In cooperation with The Things Network, Alpha-Omega Technology launches an affordable plug & play starter package for private LoRaWAN users. It contains the "KLAX" optical reader for electricity meters with an optical interface and The Things Indoor Gateway.
Berlin, 6 February 2020: The IoT product provider Alpha-Omega Technology GmbH & Co. KG, in cooperation with the LoRaWAN initiative The Things Network (TTN), presents a product package for getting started with LoRaWAN at home. The "KLAX Bundle" contains the KLAX optical reader for electricity and gas meters and the The Things Indoor Gateway (TTIG) from TTN. For the first time, a combined gateway-and-sensor product designed as plug & play is available for Long Range Wide Area Networks. KLAX is an attachment for the integrated optical interface that is simply fixed with a magnet. The sensor automatically captures data from consumption meters and makes it possible to transmit it continuously. Both devices are optimised for easy commissioning. With the inexpensive gateway, private users can build a sensor-based Internet of Things (IoT) on a LoRaWAN basis even without prior knowledge. In combination with KLAX, individual electricity and gas consumption can be monitored to find savings potential. The "KLAX Bundle" is available from the end of February at a price of 236.81 euros incl. VAT via iot-shop.de . It can be seen at embedded world at stand 725 in Hall 3.
initiated by Semtech, which brings centralised update and configuration management. TTIG is supplied with a wall plug and can be powered via USB-C with 900 mA. With the easy-to-install gateway, users also gain access to a worldwide community whose goal is to build a global, open LoRaWAN network. Newcomers thus find support, tips, practical advice and ideas for further applications in their private IoT.
"With our KLAX reader in combination with The Things Indoor Gateway, users get practical benefit from their network right from the start. They can, for example, measure their electricity or gas consumption continuously every 15 minutes and thus directly influence their current consumption. Thanks to the strong magnet, which is simply attached to the integrated optical interface of the modern meter, the device is extremely easy to install," explains Jan Bose, managing director of Alpha-Omega Technology. The signals from the infrared interface are picked up by the KLAX optical head and transmitted via LoRaWAN. The measured values are available in the back end shortly after measurement and can be processed further with suitable software. KLAX is developed and manufactured by the IoT company Alpha-Omega Technology together with comtac and ZENNER IoT Solutions. A current list of the devices KLAX can address is provided by the KLAX whitelist at https://alpha-omega-technology.de/klax-der-lorawan-faehige-optokopf
IoT with LoRaWAN: a network full of possibilities
The "KLAX Bundle" opens up many other practical applications for users, because the low-power wireless network protocol LoRaWAN has many advantages, such as long range and good building penetration with low energy consumption. While Wi-Fi, for example, often fails at a closed door between two rooms, LoRaWAN passes through walls and several floors. In addition, unlike other networks such as NB-IoT or Sigfox, users can install and operate LoRaWAN themselves. The network can be set up independently and extended at any time without high costs, or adapted individually to the respective requirements. If the signal becomes weak at one point, for example because the distance is too great, an additional low-cost gateway provides a remedy. A LoRaWAN-based network saves money, because unlike other technologies the network is licence-free, which means there are no costs for an external service provider. The sensors' batteries are economical too, lasting up to five years. The market offers a wide variety of simple, inexpensive sensors that can be used flexibly. For example, possible particulate pollution can be detected and documented by sensors monitoring air quality. Mould growth in rarely used basements or attics can also be detected early, with temperature and humidity sensors capturing the readings indoors. And outdoors, soil moisture sensors can be used to control the irrigation system.