MultiTech designs, develops and manufactures communications equipment for the industrial internet of things .
Our field trial with WaterBit demonstrates the power of combining sensor and LoRa technologies to capture vital, hard to reach information
Mounds View, MN (PRWEB) February 04, 2016
MultiTech Systems, Inc., a leading global manufacturer of M2M and IoT devices, today announced the launch of a field trial with WaterBit, Inc. an agricultural services provider based in Sunnyvale, California. Utilizing MultiTech’s IoT gateway in combination with LoRa® technology, MultiConnect® mDots™ and WaterBit’s sensors, WaterBit can now access valuable data from numerous endpoints throughout its dense field site, without dependence on spotty, unpredictable cellular coverage.
“Our field trial with WaterBit demonstrates the power of combining sensor and LoRa technologies to capture vital, hard to reach information,” said Michael Finegan, Director of Business, IoT Development at MultiTech. “The Internet of Things enables these various processes to help increase production and optimize efficiencies. Farming industry needs can now be easily monitored through this revolutionary ‘smart farming’ scenario.”
The MultiTech MultiConnect® Conduit™ is the industry’s most configurable, manageable, and scalable communications gateway. Each Conduit gateway has the ability to manage thousands of MultiConnect mDots – low cost LoRaWAN™ ready modules able to connect sensors or appliances – and transmit their data over any cellular network to a customer's preferred data management platform. WaterBit is utilizing the MultiConnect Conduit configured with a LoRa card to connect multiple remote mDots with WaterBit’s patent pending sensors. WaterBit will access critical data pertaining to temperature, humidity, and moisture using these sensors and will monitor the data via its cloud system.
“It is only natural that some of the world’s best places to grow crops are also the least likely to have complete cellular coverage. Still, the Internet of Things holds a great deal of promise for agriculture. WaterBit conducted a robust study of products and the only solution that worked was the MultiTech LoRa gateway,” said Leif Chastaine, Chief Operating Officer at WaterBit. “We required compatibility with SemTech LoRaWAN, and the ARM® mbed™ Platform. Only MultiTech had these partnerships in place and was able to deliver on all of these needs cost effectively, and at world-class quality levels. We are thrilled to have this implementation up and running.”
LoRa is a wireless technology developed to enable low-data-rate communications over long distances utilizing sensors and actuators for M2M and IoT applications. It is particularly attractive for many applications because of its long-range capability, ability to enable battery-operated assets to function for years and its low cost/high ROI benefits. Key to the field trial is the ability to test LoRa and confirm its performance characteristic in challenging crop conditions in multiple locations in California during the winter. The dense foliage of citrus trees, rain, and variations in terrain will challenge test radios. Multitech and WaterBit look forward to sharing early test results in February at AG World Expo in Tulare, California.
Visit MultiTech at DistribuTECH Conference and Exhibition http://www.distributech.com/index.html in Booth #2438 to see a "Health and Safety” demonstration that highlights treating on-the-job impact injuries with visualizing force, location, and trajectory of impact. MultiTech’s “Tank Monitoring” demonstration showcasing knowledge and safety of liquids from water to hazardous materials, will also be up and running. MultiTech can also be seen in Semtech’ s Booth #2035 in a “Smart Farm” scenario using a light-moisture demonstration to showcase how to optimize yield and minimize waste in horticulture.
MultiTech’s LPWAN reception at World AG Expo (https://www.worldagexpo.com/) will take place on Feb. 10 at 6:30 pm at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Tulare, California.
About MultiTech
MultiTech designs, develops and manufactures communications equipment for the industrial internet of things – connecting physical assets to business processes to deliver enhanced value. Our commitment to quality and service excellence means you can count on MultiTech products and people to address your needs, while our history of innovation ensures you can stay ahead of the latest technology with a partner who will be there for the life of your solution. For more information, please visit http://www.multitech.com.
About WaterBit
Headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, WaterBit develops the highest granularity, connected, soil and environmental sensing systems for agriculture, at 1/10th the price and 10X the performance of competing systems. For more information, please visit http://www.waterbit.net.
Contacts:
Jennifer Costello for MultiTech
Tel: 781-715-4870
Email: jennifer(at)mgresults(dot)com
Leif Chastaine for WaterBit
Tel: 208-890-1043
Email: info(at)WaterBit(dot)net
