Acrel AWT100-LoRaHW IoT Smart LoRa Gateway

The AWT100-LoRaHW of relay mode has 2 function, One is to receive the data from metering devices like energy meter using RS485 interface and send these data to AWT100-LoRaHW of terminal mode. In order words, LoRa relay can transfer RS485 wired communication into LoRa wireless communication.

The other function of AWT100-LoRaHW of relay mode was to expand the LoRa communication distance by using the structure of RS485→LoRa Relay-1→LoRa Relay-2→LoRa Terminal. It was pretty much  like adding a extra LoRa relay in the communication structure.

The AWT100-LoRaHW of terminal mode has 1 main function, it can receive the data from LoRa relay gateway or from energy meter with built-in LoRa communication module like ADW300/LR and send the data to a 4G, WiFi or Ethernet gateway using RS485 interface for further data transmission.

Indoor LoRa communication distance is about 200~300m and outdoor LoRa communication distance is about 1~2km. Please be aware the work-site condition, whether with strong signal interruption, will affect the actual LoRa communication distance.

The communication distance of RS485 should be within 400m when put into practical use. But normally these RS485 wired communication won’t be major part of the whole communication because we will transfer RS485 wired communication into LoRa wireless communication for replacement by using AWT100-LoRaHW of relay mode.

The LoRa communication protocol of AWT100-LoRaHW is standard MODBUS-RTU, and when a AWT100-LoRaHW of terminal mode connect to other Acrel gateway like AWT100-4GHW, it will be 4G wireless communication of MODBUS-TCP and MQTT protocol while the 4G could be served as a final data upstream methods.

So, for this request just like FAQ stated in AWT100-4GHW:

Acrel can provide 2 protocol for doing it but require the software and communication engineers who were belong to the 3rd party system’s company and have the ability to do the communication protocol adjustment.

The first protocol is Json format MQTT protocol which is used by Acrel system and devices with MQTT protocol. And normally Acrel devices (which will be served as final data upstream devices) can simultaneously support both MODBUS and MQTT protocol which allow the 3rd party users to adjust the Acrel products to their own system (Normally using MQTT and MODBUS-TCP protocol, so the 3rd party system need to support both MQTT and MODBUS protocol).

The second protocol is Acrel API protocol which could be used for data transferring between system of Acrel and 3rd party system. And in this situation, a whole set of Acrel solution from basic metering devices like energy meter to IoT gateway and to a system need to be used.