Smart sensors for a smart environment

Facts you always wanted to know about Libelium …

We would like to introduce you to our associate Libelium in further detail. You will find more information about Libelium, including examples in practice experiences and projects that we are using, on an additional page. 

We will be happy to answer your questions about Libelium. Please contact us.  

Open source sensor platforms with cloud access

sciencentric AG uses sensors developed by Libelium, simply because they are flexible and correspond to our vision on how to develop solutions concerning the Internet of Things (IoT). With Libelium, many scenarios can be realized.

Based in Spain, Saragossa, Libelium is an Internet of Things platform provider, with its open-source-based sensor platform being high-performance, modular and easy to program. Therefore, system integrators may implement reliable smart-city and/or machine-to-machine communication solutions in a short time period. Mentioned networks operate with different transfer protocols, depending on the data’s distance made.

With their products, Libelium supports protocols and transfers: ZigBee (2,4 GHz), 802.15.4 (2,4 GHz), WiFi (2,4 GHz), RF (868 MHz und 900 MHz), LoRa (868 MHz und 900 MHz), Sigfox (868 MHz), 3G/GPRS (Quadband: 850/900/1900/2100), Bluetooth Low Energy (2,4 GHz).

Identified data may be stored on local or external databases, furthermore certain Cloud providers offer Meshlium support. Libelium’s automation solutions appear in most industrial sectors, and element in many projects.

• Intelligent cities, smart traffic and parking systems
• Clever water management
• Environment
• Agricultural economy
• Safety and emergency management
• Logistics
• Smart measuring methods
• eHealth
• retail
• House – automation

You can find further details by visiting: www.libelium.com.

Precious water – control management of silos and fonts with sensors

About 20% of the earth’s landmass is assigned to tropical and subtropical arid environment, such as many parts of Africa, Australia, the Arabian Peninsula as well as parts of the US, Central and South America.

Especially veldts, savannas, deserts and semideserts belong to arid environments, in which water marks the most precious source that needs to be secured. As livelihood, water cannot be wasted, making it even more important to focus on sustainable and responsible usage in farming and agriculture.

Cattle-breeding in arid environments is the most common economic factor, even though conditions are rough. Often huge farms with 5000 up to 10.000 hectares are responsible for cattle breeding, with versatile challenges, such as water shortage, overgrazing, poaching and wild animals that may kill cattle. Therefore, farm owners often have no other choice then to drive around their ground and check on the cattle.

sciencentric AG organizes so -called smart-farming-projects in such areas. Farmers need to be able check on their silos from a far distance, and thus some of the sciencentric AG employees installed corresponding sensors. Since then, these sensors are able to measure the tanks capacity and send evaluated measurements proactively to the farmers cellphone via GSM.

Also, performance data of required pumps, the water flow rate or their failure is sent as an alarm.
For that matter Plug & Sense has been used. Smart- Cities that have been combined with sensors coming from the Smart-Water-Program.

GPRS is used for transfer – having high range – plugged by a simple GSM-Stick. Libelium offers own adapters as an alternative. An ultrasound sensor coming from the Smart-City-Series is used as a level meter. It has been placed within the water silo and measures its level.

Additionally, the device has been equipped with battery and a solar panel. Furthermore, the pumps that pump water from the fountains onto the farm were added to the monitoring – process.

The efficient and optimized water-usage balance is the most important when water is the most precious good in such areas.

“Smart City Project” – research project, realized with Libelium products

The capital of Kantabriens is Santander, located in northern Spain. Near located at the coast and well known as a very popular spot for vacation and tourists.

One can find the Camino de Santiago leading through Santander, and the Altmira caves with their Stone Age paintings. Santander is also a test object, testing the intelligent city, transforming the Internet of Things into urban reality.

Information considering citizens – available on cellphones and a coalition of different companies and economic institutions developed the so-called ‘Smart Santander Project’, aiming for a broad platform that allows to inform citizens about information in Santander and surroundings.
Therefore, sensors, actuators, cameras and monitors as far as 1125 Waspmotes have been installed. These gadgets are able to control the city’s 35 km2 regarding parameters such as noise pollution, temperature, light, CO2 levels and free parking spots.

The entire urban area has been equipped with 22 Meshlium Sensor Gateways. Each Gateway combines about 50 Waspmote Sensors and transfers its data onto a webserver. Via app, citizens are able to request information.

There is a set limit value, that activates an alarm in case of a transgression of measured data. Affected incident can then be examined properly.

Immediate reaction to water shortage and flooding – a more efficient opportunity to manage water usage

Summer months in Spain have been really hot and dry for the last couple of years. On the other hand, many storms and floods occurred which is why one is now looking for solutions to make environmental influences more manageable.

Valencia owns an intelligent water management system, that has been developed by scientists and telecommunication providers. The system allows residential public utilities to manage the water cycle. The goal is to increase the community’s benefits next to unburden the environment.
The overall hydrological cycle is considered, starting with precipitation, collected within lakes, rivers or barrages.

Afterwards the accumulated water is being refined, stored and delivered to households and agricultural businesses. Finally, the water ends up in sewage purification- and treatment plants, starting the water cycle again.

How does the system operate? Throughout the regions specific spots hold sensors, that either measure humidity, precipitation or the groundwater level. In addition, the wastewaters development, the water level in storehouses and the utilized capacity in purification plants and waterworks were considered by the project’s team.

The sensors are connected with Waspmote – a component by Libelium – via the Proto Sensor Board. Permanent measuring stations have been installed throughout the city. If needed, mobile measuring stations may also be installed. GPS combines all sensors. Collected data is then transferred into a data central point via internet and examined promptly.

The system’s aid improves the reaction of threatening highwater and water shortage. The system helps to quickly and preventatively respond to possible water shortage or flooding.

Internet of Things uses primal industry

The Internet of Things grants many benefits to support agriculture, such as watering systems and constant environmental condition surveillances. Libelium’s sensors allow to measure different data that are beneficial for both farmers and winegrowers. Different irrigation systems used for greenhouses are able to both record and adjust environmental conditions in real time.

Wireless sensor networks have been established in vineyards, orchards or fields to continuously measure various environmental parameters. Using these, possible pest infestation may be avoided and irrigation improved, as well as conditions of the soil may be monitored.

Such surveillance contributes to preventing or at least reducing the use of pesticides. Waspmote Sensors Smart Gases (Pro), Smart Agriculture and Smart Water (Ions) represent adequate components for the environmental usage.