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Applications for smart cities are expanding quickly, and by 2025, it’s predicted that more than 50% of the world’s population will reside in cities. As a result of this rise, there is an increasing need for smart city solutions to improve livability, boost productivity, and optimize resource use. Low-power wide-area networks are one of the most promising technologies for smart city applications (LPWANs). We will talk about LPWAN use cases in applications for smart cities in this article.
What is LPWAN?
Wireless networking technology known as LPWAN is created for low-bandwidth, low-power applications that demand long-distance communication. Applications that require the long-distance transmission of small amounts of data, including sensors that assess temperature, humidity, air quality, and other environmental factors, are well suited for this technology. Unlicensed bands like the Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) bands, which can be used without a license, are among the frequencies that LPWAN networks can operate across.
LPWAN Use Cases in Smart Cities
Some of the key use cases for LPWAN in smart cities include:
Environmental Monitoring
Monitoring the environment is one of the most frequently used LPWAN applications in smart cities. The use of LPWAN sensors to detect temperature, humidity, air quality, noise levels, and other environmental factors might yield useful information that can be used to enhance public safety and health. For instance, sensors can be installed in high-traffic locations to monitor air quality and identify contaminants, allowing city officials to take appropriate action to enhance air quality and lower the risk of respiratory ailments.
Smart Lighting
Another application of LPWAN in smart city applications is smart lighting. When people or vehicles are present, smart lighting systems use sensors to detect their presence and alter the illumination intensity. Low-power sensors that can identify persons or cars and send that information to a central server can be deployed thanks to LPWAN technology.
The lighting intensity can then be changed by the central server depending on the occupancy level, which will save energy and improve safety. The deployment of remote monitoring and control of smart lighting systems using LPWAN technology also makes it feasible to find issues and coordinate maintenance tasks.
Smart Waste Management
Another application of LPWAN in smart city applications is smart waste management. Waste collection services can optimize their routes and decrease the frequency of collections thanks to smart waste management solutions that employ sensors to determine the amount of waste in trash cans.
Low-power sensors that can measure the amount of trash and transmit the data to a central server can be deployed thanks to LPWAN technology. The data may then be analyzed by the central server to determine the best waste collection routes, which will cut garbage collection time and costs while increasing the effectiveness of the waste management process.
Smart Parking
One of the most common LPWAN use cases in smart city applications is smart parking. Sensors are used in smart parking solutions to identify occupied spaces and give drivers up-to-the-minute information on parking spot availability. Large parking lots can be covered thanks to the use of low-power sensors that can give long-range communication thanks to LPWAN technology.
The sensors can be mounted on lamp poles or individual parking spaces, and they use LPWAN technology to broadcast the occupancy status to a centralized server. Drivers can then utilize this information to locate open parking spaces, cutting down on search time and easing traffic congestion.
Smart Water Management
Another LPWAN used for smart city applications is smart water management. Water management authorities can maximize the use of water resources thanks to smart water management solutions that employ sensors to measure the amount of water in reservoirs.
Low-power sensors that can measure the water level and communicate the data to a central server can be deployed thanks to LPWAN technology. In order to reduce the risk of water shortages and improve the effectiveness of the water management process, the central server may evaluate the data and optimize the use of water resources.
Smart Agriculture
LPWAN is also used in applications for smart agriculture. Farmers can produce crops more quickly thanks to smart agricultural technologies that employ sensors to keep an eye on environmental variables like temperature, humidity, and soil moisture. Due to its ability to cover a large area while consuming little power and the requirement for the deployment of smart agricultural solutions, LPWAN technology is perfect for applications related to smart agriculture. LPWANs can be used for smart agriculture applications since they can operate in unlicensed spectrum bands at a reasonable price.
Energy Management
Another application of LPWAN in smart city applications is energy management. Smart city solutions can maximize energy use and cut waste thanks to energy management solutions that employ sensors to monitor energy production, consumption, and storage.
Large urban areas can be covered thanks to the deployment of low-power sensors with long-range connectivity made available by LPWAN technology. The sensors can be mounted on solar panels, electrical grids, or other structures, and they use LPWAN technology to communicate energy data to a centralized server. Energy management tools can then make use of this data to optimize energy use, cut waste, and boost effectiveness.
Public Safety
Another application of LPWAN in smart city applications is public safety. Air quality, noise levels, and other environmental elements that have an impact on public health and safety are monitored through sensors used in public safety systems.
Large urban areas can be covered thanks to the deployment of low-power sensors with long-range connectivity made available by LPWAN technology. The sensors can be mounted on buildings, streetlights, or other structures, and they use LPWAN technology to communicate environmental data to a centralized server. Public safety solutions can use this information to identify and address environmental problems, enhancing public health and safety.
Conclusion
LPWAN technology is a viable answer for use in smart cities. Because of its low power requirements, long-range connection, cost-effectiveness, security, adaptability, and scalability, it is the ideal option for enhancing urban infrastructure and services. LPWAN networks can boost productivity and enhance the quality of life for citizens by making it possible to adopt smart city solutions that can improve waste management, energy management, traffic management, and public safety.