GSM Signal Boosting on Irrigation and Pump Stations
IRRIGATION SYSTEMS, PUMPS, HEAD GEAR, MOISTURE PROBES AND WEATHER STATIONS
Irrigation Systems are the lifeline to agriculture; therefore, Full signal is restored to the pump house and the controller as well as the head. Full signal is restored to your mobile phone in the main house.it is crucial that they do not fail.
The most reliable and best-proven systems are chosen for exactly this reason.
Stable electricity and cellular network stability are critical aspects to consider, even so,
it is seldom part of the marketing discussion. Cellular communication is used for the irrigation controllers to communicate with the irrigation headgear. It is also used to access the web platform where the controlling app is hosted and the parameters for the system are set.
Note is to be taken that the cell phone is not talking directly to the controller but, the cell phone is communicating with a cellular base station some way off via the web platform from which commands are communicated. Status reports are issued via the controller and visa-versa.
Base station transmission varies for the following reasons. They are a money-making tool. The antennae on the BTS (base transmission station) can be remotely adjusted to give the network radio planner the ability to provide the best possible connection coverage to their subscribers. An informal settlement within a 16km radius from the BTS can house a few hundred sim card holders who will have preference over your four pump stations and two cellular phones. What happens is that your irrigation system which was working well, suddenly starts to fail as the network breathes and the settlement grows.
Solution
We have an excellent solution for this and most any cellular signal problem.
We will install a repeater in the pumphouse with high a gain outdoor antenna connecting to the BTS and connecting to the irrigation head.
A high gain omni directional antenna is installed on a 4-6 meter mast mounted on the irrigation headgear. The signal is restored between, the cell phone, pump controller, and head.
If the house has a signal problem, a repeater is installed inside. The cell phone signal will be restored indoors and the irrigation app and data will be available to access all parameters from indoors.
Full signal is restored to the pump house and the controller as well as the head.
The photos are taken from sites on different irrigation control systems that had developed the same RSSI (received signal strength indication) problem. Originally the irrigation system worked perfectly. Due to the RSSI problem the mobile app, the controller, and the irrigation head are not communicating with each other and must be switched manually.
With vast distances to cover this becomes a frustration. This is problem is compounded when the soil moisture probes and weather station equipment are also affected by the same problem.
The extent farmers go to receive adequate signal can be seen in the photo of the lattice masts installed.
Note needs to be taken that, lifting an antenna will definitely ensure that the antenna is in a better position to receive a better signal but, the longer the coaxial cable the more the attenuation increases, and the more expensive the mast becomes.
It is far more cost-effective to use a pole mast and a good cellular amplifier to address this problem.
Listen to one of our recent client's feedback
Before Installation
After Installation
Viewed here:
A specially designed 23dBm tri-band signal booster is installed which has a 2dBm O/P on the M/S (downlink) side, which enables the booster to be connected directly to the input of the control module. Alternatively, the downlink can be fitted with a mini patch antenna installed directly within the controller enclosure to interact wirelessly.
The booster uses a 5–6-meter mast pole, fitted onto an outer wall mounted bracket. The outdoor antenna cable runs to the signal booster and from the indoor antenna output to the controller enclosure.
The booster is a tri-band unit, amplifying 900, 1800 and 2100, The controller only uses GSM900, but this will additionally enable the farmer to use 3G,4G and 5G over 4G if this is available on the base station with his mobile.
The signal booster is a 12Vdc appliance which offers easy solar/ battery back-up powering facilitation. The signal booster is ICASA type approved and has a 12-month warranty and can be repaired in RSA if need be.
Installers are available to do site visits, proposals and installations anywhere in RSA.
Contact details: 012 6635515/5571 | Sole agents for Amplitec Southern Africa