Case Studies

Fully Wireless Anemometers System

Today, Anemometers (wind-speed meter) could be installed on the Crane’s Jib and are used to report wind-speed information to the crane’s operator. RF-Networks is proud to present its cost-effective fully wireless anemometers device – installation procedure is less than 30 minutes. The solution includes a mobile app that receives real-time wind-speed info and alerts text messages if the wind speed exceeds the working safety conditions. The mobile app can also present 6 hours wind-condition forecast and historical measurements view. In addition, it provides a map with the cranes’ locations view with color indication on speed conditions. The anemometer accuracy is 0.1%-0.2%. The solution is built together with PushTheB.com. 

  • The solution consists of two RFN Tag that are connected to anemometers, and one RFN GW.
  • The RFN Tag and the anemometer are located on the Jib
  • The Gateway is located in the operator cabin.
  • The RFN Tag sends the wind-speed data via RF to the Gateway every 1 second. 
  • The Gateway transmits the info to the application on the cloud.
  • The application support the following functions:
    • Analyze the data and if identify that the wind is above safety condition, it sends text alerts
    • Present the real-time wind-speed info of the cranes  
    • Present wind speed forecast of 6 hours 
    • Present history of 3 or 6 hours
    • Present a map with cranes location and wind-speed color indication

SMART CROPS MONITORING SYSTEM

Precision agriculture uses information that is gathered from different sources to optimize irrigation and fertilization activities. The objective to optimize the agriculture procedures – to use less and grow more – higher crop quality, water saving, quicker collection time, etc.

The RFN Smart Crops Monitoring system uses five wireless sensors – three to provide soil indicators (Moisture, Temp, and  Electrical Conductivity), and two air indicators (Temp & Humidity). The wireless sensors collect the data and send it periodically to a central RFN-GW, which transmits it via cellular network to an application in the cloud, post analysis, and recommended actions. It is important to note that an agronomist should be consulted before implementing the solution. The number of ECs per Hectare and the in-ground depths definition are determined by the soil, the climate, and the crop types. If needed, RF-Networks can refer to an agronomist that can provide this service. The information can be stored for an extended period, to provide statistics trends and comparisons to previous crop cycles

The solution also includes the following RFN components:

SEAMLESS MACHINE CONNECTIVITY SOLUTION

One of the challenges in deploying products at the customer’s premises is setting up quickly a secured internet connectivity, to perform remote configuration changes, receiving first operation alerts, etc. The RFN Seamless Machine Connectivity (SMC) solution was designed to address this challenge. It enables to set up quickly secured wireless communication between the device’s controller and a management application on the cloud. The product can be configured before leaving the factory, so once it turns-on at the customer’s facility anywhere in the world, it connects automatically to a management application on the cloud, via secured wireless communication. No need to rely on the customers’ IT support teams or their facilities’ communication networks. The solution includes universal SIM with patented technology that enables devices to be activated anywhere in the world and receive cellular connectivity services through a local carrier. The RFN SMC solution supports up to 200 devices per one GW, using encrypted, bidirectional mesh network configuration. Please see the illustration below. At a later stage, the solution can be configured to connect via LAN or WiFi to the customer’s facility communication network.

  • The solution consists of RFN Tags per the customer’s number of Devices and one RFN Gateway with cellular connectivity. 
  • The RFN Tags could be connected to the customer’s machine/device using different interfaces (e.g., RS-232, USB, LAN, etc.) and different protocols, e.g., ModBus RTU. 
  • The RFN Tags are connected to the RFN GW via RF (e.g., 433 MHz). The connection can be direct or using Mesh network configuration.
  • The RFN GW supports LAN, Wi-Fi, and Cellular and is configured to connect in this order.
  • The machine/device, the RFN Tags, and the RFN GW are preconfigured at the customer’s factory to automatically connect to the cloud application, upon turning on at the customer’s site.
  • The RFN Tag and GW have a small footprint and could be inserted in the vendor’s device case.

