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Advantages of the sensor to cloud monitoring solution

IoT Platform, Sensors / By / Leave a Comment

Sensor-to-cloud monitoring solution uses wireless sensor networks to capture, process, and reserve data in the cloud, permitting all users to access the data. They are used in many applications to collect and process critical operational data. The use of sensor-to-cloud systems includes 

  • Utility management
  • Machine monitoring
  • level monitoring
  • parking management
  • Energy management 

Sensor-to-cloud systems help enterprises by facilitating, revving, and automating sensor data control.

WHAT IS A SENSOR-TO-CLOUD SYSTEM?

A sensor-to-cloud system merges wireless sensor networks and the cloud, extending the ability of standard networks for computing, storage, communication, and scalability.

A network of self-regulated sensors commonly operated in industrial and building applications monitor space for elements such as temperature, Humidity, pressure, vibration, proximity, and movement. Gateways then shorten and transmit this data to the cloud, where it gets decompressed and stored in the server. The sensor network contains the information, and complicated functions like data analysis and processing are also transmitted to the cloud, lessening the load on sensor networks and expediting processing time.

This sensor network consists of three layers. 

Physical layer 

This layer consists of physical sensors that collect data. Sensor Modeling Language uses XML encoding for physical sensors to implement across multiple hardware and platforms with minimal human effort.

Virtual layer

In this layer, all physical sensors are virtualized on a cloud computing platform so that users can control their physical sensors. Virtual sensors equip real-time data from their physical partners.

User interface layer

Users can view virtual sensor data sent to the cloud. Cloud computing allows data access by multiple users, potentially across numerous organizations and over different networks and OS. Users can organize data and sensors with a web-based Dashboard.

Advantages of Sensor-to-cloud systems

Sensor-cloud systems optimize sensor data management by using the cloud to collect, access, visualize, analyze, store and share large amounts of data from multiple sensors. They enhance the data management procedure by diminishing human interference. Users can explore and operate on sensor data without worrying about execution, as the cloud will automatically feed services when users send a request. Automation has grown efficiency while reducing cost and service delivery time.

Find Your Sensor-to-Cloud Solution

Drive `revived income creeks and efficiencies with actionable data using sensor-to-cloud solutions.

Analysis

Sensors collect, process, and interpret data in real time, aiding you in making smarter decisions quickly. Users can more efficiently explore large amounts of data from multiple sensor networks with sensor-cloud monitoring systems. Massive cloud storage gives you access to historical data to track trends and measure improvement.

Scalability

Because the cloud has an ample routing infrastructure, sensor networks grow at much larger scales. As enterprises grow and need more resources, they’ll be able to mount their sensor infrastructure with their firm without investing in new hardware. Also, sensor-to-cloud monitoring methods improve data repositories rather than physical computer systems, enabling growing companies to store more data as they develop without spending time and money on new hardware.

Collaboration

The cloud allows multiple parties to access data from any location, encouraging greater collaboration. Considerable physical sensor networks portray data on the cloud, making significant quantities of data readily available.

Visualization

As part of sensor-to-cloud monitoring, a visualization API represents charts based on sensor data, authorizing workers to create a sense of detailed data from multiple sensors in a network. You’ll be able to diagnose present data conventions that could have otherwise gone unrecognized to anticipate future trends.

Automation

Automation is a crucial objective of the IoT, dramatically improving productivity by delivering more rapid delivery times. In the past, workers physically controlled sensors. Automation simplifies the sensor monitoring procedure, as sensor-to-cloud lets, you grab and research data automatically. If problems arise, the system will notify the necessary individual.

Flexibility

While ex-computing procedures need hardware, sensor-to-cloud systems supply better flexibility, as you’ll be capable of using more applications to manage sensors and skillfully communicate resources and data with others across the globe via the cloud.

Multitenancy

Several service providers can combine numerous services via the cloud, allowing access to data from different origins. Although others who do not have the permit to your data cannot witness it, all data consistently run on the same server.

Security

WSN can also be used for security, noticing actions to control unauthorized access and transmitting an alert to the cloud. Door sensors detect open doors, command locking mechanisms, and even activate alarms. Window sensors operate like door sensors but frequently monitor the temperature to optimize energy consumption. Finally, motion sensors can communicate an alarm or call the authority to keep spaces like warehouses or artifacts at museums safe.

Cost

Cloud infrastructure helps with more influential computing and storage capability without the actual hardware expense. Also, you’ll be capable of monitoring devices and making the required rehabilitation before they evolve too pricey.

Installation

One of the essential edges of wireless sensors is that they are fast and easy to establish. The technology will instantly start gathering data and transmitting it to the cloud once connected to the asset.

