DATA MANAGEMENT, COMMUNICATIONS & SECURITY Ask the Expert
Will Darby, managing director of Carlo Gavazzi outlines the unique capabilities of LoRa Technology and explains how the deployment of LoRaWAN products can open up opportunities for large-scale energy management projects
Internet enabled products allow businesses to actively manage energy use but they can only do so if they are able to communicate with the internet. What is the best communication solution for IoT devices located at distances of 1km or more from the receiver? There is no one-size-fits all IoT communication solution
- requirements vary depending on application and the area over which devices are located:
• WiFi can transmit a large amount of data over a limited range, typically 50m or so and uses a relatively large amount of power to do so. • Bluetooth can also transmit relatively large amounts of data, but over a limited range so is only suitable for devices located within a few metres of each other. • Cellular technologies such as 4G and 5G can transmit data over increased distances but are expensive because they require a mobile phone contract and SIM for each measurement point.
A much more cost effective solution for collecting limited amounts of data (up to 50Kbps) from IoT devices located over a larger area is to use Long Range (LoRa) wireless technology, making them ideal for transmitting event-based information such as data from a smart energy meter.
C What are the benefits of LoRa?
LoRa systems have a range of up to 10km in suburban areas (5km in urban applications). They are cost effective because the data is transmitted on frequencies that do not require to be licensed and signals can pass through obstacles, such as walls, to reach sensors. A LoRaWAN network can be used to bring together all the energy-related systems, such as heating, cooling for smart energy management across an entire site or facility to manage their energy consumption.
How do devices connect to a LoRa network?
To connect an end device, such as an energy meter, to a LoRaWAN it needs to be converted into a long range wireless end point. Carlo Gavazzi’s UWP-A Long Range Wireless Endpoint Adaptor is a good example of such a device. The UWP-A can transmit data over a distance of several kilometres to a Carlo Gavazzi UWP-M gateway. The UWP-A and UWP-M embed end-to-end data encryption to ensure data is secure. The UWP-M can act as a gateway and a data concentrator for numerous UWP-A devices. It connects to the Carlo Gavazzi UWP 3.0 platform to deliver the data to the system servers. Where an existing LoRaWAN network already exists, in a smart city for example, connection is even easier: all a systems integrator has to do is to use a Carlo Gavazzi UWP-A end point adaptor to convert a Carlo Gavazzi meter into an LoRaWAN enabled unit. This simple solution allows system integrators to join public Smart-City networks for large scale deployments of energy efficiency monitoring systems. For more information on how Carlo Gavazzi’s LoRa enabled sensors can revolutionise your data collection go to
www.carlogavazzi.co.uk.
ompanies face an increasing but under-recognised threat from cyber- attacks on building systems and facilities
managers need to act now with IT professionals to address the issue, leading independent research, and advisory firm Verdantix is warning. It highlights how a sharp rise in the number of connected devices across building systems mean that the operational technology (OT) used to run facilities creates a growing risk of cyber-attack. Connected OT networks are converging with their IT counterparts, blurring traditional lines of responsibility for cyber security, just as ageing building systems require replacement, and the number of attacks rises.
having many devices with poor inbuilt cyber security controls.
Cyber-attacks aimed at IT systems cost businesses $945 billion in 2020, it is estimated, through damage to data and systems, lost productivity, and theft of money, intellectual property, and personal data despite $145 billion in cyber security expenditure.
Networked devices ‘increase cyber- attack risk for building systems’
Verdantix’s Best Practices: Enhancing
Your Smart Building Cyber Security Programme found firms are not aware of the full extent of their risk exposure from their OT, as they often do not keep registers of connected devices, or the level of cyber security protection provided.
Compiled after interviews with experts from the cyber security, IT and building technology sectors, the report shows how companies can adapt. Its publication comes as more connected devices via the Internet of Things (IoT) transform the landscape, but just 32% of firms evaluate IoT security risks as part of the onboarding process for third parties and just 54% run penetration tests on their IoT devices.
Rodolphe D’Arjuzon, global head of Without sufficient security controls,
Verdantix warns, these systems are introducing significant new risks and more entry points for cyber criminals to exploit. The past five years have seen a massive explosion of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and smart devices deployed with firms frequently selecting these smart devices based on cost and functionality, resulting in facilities
Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk
research at Verdantix said: “The first step for rebooting a smart building cyber security strategy is defining clear responsibilities and embedding cyber management into facilities operations across procurement, technology management and staff training. “Facilities managers should not develop a siloed cyber programme on their own, but rather partner with their IT and security peers to integrate cyber security into different building management processes.”
BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER SEPTEMBER 2022 25
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50
