AKCP Releases Multi Gateway Synchronization for Wireless Tunnel Sensor Networks
AKCP has updated its wireless sensor system to support multi-site synchronization. A single wireless sensor radio, such as the SP-WT, can now synchronize with multiple Wireless Tunnel Server (SP-WTS) gateways. This configuration allows sensors attached to mobile containers to travel between locations while maintaining continuous environmental monitoring.
System Architecture and Auto-Selection
The system can monitor materials stored in mobile containers. As a container moves from one facility to another, the battery powered SP-WT automatically connects to whichever paired SP-WTS gateway is available and in range. This auto-selection of the closest base station eliminates the need for manual reconfiguration when assets change locations.
To prevent LoRa network congestion and packet collisions, the sensor broadcast interval is set to 15 minutes. This capacity guideline allows a single SP-WTS gateway to handle up to 30 SP-WT sensors operating on a single frequency channel.
Data Buffering and Time Synchronization
To maintain data integrity during transit between gateway coverage zones, the battery-powered SP-WT internally buffers data. This ensures that all status events and graphing data are retained while the sensor is offline and between gateways.
Accurate timestamping of this data relies on proper timekeeping. Administrators must use continuous Network Time Protocol (NTP) synchronization with identical NTP servers across all sites.
Streamlined Deployment and SNMP Integration
The initial hardware deployment process is consolidated to a single master SP-WTS gateway. Administrators manually add and synchronize the SP-WT-4SP sensors to this master unit. Once synced, users download a system backup file from the master unit and restore that exact configuration to all other SP-WTS gateways deployed at the various warehouse sites.
For facilities utilizing third party IoT software, the sensor readings are retrievable via SNMP. The SNMP OID remains identical across all gateways. This uniformity exists because the OID suffix is generated directly from the sensor’s unique Device Network Address, port, and subport. System software can poll all SP-WTS gateway IP addresses, discard timeouts, and keep the single valid response that represents the latest broadcast reading at the sensor’s current location.
