Sentinum

Sentinum, based in Nuremberg, Germany, offers IoT solutions for municipalities and businesses, ranging from the development of its own sensors up to the implementation of intelligent web services for end users: Whether filling level sensors for modern waste management, level sensors for tank and water measurements or efficient room air monitoring.

In addition to the hardware, applications also play a decisive role for Sentinum as part of an overall IoT solution. Their solutions can be used on any device with internet access, such as a smartphone, desktop PC or tablet. Sentinum chose licensed LPWA technologies to fit the sensor’s low power consumption needs. They trust in 1NCE IoT Lifetime Flat for the predictability in cost and reliability in availability over the lifespan of the sensor to monitor CO2 levels in enclosed rooms.

The Febris CO2 sensor is Sentinum’s latest solution that helps municipalities and businesses create a COVID-safe working environment.

Background

Scientists have identified aerosols in the air we breathe as the most likely transmission route for the new corona virus. Infection rates are significantly higher in enclosed rooms because of air circulation and limited ventilation. While the new indoor air sensor "Febris" does not detect the virus directly, it measures the quality of the air we breathe on the basis of the actual carbon dioxide levels. The higher the CO2 level, the less fresh the air and less ventilated a room becomes. In turn, this raises the risk of contracting the corona virus. When CO2 levels exceed a predetermined limits, the sensor indicates an optical alarm. This allows home owners, offices or schools to set CO2 limits to manage ventilation according to demand. For complete room monitoring, the device also logs the measured CO2 levels, temperature and humidity and regularly sends this data to a central platform for further evaluation.

Challenge

The Febris CO2 Sensor is designed to work plug and play, without the need of installing it into any locally available network or even finding a power plug for it. Ease of use is mandatory. Therefore, for communicating with the backend and to start delivering data to the app, only an energy-saving cellular mobile variant can be considered. One that saves energy but also provides good building penetration. Sentinum needed a solution that allowed them to focus on their core competencies without the hassle of managing complicated mobile connectivity data plans.

1NCE Solution

The 1NCE IoT Lifetime Flat with NB-IoT connectivity proofed to be the ideal solution for Sentinums demands. A mobile connectivity rate that is easy to calculate into any product over the entire lifetime of a device. A tariff with no recurring fees. Sentinum also wanted their devices more temper proof and decided to use eSIMs, that are directly soldered onto the sensor's PCB. This also applies to the other sensors from Sentinum, such as the Apollon-Q and Neptun level sensors: the soldered eSIM provides additional assurance because it is more resistant to corrosion and shocks. This provides additional robustness in data transmission for sensors, especially in outdoor use.