This paper focuses on the realization of an Internet of Things (IoT) architecture to optimize waste management in the context of Smart Cities. In particular, a novel typology of sensor node based on the use of low cost and low power components is described. This node is provided with a single-chip microcontroller, a sensor able to measure the filling level of trash bins using ultrasounds and a data transmission module based on the LoRa LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network) technology. Together with the node, a minimal network architecture was designed, based on a LoRa gateway, with the purpose of testing the IoT node performances. Especially, the paper analyzes in detail the node architecture, focusing on the energy saving technologies and policies, with the purpose of extending the batteries lifetime by reducing power consumption, through hardware and software optimization. Tests on sensor and radio module effectiveness are also presented.
In this paper the authors discuss the realization of a Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) network infrastructure to be employed for monitoring activities within the marine environment. In particular, transmission ranges as well as the assessment of parameters like Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) and Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) are analyzed in the specific context of an aquaculture industrial plant, setting up a transmission channel from an offshore monitoring structure provided with a LoRaWAN transmitter, to an ashore receiving device composed of two LoRaWAN Gateways. A theoretical analysis about the feasibility of the transmission is provided. The performances of the system are then measured with different network parameters (in particular the Spreading Factor—SF) as well as with two different heights for the transmitting antenna. Test results prove that efficient data transmission can be achieved at a distance of 8.33 km even using worst case network settings: this suggests the effectiveness of the system even in harsher environmental conditions, thus entailing a lower quality of the transmission channel, or for larger transmission ranges.
The emergence of Internet of Things (IoT) architectures and applications has been the driver for a rapid growth in wireless technologies for the Machine-to-Machine domain. In this context, a crucial role is being played by the so-called Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWANs), a bunch of transmission technologies developed to satisfy three main system requirements: low cost, wide transmission range, and low power consumption. This last requirement is especially crucial as IoT infrastructures should operate for long periods on limited quantities of energy: to cope with this limitation, energy harvesting is being applied every day more frequently, and several different techniques are being tested for LPWAN systems. The aim of this survey paper is to provide a detailed overview of the the existing LPWAN systems relying on energy harvesting for their powering. In this context, the different LPWAN technologies and protocols will be discussed and, for each technology, the applied energy harvesting techniques will be described as well as the architecture of the power management units when present.
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