U-blox, Pietro Fiorentini and Terranova Software demonstrate the functionality of narrowband IoT on site

     U-blox, a global leader in wireless and positioning modules and chips; Pietro Fiorentini S.p.a., a leading provider of components, systems and services for natural gas metering and management; and the Italian market leader in meter data management software. Terranova Software, a member of the Pietro Fiorentini Group, today announced that the three companies have successfully completed field testing of narrow-band IoT (NB-IoT) with satisfactory results.

     This test performed a fully operational NB-IoT cycle within the gas meter and focused on field-achievable results, where availability, battery consumption, and product durability and reliability are key elements. The test involved two of Spain's main gas suppliers and a large number of Pietro Fiorentini gas gauges. NB-IoT technology fully supports a number of advanced features, including two-way communication, 128-bit data encryption, and remote instructions for meter shutdown.

     All of these features are additional to traditional remote meter reading and gas consumption analysis. The test covers the entire operational chain: from the gas meter - NB-IoT network - communication protocol, all the way to the final data capture system, and the meter data management software capabilities provided by Terranova, enabling data to be linked to any ERP system. The test results demonstrate complete end-to-end system functionality, two-way communication, and perfect scalability from 2G to NB-IoT.

     These tests reflect the industry's desire to use NB-IoT technology to meet the growing low power wide Area (LPWA) connectivity, and 3GPP completed work on this standard in June 2016. Because NB-IoT can operate on networks within the licensed spectrum, providing better security and freedom from interference, it has become an ideal choice for utility critical infrastructure installations such as meters. In addition, NB-IoT has excellent power efficiency and provides coverage in shaded areas, making it ideal for long meter life cycles and underground installation requirements. Built into the gas meter is u-blox's SARA-N2 module, which went on sale in June 2016 and is the world's first cellular radio module to comply with 3GPP Release 13.

     Gianfranco DeFeo, Executive Director of Shanghai Fiorentini and Head of Marketing of Pietro Fiorentini, said: "Conducting NB-IoT testing of gas meters requires high quality and reliable smart technology to meet the communication needs of the modern gas industry. u-blox's SARA N2 NB-IoT module is the ideal choice for us. We are pleased to have successfully integrated a complete end-to-end solution with two-way data communication into Terranova's meter data management platform, and are grateful to the Spanish gas supplier and the international telephone operator for their assistance in making this test possible."

     Stefano Moioli, Director of Cellular Product Management at u-blox, said: "We are very pleased to be working with market leaders such as Pietro Fiorentini and Terranova to test and finally apply safe, high-quality wireless communication technology to smart gas meters."