Silvanet Mesh Gateway

The Dryad Silvanet Mesh Gateway allows for large-scale deployments of Silvanet sensors throughout large forested areas.

Large scale deployments

Large deployments of standard LoRaWAN networks are typically beyond the reach of the standard single-hop direct connection between sensors and gateways. Messages from Silvanet sensors hop from Mesh Gateways to Mesh Gateways until messages reach the Silvanet Border Gateway(s). Consequently, Silvanet Networks can be extended to large deployments beyond the reach of the sensors.

The patent-pending architecture uses a multi-hop mesh network of Mesh Gateways each serving as a standard LoRaWAN gateway to Silvanet Wildfire Sensors and 3rd party sensors.

Each forest is unique. Different topology, difficult terrain, mountains, valleys, any feature that blocks transmissions are some of the many challenges facing quality connectivity. However, the Mesh Network overcomes transmission obstacles within a forest.

Delivered components

A single Mesh Gateway is delivered with the following components:

1 Mesh Gateway
4 tree nails
2 U-Clamps including 4 M10 nuts and washers
1 LoRa antenna (915 - USA, 868 - EU))
Crop wire (5 meters)

Key features

Provides range extending capabilities by using the same LoRaWAN network as the sensors to receive and forward messages.
Placed in the forest itself, forming a mesh network with a typical coverage of between 2 km to 6 km depending on topology and physical placement of the Mesh Gateways.
Does not require direct 4G/LTE-M radio or Ethernet connectivity which ensures low power consumption supported by the built-in solar panel.
Supports FUOTA (Firmware Update Over-the-Air) to allow its firmware to be updated remotely as required.
Each Mesh Gateway supports up to 100 sensors.
Mesh Gateways automatically register with the Silvanet Cloud during the deployment process.
The Mesh Gateway has low power consumption which is supplied by its built-in solar panel to provide its daily energy needs. The power consumption is calculated to be 3997Ws.
Due to the reduced power consumption compared to a Border Gateway, it requires a smaller solar cell size of 50 cm x 25 cm compared to the solar panel used by the Border Gateway.

Info

As the Silvanet Mesh Gateway is proprietary to Dryad, the device is not open to 3rd party applications.

Dimensions

The dimensions of the Silvanet Mesh Gateway are (LxWxH) 68 cm (87 cm with antenna) x 29 cm x 5 cm and weighs 2.8 kg.

Deployment guidelines

Use the following guidelines when planning the deployment of Mesh Gateways in your Site.

Item	Guideline	Description
Component ratio	One Mesh Gateway to 100 sensors	See Device Ratios and Ranges.
Location	Maximum 1 km radius from sensors	Place Mesh Gateways in locations that enable them to cover nearby sensors in a radius of approximately 1 km.
Range	2-3 km from other Mesh Gateways or Border Gateways	Mesh Gateways can communicate over longer ranges than sensors. Depending on the topology and type of forest, Mesh Gateways can communicate from 2 km to 3 km from other Mesh Gateways/Border Gateways
Sunlight	Install on a hillside or sunny location	If possible, install Mesh Gateways on a hillside or sunny location. It needs to be installed facing the sun at 12:00 noon (northern or southern hemisphere). If installed on a tree, it should not be covered by branches. To receive maximum sunlight, it is best installed on a pole.
Height on trees	3 m from forest floor	To protect the Mesh Gateway from human or animal interference and to give a better line of sight to other Getaways within range, install the device 3 meters above the forest floor.