04 April 2024
LNX Solutions provides self-hosted infrastructure as a service and tailored solutions to resolve IT problems in a creative and effective way. By building their own LoRaWAN network, LNX Solutions is enabling a wide range of IoT solutions across South Africa.
Connectivity during blackouts
Cellular coverage in South Africa can vary widely depending on the region. Local users can find it spotty and unreliable. Moreover, the country has been in an energy crisis for more than 10 years and is now in its sixth period of load-shedding – sometimes lasting many hours - in an attempt to ration power between the different electrical grid areas across the country and urban areas.
During these blackout periods, cellular coverage can be lost. LNX Solutions’ ability to build and temporarily deploy LoRaWAN networks is highly beneficial and well-suited during these periods due to its low-power, high-range communication capabilities. Moreover, given South Africa’s many harsh environments, it can be extremely challenging to use standard off-the-shelf technologies, as they are not able to withstand the local surroundings for any reasonable length of time.
Large scale asset tracking
LNX Solutions has been providing tracking solutions for prestigious large scale sporting events across South Africa, such as the Cape Town Cycle Tour, the RMB Ultra Trail, and the Old Mutual Double Century, since 2021. During these large-scale events, the health and safety of participants is paramount.
Ambulances and logistics crews are provided with LoRaWAN trackers so that if an emergency situation arises, with lives at risk, the nearest resources are dispatched from the control centre. By deploying LoRaWAN networks during these events, LNX Solutions can provide reliable and consistent coverage during the entirety of the event in challenging environments where traditional GSM technologies do not work.
After trialling a selection of different devices, LNX Solutions found that Digital Matter’s Oyster3 and Yabby3 were the best in terms of both quality and performance. The LoRaWAN devices feature a versatile and open payload format, which facilitates integration into third-party platforms. The devices integrate seamlessly into LNX Solutions’ custom-built platform, allowing LNX Solutions to build and deploy LoRaWAN networks and effortlessly monitor their devices remotely.
Given the challenging terrain, a rugged solution is required. As such, LNX Solutions has deployed Digital Matter’s ultra-rugged Oyster3 and Yabby3, which are placed inside the vehicles and participants’ backpacks. They allow logistic crews to locate participants when they call for assistance and the nearest ambulance sweep truck can collect them. The battery-powered devices have been optimised to send location updates over the LoRaWAN network every minute, providing full visibility of the participants as they progress through the events.
“The hardware design of the device is extremely important. We rent out the devices for the events, so they are going to get thrown around, go through water, and dropped, and then we’re going to have to find them,” said Matt Feinstein, CEO, LNX Solutions.
The robust IP68-rated housing of the Digital Matter’s devices means that they can withstand being knocked around whilst out on the courses, an absolute must. Additionally, these compact and lightweight devices fit easily inside the packs of cyclists and runners without causing any strain or – critically for the athletes - competitive disadvantage.
