IoT Satellite Connectivity Platform Enables Early Wildfire Detection

Wildfire detection technology company Dryad Networks has introduced the next generation of its Silvanet solution which features industry-first direct-to-satellite connectivity. 

Silvanet provides ultra-early detection of wildfires, as well as health and growth monitoring of forests, using solar-powered gas sensors deployed in a large-scale IoT sensor network.

Dryad showcased its smart sensor technology earlier this year at CES. 

The company said this third-generation iteration of its flagship solution is the first in the wildfire detection and forest management sector to offer built-in direct-to-satellite connectivity in its gateways. 

The Silvanet Suite is comprised of the Silvanet Border Gateway which is placed at the border of a target forest area and the Silvanet Mesh Gateway which extends network coverage into the depth of the forest using a unique multi-hop mesh networking architecture.

Satellite connectivity, as well as extended LoRa radio range, incorporated into the gateways will reduce the system’s reliance on terrestrial networks. This means it can offer real-time monitoring and bi-directional communication, including remote configuration and firmware updates, in even the most remote forest areas.

The capability adds an extra layer of redundancy because the system can fall back to satellite connectivity if terrestrial connectivity is lost, this creates an unparalleled network reliability, the company said. 

Related:AI-Enabled Wildfire Monitoring Sensors Exhibited at CES 2024

“The introduction of direct-to-satellite connectivity and extended LoRa range in our new gateways marks a pivotal advancement in wildfire detection technology,” said Pedro Silva, Dryad Networks chief technology officer. “These features ensure that even the most remote and challenging environments can be monitored in real time, without reliance on terrestrial networks.”

The technological breakthrough sets a new standard in the industry, he added. 

The company is working with EchoStar Corp. a global provider of satellite communication solutions to provide the built-in satellite communication in North America and Europe.

Other enhancements to the updated system include improved reliability and extended network coverage, making it ideal for large-scale deployments in challenging environments. Particularly as the company said the network can achieve maintenance-free operation of 10 to 15 years. 

Some of the hardware upgrades include a built-in embedded SIM card with multi IMSI for global out-of-the-box mobile network connectivity, an external SIM card slot for replacement of the built-in embedded SIM card and Extended LoRaWAN. The latter enables the gateways to communicate up to 6 miles, reducing the number of gateways required per deployment.

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As a company, Dryad aims to reduce unwanted wildfires, which cause up to 20% of global carbon dioxide emissions and have a devastating impact on biodiversity, according to the company. By 2030, its ambition is to prevent 3.9 million hectares of forest from burning, preventing 1.7 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions entering the atmosphere.