EnOcean Wireless IoT: Advantages and Disadvantages

This page explores the pros and cons of EnOcean Wireless IoT Technology, outlining the benefits and drawbacks of this unique system.

What is EnOcean Technology?

Introduction: EnOcean is a wireless technology notable for its battery-free operation. It leverages energy harvesting techniques to power its devices and transmit concise data telegrams wirelessly. Operating in sub-1 GHz frequency bands, it achieves a range of approximately 300 meters outdoors and 30 meters indoors.

The specifications for EnOcean technology are defined in the ISO/IEC 14543-3-1X standard. “EnOcean” is the originating company of this energy-harvesting wireless technology, headquartered in Oberhaching, Germany.

The EnOcean Alliance, an international consortium of 400 companies worldwide, develops and promotes EnOcean technology-based products and solutions. EnOcean technology harnesses energy using solar cells, motion converters, and thermo converters. It employs energy management techniques to minimize power consumption for small data transmissions.

The EnOcean software stack is modular and versatile, facilitating interoperability between different manufacturers of EnOcean sensors and devices.

Technical Features of EnOcean Wireless Technology

Here are the technical features of EnOcean wireless technology:

• Operating Frequency: 868 MHz (Europe and China), 315 MHz (Asia), 902 MHz (North America and Canada), 928 MHz (Japan), 2.4 GHz (World Wide for IoT applications).
• Modulation Type: ASK, FSK
• Data Rate: 125 Kbps (ASK)
• Channel Bandwidth: 280 KHz (For ASK)
• Transmit Power: 6 dBm typical at antenna input
• Receiver Sensitivity: -97 dBm typical
• Information Data Type: Frame (Encoded data at the physical layer), Telegram (Consists of a maximum of 3 subtelegrams), Subtelegram (After decoding process)

The EnOcean wireless system comprises various modules. This technology finds applications in smart homes, building automation, M2M (Machine to Machine) communication, and IoT (Internet of Things).

Benefits or Advantages of EnOcean Technology

The following are the advantages of EnOcean Technology:

• Maintenance-Free: EnOcean devices do not require batteries, eliminating the need for battery replacements and reducing maintenance efforts.
• Easy Installation: As a wireless technology, EnOcean eliminates the need for wiring, making installation quick and cost-effective.
• Interoperability: It uses an interoperable protocol. Sensor profiles are well defined, and all EnOcean devices are identified by a 32-bit unique transmission ID. This allows devices and sensors from different manufacturers to be installed together in the same building or home without any issues.
• Reduced Risks: Reduces fire risks and inductive fields.
• Efficient Power Usage: It transmits small-size data with minimal power consumption over a long range. For example, 50 µW of power is sufficient to transmit a small telegram over approximately 300 meters in an open field.
• Coexistence: EnOcean technology can coexist with WLAN, DECT, and PMR systems without interference.
• Low Collision Risk: The risk of data collision is very low due to the use of extremely short telegrams (~1ms) or data overhead in EnOcean technology.
• License-Free Spectrum: It uses license-free radio frequency spectrum below 1 GHz worldwide in different bands.
• Distributed Intelligence: Each EnOcean node has its own processor. Moreover, it uses distributed intelligence, so the entire EnOcean system does not fail if a single component or device fails.
• Range: It covers distances of up to 30 meters indoors and 300 meters outdoors (free field) using sub-1GHz frequency bands. It supports a range from 10 meters (indoors) to 100 meters (outdoors) using the 2.4 GHz band.

Drawbacks or Disadvantages of EnOcean Technology

Here are the limitations of EnOcean Technology compared to other indoor wireless technologies:

• Lower Data Rate: It offers a lower data rate (~125 Kbps) compared to Zigbee (max. 250 Kbps), Bluetooth (720 Kbps), UWB (110 Mbps), and WLAN (11 to 54 Mbps).
• Medium Range: It supports a medium range (~30 meters) indoors, which is less compared to Zigbee (~100 m), UWB (~300 m), and Wavenis (~1000 m) technology.
• Basic Security: It offers basic security using a 32-bit unique ID. For applications requiring additional security, such as smart homes, a maximum of 24-bit RC (Rolling Code) is incremented with each telegram, and a 128-bit AES algorithm is employed.

References

• Visit www.enocean.com for everything you would like to know about EnOcean technology from the inventor and pioneer of this energy-harvesting wireless technology.
• EnOcean Alliance