Netmore Group and Itron have completed interoperability testing of a LoRaWAN relay system designed to extend smart water metering coverage without requiring utilities to install additional gateways.
The validation brings together Itron’s Cyble 5 RF communication module, the Abeeway LoRaWAN Relay and Netmore’s LoRaWAN network and management platform. The companies said the tests demonstrate an end-to-end solution for connecting water meters in locations where conventional LoRaWAN coverage is unavailable or unreliable.
Coverage is a persistent challenge for utilities rolling out advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), particularly in dense urban areas, underground locations and buildings where radio signals can be obstructed. Netmore said extending network coverage to the final 10 per cent of meters through additional gateways can increase network capital expenditure by 30 per cent or more.
The LoRaWAN Relay specification, defined by the LoRa Alliance, provides an alternative. A battery-powered relay can receive data from meters that cannot directly reach the LoRaWAN network and forward it to a gateway within range.
The system tested by the companies consists of three components. Itron’s Cyble 5 module connects mechanical water meters to LoRaWAN while supporting both automated meter reading and AMI connectivity. Abeeway’s relay, which complies with the LoRa Alliance’s TS011 1.0.0 specification, can support up to 15 end devices in isolated locations.
Netmore’s network platform provides native relay management, allowing relay configuration to be handled remotely through standard LoRaWAN MAC commands.
The companies said the validation means utilities can deploy the relay within an existing LoRaWAN network rather than redesigning their metering infrastructure or adding gateway capacity specifically to reach poorly connected meters.
“Near-100% read rates across a utility’s entire meter population, including the hardest-to-reach devices, is the standard our customers require,” said Vadim Lyu, Global Practice Lead for Water Utilities at Netmore. “This validation proves that LoRaWAN Relay delivers on that requirement within the open standard and on the Netmore platform.”
Justin Patrick, Senior Vice-President of Device Solutions at Itron, said the ability to combine the Cyble 5 with a LoRaWAN relay while maintaining connectivity could help utilities address coverage gaps.
There’s plenty of other editorial on our sister site, Electronic Specifier! Or you can always join in the conversation by commenting below or visiting our LinkedIn page.
