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Interoperability and certification: The cornerstones of successful
smart initiatives By Phil Beecher, CEO and President of the Wi-SUN Alliance
he continued use of Internet of Things (IoT) and connected technologies has fuelled significant advancements in operations across sectors such as utilities and smart cities. Simply put, it has never been easier to monitor assets, boost productivity and reduce unplanned downtime, all while harnessing valuable third-party data and cloud-based integrations. As a result, we have seen unprecedented innovation through new smart grid, metering, connected street lighting and environmental monitoring applications. But scalability is key; the number of IoT devices required for smart cities by 2030 will sit around 29.42 billion devices, but scalability is not the only factor for success. In large-scale networks, adequate bandwidth, battery life and a low total cost of ownership are all essential. To navigate these concerns, it is also vital that interoperability is ensured, and this lies at the heart of the network.
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Why interoperability is crucial If all the IoT devices within a network can communicate and share information seamlessly, operational errors are minimised and manual intervention is reduced. This is pivotal for large-scale networks utilising millions of diverse technologies. Also, interoperability within the
network allows new devices and tools to be added within the network without a major disruption to existing operations. Should there be a complete outage, whether through a fault, overload, or an extreme weather event, interoperability will also help ensure all nodes within the network can ‘reboot’ efficiently and operations can resume as quickly as possible.
Interoperability also provides operators with a broader range of devices, avoiding vendor-lock in, which can result in faster deployments of new IoT devices. For these reasons, it is no surprise Wi-SUN Field Area Networks (FAN) have grown in popularity when it comes to supporting large scale IoT networks. Based on open standards, Wi-SUN FAN is synonymous with interoperability, ensuring quality, security and sustainability while helping to deliver a global ecosystem of standardised technologies.
Supporting the use of IoT Wi-SUN FAN is a wireless mesh network protocol which works differently than traditional ‘star’ topologies like Wi-Fi or LTE. Whilst the latter can be compromised by signal obstructions from narrow streets or tall buildings, Wi-SUN FAN is a decentralised network that dynamically routes data through multiple pathways. It is also self-forming
and self-healing, further simplifying the addition of new nodes and increasing network redundancy. Decentralisation means if a device was to go down, be replaced or added in, the network can continue to operate, making FAN an ideal choice for networks supporting energy grids or smart cities, in which operational reliability is paramount.
The importance of certification The key to the success of Wi-SUN FAN has been certification. Certification programmes are vital as they ensure devices and services meet specific standards for quality, security and performance, fostering end-user trust and promoting industry-wide consistency. Through Wi-SUN FAN certification, for example,
the Wi-SUN Alliance can certify products based on their compliance to communications profiles derived from open standards and their ability to allow interoperability with other essential products. Certification programmes also include third-party testing of devices to define their behaviour, performance and interoperability to ensure they comply to the necessary standards. Ultimately, this reduces the time required by operators to evaluate new products.
The next evolution of FAN Wi-SUN FAN can trace its roots back to the first IEEE802.15.4g specification but has continued to grow and adapt over the years to meet the requirements of new network applications and devices. As a result, the FAN 1.1 specification was introduced to deliver enhanced features and functionalities for high-throughput requirements and also low-power nodes.
Building on the success of previous FAN standards, some of which were proprietary, applications like distribution automation now allow operators of large-scale IoT networks to collect, analyse and optimise network data even more effectively. By using a standards-based, interoperable network, swift and informed decision-making can become commonplace. As the Wi-SUN Alliance introduces the FAN 1.1 certification programme, it will not only ensure that devices meet the performance requirements of the stringent new standards, but will also reinforce network resilience. The forthcoming announcement of the first FAN 1.1 certified products signals a transformative leap for IoT technologies, laying a robust foundation for future innovations in utilities and smart cities.
56 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • FEBRUARY 2025
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
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