really talking about it. Lost amid the noise about ‘smartifying’ the world is the practical reality that unless you can figure out a way to seamlessly connect the hardware devices that comprise a smart network, you are essentially relying on the Cloud to run an overwhelming number of disparate applications – and that is assuming your network is near invincible. Since the Industrial IoT relies, in theory, equally upon Cloud and Edge device processing, developing software applications that can effectively run in both settings is crucial. This is where Node-RED comes in. According to Nodered.org, the open-source Node-RED ” … provides a browser-based editor that makes it easy to wire together flows using the wide range of nodes in the palette that can be deployed to its runtime in a single-click … [making it] easy to wire together flows using the wide range of nodes in the palette.” The essence of this tool is that engineers and operating technicians can create and configure applications easily, in real time, on Edge devices. Ideally, the pieces of code being used to create programs are reusable, meaning that the process can be learned by field operators without the need for a degree in computer science. The code is built on Node.js, the JavaScript runtime that frequently pops up on Raspberry Pi platforms due to its ease of use. So, if it is so easy, and so important, why is no one talking about it? The ongoing problem for the IIoT is the Wild West mentality: the no-holds-barred land grab has resulted in disparate hardware and software products that often require a combination of proprietary and open-sourced solutions. As a result, the actual mechanisms that drive the building of an IIoT network are often less talked about than the tangible pieces that come together to build that network. There are several considerations to keep in mind. First, the idea of IT/OT convergence has only just started to gain traction, so legacy solutions (especially in certain industries) haven’t quite crossed the threshold of multi-function. Second, the changing demographic of the workforces in the industrial sector means that the traditional gatekeepers, often not versed in software or computer programming, have been loathe to adopt solutions that require a whole new skill set. The result is that the idea of programming between devices and Cloud applications is in a relative infancy. Third – and still related to the workforce demographic – creating an entire workforce of people versed in both hardware engineering and computer programming is impractical. Those factors, along with several others related to the need for network functionality and data analytics, means that a solution like Node-RED is still not completely understood, and perhaps even more pertinent, still not widely adopted by industry leaders on both the hardware and software side. But it also means that it is more necessary than ever.
On the Edge of Transformation: IIoT for Water/Wastewater
Innovation is everywhere. Even the most industrial of industries are being disrupted by technology that has the power to transform entire market landscapes. The water/wastewater industry certainly falls into this bucket as we see automation and Industrial IoT (IIoT) driving new processes and uncovering data that enables intelligent decision making. Robust wireless, FHSS-based solutions are available today to ensure consistent and reliable delivery of that important data. As we seek more connectivity as a means to understand the network from the business office to the furthest endpoint, all in real-time, we see the potential impact on operations. As a result, utilities are beginning to adopt new methods of monitoring and control that offer more visibility over operations and connectivity at every network endpoint. As a new generation of tech savvy workers rises, further driving innovation and technology as a means for success, we see automation take over many monitoring and control processes – especially in remote networks. The potential benefits water/wastewater impact the utility and the customer, from more efficient operations to safer water. Things like predictive analytics are now available to serve as a problem solving tool for common monitoring issues, such as predicting the likelihood of pump failure. The ability to add programmable radios at the network’s edge opens up new possibilities for streamlined data, enhanced cybersecurity and precise control. The potential cost savings alone are catching the attention of decision makers in the utility business. Here are a few examples of how IIoT is driving major innovation in the water/wastewater industry, and how wireless solutions can help utilities create a network that enables new technology: Treatment Plant Automation – Automation at water treatment plants optimizes operations. With automated monitoring and control, water utilities can further ensure that the water offered to customers is safe for consumption and can help identify issues in real tie. High-speed wireless solutions can help drive real-time automation to ensure uptime, flexibility, safety and long equipment life. Remote Tank Level Automation– Tank level monitoring and control, a critical operation, for water/wastewater is even more challenging when the tanks are remotely located. With automation solutions in place, this can be done in real time. New wireless technologies for remote tank level automation can take this a step further by enabling programmability by hosting third party applications specific to the needs of the individual tank monitoring network. Chemical Injection Water/Wastewater – With the ability to deliver data directly to the cloud, chemical processes can be closely monitored to ensure the utmost in safety and performance. The access to data in real-time is essential in monitoring the chemical process and it ultimately leads to fewer mistakes the chemical injection process. Wireless solutions can enable seamless delivery of this critically important data to the cloud. IIoT is changing the way water/wastewater organizations approach many of their processes, and so far we are seeing streamlined operations and endless potential industry transformation. As the water industry evolves, it will be interesting to see what changes take shape.
