Security, speed, frequency – the key parameters for optimal data transmission
Smart IoT solutions are increasingly driving optimized processes, product innovations and new business models across many industries. When implementing an IoT project, HK.SYSTEMS can draw on the right specialists for every area—also for the important field of mobile data transmission and the wireless technology best suited to the respective project.
Our specialist for this topic area is Thomas Krekeler.
Saving energy, avoiding production downtime, automating processes: Reliable data transfer from networked machines and devices via cellular (M2M communication) to the cloud is a critical point. What matters here is choosing the right wireless or data transmission technology for the respective IoT project. Thomas explains what is important: “Security requirements, transmission speeds and transmission frequency: these are the key parameters we use as our guide.”
From our perspective, for many IoT solutions the NarrowBand IoT (NB-IoT) wireless standard is the ideal choice for efficiently connecting as many machines, devices and objects as possible. By way of explanation: While the regular cellular network enables high data transmission in a short time, NB-IoT focuses on the low-frequency range instead: It builds on existing cellular networks, but smaller volumes of data are sent less frequently. This results in very good coverage with low energy requirements. For example, data can also be transmitted easily via NB-IoT in hard-to-reach areas such as basements. NB-IoT is based on Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) and is highly standardized by 3GPP.
In addition, for IoT projects the focus is not necessarily on speed, but on security: NB-IoT is extremely secure, standardized worldwide, and uses the high LTE security mechanisms. Via IP-VPN (Virtual Private Network), you are also not operating on the public provider network: An encrypted virtual network enables tamper-proof data exchange.
Here are the full benefits of the NB-IoT standard based on cellular technology:
- Independence from customer-specific networks, hubs and gateways
- Easy installation via Plug&Play – no administrative effort
- Availability everywhere
- Extremely secure, reliable transmission of small data packets (at 200 kHz)
- Operability even in shielded areas (deep building penetration, F90 doors, steel cabinets, etc.) – this is not guaranteed with LTE
- Cost-effective: low module, operating and service costs
- Energy-efficient: low power consumption, power-saving functions, runtimes of up to 5 years
Another transmission option for IoT applications is the LTE-M (Long Term Evolution for Machines) standard, or LTE-Cat-M1, also known as Enhanced Machine-type Communications (eMTC). Developed on the initiative of the 3GPP cooperation, it is particularly suitable for mobile IoT applications such as smart city services, tracking, wearables or e-health solutions. Compared to NB-IoT, LTE-M offers higher data rates of up to 1 Mbit/s and lower latency. HK.SYSTEMS uses this transmission standard for its mobile Pager alerting system.
Are you interested in more first-hand information on this topic?
Sven Ehrmann, Managing Director of HK.SYSTEMS GmbH, and Ralf Krippner, CEO of Hoffmann + Krippner GmbH & Co. KG & Co. KG, will take part in the IoT webinar “A network for every pot – Keep your eyes open when choosing a network” hosted by Deutsche Telekom on April 28, 2021.