Cranes Monitoring System

RF-Networks Cranes Monitoring System collects data from wireless sensors that are installed on the crane, analyzed it, and provides real-time info/alerts. Following are examples of the system’s functions:
* Provides real-time alerts when crane operates in winds that are above the allowed safety conditions
* Records the crane movements throughout the day – for post analyses (e.g. accidents investigation, preferred crane location)
The solution includes a mobile app that presents a dashboard of all the cranes’ info and alerts.

  • The solution consists of two GPS sensors, two wind speed sensors, two pressure sensors, and one GW.
  • GPS 1 sensor provides the location of the end of the Jib (working arm). GPS2 provides the Trolley location.
  • Pressure 1 (HTP) sensor provides the pressure at the Jib height. Pressure 2  the hook height pressure. 
  • Pressure 2 (HTP) sensor provides the pressure at the hook height. 
  • The Gateway is located in the operator cabin.
  • The hook location is calculated, considering the hook distance from the Jib (using the two pressure sensors) and the GPS 2 information. 
  • All the sensors send the data to the Gateway every 0.1 seconds (configurable). 
  • The Gateway transmits the info to the application on the cloud.

SILO BAGS MONITORING SYSTEM

For the past 20+ years, Silo Bags have been the cheapest and cleanest way to store almost any agricultural commodity. The Silo Bag can reach up to 120 meters long and store up to 300 tons of grain. That is all good, but what happens if the silo bag is damaged? How can it be monitored?

According to grain storage specialists, storing grain in silo bags for more than three months after harvest will increase the risk of losing grain quality and value – and the chances of damage to the polymer membrane (GRDC). Therefore it is recommended to have weekly monitoring to ensure the membrane is free of holes that would allow water to infiltrate and cause spoilage.

Per research that was conducted in Argentina to learn about the grain condition within the Silo Bags (made by Bartosik R.), a strong correlation was found between the grain storage condition and the CO2 level. RF-Networks Silo Bags Monitoring System continuously monitors the CO2/Temp/Humidity levels and alerts when identifying changes that can indicate the beginning of irregular conditions. The solution includes specially designed probes, inserted into the Silo bags to collect the data. These probes utilize the RFN-Tags to transmit the information to a central RFN-GW that sends the info to an application in the cloud for further analysis.

Real-time Silo Bags Monitoring Solution description

  • Components: RFN Tags, RFN Gateway, RFN Solar module, RFN Probes, and three types of sensors: CO2, Temperature, and Humidity.
  • The RFN Probe was specially designed to address the requirements of this solution. It has a hollow infrastructure, which enables the connection of the sensors located at the lower part to the RFN Tag attached to the upper part.  
  • The tags send the collected information to the Gateway, which sends it to the application on the cloud.
  • Based on the defined rules, the application identifies abnormality and sends alerts to the property owner.  The alerts include information about the probe location and the sensors’ data.
  • One GW can serve several about 12 Silo bags.  
  • The probe also includes special glue tape to prevent any substance from entering the bag.
  • The property owner can view the real time CO2/Temp/Humid information, per each Silo-bag using the solution application. 
  • All the solution components are reusables
  • The solution can work with the “Theft early warning” system – described below, utilizing the same RFN GW.

THEFT EARLY WARNING SYSTEM

  • The RFN Tag with wireless Movement sensors monitor assets scattered in the field or in construction area – data is transmitted to the RFN Gateway.
  • The RFN Gateway conveys the data to cloud software.
  • If a movement is detected at an unauthorized time (for example, at night), the Server will send an SMS, alerting the farm owner.
  • The system is automatic – no human intervention needed

Main Features

  • Tags Movement detection
  • 24/7 location tracking supervision
  • Long battery lifespan
  • Long transmission range

Applications

  • Asset tracking
  • Asset protection
  • Alert on movement for objects that are supposed to be static, such as construction Material, Agriculture equipment and Warehouses good storage