IIoT Top News: Oil and Gas Early Adopters
The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is not just a means for organizations to harvest and analyze vast amounts of data to drive better business decisions. It is driving innovative ways for companies to keep their employees safe and out of harm’s way. In the latest IIoT Top News, we’ll take a look at some trending stories from the oil and gas industry, a quickly growing user of the Industrial Internet of Things to help power data-driven decisions, business operation optimization, and employee safety. The possibility of an industrial wireless oilfield is now not just a pipe dream, but a reality. Wearable Technology and the IoT Improving Safety for Oil and Gas Workers For many folks, wearable technology is viewed as a simple fad of smart watches and health tracking hardware. In the grand scheme of things, we’re just beginning to scratch the surface of wearable tech, with biotechnology, embedded smart tracking hardware, and much more right on the horizon. As noted in this article from the EconoTimes, one of the industries beginning to leverage the power of wearable technology is oil and gas. Looking back at 2014, occupational fatalities nationally were 3 per 100,000 workers. In oil and gas, that number skyrockets to 15. That’s why some organizations in this hazardous industry are turning towards the IIoT and wearable tech to keep their employees safe. From fall risk mitigation, to toxin and fume inhalation prevention and diagnosis, the applications for wearable technology for oil and gas employees in the field are many. One of the current limitations for wearable tech in the field is the ruggedness of the technology, but as new devices are designed that can withstand harsh environments, you can expect to see more adoption of this potentially life-saving tech. The IIoT and Operationalizing Excellence For the oil and gas industry, the advent of the Industrial Internet of Things (sometimes referred to as Industry 4.0) holds massive promise. From reacting to changing global trade conditions in real-time, to instantaneous equipment feedback, there are myriad uses for connected tech. This recent article from IoT Business News cautions us to heed the warnings of the dot.com era and take a strategic approach. The article argues that expecting the IIoT to be a silver bullet for business decisions will only lead to more confusion. It notes that Industry 4.0 is an incredibly powerful tool, one with the ability to fundamentally change the way oil and gas organizations do business, but it is important to go “back to the basics” and understand business needs and objectives before trying to dive into the data. In the Oil Industry, IoT is Booming Oil and gas is not always known for its agility, but when it comes to the Internet of Things, the industry is moving at a decidedly rapid pace. This article from Offshore Engineer asserts that the IoT is not only increasingly becoming part of many organization’s strategies, but is fundamentally becoming embedded in the “oil psyche.” Dave Mackinnon, head of Technology Innovation at Total E&P UK, provides quite a bit of color around this assertion, and he believes that oil and gas is moving towards a “digital supply chain” that was fundamentally revolutionize the sector. Mackinnon also believes that when it comes to the IoT train, it’s either get on, or get left behind. “In an IoT world, many companies will discover that being just a manufacturing company or just an Internet company will no longer be sufficient; they will need to become both – or become subsumed in an ecosystem in which they play a smaller role,” Mackinnon said. Cyberattack Concerns Loom for Oil and Gas While the highest profile cyberattacks have been in the commerce and financial sectors, industrial targets remain at high risk. A recent article from Hydrocarbon Engineering notes that “because of its complex layers of supply chains, processes and industrial controls, makes [the oil and gas industry] a high value target for hackers.” As oil and gas organizations look to leverage the Internet of Things to bring increased value to their companies, it will become more and more important to build extra layers of security into their systems. Enabling the Connected Worker While the IIoT is indeed changing the way oil and gas companies make decisions, it is also changing the way employees perform their jobs. This article from Gas Today notes some of the ways the IoT is changing the roles of workers in the field. From AI planning and scheduling, to predictive maintenance on equipment, the connected worker faces a vastly different workplace landscape than even a few years in the past. Ultimately, oil and gas companies will look to leverage the IoT to help their employees make better decisions, as well as to stay safer and work more efficiently. Final Thoughts The Industrial Internet of Things is growing with rapid adoption across many verticals, but oil and gas is already reaping outstanding benefits from this next phase of industry. Lowering costs, optimizing oil production, and increasing worker safety are just a few of the ways oil and gas is leveraging this technological revolution.
