How to set up an IoT network to get associated data from the sensor to the Cloud? – part II

Thomas Steen Halkier – CEO of NeoCortec, and Zoltan Kiss – Head of R&D at Endrich Bauelemente Vertriebs

 

In this paper we continue discussing the different possibilities to collect sensor data and get them into the Cloud using the E-IoT ecosystem, which has recently been using NeoCortec’s revolutionary NeoMesh protocol for having an ad-hoc, real low-power, sub-GHz mesh WLAN to collect data locally and gateway it to the Internet from a single access point.

Legacy mesh network technologies on the market

There are many successful mesh technologies available on the market. They usually offer adequate solutions for the original purposes they have been developed for but may have some challenges if we want to use them in the industrial environment fully battery-operated as described in the ideal network definition for the E-IoT smart sensors.

Usually, those technologies go with different kinds of nodes and fulfill different kinds of tasks, such as network coordinators, routers, and end devices. For those technologies you always need a set of devices, which usually need to be powered by mains for sustainable operation, as they should continuously listen to the network, and in return the end devices have such low power consumption, that could be energized by batteries.

But what if we need to connect hundreds or thousands of devices into such a mesh?

Centralized network management usually limits the number of nodes to few hundred due to the inefficient routing strategies, which causes lack of scalability. This is a no go for smart sensor applications which need to cover a large area, instead of a residential house, a hotel, or a large industrial building. Furter issues come with the GHz frequency used in many of the common wireless technologies. 2,4 GHz would suffer indoor penetration problems in industrial environments and a sub-GHz technology would fit better. Asynchronous operation results in the necessity that nodes always listen, thus the entire network cannot be battery-powered. Also, there may be reliability problems with the data exchange.

NeoMesh, the 2nd generation mesh network

NeoCortec’s NeoMesh technology offers a different kind of mesh architecture. No more nested tree topology, no more partial mesh, or incomplete network. NeoMesh offers a fully connected mesh and a single node solution to multiple tasks, including routing, coordination and serving as an end-device.

A solution with NeoMesh as its core – the Wireless Mesh Networking Protocol, represents a paradigm shift from traditional network architectures. Unlike the conventional solution with a central Network Manager to control communication between nodes, this protocol employs autonomous intelligent nodes as its backbone. This feature empowers each node to act as an independent entity, facilitating direct communication between nodes without the need for a central authority. The result is a unified network that simply works, no matter how large or complex it grows. Adaptability and scalability are particularly valuable when extending the E-IoT platform in an area, which should be covered by hundreds or thousands of sensors.

Reliable data transmission at all times

One of the protocol´s most impressive features is its patented routing mechanism. It ensures that data travels seamlessly through the network, even in the face of obstacles in the RF (Radio Frequency) path or the movement of nodes within the network. Traditional networks often suffer from performance issues when nodes are blocked or dynamically change their positions.

However, the NeoMesh Networking Protocol eliminates such concerns, guaranteeing reliable data transmission at all times. In practical terms, this means that the network´s performance remains unaffected by environmental factors or dynamic changes within the network itself. Whether nodes are added, removed, or repositioned, the network remains robust and fully functional, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity for all devices and users.

The heart of the NeoMesh technology

At the heart of the NeoMesh technology lies a robust protocol stack with integrated security and reliability features. A key aspect is the encryption of the whole wireless communication between the nodes using AES128. By employing this encryption, the payload data and the network communication remain impervious to monitoring by any untrusted entities. The system is built for long-lasting performance. The power consumption is exceptionally low, enabling the batteries to last for several years.

The NeoMesh network follows a time-synchronized protocol, wherein each node spends most of its time in a sleeping state. This architectural approach ensures a highly predictable power consumption pattern for every node in the network. As a result, all nodes consume nearly the same amount of energy, enabling each network node to operate efficiently for many years.

The E-IoT with its Neo-Mesh local sensor network extension operates at sub-GHz frequency to overcome the problems of other protocols in harsh industrial environments.

An ideal solution for smart sensors

When comparing sub-GHz networking to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, using the same antennas and transmission power, it becomes evident that sub-GHz networking offers a longer range. Due to the automating routing embedded into the NeoMesh stack running on a microcontroller, the network coordination is distributed between the nodes which then operate at low power. As a result of the decentralization, the efficient speed-routing protocol and the ad-hoc network construction a massive scalability with thousands of nodes can be achieved. Moreover, with NeoMesh the data exchange goes with cable-like reliability due to the handshake between nodes applied at each hop with 32-bit CRC and an automatic retry in case of a CRC error. Instead of communicating on a single channel, frequency hopping across 15 channels is being used to avoid noise.

These capabilities of the NeoMesh Protocol make it an ideal solution for smart sensors installed across large-scale industrial complexes, such as factories, buildings, real estates, and shops, offering also a perfect local wireless networking solution to extend E-IoT concept with this important feature.

To be continued in the next issue.

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