Geolocation solution opens opportunities for IoT network in Scotland

Currently being used to monitor air quality and enhance intelligent transport systems, the introduction of Semtech’s LoRa geolocation solution now opens new possibilities for Glasgow’s LPWAN. For example, it can be used in circumstances as diverse as healthcare providers tracking the behaviour of patients living with dementia or by waste operators to monitor the location of their trucks across a city.

The network was deployed as a collaborative project involving Semtech, Stream Technologies, Boston Networks and CENSIS. The group is also working on the installation of a similar sensor network in Inverness, Scotland to monitor conditions in more rural environments.

“This is an exciting development in the story of the IoT and the next wave of Internet technology,” said Nigel Chadwick, CEO of Stream Technologies. “The LoRaWAN network we’ve set up in Glasgow is one of the most advanced in the world – and is the perfect demonstrator for how it can be rolled out across other cities.”

“The implications of the emergence of disruptive technologies, such as LoRaWAN have enormous potential to revolutionize the future of the IoT,” said Scott McEwan, Chief Executive of Boston Networks. “To have one of the most advanced LoRaWAN networks which will permit urban infrastructure to become more intelligent – and all right on our doorstep, is an exciting prospect.”

Mark Begbie, Business Development Director at CENSIS, added: “This isn’t about providing faster broadband to businesses – it’s about connecting devices that are currently excluded from the Internet and providing services which are not currently possible. LoRaWAN technology is set to address some of the key challenges in the IoT, making long-term battery-powered wireless monitoring possible, with the additional benefit of real-time location information.”

“Semtech was pleased to support a representative deployment in both urban and non-urban environments to further demonstrate our recently launched unique LoRa geolocation hardware and software, and since the other members of this collaboration have already been successfully working together with LoRaWAN for some time, this was a great opportunity to do so,” said Richard Lansdowne, Senior Director of Network System Solutions for Semtech’s Wireless and Sensing Product Group. “This project is a valuable opportunity for our team and will help drive the successful development of enhanced algorithms embedded in our LoRa geolocation solution going forward.”

Glasgow was selected as the test case because of its similarities to many major metropolitan areas worldwide. The city includes a grid system like major US conurbations, older historic spaces and a mix of urban and extra-urban environments – all of which are ideal for testing low power radio network performance.