Rugged Wireless Radios for International OEM Applications
For original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and military applications around the world, operational success requires reliable data delivery. This 100 percent achievable with rugged wireless radio solutions. As Industrial IoT pushes for more connectivity, coupled with the surge in commercial use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), the pressure for around the clock command and control (C2) links is higher than ever – and it’s happening on a global scale. To support these growing needs, FreeWave has announced the general availability of the MM2-5 Watt 1.3 GHz (13X5W) integrated radio. Offered in a small package for ease of integration, the MM2-13X5W features an external 5 Watt output, making it ideal for UAS, OEM and military applications where reliability is paramount and space is at a premium. These solutions can be leveraged to deliver important data in the U.S. and abroad for a wide variety of mission critical applications. The MM2-13X5W has a lot to offer starting with it’s built in versatility and the ability to function as a gateway, endpoint, repeater or endpoint/repeater. Security is a priority – each MM2 13X5W is equipped with proprietary frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) technology. It also features a line-of-sight range of up to 90 miles, and can be deployed in international settings where lifesaving communications and security are paramount. A number of these use cases include UAS applications, soldier training, environmental monitoring and other government and defense needs. Next Generation UAS Applications As the commercial drone market rapidly expands, the number of use cases is filtering into new markets. Beyond the military scope, commercial UAS applications have the potential to completely transform the monitoring, control and data analysis processes for many industries. The MM2-13X5W is equipped to support this next wave of these UAS applications, including: Pipeline monitoring as a service – drones can help maintain safe and consistent visibility of the pipeline and deliver that critical data to the network. The small form factor and proven reliability means uninterrupted data transmission in remote settings. Homeland security apps – recently, in the U.S., there have been many heated conversations around border protection. Many drone supporters believe that UAS can offer a cost effective way to monitor the nations borders. The U.S. border patrol even recently solicited contractors to build facial recognition drones. Drone delivery service – As we look at the future use of commercial UAS, drone delivery is a popular topic of conversation. We’re also seeing use cases where drones can deliver food and medicals supplies to high risk areas in third world countries. Precision Agriculture: Drones can enhance crop visibility, enabling smarter decisions and more food output. The potential impact of drones in precision agriculture is becoming recognized throughout the world. As the possibilities for commercial UAS continue to multiply, so does the need for secure C2 links for successful operations – and this is where the MM2-13X5W is an ideal solution. Additional Product Features The MM2-13x5W also features the following: 115.2 and 153.6 kbps selectable RF data rates TDMA, Super Epoch TDMA, and AES Encryption Performance tests from -40 degrees Celsius to +85 degrees Celsius Data link range up to 90 miles For more information about the MM2-13X5W, please visit: https://www.freewave.com/mm2-m13-series/
International IIoT Perspectives: Precision Agriculture
In the United States, precision agriculture is one of the largest industries by both operational scale and economic impact. The technology utilized is typically on the cutting edge, especially for automation and control. Things like sensors, programmable radios and generally more complex software applications have allowed that industry to evolve, domestically, to a point where land and other resources are used optimally. Internationally, although there have been ‘smart’ or ‘precision’ practices in certain sectors of agriculture, many countries are just now starting to adopt the technology to its fullest extent, including the ability to innovate via start-ups and new practices. India & the Digital Agriculture Revolution According to an article in India Times (image credit), the country is aiming to secure a 20 percent stake in the IoT market share in the next five years through its ‘Digital India’ initiative. While many might look at India and think of the sprawling and diverse urban environments that could offer some potential complications for IoT, it is rural areas seeing the most interesting developments. There has been a noticeable growth in tele-medicine operations, which can allow patients in remote areas to interact with doctors for consultation, eliminating the need to get to a city, or vice versa. Perhaps an even greater area of growth lies in the agricultural realm. According to the article, agriculture employs 50 percent of the country’s population, so the potential for a digital revolution is high. Farmers are just starting to implement sensor technology, automation hardware, and even leading-edge tools like voluntary milking systems the allow cows to be milked on an automated machine according to biological needs. Israel’s Precision Ag Start-Up Community In Israel, where IoT technology is starting to mature, the name of the game is data collection and analytics. Mobile applications, sensor data collection hardware, and advanced analytics software are three areas that Israel is seeing significant market growth, according to Israel21c: Israel stands out in precision-ag subsectors of water management, data science, drones and sensors, says Stephane Itzigsohn, investment associate at OurCrowd. … “Multiple startups are aiming toward the same goal — providing good agricultural data — but approaching it from slightly different angles,” Itzigsohn tells ISRAEL21c. “One might use satellite images or aerial photography; another might use autonomous tractors. Not all will get to that peak in the long journey of farming becoming more efficient.” For example, CropX, an investor-backed advanced adaptive irrigation software solution, can be placed throughout a farming area and synced with a smart phone, allowing the operators to receive real-time data updates on things like soil and weather conditions. CropX is based in both Tel Aviv and San Francisco, indicating that the technology may be poised for wide international adoption in the future. Analytics Drive Italy’s Drought Recovery Italy is perhaps best known for a single agricultural export: wine. However, many would be surprised to find out that it is one of the top corn producers in the European Union, producing more than 7 million tons of corn in 2015, according to an RCR Wireless report. In 2016, the EU’s total corn output dropped noticeably due to year-long droughts affecting production. In Italy, start-up companies collaborated with industrial ag operations develop and deploy widespread soil sensor and water automation technology to help streamline farming practices and create a more efficient system for resource use. The technology allowed farmers to get a comprehensive look at their operations and identify high and low yield areas in order to better utilize the available space. Precision Agriculture and the Industrial IoT The continued maturation of IIoT technology is enabling countries around the globe to better utilize resources like water, energy, and land area to create better agricultural operations. As populations continue to expand, and food production becomes even more important, being able to connect these technologies across the globe could become a key factor in optimizing crop output in critical areas. Imagine the above farm in Italy being able to send its data to data scientists in Germany or the Eastern Europe who could in turn analyze it and provide actionable feedback. Or an industrial farm in Israel managing its yields sending that information in real-time around the country. These possibilities are not far off, and as the networks, hardware and software continue to be adapted, the future of precision ag internationally, will become the present.
