Julio, a DPS engineer, recently chatted on our website with a client who needed to monitor multiple pressure points in a location without available electricity.

Let's review the chat conversation to extract useful lessons from this specific scenario. We'll identify key challenges and effective solutions that can be applied to similar scenarios in the future.

Full Chat Transcript (Web Chat Conversation)

Client: Dear DPS Telecom, I have the need to monitor up to 24 pressure points and differential pressure in a place without available electricity and transmit this data to an area located about 40 km away. Are your devices capable of performing this task? Can they be used with batteries? If so, how long would these batteries last? Greetings and thanks.

Julio: Hi, most of our units run on direct voltage in the range of 12-48 Volts (depending on build). So if there is a battery system in place, they can run off of that. As for pressure points, we can interface with most sensor transmissions (dry contact, 0-5vdc, 4-20mA). So if there are sensors in place, we can most likely get analog values from them.

Client: So, you don't have the sensors themselves, but the 4...20mA or 0...5V, right? But the distance of 40 km, is it possible?

Julio: We do sell some third-party pressure sensors that work with our units. And yes, any analog value in those ranges can be read and reported. Generally, our units connect to a LAN of some kind and then are able to report and make available that data to anything on the network. As for power usage, most use 100mA @ -48VDC.

Client: OK, that's good, but I have to be sure of the distance covered because on-site there is no internet service of any kind, and the data has to be private. It can't be in the cloud. Point to point, is it possible to reach 40 km?

Julio: That's a more complex/difficult question. How would you be expecting to report this data out?

Client: At the reception point, there will be a computer that will store the data and create the reports without connecting to the internet.

Julio: Ok, and there is no existing cable connection between the monitoring and reception site? So you would want a wireless transmission of information over 40km.

Client: That's right... Indeed could be 30 km if it makes any difference...

Julio: I know we have several cellular modems that we can connect to our units to provide a wireless connection to a network. But I'm not aware of any wireless transmitters we make/use that have that kind of range directly. Let me take a look.

Client: By microwave link? With high gain antennas?

Julio: We wouldn't be able to directly interface, I believe, but if it had some kind of connecting device, we should be able to transmit over that connection. I know we have several clients that have our devices at remote sites that utilize those kinds of connection methods. I could forward the details to one of our sales engineers and have them reach out with more specific details.

Client: OK, if you can find any possible suggestions, you have my email and phone to contact me. Thanks in advance and best regards.

Assessing the Specific Monitoring I/O Needs

The conversation began with the client outlining their monitoring requirements. They focused on the need for power-efficient and long-distance data transmission:

"Dear DPS Telecom, I have the need to monitor up to 24 pressure points and differential pressure in a place without available electricity and transmit this data to an area located about 40 km away. Are your devices capable of performing this task? Can they be used with batteries? If so, how long would these batteries last?"

Julio's initial response sets the stage for understanding how DPS Telecom's solutions can be adapted to various power sources and sensor inputs:

"Hi, most of our units run on direct voltage in the range of 12-48 Volts (depending on build). So if there is a battery system in place, they can run off of that. As for pressure points, we can interface with most sensor transmissions (dry contact, 0-5vdc, 4-20mA). So if there are sensors in place, we can most likely get analog values from them."

Exploring Sensor Compatibility and Battery Solutions

The client needed clarification about the types of sensors that can be used and the feasibility of long-distance wireless data transmission:

"So, you don't have the sensors themselves, but the 4...20mA or 0...5V, right? But the distance of 40 km, is it possible?"

Julio confirmed the compatibility with various sensor types and addressed the challenge of transmitting data over a long distance without relying on internet connectivity:

"We do sell some third-party pressure sensors that work with our units. And yes, any analog value in those ranges can be read and reported. Generally, our units connect to a LAN of some kind and then are able to report and make available that data to anything on the network. As for power usage, most use 100mA @ -48VDC."

To address the client's requirement for monitoring in a location without available electricity, Julio explained the battery-powered capabilities of DPS equipment:

"Most of our units can run on direct voltage in the range of 12-48 Volts. So if there is a battery system in place, they can run off of that. We also have solutions that are optimized for low power consumption to extend battery life."

DPS Telecom offers various power-efficient remote telemetry units (RTUs) that can operate reliably on battery power. For instance, the NetGuardian series can operate on 12V, 24V, or 48V DC power inputs and have low current draw (<200mA, sometimes as low as 50-100mA). This makes them ideal for battery-powered and solar/renewable applications. Solar panels or other renewable energy sources can further enhance the sustainability of these monitoring setups.

Tackling the Distance Challenge

Understanding the critical requirement of private, long-distance data transmission, the client emphasized the need for a point-to-point solution without relying on cloud services:

"OK, that's good, but I have to be sure of the distance covered, because on-site there is no internet service of any kind, and the data has to be private. It can't be in the cloud. Point to point, is it possible to reach 40 km?"

Julio acknowledges the complexity of this requirement and probes further into the specifics of the data reception setup:

"That's a more complex/difficult question. How would you be expecting to report this data out?"

The client clarified his setup, highlighting the need for a computer at the reception point to store data and generate reports without internet connectivity:

"At the reception point, there will be a computer that will store the data and create the reports without connecting to the internet."

Julio then confirmed the absence of existing cable connections and the necessity for a wireless transmission solution:

"Ok, and there is no existing cable connection between the monitoring and reception site? So you would want a wireless transmission of information over 40km."

Investigating Wireless Solutions

As the client confirmed the need for wireless transmission, Julio explored possible solutions involving cellular modems and high-gain antennas:

"I know we have several cellular modems that we can connect to our units to provide a wireless connection to a network. But I'm not aware of any wireless transmitters we make/use that have that kind of range directly. Let me take a look."

Julio suggests using microwave links with high-gain antennas as a potential solution:

"By microwave link? With high gain antennas?"

Our engineer acknowledges the potential use of microwave links and expresses the need to involve a sales engineer for more detailed recommendations:

"We wouldn't be able to directly interface, I believe, but if it had some kind of connecting device, we should be able to transmit over that connection. I know we have several clients that have our devices at remote sites that utilize those kinds of connection methods. I could forward the details to one of our sales engineers and have them reach out with more specific details."

Tailored Solutions are Needed for Remote Monitoring Systems

It's rare to have an entire monitoring system that is a perfect fit without at least some minor tweaks and adjustments. That will often necessitate referring the call to a senior engineer who can draw on extensive experience.

As the two wrapped up their chat conversation, the client noted their appreciation of our efforts and requested further assistance:

"Ok, if you can find any possible suggestions, you have my email and phone to contact me. Thanks in advance and best regards."

Get Started with Your Remote Monitoring Project

Whether you're facing similar challenges or have other specific monitoring needs, DPS Telecom is here to help you. Call 1-800-693-0351 or email sales@dpstele.com to get started on your monitoring solution today.