Tank monitior antenna
Energy-Optimised Cellular Sensor for Smartbin Key Data
- Client: Smartbin in Ireland
- Website: https://www.smartbin.com
- IoT application: Fill level measurement in waste containers
- Employed radio technology: GPRS
- Frequency range: 900, 1800 MHz
- Type of antennas: TBD
- Task: Reduction of energy consumption and prevention of resets
- Solution: Switching from GPRS Class 10 to Class 8
- Special feature: Halving of power consumption whilst maintaining functionality
Smartbin had a problem with their waste sensor. It consumed too much power and led to a power down reset of the electronics. We found a simple solution. The GPRS module was the power guzzler. It drew 2 amperes briefly when transmitting. This threw the electronics out of sync. The sensor switched off. We changed the module from GPRS Class 10 to Class 8. The effect was astonishing:
- Instead of two current peaks per GSM time slot, there was only one.
- The average current consumption dropped from 500 to 250 milliamperes.
- The unwanted shutdowns stopped.
The sensor now works reliably. Smartbin saved the money for a redesign of the circuit board through a change in firmware.
The three graphics show a burst of 2 amperes in GPRS classes 8, 10 and 12. The average current for class 10 is 500 mA. For class 12, it is already 1000 mA. Class 10 was the default setting for most GPRS modules. Changing from class 10 to class 8 reduces the average current to 250 mA. .
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