5 Reasons Why Your IIoT Network Needs Wireless Programmability
If your company is grappling with the shift towards wireless connectivity and automation, you’re certainly not alone. As more processes are automated, especially within industrial markets like oil and gas or utilities, data has become a valuable asset that provides critical information for operations and performance. Up and coming industry leaders are pushing for modern Industrial IoT (IIoT) networks, as the older, more traditional workforce heads towards retirement. As a result, the processes of yesterday are being phased out – especially when it comes to choosing between hardwire and wireless for remote deployments. For many, wireless solutions have been accepted for some time as the primary means in which data is collected, transported and analyzed. Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS)-based technology in particular is proven to be a reliable and maintainable wireless option. Now, however, we are facing an entirely new realm of opportunity with FHSS-based programmable wireless technology that is molding the future of data collection. Here are five reasons why you need to consider programmable wireless technology for your IIoT network: Bring it all to the Cloud – Programmable wireless solutions are equipped with the ability to incorporate custom, third party applications at the Edge. When we talk about the Edge, we essentially mean the outermost layer of the network. For industrial networks, the Edge is often a remote area where mission critical operations occur. In order for the business to capture a holistic view of their entire network, many have added sensors and other data-capturing devices at the Edge. By adding third party applications with new programmable wireless technology, businesses are able to expand automation capabilities, reduces costs, simplify operations and enable data transmission directly to a private or public cloud. Smart Data Over Big Data – The goal of achieving ‘Big Data’ is common practice in most modern IoT and IIoT networks. Decision makers recognize the power of data and know they need to receive it from every network end-point. We’ve seen this to be true purely in the proliferation of sensors and IoT devices deployed across the U.S. that continues to grow. Having programmability at the edge of the network offers a big advantage, because you have the ability to control of the quality of the data. Even better than Big Data is access to the specific, timely data that is most pertinent to your business operations. Robust and Reliable Technology: Programmable wireless solutions are equipped to embrace the future of data collection. The beautiful thing about these solutions is that the backbone of the technology is FHSS. This particular Radio Frequency (RF) technology has been proven in some of the most adverse conditions imaginable. These technologies are trusted by the government to maintain their links and have proven to operate in some of the most dreadful and intense environments in the world . Where performance is critical – these solutions have proven to work for decades and now programmable options can reliably bring this data directly to the cloud. Flexible and customizable– We are all privy to the fact that no two networks are the same. With programmable options, radio functionality is customizable to the specific needs of the network. Despite the variances, remote networks likely have one thing in common – data needs to be transported across significant distances. Programmable wireless technology is built to be deployed at nearly any point in the network where sensors are collecting data. This is an area in which traditional hardwire solutions almost always fall short, as most businesses cannot afford the cost of running hardwire to these remotes sites. Besides, there are wireless options that are built for easy installation and long-range communications that simply make the most sense for remote deployments. Meeting Modern Demands– Today, IT and OT departments are one in the same. These modern networks eliminate barriers which is conceptually great for operations. However, like any major disruption, convergence has created a number of challenges from visibility, to cultural difference, to security. To ease some of these tensions, modern wireless solutions are designed to drive connectivity for the entire network, and are even able to tie in legacy systems from the field. Many FHSS-based technologies offer secure-data transmission, and by leveraging the programmable wireless technology, and you can bring data to the cloud. Wireless technology is recognized as a necessary solution for remote operations. As IIoT networks mature, there are stark advantages in leveraging programmable solutions. Not only do they rack up cost savings and streamline operations, but they are deployed at the edge of the network with minimal hassle and are built to deliver in any environment.