The Constant Growth OF Sensor to cloud methods

Like how sensor technology has developed to become wireless, sensor-to-cloud methods are continually improving for enhanced capabilities and security. Coming enhancements include:

  • Developed applications: Future developments in WSN technology will forge sensor applications for underwater acoustic techniques, cognitive sensing, and instances where the period is critical.
  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning: Combining artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) with sensor-to-cloud systems to expedite data collection and monitoring via further mechanization.
  • Improved security: Some individuals have raised safety problems with WSNs and cloud computing. Forthcoming developments will preserve the integrity of nodes to ensure that damages don’t compromise the system. Experimenters propose a three-layer data storage scheme to improve future security.
CONNECT WITH BRIDGE THINGS, A MULTI-TECH BRAND, FOR WIRELESS SENSORS

BridgeThings is the top manufacturer of Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN®) sensors for Internet of Things (IoT) systems in India and worldwide. Our long-range and low-cost sensors have an impressive battery life to monitor temperature, Humidity, movement, air quality, and water leaks. Contact us today to learn more about our wireless sensor solutions.

Case study: Maximizing Water Efficiency in Industries through Groundwater Level Monitoring

Case study / By / Leave a Comment

About Customer

Our Client provides environmental services and solutions to industries and government bodies. They offer various services, including environmental assessments, site remediation, hazardous waste management, and air and water quality testing. They also provide support for environmental compliance and sustainability initiatives. Their goal is to help clients reduce their environmental impact and improve their overall environmental performance.

Project Requirement

Challenge

Many industries depend on groundwater for their functions. Still, inadequate monitoring and management of groundwater levels can lead to depletion and contamination of this vital resource. Hence, our customers need to monitor the Groundwater level parameters (level, temperature, barometric pressure, and pressure) as per the CWGA Guidelines.

Traditional groundwater monitoring methods often involve wired sensors and data transmission systems, which can be expensive and labor-intensive to install and maintain.

BT Product

A groundwater level data logger is a device that measures and records groundwater levels over a while. It typically consists of a water level sensor, a data logger, and a power source.

The water level sensor is used to measure the groundwater’s depth below the surface. The data logger is used to store the data collected by the water level sensor and may also be able to process and transmit the data.
The power source is used to power the data logger and the water level sensor. It could be a battery, a solar panel, or an external power source.

Telemetry is the process of transmitting data from one location to another. It can be done using various technologies, such as Lorawan or  cellular. In groundwater level monitoring, telemetry can transmit data from the data logger to a central monitoring system.

By combining a groundwater level data logger with telemetry, industries can monitor groundwater levels in real time and collect data over long periods. This can be useful for understanding changes in groundwater levels and managing water resources sustainably.

Ground water level data logger and telemetry
Water level sensor and Ground water level data logger and telemetry

Proposed solution

We implemented a wireless groundwater level monitoring system using BridgeThings 4G RS485 transceivers and an IoT platform to address these challenges. The 4GRS485 transceiver is a wireless communication device that enables the transmission of data over long distances. The device is equipped with a 4G cellular modem to connect to the internet and transmit data to an IoT platform. On the other hand, the IoT platform is a cloud-based platform that enables collecting, storing, and analyzing data from various sensors and devices.

In this case study, the 4GRS485 transceiver was installed in various industries across India that use groundwater for their operations. Connected the device to a groundwater level sensor placed in the well or borehole. The sensor measured the groundwater level in real time and transmitted the data to the 4GRS485 transceiver. The transceiver then sent the data to the IoT platform, where it was stored and analyzed.

Out Come

    • It has allowed for real-time monitoring of groundwater level parameters.

    • the platform allowed for the data to be easily shared with relevant stakeholders

    •  Including the ability to track changes in groundwater levels over time 

    • It could alert operators if levels reach critical.

Dashboard

Ground wa
Screenshot 2022-12-29 140503
Screenshot 2022-12-29 140606

Conclusion

The use of wireless groundwater level monitoring with 4G RS485 transceivers and an IoT platform has proven to be an effective solution for industrial companies looking to monitor and manage the impacts of their water usage on the environment. It provides real-time data collection and analysis, reduces costs, and improves the accuracy and reliability

Scada vs. IoT: which is more influential?

Industrial IoT / By / Leave a Comment
Iot vs scada

You will discover that nearly every industry around you runs through a SCADA system. It is a system upon which all industrial work largely relies. We can even say that SCADA is an automated control system that gives managers information about the state of the enterprise. It is operated in nearly all industrial verticals to access the whole plant from the control room. Let’s learn more about SCADA and its existence in previous years.

Before SCADA, the Industrial Revolution took a dramatic turn in the form of Industry 3.0, which began with partial automation, with industrialists using memory-programmable controls and computers. During this revolution, the Internet was a breakthrough for everything around us. The invention of computers and software has been hailed as revolutionary and led to task automation, also known as intelligent automation.

About SCADA

The SCADA system is the supervisory control and data acquisition system of software and hardware that allows enterprises to manage processing from regional and outlying locations. It helped industries monitor and control industrial equipment in every segment, like development, manufacturing, production, and fabrication. Many sectors like water, wastewater systems, power, oil and gas, manufacturing, and food production use SCADA systems to collect, monitor, and real-time data. Furthermore, with the introduction of SCADA, it was much simpler to manage industrial processes and directly interact with devices like valves, pumps, & motors.

A basic SCADA system comprises to form a functional SCADA system.

