World record in mesh net by NeoCortec at Embedded World 2023

An amazing world record was probably unknowingly set at Embedded World 2023 in Nuremberg. The team from NeoCortec in Denmark managed to cover the complete M2M zone in Hall 3 with a battery-powered mesh net called NeoMesh in just an instant. The setup with 20 sensors only took approximately 20 minutes. With only 2 inexpensive AA batteries, the routers and nodes will work for the next 7 years. Just to let you know that with NeoMesh, every node is also a router!

This mesh net is not only an impressive example of technological progress and innovation, but also an important step towards a more sustainable future. Due to the high accuracy in synchronisation, the energy consumption in the NeoMesh is significantly reduced. This leads to a reduction in CO2 emissions and thus makes a valuable contribution to environmental protection.

We congratulate NeoCortec for this world record. The commitment, skills and dedication to the cause have inspired us all. It has shown that if we think ahead, great IoT applications can be achieved. The record is proof that through innovation and creativity, we can meet the challenges of the future.

For the developers of wireless IoT applications, NeoMesh from NeoCortec provides a unique technology for environmentally conscious devices with extremely long runtimes. At the same time, NeoMesh offers low costs in installation.

NeoMesh - the mesh net that builds itself and is easy to expand

A self-building mesh net is an exciting development that has the potential to change the way we build and operate networks. Unlike traditional mesh net, which needs to be manually installed and configured, the self-building NeoMesh can grow and match automatically.

The key to a self-building MeshNet is the use of intelligent, self-organising algorithms that allow nodes in the MeshNet to connect and communicate with each other.?This enables a dynamic network architecture that automatically adapts and expands to ensure optimal performance and reliability.

The self-building NeoMesh has many advantages. It can be set up quickly and cost-effectively, as it does not require expensive and time-consuming installations by professionals. It is also very flexible and adaptable as it automatically matches changes in the network. Adding new nodes is easy and quick.

Another advantage of a self-build mesh net is its resilience to failures. Since there are no central control units that could fail, the network is robust and can continue to function even if some devices fail or are removed from the network.

Overall, the self-building NeoMesh offers a promising opportunity to change the way we build and operate mesh nets. It has the potential to simplify network architecture, reduce costs and improve reliability and performance.

The Sub-GHz (868 / 915 MHz) advantage in NeoMesh

One of the biggest challenges in deploying wireless networks is penetrating walls and other obstacles. This is especially a problem at higher frequencies, such as 2400 MHz. These frequencies are more easily absorbed by walls and other obstacles.

However, Sub-GHz frequencies, i.e. frequencies below 1 GHz, offer better penetration of walls compared to higher frequencies such as 2400 MHz. This is because Sub-GHz frequencies have longer wavelengths and are therefore better able to penetrate obstacles. By using Sub-GHz frequencies, NeoMesh can operate more reliably and stably in buildings and other indoor spaces.

Another advantage of Sub-GHz frequencies is their ability to cross greater distances. Because signals on these frequencies are less affected by attenuation in the air, they can cover greater distances between sensors. This is an advantage for many applications.

Overall, Sub-GHz frequencies with NeoMesh offer a promising way to improve penetration of walls and other obstacles and increase the performance and reliability of indoor wireless networks. Although higher frequencies such as 2400 MHz may be suitable for some applications, it often makes sense to use Sub-GHz frequencies.

Interference with 2400 MHz

2400 MHz is a commonly used frequency for wireless communication technologies such as ZigBee, WiFi, Bluetooth, Thread and many more. However, using these technologies on the same frequency band can cause interference that can affect the performance and reliability of wireless networks.

Interference can be caused by overlapping signals from different wireless IoT devices using the same frequency. When multiple devices are transmitting and receiving on the same frequency at the same time, interference can occur, which can slow down or even interrupt data transmission.

