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CC1312R7: New project with wireless connectivity

Roberto Chiarini
Prodigy 10 points
Part Number: CC1312R7

Tool/software:

Dear TI team,

we have a customer who works in hotel automation with existing products and would like to improve them.
The current system allows the hotel to:

  • Supervise the system (remote control and event logging);
  • Control access;
  • Manage the system;
  • Control the air conditioning (even when the guest is away from the room).

The system consists of:

  • At the reception: PC equipped with management software;
  • On each floor: Gateway;
  • Each room: Master device and terminals.

The system uses the following communications:

  • PC (reception) – Gateway (floor): Ethernet via cable
  • Gateway (floor) – Master (room): Modbus RTU via cable
  • Master (room) – Terminals (room): Proprietary protocol via cable

When the devices are turned on, there is an initial phase of very intense data exchange during which the various devices are configured. Once the initial configuration phase is complete, periodic messages with a small payload are sent approximately every 30 seconds.
All the system devices are powered by the mains, so reducing consumption is not a priority.
The client's request is to be able to replace the wired "Gateway (floor) - Master (room)" and "Master (room) - Terminals (room)" communication with wireless communication, when required (hotels with wiring difficulties). The "PC (reception) - Gateway (floor)" communication will remain wired.
Regarding system size, a typical hotel has 30-40 rooms and a maximum of 15 rooms per floor. However, the solution must be scalable, given the hotel's high variability in size and topology.
As previously mentioned, there is one gateway per floor, with each room having a master and 4-5 terminals.

We've been asked to submit a proposal for the development of new products, and we're trying to determine the best solution to offer the client.
We'd like to understand your thoughts on the best solution and which products you have in your catalog to implement it.

  • 0
    TI__Guru* 82271 points

    Hi,

    Since you've posted in the Sub-1 GHz forum I assume you're most interested in a Sub-1 GHz solution, not e.g. Wi-Fi which would be a very common way to solve this issue.

    For sub-1 GHz, my recommendation would be to use WI-SUN FAN whish is a IPv6 based wireless mesh network. Datarates from 50 kbps to 300 kbps and it's frequency hopping. Since it's a self healing mesh network, devices will automatically communicate with Gateway (Border router) in with the shortest possible path.

    I would be slightly concerned about the data rate and latency. Not sure if you have any target numbers for network formation time. If this turns out to be an issue, you could use a combination of Wi-Fi and Wi-SUN. Since both are IPv6 based it should be fairly easy to architech a combination based on data throughput and range needs.

    TI Wi-SUN FAN Software Overview:

    https://www.ti.com/lit/swra714

    When you're ready to get started: SimpleLink Academy on TI Wi-SUN FAN Fundamentals:

    https://dev.ti.com/tirex/explore/node?node=A__AQ43bVrHhe7o7BTHhal9Cw__com.ti.SIMPLELINK_ACADEMY_CC13XX_CC26XX_SDK__AfkT0vQ__LATEST&placeholder=true 

    Cheers,

    Marie H

  • 0 in reply to Marie H
    Prodigy 10 points

    Hi Marie,

    we weren't thinking at WiFi because is a very busy band and has a short range not enough for a floor. In your experience it could be a better solution?

    Four Sub1GHz, I try to elaborate your idea:

    • PC in reception connected lo Ethernet
    • One Border router on each floor;
    • Room master and terminals act as end-nodes (there is no more hierarchy in the room).

    Is this correct?

    Can room master and end-nodes communicate directly or their message needs to pass through the router?

    Trying to answer to your question about network formation time, I think that, in our case, if the time is reasonable, it isn't a problem. But I don't know how long it  could take. Do you have any idea of the order of magnitude?

    Could you please explain more the idea of combining Wi-Fi and Wi-SUN?

    Thanks

    Roberto

  • 0 in reply to Roberto Chiarini
    TI__Guru* 82271 points

    Hi Roberto,

    For Wi-SUN, yes. You could either have a single BR for the hotel. Or you can have one per floor, but I believe they would all need ethernet connection.

    In Wi-SUN the main communication mechanism is that node to node message goes through the BR. It's also possible to communicate to nearest neighbors through the MAC layer.

    We have some numbers for network formation times in this app note. Please note: It depends heavily on the number of hops in your mesh network.

    https://www.ti.com/lit/swra826

    Cheers,

    Marie H

  • 0 in reply to Marie H
    Prodigy 10 points

    Hi Marie,

    What do you think of using SubGHz communication only between Floor gateway and Room masters and Wi-Fi inside the room (Room master and terminals)? Could it be feasible or not in your opinion?

    This could have the advantage of maintain the actual structure (customer would sell wireless as an alternative) and reduce latency inside the room that is a concern to me.

    Roberto