  • A human-machine interface is an input-output device allowing a human operator to control the data. 
  • The supervisory system approach is a communication server that connects the human-machine interface with other equipment like plc and sensor devices. 
  • Remote terminal units transmit the recorded data to the supervisory systems.
  • Programmable logic controllers (PLCs)  work through sensors and provide real-time industrial processing monitoring.
  • Communication infrastructure
  • SCADA programming

How does the Scada system work?

Data Acquisitions:

SCADA systems are essential and reliable because they provide a wealth of data to make intelligent business decisions. Sensors, controllers, and real-time units play an important role in data collection. The real-time system consists of many sensors that collect real-time data. And for the whole system to work perfectly, it is essential to monitor these sensors.

Data Communication:

SCADA uses a wired network for communicating effectively between sensor devices and users. It securely fetches data from sensors for effective data communication and improves efficiency.

Data Presentation:

Since a large amount of data are collected via sensor devices, converting this data into valuable information evolves the most critical task. As it becomes complex to handle a large no. of sensors simultaneously, At the same time, the SCADA system uses a human-machine interface (HMI) to collect all sensor data and convert it into usable information.

HMI:

As SCADA utilizes Human Machine interfaces, the communicated data ought to be observed by humans. It delivers access to numerous control units and PLCs.

Controlling and monitoring :

SCADA systems use controllers to operate each device. These controllers help turn ON/OFF each device, and it works automatically without human intervention, but in specific conditions, it is to handle manually.

Regarding technology, the future of industrial automation is evolving, so robots are replacing people. And now, it is the time for a more extraordinary revolution with the introduction of Industry 4.0

IoT is an evolved concept that enterprises now widely accepted due to sensor-based techniques and data-driven methods. It allows manufacturers to develop their business reasoning and improve their loopholes to serve better quality. For example, if a SCADA system produces complex reports, an IoT solution can improve the format and deliver them more simply and efficiently. Moreover, technology solutions help to share information directly with the head office or any specific person.

Industry transfomration

How is IoT Carried over SCADA and PLC?

Programmable logic controller(PLC) is the technology that has been a pal to SCADA Over the past few years. But obsolete because of technical improvement. It can automatically initiate and prevent operations and generate alarms if a malfunction occurs. Even PLCs acquire data from sensors, which process and dispatch it further per the programmed parameters.

Most of the statistics from many industries have concluded that the power of SCADA systems was essential to the Industry 4.0 revolution. Still, it is limited to having an utterly connected ecosystem to handle the rest of the business. However, the Industrial IoT (Internet of Things) has entered the market and has evolved into a superior technology compared to traditional SCADA and PLCs. Undoubtedly, its intellectual capabilities are easily adaptable to today’s modern industries.

The Industrial Internet of Things emerged as a technology implemented on top of SCADA. Parameters such as scalability, and data analytics, appeared with the advent of disruptive IoT technology.

The Internet of Things has brought a wave of new business to change the SCADA landscape. The data generated by SCADA systems is still the data source for Industrial IoT. Industrial IoT focuses on analyzing detailed machine data to improve performance, whereas SCADA used to focus on monitoring and control.

industry 4.0

How IoT Differs from SCADA

Features SCADAIOT
1Scalability In SCADA systems, due to the standard architecture, when the number of users increases, it stains performance drastically. It also carries comprehensive reports from factories in different nations and areas from the significant plant.IoT can receive and process a vast amount of sensor data and allows you to connect everything that matters using protocols such as MQTT, HTTPS, XMPP, COAP, REST, Etc. which provide on-demand scalability through a serverless architecture
2Data Analytics The primary SCADA usage is for day-by-day plant operation and ingestion and storage of a finite amount of data without preserving historical data for deeper analytics.IoT involves long-term data retention to further analyze the data to predict maintenance schedules, reduce overall downtime, and extend equipment life. On top of predictive analysis and preventive maintenance, capabilities are part of it supported by the Machine Learning module.
3StandardizationSCADA systems mainly use Open platform communications to collect data, a model that has stood the test of time. Still, its main disadvantages are DCOM technology and devices cannot contain/exchange data with each other regardless of the footprint.The main goal of Industrial IoT is to standardize sensor networks, data collection,
and aggregation. IoT standards such as OPC UA are already being used to define secure, real-time communications across the enterprise with various control devices and sensors from multiple vendors. Security is built into IoT standards with support for MQTT, HTTPS, RAML, etc.
4InteroperabilitySCADA systems cannot be easily integrated with devices from different manufacturers. Sometimes even different versions from the same manufacturer make them difficult to interchange. Thus, SCADA provides distributed business processes that operate independently.Industrial IoT ecosystems remain fragmented, but protocols such as MQTT allow platforms to connect across all devices, regardless of vendor.

What will happen next after comparative analysis?

In summary, both SCADA and IoT involve sensors and data acquisition. They differ in many aspects but share a common goal. SCADA is not a complete control system, but the Industrial Internet of Things comprises many interconnected devices. It enables remote control of appliances across different networks and architectures. But integrating IoT with a SCADA system provides a comprehensive understanding of the entire industrial premises more straightforwardly. In SCADA, while you have to generate analytical reports manually, with an IoT-powered solution, you can automate this process to save time and get quality output.

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