Netmore Group, Itron and Abeeway have completed end-to-end validation of a LoRaWAN Relay solution designed to help water utilities extend smart meter coverage without adding further gateway infrastructure.
The validation connects Itron’s Cyble 5 RF module, Abeeway’s battery-powered LoRaWAN Relay and Netmore’s LoRaWAN network. The companies said the integration establishes a tested relay configuration for large-scale automated metering infrastructure (AMI) deployments, including meters in hard-to-reach locations.
For water utilities, achieving near-complete read rates can be both a regulatory and commercial requirement. Netmore said coverage of the final 10% of devices can add 30% or more to network capital expenditure when operators rely on conventional network densification. LoRaWAN Relay offers an alternative by using battery-powered devices to bridge the signal gap between isolated meters and the existing network.
The relay feature is defined in the LoRa Alliance’s TS011 specification, which describes the bidirectional transport of LoRaWAN frames between an end device and a gateway or network server when direct coverage is insufficient.
The validated AMI stack comprises three components. Itron’s Cyble 5 module is designed to convert compatible mechanical water meters into connected assets. The module supports LoRaWAN connectivity, simultaneous automated meter reading and AMI operation, and has a stated 15-year design life.
Abeeway’s relay, developed by Netmore Group company Abeeway, is compliant with LoRa Alliance TS011 1.0.0 and can manage up to 15 devices in isolated locations. It extends network reach without requiring modifications to the end devices it serves.
Netmore’s network provides native relay management through its ThingPark platform, enabling remote configuration using standard LoRaWAN MAC commands. The LoRa Alliance notes that relays can extend coverage with battery-operated nodes, without requiring new gateways or electricity and internet connections at the relay location.
“Near-100% read rates across a utility’s entire meter population, including the hardest-to-reach devices, is the standard our customers require,” said Vadim Lyu, global practice lead, water utilities, at Netmore.
“This validation proves that LoRaWAN Relay delivers on that requirement within the open standard and on the Netmore platform,” he added.
Justin Patrick, senior vice-president of device solutions at Itron, said pairing the Cyble 5 with a LoRaWAN Relay while maintaining connectivity represented a step forward for utilities seeking complete AMI coverage.
Andreas Eriksson, executive director of Abeeway, said the relay was developed to eliminate coverage dead spots without the infrastructure overhead associated with network densification.
The companies said the validated solution gives utilities a route to extend existing LoRaWAN networks while retaining open-standard interoperability and remote management. Netmore stated that the Abeeway Relay and Itron Cyble 5 module are available, with relay support on ThingPark Enterprise and ThingPark Wireless.
