IoT-empowered Cost-effective Street Light Management at the Network Edge in the Czech Republic
Date:
10/6/2022 12:00:00 AM
Challenge: Benefiting Society but with a High Energy Budget
When electric power distribution became ubiquitous in developed countries in the 20th century, urban street lighting soon followed. A key service provided by authorities at the local and municipal level, public lighting brings lots of benefits to society—enhancing road traffic safety, improving nighttime visibility, and helping manage both residential and commercial property.
However, public lighting is among the most significant—and expensive—infrastructure assets owned by municipalities and utility providers; often consuming up to half of a city’s total energy budget. As lightening companies throughout the Czech Republic face public and regulatory pressure to become more energy efficient and provide citizens with improved security, they are finding areas where Advantech can deliver immediate benefits.
Sensor Technology Meets Remote Monitoring and Control
An Advantech customer operating in the public lighting market across the Czech Republic knew they could cut operating expenses by setting up systems for real-time remote monitoring and control. By equipping streetlights with photoelectric sensors, the provider looked to cut overall power usage while ensuring the bulbs lasted longer than before. Remote sensors would monitor bulb health, making it possible to dispatch maintenance crews more efficiently.
The Wide Dispersion of Streetlights
Communicating with the streetlights presented challenges; the lights were located all over the country and many were installed to enhance security for only single users on commercial and residential private property. The key challenge was to find sensors that could report to the control center and receive instructions back in return.
Cellular Networking Eliminates Geographical Limitations
Every project has different requirements in terms of range and bandwidth. In this case, there was no need for the massive bandwidth associated with fiber optics. Advantech noted that installing and maintaining a fiber cable network would be enormously expensive and quite unnecessary. Instead, we suggested making use of cellular telephone networks. Cellular networking provided ample bandwidth for the application, as well as the necessary range.
ICR-2734 Cellular Routers
Connecting Sensors and Enabling Wireless Communication
Advantech equipped the remote locations with our ICR-2734 cellular routers. The routers provided Internet connectivity for the remote sensors and allowed them to communicate wirelessly. Where lights were clustered close together, the routers created a local area Ethernet network and a single router managed the entire group. In certain instances, Advantech routers provided connectivity for additional equipment like security cameras and motion sensors.
Software Flexibility for Advanced Customization
The ICR-2734 router not only provided connectivity and control for remote devices, it could also be configured with custom scripts to support custom functions. Users relied on Linux, C, C++ or the Python language, for development (Linux was the recommended choice). Advantech provided a downloadable library of scripts and Router Apps (user modules), from our Modbus TCP to Modbus RTU module, which allowed Modbus RTU data to flow over TCP/IP networks.
Remote Monitoring and Control Meets Device Security
WebAccess/VPN strengthened the security functions and data acquisition ability of Advantech routers. All data was delivered through a secure VPN tunnel.
WebAccess/DMP, our device configuration, diagnostics, and management platform, lets users manage and configure their Advantech routers from a single location. It displayed the entire device population right on the desktop.
Zero-Touch Provisioning Functionality
Mass Deployment with a Few Clicks
WebAccess/DMP not only saved time and money after the devices were installed, but the zero-touch provisioning feature dramatically reduced the cost of the installation process. When a new, unconfigured device was installed and powered on, it automatically downloaded the initial configuration and user module from the central provisioning server. This meant that new units could be installed by electrical contractors who possessed no specialist knowledge of any kind. It also meant that new devices could be installed at any time.
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Optimal for Operational Efficiency Enhancement
By equipping Advantech cellular routers all across the Czech Republic, research teams gained access to highly accurate real-time information for rapid analysis. The ICR-2734 router provided secure Internet connectivity for devices and LANs via cellular networks. The router offered automatic wireless failover for wired networks, wireless connectivity for devices in remote locations, and wireless connectivity for mobile assets.
BB-SR31000325
SmartFlex, Global, 2x ETH, 1x RS232, 1x RS485, Metal
ICR-3231
ICR-3200, EMEA, 2x ETH, 1x RS232, 1x RS485, Metal
ICR-2431
ICR-2400, EMEA, 2× ETH , 1× RS232, 1× RS485
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