What do a groundwater gauge, a lifebuoy and a shelter have in common? All are equipped with LoRa technology. LoRa stands for long range and is an energy-efficient way to transmit information over a long distance. Where in the port can this technology really come in handy?
LoRa is a wireless transmission system that uses radio waves to send data, such as temperature sensor readings. "A number of gateways at carefully selected locations in the port pick up the signals from the sensors," says Johan Deleu, Wireless Solution Architect at Port of Antwerp-Bruges. The gateway transmits measurements from the sensor to a dashboard. This enables people to read the sensor information clearly and easily.
The main advantage of LoRa is that it is energy efficient. "We have a groundwater sensor in the Haasop nature reserve that uses LoRa technology. It has been running on the same set of batteries for five years," says Johan. This makes LoRa technology ideal for use in remote places without power or network, such as in natural areas or along railways.
A LoRa gateway can easily pick up signals from sensors at a distance of five kilometres. This means that we can cover the entire port with a network of ten gateways.
LoRa's only limitation is its bandwidth. LoRa networks cannot support long conversations or videos, only short messages. It is perfect for emergency signals or measurement results, and the reason why Port of Antwerp-Bruges is already using the technology at various locations in the port.
For example, in nature reserves, where LoRa gateways send groundwater measurement results to a dashboard. The photo shows a dry period now, in contrast to the heavy rain in previous months. This allows nature conservationists to monitor water levels without having to go out into the field themselves. This saves time and energy and is important for conserving natural areas in the port.
Sensors can also be found in shelters at locks. When the ship is in the lock, the shelters offer a cool place for the boatmen to rest on hot summer days. If it does get too hot in a shelter, a sensor on the door and a LoRa gateway can be used to immediately check whether the door is open. This means that technicians need not be dispatched unnecessarily to repair the air conditioning.
In addition, there are lifebuoys with a sensor in the buoy's housing. If the sensor see that the buoy is gone, the LoRa gateway sends a signal so someone can check what is going on.
