Badger Meter’s BEACON® Advanced Metering Analytics (AMA) managed solution is helping utilities apply real-time data to all aspects of their operations.
IoT and Smart City Applications
Existing secure and reliable cellular technology is leading the growth of IoT. Simply put, the IoT connects devices. It has broad implications for almost every consumer and commercial product in use today — cellphones, dishwashers, refrigerators, lamps, wearable devices, headphones, vehicles, manufacturing equipment, water metering systems and more. As part of this new network of “things,” connected devices speak to each other to manage operability, provide information and simplify processes. Individuals interact with these devices, individuals interact with each other, and devices interact with each other, all within this network of connectivity. For water utilities and cities, this connectivity translates to greater opportunities for Smart City deployments, such as sensors for a city’s water systems, parking meters, lights, transportation, public safety and more.
A major advantage of cellular networks and IoT solutions is their flexibility in deployment. For example, by implementing a cloud-based software analytics platform, water utilities are not forcing a one-size-fits-all proprietary solution onto other departments within the city.
When considering IoT metering solutions, water utilities anticipate benefits, such as:
• Reducing operating costs
• Improving the quality of services
• Increasing customer satisfaction
• Improving sustainability
These benefits go hand in hand with the broader return on investment that water utilities are seeking from their advanced metering technologies.
IoT Technologies
IoT has countless implications and benefits for the more than 50,000 water utilities across the United States. Because the technology is advancing at such a rapid pace, water utilities can now track larger quantities of data, receive and act on real-time water usage information more quickly, and be smarter about their systems overall.
IoT technologies in use today in the water utility industry have one thing in common: they all capitalize on existing cellular networks. From there, different technologies offer different variations of power, bandwidth, standards and security. IoT technologies such as the CAT 1 (LTE) network are already improving the flexibility of deployment and accessibility of data for water utilities. Future advancements as seen in the planned CAT-M (LTE-M) network will make water systems even smarter.
CAT 1 (LTE) Network
Cellular capabilities for IoT solutions have vastly improved over the past few years with the broader introduction of strong and secure Long-Term Evolution (LTE) technology. Cellular IoT solutions, such as endpoints, provide increased deployment flexibility because no infrastructure is needed. Thus, operating costs are substantially reduced. Badger Meter’s ORION LTE cellular endpoint, for example, uses secure nationwide cellular networks to offer additional benefits to utility customers including reliable real-time data, mobile message backup, extended field life and flexible deployment.
Traditional cellular networks designed specifically for consumer applications use a significant amount of power. CAT 1 cellular IoT systems, however, are designed for low-power applications that extend battery life, while also enabling extended coverage. And, because the network is deployed with global, 3GPP standardized technology, water utilities can trust that the network will be reliable and secure.
CAT M (LTE-M) Network
Similar to CAT 1 technology, the CAT M network also uses cellular connectivity to provide efficiencies for water utilities. This network, also known as the LTE-M network, has lower bandwidth, longer battery life and a reduced module size. These new networks even improve connectivity underground and deep within buildings — something especially important for water utilities. This means greater efficiencies for machine-to-machine communication, including water metering technologies.
Over the past two years, major U.S. cellular carriers, including AT&T, have taken significant steps to upgrade their services to offer CAT M, providing extensive availability of this technology for water utilities nationwide. In addition, using global, 3GPP standardized technology, CAT M solutions offer the best security measures compared to other IoT solutions.
A Powerful Solution
Compared to 10-year-old, sole proprietary networks, the IoT technologies of today are far superior. They:
• Require no investments in infrastructure,
• Use already proven and secure cellular carriers to reduce operating costs,
• Improve leak detection capabilities,
• Increase interoperability of data within the utility,
• Extend endpoint life, and
• Provide greater flexibility.
Meter reading needs vary by utility. Some utilities will always have a need for mobile meter reading technologies or a combination of mobile and cellular capabilities. For those utilities investigating more advanced technologies for Smart City applications and as a way to achieve reliability, flexibility and affordability, cellular IoT technology is a powerful solution. WW
About the Author: John Fillinger is the director of utility marketing for Badger Meter. With 20 years of experience in the water industry, he directs the company’s utility marketing efforts and the release of products and technology including BEACON® Advanced Metering Analytics (AMA). Badger Meter is based in Milwaukee, Wis. Learn more at badgermeter.com.
