Easy Enless LoRa receivers allow you to integrate data from LoRa sensors into a building management system. They receive measurements via radio and make them available to your BMS in Modbus or BACnet, depending on the receiver model you choose.
For a system integrator, this architecture makes it possible to add measurement points while minimizing wiring, all while maintaining the protocols and monitoring environment of the installation.
In this article, we describe how to integrate Enless LoRa sensors into Niagara using a BACnet LoRa Easy receiver and a JACE controller. The example uses a temperature and humidity sensor and a pulse sensor, covering the process from declaring them in the receiver to discovering their points in Niagara Workbench.
What architecture should be used to integrate LoRa sensors into Niagara?
Enless sensors transmit their measurements to the receiver via LoRa Easy, Enless’s proprietary protocol based on LoRa radio technology.
The receiver decodes the received messages and converts the data into BACnet objects. In the system shown, it then communicates with the JACE controller via Ethernet using BACnet/IP.
The BACnet LoRa Easy receiver can manage up to 50 compatible Enless sensors. It supports BACnet/IP or BACnet MS/TP to adapt to the project's architecture.
LoRa Easy and LoRaWAN: Which mode is used here?
In this example, the sensors use LoRa Easy, not LoRaWAN. Both protocols are based on LoRa radio technology, but they differ in how they operate and in their infrastructure.
The sensors must therefore be compatible with LoRa Easy and configured in this mode to communicate with the receiver shown here. This receiver is designed for compatible Enless sensors; it does not support all LoRa sensors on the market.
Why add LoRa sensors to a Niagara monitoring system?
In an existing building, new monitoring needs may arise after the system is BMS d: monitoring the temperature of a specific area, expanding humidity monitoring, or retrieving data from a compatible meter.
LoRa sensors help minimize the amount of cabling required between measurement points and the receiver. This approach is particularly useful in occupied spaces or when routing cables is difficult.
Once the data has been integrated into Niagara, you can use it in your station's functions:
- Monitoring: Display measurements in the building views.
- Historical Data: Track changes in values over time.
- Alarms: Notify when thresholds are exceeded.
- Management Logic: Use the metrics in the functions configured for your project.
The following example illustrates the four steps of this integration.
1. Register the LoRa sensors in the receiver
Configuration begins in the embedded web server of the BACnet LoRa Easy receiver.
For each sensor, select the model, enter its LoRa ID and location, and then set its transmission interval.
Location information makes it easier to locate equipment: You can identify sensors by room, floor, or utility area, depending on how your facility is organized.
You can also configure BACnet communication from this interface. In the example shown, the receiver operates in BACnet/IP and Device mode. Each registered sensor thus appears as a separate BACnet device during discovery in Niagara.
2. Verify receipt of LoRa measurements
Before continuing in Niagara, verify that the receiver is correctly receiving data from the sensors.
The NETWORK tab allows you to view measurements and information useful for commissioning: time elapsed since the last reception, radio signal strength, and battery information.
This test allows you to verify the radio link before checking BACnet communication. If data does not appear in Niagara, you can first check whether it is actually available in the receiver.
In our example, the temperature and humidity readings are already visible on the interface. They will serve as a reference for verifying the data reported in Niagara.
3. Exploring Sensors in Niagara Workbench
Once radio reception has been verified and BACnet communication has been configured, continue with the integration in Niagara Workbench.
Start the BACnet discovery process to identify the devices exposed by the receiver. In the example in Device mode, three devices appear: the receiver and the two registered sensors.
Select the sensors you want to integrate, then add them to your station. This allows you to follow the same process for discovering and adding BACnet devices as in Niagara.
4. Add measurement points to your Niagara station
Once you've identified the data points, you can then select the data you need for monitoring.
For the temperature and humidity sensor shown here, add the " Temperature 1 " and " Relative Humidity " data points to the Niagara base. Their values and units will then be visible in Workbench.
You can then compare these values with those displayed on the receiver and configure how they are used in the station's views, history logs, alarms, or logic rules.
BACnet integration makes the measurements accessible; the monitoring and management functions must still be configured according to the building's needs.
Points to Check During Commissioning
To ensure your LoRa sensors are properly integrated into Niagara, check the following:
- Sensor Compatibility: Choose Enless models that are compatible with the receiver and configured in LoRa Easy mode.
- Radio reception: Check the measurement data and signal level on the receiver interface.
- BACnet Settings: Customize the network configuration and BACnet identifiers for your installation.
- Data Consistency: Check the values, units, and naming of points in Niagara.
Also take into account the sensors’ transmission frequency. Querying a BACnet node more frequently does not trigger a new radio transmission from the sensor. Read settings must therefore account for the data update rate and the requirements of your application.
To prepare your setup, review our best practices for integrating with Niagara.
Watch a video showing how LoRa sensors are integrated into Niagara
The video walks through the steps in this example: declaring sensors, checking radio reception, discovering BACnet devices, and adding points in Niagara Workbench.
See how Enless LoRa sensors are integrated into Niagara
Are you working on a Niagara project with LoRa sensors? Check out the BACnet LoRa Easy receiver or contact our team to determine the right architecture for your installation.
