One university is using reliable and easy-to-deploy LoRaWAN technology to spur innovation in rural America. We reveal how in our latest blog.<\/p>\n
\u200b[[{“value”:”<\/p>\n
In areas dominated by small towns and farming, the ability to leverage innovative technologies is not always present. But for residents of Eastern North Carolina a different future is taking shape. As the region faces the multiple challenges of income inequality, elevated unemployment, and migration of youth to larger cities, a new and sustainable solution has emerged. One driven by a reliable and easy-to-deploy technology that can enable new opportunities for economic and educational development.<\/em><\/p>\n For Dr. Ciprian \u201cChip\u201d Popoviciu, the use of LoRaWAN (long-range wide-area network) technology offers a unique opportunity to spur greater innovation in the Eastern North Carolina region. Known as Dr. Chip he spearheads the Center for IoT Engineering and Innovation (CIEI)<\/a> in the College of Engineering at East Carolina University (ECU). Located in Greeneville, North Carolina the Center is dedicated to driving IoT adoption in the region to bolster economic development and address an array of environmental and societal challenges.<\/p>\n Thanks to Dr. Chip\u2019s vision, rural areas and small towns throughout Eastern North Carolina can now leverage innovative technologies to help improve their quality of life. CIEI\u2019s core mission is to provide LoRaWAN connectivity for sensors alongside infrastructure for data hosting, visualization, and analysis. By doing so, users can leverage their sensor data and the Center\u2019s resources to better understand their operations, automate workflows\u2014and capture missed opportunities.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Building a LoRaWAN platform was a key component of a CIEI initiative known as the Platform for IoT Open Networks (PITON)<\/a>. Also led by Dr. Chip, PITON\u2019s goal is to create a plug & play platform to:<\/p>\n Easily deploy and manage sensors The idea for PITON emerged from conversations with the communities in which ECU is embedded. \u201cSo much in our economy is still done manually \u2013 and inefficiently \u2013 and there is immense appetite in rural, under-connected communities to understand the art of the possible with technology,\u201d says Dr. Chip.<\/p>\n \u201cLet me provide an example related to smart farming that many in North Carolina will easily understand \u2013 the challenge of flooding. If their farms are flooded, traditionally farmers must physically drive to different locations across their land, manually measure the water levels,\u201d related Dr. Chip. \u201cBased on those measurements, they determine when to use pumps to collect excess water. Of course, because it is all done manually, it is extremely time intensive and inefficient.\u201d But with LoRaWAN connected IoT sensors the work is automated and data is in real-time. This saves time, is more efficient, and improves decision making.<\/p>\n Currently, fourteen projects have emerged from PITON. \u201cWhat makes this initiative so special is the extent to which CIEI is embedded in and working with the community to bring tangible solutions to eastern North Carolina, powered by Cisco technology\u201d added Meghan Steele, vice president of U.S. Public Sector East at Cisco.<\/p>\n Distance is often considered a significant challenge for some technologies but not for LoRaWAN due to its bandwidth, low power, and long distance capabilities, which helps increase signal reach up to thirty miles thanks to the region\u2019s flat terrain. \u201cWe know Eastern North Carolina is home to many under-connected communities,\u201d states Steele. \u201cWe\u2019re proud that our technology is providing connectivity across approximately 1,500 square miles to unlock increased opportunity and economic development.\u201d<\/p>\n As home to a low-lying coastal geography dotted with inlets, wetlands, and lowlands, Eastern North Carolina is much more susceptible to damage during hurricanes and flooding. That\u2019s why CIEI is targeting the water and land management potential of the technology, as well as air quality. But the unique natural environment also presents great opportunities for the region\u2019s economy, allowing CIEI to explore connectivity for sensor data at offshore wind farms thanks to North Carolina\u2019s extensive coast.<\/p>\n CIEI is also seeking to enhance the sustainability of communities through its LoRaWAN approach. Sensors can lower the barrier of entry for users and limit environmental and wildlife impacts by reducing maintenance, travel, and pollutants. Plus, the data collected provides a baseline for monitoring environmental conditions.<\/p>\n CIEI seeks to use LoRaWAN as a way to improve community engagement among residents living in the many rural areas and towns of the region. By educating and training local communities on the benefits of IoT, they are helping local leaders and residents understand the benefits of adopting new technologies, increasing willingness to adopt digital services.<\/p>\n According to Dr. Chip \u201cThe students that work on this initiative truly have their eyes opened to the power of technology.\u201d The LoRaWAN infrastructure gives them a platform for research projects focusing on IoT and data analytics. He added, \u201cThere\u2019s a direct tie to workforce development and opportunity, as students see a path for a career, for entrepreneurship directly impacting rural communities.\u201d<\/p>\n Steele added that \u201cThe partnership between communities, researchers, educators, and the private sector is having a significant impact in eastern North Carolina, and Chip\u2019s innovation and the model he has spearheaded has the potential to be replicated across the U.S.<\/p>\n How Cisco LoRaWAN solutions connect the unconnected<\/a> “}]]\u00a0\u00a0One university is using reliable and easy-to-deploy LoRaWAN technology to spur innovation in rural America. We reveal how in our latest blog.\u00a0\u00a0Read More<\/a>\u00a0Cisco Blogs\u00a0<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" <\/p>\n One university is using reliable and easy-to-deploy LoRaWAN technology to spur innovation in rural America. We reveal how in our latest blog.