To minimise interference, there are several technologies and methods that can be used. One way is to use different channels within the 2400 MHz frequency to minimise interference. For example, WiFi can be operated on different channels within the 2400 MHz frequency to minimise interference. ZigBee uses its own channel manager to manage channels and minimise interference. Unfortunately, both only operate on one radio channel.

Overall, it is important to minimise interference when using 2400 MHz to ensure reliable and stable wireless connectivity. It is important to understand the different wireless technologies and their requirements to minimise interference and improve wireless network performance.

NeoMesh avoids the problem several times. NeoMesh can operate at 2400 MHz and 868/915 MHz. In all the bands mentioned, NeoMesh jumps over 15 channels. The channel occupancy time is only a few milliseconds. Each packet is acknowledged by the neighbouring node. What is really clever is that NeoMesh keeps the duty cycle at 868 MHz for the whole band. This means that the 0.1% duty cycle can also be used. In the USA, the 400 ms channel occupancy time is not exceeded. NeoMesh is a protocol stack for all the frequency bands mentioned. The NeoMesh at Embedded World was set up in the 868 MHz band. The other radio networks in Hall 3 of Embedded World and the many smart phones with Bluetooth and Wifi could not interfere with NeoMesh.

Analysis of the NeoMesh at Embedded World

It can be seen that the nodes in NeoMesh do not necessarily choose the direct path to the gateway, but select neighbouring nodes at random. This ensures that there is no overload of individual nodes in the network. If one were to select the neighbouring node via the field strength, then all nodes would select a node under the hall roof because it offers the best field strength. In this test network at the fair, no node was under the hall ceiling. All nodes were mounted at the same height on the pillars.

Two of the sensors were shielded outside by metal hall walls. The sensor on the top left has fewer neighbouring nodes than requested. The pictures with the red lines clearly show that this node found only a few neighbours. This is shown in a table in the software, among other things. But you can also see it in the lines to the other sensors.

NeoMesh is a real mesh net. It has no tree structure. If a sensor fails, the router also fails. Every node in NeoMesh is also a router. If a node fails or is disturbed, NeoMesh simply continues to work.

If a new node is added, it is immediately integrated without much planning. If you move a node through the hall, it automatically searches for and finds neighbours. And even if all the nodes were to move, that's no problem. The network rebuilds itself again and again. As mentioned earlier, the NeoMesh was set up in just 20 minutes.

Antenna design in the NeoMesh

Since all nodes are also routers, unidirectional antennas should be used if possible. This ensures that all nodes can connect to as many other nodes as possible. The antenna gain for such antennas should be between 0 dBi and 2 dBi. Antennas with more than 2 dBi antenna gain indicate that there is already a directivity. This is undesirable in a uniform mesh net. It is also undesirable for many other IoT products. So don't be fooled by the high antenna gain. An antenna is a passive component and cannot amplify. Suitable self-built PCB antennas for NeoMesh, LoRaWAN, Sigfox, Wireless M-Bus and many other technologies in the Sub-GHz range can be found in the 80-page free antenna study funded by NeoCortec here: https://www.akoriot.com/white-papers/

Summary

The world record for setting up a mesh net in 20 minutes in the M2M zone was easily achieved with NeoMesh. Next year, NeoCortec will be able to break the record itself by simply doubling the installation staff. There is no need for a plunger. You stick the sensor on the pillar, write the number on the site plan and move on to the next pillar.

If a sensor is allowed to remain in the hall, it would still be working in 7 years. Since this sensor does not find any neighbours, it switches to a search run. In search mode, the energy consumption is lower than in active mode and synchronisation every 30 seconds. In 7 years, the next record could be reached.

Consulting

If you need consulting on MeshNet, LPWAN or antennas, please do not hesitate to contact me. Enquiries to harald.naumann (at) lte-modem.com are welcome.

Imprint

• Harald Naumann, Ludwig-Kaufholz-Weg 4, 31535 Neustadt, Germany
• Contact: harald.naumann (at) lte-modem.com, Phone: +49-5032 801 9985, Mobile:+49-152-33877687