13.03.2019 by Daniel Kunz

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IoT projects often require high initial investments. With the IoT Solution Optimizer, companies save time and money when planning their IoT solutions.

To improve traffic infrastructure, bridges are to be equipped with intelligent sensors: Existing constructions will be retrofitted, while new ones will have technical components cast directly into the concrete to monitor wear and material fatigue. The aim of these pilot projects on the A3 near Cologne and the A9 near Nuremberg is to detect damage before it becomes visible. This prevents the bridge from becoming unusable or even collapsing. As soon as they are ready, the networked components are to communicate with each other via the Internet of Things (IoT).

Many companies want to invest in IoT solutions like these – for example to optimize processes, reduce costs or bring smart products to market for their customers. The challenge: Especially with fixed solutions, it’s particularly important that they run efficiently and reliably over many years.

IOT SOLUTION OPTIMIZER: DIGITAL TEST ENVIRONMENT FOR IOT SOLUTIONS

Many, however, lack the know-how, experience or opportunities to compare. That's why Telekom has developed the new IoT Solution Optimizer: With the new online service, companies can put their planned IoT solutions through their paces digitally well before they even set up real tests or budget their costs. Because the parameters of their own IoT project are tested in a virtual environment, this is referred to as a digital twin. The solution answers questions such as: Are the hardware and transmission technology suitable for a specific application, or do other components perhaps work more efficiently and cheaply? Which sensors are required to measure input variables such as temperature, humidity, strain or vibration? Which batteries are powerful enough for cold outdoor temperatures in winter or for deep indoor installations? How can the collected data best be transferred to the cloud? Will my solution work abroad? And how can the service life of the sensors be as long as possible?

Within just a few minutes, the IoT Solution Optimizer can show whether an IoT project will be able to function as planned, how efficient it is and where there is still potential for optimization. In this way, companies are provided with a basis for their decision and a means to optimize their planning – even before they invest in implementation.

CONFIGURATOR FOR IOT PROJECTS

Based on many years of experience in hardware and application testing, Deutsche Telekom has developed a proprietary calculation model that enables in-depth, detailed performance analysis. The potential applications can be simulated close to reality based on this calculation model even before companies set up their own pilot projects for their idea. The cloud-based service guides users step-by-step through the digital test field by asking questions such as:

• In which country should the product be introduced?
• Which functions are available on the operator networks and selected radio modules?
• Which protocols are used to network the data?
• Which hardware components should be used?
• How relevant is the battery life?
• Which product features are most important?

In this way, companies can set up their own design and determine needs-based components in the individual sub-steps. Or they can use solutions from Telekom partners from the integrated IoT product shelf, which are available to them and serve as a decision-making aid. The result is available within seconds at the touch of a button.

OPTIMIZED IOT PROJECTS: SENSORS IN THE MOTORWAY BRIDGE

In the case of the bridge builders, it could look like this: NarrowBand IoT is suitable for mobile technology because it doesn’t require high data rates for measurements but it does need reliable transmission to the cloud. The solution is to be used in Germany and Austria. They need sensors that measure temperature, humidity, strain and vibration and that won’t be damaged by the pressure in the concrete. In addition, they must function for years without an external power supply. That's why bridge builders choose suitable components from Telekom's IoT range.

The performance analysis shows an ideal result for the bridge builders, in which only the selected battery would be replaced and a more optimal protocol selected. This would double the battery life of the networked devices and reduce overall product costs. The bridge builders place an order for the optimized measuring module with a specialist company, which can now begin production much earlier than planned. The bridge builders thus benefit from the time saved because there are no unscheduled delays in the further planning and production process and the project partners benefit from the significantly lower overall costs.