| VolleyBoast LLC

What is IIOT/Industry 4.0?

The industrial internet of things (IIoT) is the use of smart sensors and actuators to enhance manufacturing and industrial processes. Also known as the industrial internet or Industry 4.0, IIoT uses the power of smart machines and real-time analytics to take advantage of the data that "dumb machines" have produced in industrial settings for years. The driving philosophy behind IIoT is that smart machines are not only better than humans at capturing and analyzing data in real time, but they're also better at communicating important information that can be used to drive business decisions faster and more accurately.

Connected sensors and actuators enable companies to pick up on inefficiencies and problems sooner and save time and money, while supporting business intelligence efforts. In manufacturing, specifically, IIoT holds great potential for quality control, sustainable and green practices, supply chain traceability, and overall supply chain efficiency. In an industrial setting, IIoT is key to processes such as Predictive maintenance (PdM), enhanced field service, energy management and asset tracking.

Source: Definition provided by TechTarget, By Brien Posey, Linda Rosencrance, https://www.techtarget.com/iotagenda/definition/Industrial-Internet-of-Things-IIoT

Does Volley Boast sell sensors?

Volley Boast’s VoBo product line is designed to connect to and in many cases provide a power supply to existing wired sensors and transmitters. The VoBo bridges wired instrumentation to wireless LoRaWAN networks. Volley Boast can provide guidance to customers in their selection of instrumentation and also vet compatibility of existing instrumentation the customer may wish to connect to a LoRaWAN.

What is LoRa/LoRaWAN?

LoRa (short for “Long Range”) is the RF technology, and LoRaWAN is the protocol. Standards for LoRa/LoRaWAN are maintained by the LoRa Alliance. LoRaWAN is part of a family called LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network). LoRaWANs can be managed as either public or private networks. Public LoRaWANs are operated by service providers (such as Actility, Orbiwise, and Loriat) and allow customers to deploy LoRa enabled devices without having to worry about the gateways and all of the other network management issues. Private LoRaWANs are generally used by larger customers with the technological skills in house necessary to manage a network.

What type of batteries does a VoBo use?

VoBos use 3.6 V Primary lithium-thionyl chloride batteries. Replacement batteries can be procured directly by the customer from any number of vendors and installed by the customer.

How long do VoBo batteries last?

Battery life depends on a variety of factors such as types of sensors used, how long the sensors need to be powered to take an accurate reading, how often readings are taken, and a few other less determinant factors. Under most use cases, a single 13 Ahr battery will last 2 or even 5 years depending on the combination of these factors.

Can VoBos run off external power?

Development is underway for an externally powered VoBo, the XP model. This model is expected to commercialize in first quarter 2024.

Can I use a VoBo to track or locate equipment?

The VoBo is not designed to be an asset tracker. However if a VoBo is attached to a piece of equipment that is not fixed in one location, the geolocation feature of LoRaWAN can be used to provide the proximate location of the VoBo.

I am used to working with SCADA systems. Why should I consider LoRaWAN?

SCADA (“Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition”) systems generally require constant power and are well-suited for large, complex industrial operations requiring real-time, continuous two-way communication. LoRaWAN is a technology that gathers data relatively inexpensively and is most frequently used for monitoring the condition or state of various equipment. It very scalable and straightforward to deploy. It is not widely used for critical control functionality. SCADA and LoRaWAN are frequently used in conjunction with each other in an industrial setting.

How is the VoBo different from other products in market?

The VoBo is the only industrial grade device on the market designed to bridge wired instrumentation to a LoRaWAN. The universe of industry standard instrumentation is now open to use in a LoRaWAN. The VoBo is designed to be installed directly in harsh environments without the need for additional protective enclosures. Soon the VoBo family will have the ability to perform customer defined analytics in the background and report by exception.

Do I have to own my own gateway?

No. VoBo’s work with any network that meets the LoRa Alliance standards. There are several public networks in operation that may have coverage in your area of interest.

Is the VoBo certified for use in the hazardous areas?

Yes. VoBos are available as devices certified for use Class 1, Division 2 location in USA and Canada.

Can I customize a VoBo/change its settings?

Yes. VoBo’s come with a default configuration. These can be modified by the customer by sending downlinks through the network server or directly with a configuration cable connecting the VoBo to your computer.

Can I install (or deploy) them myself?

Absolutely. As long as you comply with laws, code, and your particular industrial regulations, you can easily install VoBos on your own equipment. LoRa radios operate in the unlicensed radio spectrum, which means an FCC license is not required to operate a LoRa network. The Volley Boast team will be happy to provide guidance.

Where can I buy a VoBo?

You can purchase here, directly on our website. Corporate accounts and integrators: please contact us at info@volleyboast.com or call us at +1 250-412-5679.

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