<\/p>\n \u200b[[{“value”:”<\/p>\n In areas dominated by small towns and farming, the ability to leverage innovative technologies is not always present. But for residents of Eastern North Carolina a different future is taking shape. As the region faces the multiple challenges of income inequality, elevated unemployment, and migration of youth to larger cities, a new and sustainable solution has emerged. One driven by a reliable and easy-to-deploy technology that can enable new opportunities for economic and educational development.<\/em><\/p>\n For Dr. Ciprian \u201cChip\u201d Popoviciu, the use of LoRaWAN (long-range wide-area network) technology offers a unique opportunity to spur greater innovation in the Eastern North Carolina region. Known as Dr. Chip he spearheads the Center for IoT Engineering and Innovation (CIEI)<\/a> in the College of Engineering at East Carolina University (ECU). Located in Greeneville, North Carolina the Center is dedicated to driving IoT adoption in the region to bolster economic development and address an array of environmental and societal challenges.<\/p>\n Thanks to Dr. Chip\u2019s vision, rural areas and small towns throughout Eastern North Carolina can now leverage innovative technologies to help improve their quality of life. CIEI\u2019s core mission is to provide LoRaWAN connectivity for sensors alongside infrastructure for data hosting, visualization, and analysis. By doing so, users can leverage their sensor data and the Center\u2019s resources to better understand their operations, automate workflows\u2014and capture missed opportunities.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Building a LoRaWAN platform was a key component of a CIEI initiative known as the Platform for IoT Open Networks (PITON)<\/a>. Also led by Dr. Chip, PITON\u2019s goal is to create a plug & play platform to:<\/p>\n Easily deploy and manage sensors The idea for PITON emerged from conversations with the communities in which ECU is embedded. \u201cSo much in our economy is still done manually \u2013 and inefficiently \u2013 and there is immense appetite in rural, under-connected communities to understand the art of the possible with technology,\u201d says Dr. Chip.<\/p>\n \u201cLet me provide an example related to smart farming that many in North Carolina will easily understand \u2013 the challenge of flooding. If their farms are flooded, traditionally farmers must physically drive to different locations across their land, manually measure the water levels,\u201d related Dr. Chip. \u201cBased on those measurements, they determine when to use pumps to collect excess water. Of course, because it is all done manually, it is extremely time intensive and inefficient.\u201d But with LoRaWAN connected IoT sensors the work is automated and data is in real-time. This saves time, is more efficient, and improves decision making.<\/p>\n Currently, fourteen projects have emerged from PITON. \u201cWhat makes this initiative so special is the extent to which CIEI is embedded in and working with the community to bring tangible solutions to eastern North Carolina, powered by Cisco technology\u201d added Meghan Steele, vice president of U.S. Public Sector East at Cisco.<\/p>\n Distance is often considered a significant challenge for some technologies but not for LoRaWAN due to its bandwidth, low power, and long distance capabilities, which helps increase signal reach up to thirty miles thanks to the region\u2019s flat terrain. \u201cWe know Eastern North Carolina is home to many under-connected communities,\u201d states Steele. \u201cWe\u2019re proud that our technology is providing connectivity across approximately 1,500 square miles to unlock increased opportunity and economic development.\u201d<\/p>\n As home to a low-lying coastal geography dotted with inlets, wetlands, and lowlands, Eastern North Carolina is much more susceptible to damage during hurricanes and flooding. That\u2019s why CIEI is targeting the water and land management potential of the technology, as well as air quality. But the unique natural environment also presents great opportunities for the region\u2019s economy, allowing CIEI to explore connectivity for sensor data at offshore wind farms thanks to North Carolina\u2019s extensive coast.<\/p>\n CIEI is also seeking to enhance the sustainability of communities through its LoRaWAN approach. Sensors can lower the barrier of entry for users and limit environmental and wildlife impacts by reducing maintenance, travel, and pollutants. Plus, the data collected provides a baseline for monitoring environmental conditions.<\/p>\n CIEI seeks to use LoRaWAN as a way to improve community engagement among residents living in the many rural areas and towns of the region. By educating and training local communities on the benefits of IoT, they are helping local leaders and residents understand the benefits of adopting new technologies, increasing willingness to adopt digital services.<\/p>\n According to Dr. Chip \u201cThe students that work on this initiative truly have their eyes opened to the power of technology.\u201d The LoRaWAN infrastructure gives them a platform for research projects focusing on IoT and data analytics. He added, \u201cThere\u2019s a direct tie to workforce development and opportunity, as students see a path for a career, for entrepreneurship directly impacting rural communities.\u201d<\/p>\n Steele added that \u201cThe partnership between communities, researchers, educators, and the private sector is having a significant impact in eastern North Carolina, and Chip\u2019s innovation and the model he has spearheaded has the potential to be replicated across the U.S.<\/p>\n How Cisco LoRaWAN solutions connect the unconnected<\/a>The PITON Initiative<\/h2>\n
\nAutomatically collect and curate real-time data
\nAccess and share data
\nImplement workflow data.<\/p>\nA sustainable approach to connecting across distances<\/h2>\n
LoRaWAN is helping build better communities<\/h2>\n
Additional resources on LoRaWAN<\/h2>\n
\nHow to pick the right wireless technology for your needs<\/a>
\nInnovative technologies for Higher Education<\/a><\/p>\nThe PITON Initiative<\/h2>\n
\nAutomatically collect and curate real-time data
\nAccess and share data
\nImplement workflow data.<\/p>\nA sustainable approach to connecting across distances<\/h2>\n
LoRaWAN is helping build better communities<\/h2>\n
Additional resources on LoRaWAN<\/h2>\n
\nHow to pick the right wireless technology for your needs<\/a>
\nInnovative technologies for Higher Education<\/a><\/p>\n