THE CHALLENGE
Quensus, a distinguished SMB based in the UK, specialises in water management solutions, primarily focused on advanced leak detection and automatic shutoff technologies. Their product line is crafted to elevate water conservation efforts, alleviate the impact of leak-related damages, and streamline water usage monitoring.
Quensus developed an IoT-enabled device called LeakNet that captures high-resolution data from up to four water meters and one valve per device. Using WiFi, LeakNet securely captures and processes high-quality data in the AWS cloud, helping detect anomalies and diagnose faults efficiently.
The 3rd generation of LeakNet is currently in the design phase. Quensus want to provide customers with an alternative option to WiFi for secure connectivity, which is particularly valuable for consumers overseeing large facilities where WiFi coverage can be limited. The integration of additional connectivity options underscores Quensus's dedication to meeting the diverse needs of its clientele.
THE SOLUTION
After hearing of Green Custard during a customer project presentation at the AWS Summit in London, Quensus actively engaged with Green Custard, AWS IoT specialists, to strategise the augmentation of connectivity capabilities for LeakNet Gen3 beyond the confines of WiFi.
A thorough assessment of the existing LeakNet Gen2 device and an examination of the additional features and benefits sought by Quensus for LeakNet Gen3 led to the identification of LoRaWAN as the best connectivity protocol to embed within LeakNet Gen3.
To rest the suitability of LoRaWAN technology, a comprehensive site survey was conducted, simulating a typical Quensus customer scenario across a large apartment block. As anticipated, the results were highly encouraging, affirming LoRaWAN's suitability for the use case and mitigating project risks. Replacing WiFi connectivity with LoRaWan will reduce the cost to the customer by a factor of ten. Just one LoRaWan gateway per ten stories of a building will provide coverage equal to 20-50 WiFi access points.
Green Custard's embedded engineering team evaluated the optimal LoRaWAN module for integration into the LeakNet Gen3 PCB to furnish the device with LoRaWAN capabilities. After determining that the RAK3172 LoRaWAN module was the most suitable, backed by relevant certifications, Green Custard collaborated closely with Tebira, an embedded electronics partner, to craft a new schematic and board layout. This design incorporated the new RAK3172 module and integrated additional enhancements proposed by Quensus.
Based on the updated designs, several test boards were manufactured, initialised, and subjected to rigorous testing. In practical implementation, the LeakNet device transmits the payload to a LoRaWAN gateway, often positioned at a considerable distance—exceeding the transmission range of WiFi. Subsequently, the payload is securely relayed into the cloud.
Collaborating with Green Custard on our LoRaWAN-based IoT project for leak detection has been exceptional. Their grasp of AWS services and IoT innovation has immensely bolstered our capabilities. Their team's technical expertise, combined with a collaborative spirit, significantly contributed to the project's success, ensuring that our solutions were technically sound and aligned with our business needs. Green Custard kept us informed throughout the project lifecycle and the outcome is a testament to their commitment. The project has greatly enhanced our ability to install enterprise-grade leak detection systems in large developments, providing substantial value to our business and customers
Dr Dan Simmons
Quensus Founder and Director
THE OUTCOME
While LeakNet Gen3 is still undergoing development at Quensus to incorporate additional customer benefits, the integration of the LoRaWAN module and the optimisation of the data pipeline into AWS strengthen the upcoming device release.
The extended range that LoRaWAN offers for transmitting data far surpasses the limitations of WiFi. This equips users with a power-efficient connectivity solution suitable for small, medium, and large-scale implementations, especially in scenarios where WiFi may not be the optimal choice.
For example, one eight-story site surveyed would have required multiple WiFi routers per floor but was served by a single LoRaWAN gateway, replacing 24 devices with one and greatly reducing the cost to the customer.
Furthermore, for a LoRaWan-only device, the overall operational cost per unit dropped from pounds to pence utilising a tight integration with LeakNet Software on AWS, reducing costs by 86%.
The ongoing evolution and enhancements of Quensus's award-winning LeakNet device underscore the company's commitment to keeping its leak detection and water cutoff capabilities at the forefront of industry standards. This dedication ensures that customers continually experience cutting-edge solutions that meet and exceed their expectations.