LoRaWAN Smoke Detector Design and Development

This article discusses the design and development of LoRaWAN smoke detectors, including hardware components and a list of certified LoRaWAN smoke detector manufacturers or vendors.

Introduction

Fires are increasingly common in residential buildings, factories, and offices due to short circuits, making smoke detectors essential. Smoke detectors use electro-optical sensors to detect smoke and generate alarms, alerting occupants and fire departments. This rapid response helps prevent minor incidents from escalating into significant tragedies. This article explores wireless smoke detectors based on LoRaWAN technology.

LoRaWAN is a low-power, long-range wireless system that operates in various frequency bands worldwide.

LoRaWAN Smoke Detector Design

The following diagram illustrates the block diagram of a LoRaWAN smoke detector.

The electro-optical sensor is integrated within the smoke detector IC. A microcontroller is interfaced with both the LoRaWAN transceiver and the alarm. Here’s how it works:

• Smoke Detection: When smoke is present, the sensor detects it and communicates the information to the microcontroller using GPIO pins and embedded firmware.

• Local Alarm: The firmware triggers an alarm to alert individuals in the building where the smoke detector is installed.

• LoRaWAN Communication: The LoRaWAN transceiver modulates the baseband information (as defined in the firmware) for transmission. The smoke detector can send SMS alerts via the LoRaWAN frequency, utilizing a LoRaWAN network (i.e., a Gateway) to reach other LoRaWAN devices.

• Cellular Integration (Optional): Phone calls can be enabled if cellular ICs (such as GPRS/3G/LTE modules) are integrated into the board, as LoRaWAN itself does not support phone calls.

This wireless smoke detector system is invaluable for saving lives.

LoRaWAN Smoke Detector Hardware Components

The following hardware components are typically used in LoRaWAN smoke detector development:

• Photoelectric Smoke Detector ICs: Examples include RE46C190 from Microchip, MC145010 from NXP, A5303 from Allegro, and various ICs from Texas Instruments.

• Microcontroller Units: Microcontrollers suitable for LoRa/LoRaWAN development are available from STMicroelectronics, Microchip Technology, Renesas Electronics, and other manufacturers.

• LoRaWAN Transceivers: Key providers of LoRaWAN transceivers include Microchip (RN2483) and Semtech Corporation, with part numbers such as SX1261, SX1262, SX1272, SX1276, and SX1278. Telit Communication also offers LoRa transceivers like the RE866A1 and RE866xx series.

LoRaWAN Smoke Detector from GLOBALSAT

GLOBALSAT WORLDCOM Corporation (Taiwan) manufactures a LoRaWAN Smoke Detector (model LS-134) with the following features:

• Operating Frequency: 863 to 870 MHz (EU), 902 to 928 MHz (US)
• Transmit Power: 14 dBm (EU band), 20 dBm (US band)
• LoRa Module: LM-130H1
• Operating Temperature: 0°C to 49°C
• Transmission Distance: 1 km to 10 km
• Current Consumption: 21 mA (receiving), 125 mA (transmitting), 5 µA (sleeping)
• Power Source: DC 3V lithium battery
• Antenna Type: Chip antenna

LoRaWAN Smoke Detector Manufacturers or Vendors

The following table lists certified manufacturers or vendors of LoRaWAN Smoke Detectors: