New autonomous VEGA sensors - the key to IoT in logistics and manufacturing

The Internet of Things (IoT) is currently changing the world tremendously. One of the areas in which IoT is particularly booming is logistics. Here, the large-scale integration of goods and IT infrastructure along the entire production chain offers very many hitherto untapped opportunities: from inventory management through ordering procedures to transportation. Optimizing the supply chain therefore really benefits competitiveness. At the same time, it contributes to a noticeable reduction in costs.

At the heart of the Internet of Things is data exchanged over a growing communications network. This data serves as the basis for making decisions for improvements. Therefore, the IoT relies on sensors that provide the necessary data. However, it is typical of logistics processes that the sensors are in locations and places where energy does not come easily from the wall socket.

AUTONOMOUS SENSORS FOR OPTIMIZED LOGISTICS

Especially for this type of situation, VEGA is currently developing a completely new series of measurement systems: autonomous level sensor systems based on high-performance 80GHz radar technology. The new autonomous radar sensors will reach the market in mid-2020 and will be available in abundance then - optimized for processes in logistics and measurement and control technology. Economical use of energy was a priority in the development. To this end, measurement performance, wireless data transmission and energy consumption were optimally coordinated. Batteries now take care of energy management in combination with optimized measuring cycles, ensuring a 10-year service life.

Wireless autonomous sensors from VEGA are inexpensive, flexible and reliable - and quickly installed via plug-and-play. Therefore, they can be used reliably in the most diverse scenarios, wherever levels need to be measured. Whether it is storage tanks with chemicals, containers with cleaning agents that need to be changed regularly or waste containers waiting to be picked up.

IDEAL FOR IBC CONTAINERS

The autonomous VEGA sensors are ideal for mounting on IBC containers. Thanks to radar, measurement is possible from the outside, so there is no need to open or modify the plastic tank. This solution can be installed with a few operations and can remain permanently mounted on the container and transmit the respective status, in companies at home or during transport. Even stacked, the autonomous VEGA sensors measure the current level and position of each individual container several times a day - and transfer this data wirelessly to the cloud.

RETRIEVABLE ANYWHERE

The connection is also modular: currently, NB-IoT and LoRa technologies are supported.

In this regard, VEGA has opted for a multicommunication model: the sensor can accommodate multiple low-power wireless technologies and uses the variant available at the time. Moreover, future technologies can be quickly integrated.

The combination with the VEGA Inventory System provides additional possibilities: Based on the data obtained via the autonomous sensor, the visualization and logistics software determines optimal order volumes and future planning goals. In addition, the autonomous VEGA radar sensor has many more clever possibilities. Not least because the data can also be easily integrated into other platforms and systems.