How Therma° outperforms WiFi and Bluetooth temperature sensors
If you are evaluating an automated temperature monitoring system, it's easy to find a variety of cheap WiFi and Bluetooth-powered temperature sensors online. For personal home usage, these types of sensors often work well. For everyone who works with commercial walk-ins, industrial freezers, and other industry-grade refrigeration, ask yourself - when was the last time your phone reliably received WiFi or Bluetooth signal in your walk-in? Can you trust a sensor that doesn't have a reliable connection?
Uptime and connectivity are the most important criteria for an effective temperature monitoring platform. Offline sensors lead to missing data, and alerts become ineffective. WiFi and Bluetooth struggle with poor connectivity in dense environments, and the multiple layers of steel and insulation in commercial refrigeration often cause the signals to fail.
This is why Therma° is powered with long-range radio (LoRaWAN). Therma’s LoRaWAN powered remote monitoring system is the premier choice for commercial refrigeration with unparalleled range and connectivity. Read on to learn more about how Therma° hardware specifications outperform WiFi and Bluetooth.
What is LoRaWAN?
LoRaWAN is a signal code used within the Internet of Things (IoT) to transmit data from one device to another. LoRaWAN sensors use a long-range, low-power radio signal to transmit data from sensors to a data-processing hub. As a result, they are more reliable in dense environments and can easily penetrate thick walls and doors, such as those found in walk-ins, coolers, freezers, and low-boys.
While this application of LoRaWAN is relatively new, the technological basis isn’t, stretching back to the first half of the 20th century. Its integration into IoT technology began at the dawn of the 2010s, and its reputation has been building ever since.
Benefits:
- Does not require wired electricity or WiFi to operate
- Able to function consistently in areas with physical obstructions
Downsides:
- Every location requires a hub to transmit sensor signals
- Low bandwidth restricts the amount of data transmitted
What is WiFi?
Due to the limitless appetite for internet connectivity, WiFi is everywhere these days, but what exactly is it, and how does it work?
The acronym WiFi stands for Wireless Fidelity and functions by sending radio waves between devices. WiFi is unique because it relies on a centralized router that can connect to multiple devices at once. WiFi became a popular choice for use in temperature sensors because of its ubiquity. Worldwide, 60% of people use WiFi to connect to the internet, with 50% of those users relying on mobile devices.
Unfortunately, WiFi sensors are constrained in commercial buildings and do not function without a consistent electrical connection. This means that devices won’t function in power outages. Additionally, the strength of your internet signal impacts the performance of WiFi systems. If you attempt to utilize WiFi in a rural or isolated region or in a building with poor WiFi connection (such as those with thick, steel walls), you may experience poor performance.
Benefits:
- Can upload large amounts of data quickly with extraordinary bandwidth
- Connections are available at distance
Downsides:
- Cannot function without power
- Requires an internet connection
What is Bluetooth?
In contrast to WiFi, Bluetooth sends signals directly between two individual devices without using a centralized router.
As mobile usage increases, Bluetooth has become an excellent option for connecting devices like speakers or headphones that previously relied on wires and cables. Bluetooth does not utilize the internet to send signals, making it usable almost anywhere. Additionally, Bluetooth does not require a wired electrical connection either. Bluetooth-enabled devices can operate for as long as their internal battery lasts.
On the contrary, Bluetooth devices can sometimes interfere with each other, causing a loss of connection. The other drawback of Bluetooth is the relatively short range that the signal travels. In many commercial devices, connectivity may wane over several feet.
Benefits:
- Does not require constant power
- Does not require an internet connection
Downsides:
- Has trouble transmitting signal over long distances or through metal
- Is unreliable in settings with many devices
How LoRaWAN compares to WiFi and Bluetooth
When comparing temperature monitoring systems, consider the qualities of your facility and your specifics needs. For restaurants with open kitchens and fewer electronic devices, Bluetooth is a good option. Facilities in rural areas should rule out WiFi, as a solid internet connection is an inhibiting factor. Likewise, multi-use buildings with significant infrastructure benefit from LoRaWAN due to their reliability.
Therma’s LoRaWAN temperature sensors
At Therma°, we designed our platform to provide 99% uptime in commercial environments. Let’s explore some of the qualities that make Therma’s LoRaWAN a better option than Bluetooth temperature sensors:
- Range: 1,200+ foot range with LoRaWAN®, through thick walls, means that your sensor stays connected to your hub. The unparalleled range allows Therma° to keep managers and operators continually informed.
- Security: Therma’s LoRaWAN sensors offer military-grade data security, helping to protect your restaurant from hacks and data mining.
- No data gaps: Therma’s proprietary software records your equipment continuously. In the event of a power outage, your system will have a complete record of temperatures during the outage after power is restored.
These benefits have enabled Therma° to revolutionize and expand temperature monitoring into previously underserved sectors such as food, restaurant, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing.
“With the integration of LoRaWAN into our product suite, we are able to provide exceptional connectivity in dense, noisy, chaotic environments where other wireless devices have struggled or failed.”
-Andrew Hager, CTO of Therma°
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