Imagine the immense farmlands of Australia, an endless landscape spanning thousands of kilometers. These areas are the beating heart of the agriculture and pollination industries, where tens of thousands of beehives are deployed. The problem? In these remote regions with no large settlements, cellular companies don't bother to lay extensive infrastructure. This was a significant hurdle for us, as our solution is based purely on cellular IoT technology. It was clear: if we wanted to provide smart agriculture solutions in these areas, we had to get creative to solve the connectivity problem.
Our story begins during our first POC season in Australia. We encountered areas with borderline reception that were a constant source of frustration. In a moment of inspiration, we asked our field team to elevate the gateways as much as possible from the ground. And like magic, the data started flowing.
The solution wasn't magic, but simple physics. Elevating the device creates a more direct "Line of Sight" to the cellular antenna, allowing it to overcome physical obstacles like tall crops or terrain undulations. Additionally, the ground itself acts as a reflective surface for electromagnetic waves. When an antenna is close to the ground, the direct signal mixes with the reflected signal, which can cause destructive interference. Elevating the device significantly reduces this interference and fundamentally improves signal strength.
A theoretical understanding of physics is one thing, but a logistical solution for field deployment is another. It's simply not practical to install tall poles for every single gateway. We knew we needed a more elegant solution and decided to dive deep into the data.
Analyzing the Cellular Network in Australia
To find the optimal solution, we first sought to understand the network we were dealing with. We analyzed the data from all our gateways in Australia and discovered a surprising insight: all communication was happening on one specific cellular band, Band 28 (700MHz). This band is common in Australia because it propagates over long distances, allowing for extensive coverage with fewer cell towers. We realized this was the exact frequency we needed to harness. We also found that our devices were operating exclusively on LTE Cat-M, but we knew our modem also supported NB-IoT, a technology that works even better at low signal ranges, though our current roaming SIM provider did not support it.
From a Lab in Israel to the Fields of Australia: Our Testing Journey
Armed with this knowledge, we set out on a mission: to find the perfect external cellular antenna that would work optimally on this specific frequency. We selected eight potential options from various suppliers, but we knew that technical specs are theory, and real-world conditions are the ultimate test.
How do you test a device meant for Australia when the R&D team is in Israel? The answer was simple: we'll use what we have. We went through the data from the thousands of our gateways deployed across Israel and looked for specific points where devices were connected to Band 28 but with borderline reception, just like in Australia.
We found a few such points and began rigorous testing. In the first phase, we updated the firmware on the gateways at these locations and monitored them for several days to ensure consistency and narrow down the best test site.
* Antenna Screening Test: We configured a single gateway to report its signal quality every three minutes and swapped antennas every half hour, testing each one at three different heights (beehive height, 1 meter, and 2 meters).
* Validation Test: After filtering down the best antennas, we tested them in locations with more stable reception to ensure there was no performance degradation under different conditions.
* No-Compromise Elevation: We knew that elevating the gateway by 1.5 meters could improve reception by up to 5dB, so we wanted to make sure this wouldn't negatively impact the gateway's ability to communicate with the sensors' BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) radios. To our delight, we found the impact was negligible.
The Result: A Connectivity Solution That Puts Problems Behind Us
The in-depth process paid off. We selected a specific antenna model that, based on our data, improved cellular reception by 8 to 10 dB. In simple terms, this means the signal our modem received was 6 to 10 times stronger in power compared to a regular gateway. On a pole, we even managed to improve it by an additional 5dB.
We sent a few antennas to Australia for initial field tests at multiple sites and at various heights to see if their performance was identical to what we saw in Israel. To our delight, the numbers were excellent—in some places, even better than in Israel.
With the right antenna and a clear understanding of the technology, we moved on to the next critical phase: deploying the solution at scale. This process was split into three main tracks that ran in parallel, as time was short and the agricultural season was fast approaching.
1. Tailored Gateway Production
Simultaneously with our field tests, our team in Australia launched a blitz operation: producing a new series of gateways. Externally they looked identical, but within the standard plastic enclosure, a new internal wiring was added to connect them to the chosen external antenna. Thanks to the team's rapid work, we were ready in time for the season.
2. A Comprehensive Reception Survey
In parallel, a team embarked on an extensive field mission, visiting dozens of planned activity points to conduct a thorough "reception survey" for each site. The goal wasn't just to check for a signal, but to accurately determine what was needed at each location:
* Basic: Is a regular gateway sufficient?
* Minor Improvement: Is a simple elevation or external antenna installation necessary?
* Optimal: Is a combination of a gateway with an external antenna and elevation required?
* Last Resort: Is it necessary to use a SIM from a local cellular provider that offers NB-IoT connectivity? Our modem supports this technology, which can work at even lower signal ranges, though it's less common than Cat-M.
This meticulous analysis of each point allowed us to send the most suitable equipment to every site, avoiding costly mistakes from deploying the wrong gear.
3. Firmware Innovation: The Smart Connection
While the physical processes were underway, we were also working on advanced software development. We released several firmware updates aimed at optimizing communication, server connectivity, and data collection from the sensors. The new features allowed each gateway to collect data from more sensors and compensate for others that didn't connect properly. This advanced firmware version was also tested under extreme conditions in Israel to ensure its reliability and efficiency in any terrain.
The almond season began, and the gateways were installed in the field based on our meticulous planning. The silence in those cellular deserts was finally broken as a flood of data began to flow, turning the map vibrant green.
The most incredible statistic—the real proof of the success of our long and in-depth process—is that on an average day during the season, we received data from approximately 10,000 sensors through gateways with external antennas. 10,000 beehives deployed in places where many believed there was no cellular reception at all, and 100% of their data was successfully transmitted.
This is a story of innovation, persistence, and a deep understanding of the problem that led to a simple, precise, and smart solution enabling a true agricultural revolution. We proved that even in the most remote areas, we can provide stable connectivity, ensure data flow, and empower farmers to make data-driven decisions.
