Narrowband IoT field trial yields succesful results

The trials involved two Spanish major gas distribution companies and a significant number of Pietro Fiorentini gas meters. NB-IoT technology fully supports a set of advanced functions: bi-directional communication, data encryption at 128bit and remote commands for meter shut down. All these features are additional to the conventional remote meter reading and gas consumption profiling. The trial covered the whole chain: gas meter – NB-IoT network – communication protocols and finally data acquisition system and meter data management on software provided by Terranova making the data available to any ERP system. The results demonstrated complete end–to–end system functionality, bi-directional communication and scalability from 2G to NB-IoT.

These trials reflect the companies’ eagerness to meet growing demand for Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) connectivity, as delivered by NB-IoT technology, which was standardised by 3GPP in June 2016. As NB-IoT operates on networks within the licensed spectrum, it also offers greater security and freedom from interference and is therefore suitable for critical infrastructure devices, such as utility meters. Additionally, NB-IoT is power efficient and provides coverage in shielded areas, making it useful for the long lifecycles and underground locations of many meters. Embedded in the gas meter is the u-blox SARA N2 module, which was announced in June 2016 as what the company claims to be the world’s first cellular radio module compliant with 3GPP Release 13.

"We needed a high quality and reliable smart technology for conducting NB-IoT trials in a gas meter anticipating the communication needs of the modern gas industry. SARA N2, the NB-IoT module from u-blox was therefore the right choice. We were satisfied to see the success of the complete end to end solution with bi-directional data communication fully integrated in the Terranova Meter Data Management platform. We are grateful to the Spanish gas distribution companies and to the international telephone operator that made all this possible," explained Gianfranco DeFeo, Executive Director of Shanghai Fiorentini and Marketing Principal at Pietro Fiorentini.

"It was very exciting to collaborate with market leaders such as Pietro Fiorentini and Terranova in conducting trials that would eventually guarantee secure high quality wireless communication in smart gas metering applications," explained Stefano Moioli, Director Product Management Cellular at u-blox.

The results achieved are preparatory for further roll-out in the field.