PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
The objectives of the performed development activities were to add enhancements to an existing optimised LoRaWAN to satellite software stack for advanced LoRaWAN over Satellite features including compatibility with LoRaWAN cloud-based management tools (Third-party NOC, IoT Platforms), LoRaWAN COTS sensor integration interfaces (ThingNOC API) and LoRaWAN security standards (LoRaWAN 1.1. security, Downlink firmware updates).
Challenges
The key challenges of the project were in the complexity of adding advanced software enhancements optimised for Satellite packet data services to support and facilitate the integration and deployment of large-scale LoRaWAN sensor networks while maintaining airtime traffic and operation expenses at a minimum for these deployments.
System Architecture
The MinFarm stack is comprised of the MinFarm Gateway and the MinFarm ThingNOC. The MinFarm Gateway runs a Network Server, Join Server, Payload Broker and Bridge Client. The MinFarm Gateway enables LoRaWAN sensors to work over high latency, low bandwidth, high airtime cost and non-IP satellite services. The MinFarm Gateway terminates the LoRaWAN traffic at the Network Server running on the gateway in the field. Therefore, the Join Request is processed by this field gateway. This means that no modification is required to connected LoRaWAN sensor’s code. The packet size per sensor update is kept low by the Bridge Client running on the MinFarm LoRaWAN Gateway.
The MinFarm ThingNOC runs all the services (including the Bridge Server) required to process messages from the Satellite Terminal mailbox and forward them to the sensors’ desired cloud based IoT service (e.g. Application servers, Third party NOCs etc). It also allows the customer to manage their Devices, Satellite Terminals and MinFarm Gateways through a UI and API.
Plan
The Technology phase of the MinFarm Optimised LoRaWAN to Satellite Software Stack project was completed in Q1 2022. During this phase of the project the advanced features were developed and verification testing was performed.
Current Status
The Technology phase of the MinFarm Optimised LoRaWAN to Satellite Software Stack project was completed in Q1, 2022.
