By Fouad Torchoun,
April 18, 2024
Reading time: 3 min
Efficient operations in diverse sectors, from agriculture and energy to smart cities, depend on seamless, reliable connectivity. Recognizing this critical need, RAKwireless has introduced the RAK7285 WisGate Edge Ultra, a full-duplex LoRaWAN® gateway designed to revolutionize communication in high-density, real-time applications.
Overcoming major challenges in high-density environments
Take the example of a 1 MW photovoltaic (PV) station, where up to 2,560 nodes operate in concert, each transmitting essential data points such as electricity production, voltage, current and temperature. The main challenge in such environments is to ensure fast, real-time transmission of this data, as well as the ability to execute immediate safety commands. The RAK7285 WisGate Edge Ultra is designed to meet these stringent requirements, offering a robust solution that guarantees seamless information flow and the rapid response mechanisms essential in critical scenarios.
The essence of full-duplex communication
At the heart of the RAK7285's innovation is its full-duplex capability, enabling simultaneous two-way communication.
The transition from traditional half-duplex systems to full-duplex communication in IoT networking marks a significant evolution, particularly for high-density, real-time applications. Understanding the essence of full-duplex communication and how it differs from half-duplex is crucial to appreciating the advanced capabilities of devices like the RAK7285 WisGate Edge Ultra.
Understanding full-duplex communication
Full-duplex communication enables the simultaneous transmission of bidirectional data between devices. This means that a device can send and receive data at the same time, rather like a two-lane freeway where traffic flows smoothly in both directions. This capability is particularly vital in scenarios where continuous monitoring and instantaneous response are essential, as in the safety-critical systems of photovoltaic stations or real-time livestock management in agriculture.
Advantages of Full-Duplex over Half-Duplex systems
Traditionally, many communication systems operated in half-duplex mode, where data transmission could only occur in one direction at a time, similar to a single-lane road where traffic must wait for one direction to clear before the other can proceed. Although half-duplex systems are simpler and less costly, they are prone to delays and lower throughput, particularly in high-density environments where the volume of communication requests is high.
This bidirectional transmission effectively doubles the potential throughput of a communication channel compared with half-duplex systems. This increase in data flow capacity significantly reduces communication latency, ensuring that critical data is transmitted and received with minimum delay. Full-duplex systems are also better equipped to manage and mitigate data collisions.
The ability to handle high data volumes with reduced latency and improved collision management translates directly into improved quality of service. In IoT applications, where timely and reliable data transmission can be critical, the benefits of full-duplex communication ensure that operational decisions are made efficiently and securely, based on real-time data.