Remote Tank Level Monitoring and Automation
Industrial livestock operations have several critical needs in order to function smoothly, but perhaps most important is also the most fundamental: water. On remote sites, tank level monitoring and automation are tools that can essentially make or break the entire operation. In many of these situations, the needs of the site managers are different, so in order to maximize the technology being deployed to drive the automation process, they need to be able to customize the functionality. For operations using radio communication networks, those radios need to provide maximum programmability in order to host third party applications specific to the needs of the site managers. We recently finished a deployment that serves as an excellent case study for remote site tank monitoring deployments and included some interesting uses of radio programmability: The operator of a Rocky Mountain based livestock facility approached FreeWave to assist in remote data visualization of water tanks that are vital to its operations. The pain point was that the tank levels could only be observed visually on premise. After consideration of the terrain (mountainous, remote and big temperature swings), sensors and communications infrastructure, FreeWave engineers recommended ZumLink IPR with the Node-RED programming language for intelligent tank data visualization via browser or mobile device. The facility has minimal to zero staff most of the time. If a fault occurs such as a leak that prevents a tank from filling, the facility operators are unaware until they visually inspect the remote faulty tank, located a half mile from property headquarters. The operators wanted to reduce the number of trips to the tank facility and remotely monitor all tanks via web-based browser or mobile device. For the complete case study, visit this link: https://www.freewave.com/case-studies/remote-tank-monitoring-automation/.
Do Drones Help or Hurt Wildfire Fighting?
Summer wildfire season is in full swing across North America, and the question of the utility of drones is once again in the headlines. The technology has proponents on both sides, but it has also been linked to several incidents, including the grounding of critical aircraft in a firefighting effort in Arizona. A key point of differentiation in this discussion is the use of personal drones, similar to the one mentioned in the article above, and commercial drones designed to serve a specific purpose in operations, similar to military or first responder deployments. The problem that firefighters face is the unauthorized use of personal drones, which can create dangerous situations for support aircraft like helicopters and tanker planes. Because firefighting aircraft fly at such low altitudes, they share the same airspace as commercial or personal drones, and at that altitude, one instance of interference can be deadly. A recent Quartz article pointed out the correlation between drone interference and the effect it can have on the people most impacted: civilians and the firefighters themselves: The drone problem has plagued fire departments for the last few years; In 2016, during Utah’s massive Saddle fire, a drone prevented firefighting planes from taking off—if the planes had been able to attack the fire from above, people would not have needed to be evacuated, according to Utah governor Gary Herbert. So far, in 2017, there have been 17 incidents of unauthorized drone disturbance in wildfire areas. In 2016, 40 such occurrences were recorded. In Colorado, firefighting crews are figuring out the most effective ways to use authorized unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to aid fire suppression tactics. When used in an official capacity, drones can be extremely useful. They can be used to survey landscape during a lightning storm when manned aircraft are grounded, or they can be used to deliver supplies to ground crews working in remote areas. Further, with new infrared technology, drones can be used to essentially automate the response protocol process to identify fires with the greatest threat potential, and dispatch the necessary resources before the fires explode out of control. Other leading-edge UAS applications for firefighters include drones that can be pre-programmed with Google Maps flight plans prior to launch, or drones that can stay in the air for hours with greater line-of-sight communications than ever before. The true difference between unauthorized and authorized UAS in wildfire fighting situations is the communication capabilities. When deployed correctly, authorized UAS can use TDMA technology to communicate with other aircraft in the area and ensure that no collisions or interference incidents occur. TDMA is a frequency channel access technique for shared communication networks, essentially enabling a more sophisticated way to drive Point-to-Multipoint communications. It allows multiple transceivers to access and share a single radio frequency channel without interference by dividing the signal into different transmission time slots. This enables swarming applications that enable multiple unmanned systems to operate autonomously, in tandem. For many personal drone users, the temptation to use this emerging technology to capture images or video is strong. Better cameras, greater operating distances and stronger communication capabilities have created a tool that can be both fun and useful for the average user. However, for wildland firefighters, the use of these unauthorized drones pose a serious threat to both their safety and the safety of the civilians they are tasked with protecting.