Nokia makes advances in the IoT space with a new LTE/3G wireless router for smart grids and new upgrades for its IoT platform to support LPWANs and video analytics.
The wireless router, introduced Tuesday, is the 7705 SAR-Hm, a purpose-built, feature-rich LTE/3G wireless router aimed at modernizing distribution networks for utilities, but with applications for other high growth vertical markets such as smart cities.
The 7705 SAR-Hm – released as part of Nokia’s Service Routing portfolio – merges IP/MPLS and LTE/3G technologies to provide utilities with connectivity for grid devices located deep in a highly scalable distribution network.
This allows for promising new smart grid applications – including distribution automation, advanced metering, and integration of renewable energy sources – and lays the groundwork to support an anticipated massive increase in field devices with the IoT.
Many power utilities currently use narrowband or proprietary wireless solutions to connect their field devices to each other and the control center. Most remote devices have no connectivity at all. Without the ability to scale and manage the network, remote monitoring and control of devices is challenging, costly and extremely difficult to operate and deploy.
The 7705 SAR-Hm will enable public and private network operators to have high capacity connectivity in their power distribution grids and directly into field devices, as well as the highest levels of reliability, security and scalability for mission-critical applications and services, Nokia says.
As smart grids are deployed, utilities will face a huge proliferation in the number of field devices they need to connect and manage. This includes integrating renewable energy resources, such as solar panels and wind farms, which are putting new demands on the electrical distribution system. Shifting loads and fluctuating generation from renewables will require real-time adjustment without operator intervention. Because the 7750 SAR-Hm distributes intelligence wirelessly over the IP/MPLS transport network, devices in the field will now be able to communicate and make decisions without human intervention as well as have greater flexibility, reliability and scale.
This is critical for a more responsive grid today, and support for the expected increase in IoT devices in the future, said Sri Reddy, head of the IP Routing and Packet Core Business Unit for Nokia.
Meanwhile, earlier this week, Nokia announced updates to its Intelligent Management Platform for All Connected Things (IMPACT), making it easier for customers to deploy new services and business models for key IoT vertical applications, including smart parking, smart lighting and transportation/automotive.
The latest version of the IMPACT platform provides new capabilities and a suite of pre-integrated applications that allow customers to easily create and deploy secure revenue-generating IoT services.
New features include:
- NB-IoT and LoRa connectivity: Building upon existing Lightweight M2M (LWM2M) and Category M1 (CAT-M1) device support, interfaces to both licensed NB-IoT and unlicensed LoRa networks provide customers with additional IoT network efficiency improvements via low-power wide area networks (LPWAN).
- Video analytics: Powered by Nokia Bell Labs’ machine learning algorithms, IMPACT provides new functionality for a range of IoT applications by automatically detecting anomalies in video feeds in real time, such as traffic accidents, speeding vehicles and unauthorized entry into secure locations, and triggering alerts for further action.
- Smart parking application: Allows municipalities to better manage inventory, resulting in more efficient use of parking spaces, reduced traffic and pollution; provides drivers with real-time information on parking space availability and streamlines payment processes.
- Smart lighting application: Enables municipalities to optimize electricity use and reduce costs through real-time inventory management; automatically detects lighting issues and failures to help ensure maximum uptime.
- Vehicle applications: Enables predictive maintenance, fuel efficiency, supply chain optimization and geo-fencing solutions triggered by vehicle data, including fuel levels, speed and GPS location. This data can be collected from a Connected Head Unit or an aftermarket (ODB2-based) device.
Nokia says its IMPACT platform was developed to address a fragmented and complex IoT ecosystem, comprised of disparate applications and devices. Its common platform provides horizontal services for all IoT applications, enabling customers to streamline their operations by automating the management of IoT devices and applications.
The latest version of the Nokia IMPACT IoT Platform is expected to be available in Q2 2017.
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