Construction Sites Measure Vibrations in Real-Time

Monir selected the Sierra Wireless AirLink Raven X and Raven XT 3G cellular gateways to add real-time data collection and remote monitoring to its vibration monitoring product line.

Challenges

Monir’s services include vibration monitoring of structures such as heritage buildings and utilities in the vicinity of construction sites. Most of Monir’s vibration monitoring installations were not automated, which required employees to travel to each site to collect data and return to their office to report it. Since the data was manually downloaded, it did not provide immediate response times to vibrations exceeding the predetermined limits. Monir realized it needed to update its technologies to provide clients with real-time vibration measurements and to manage remote monitoring devices in-house to control the quality of its products and services.

Solution

Monir selected the Sierra Wireless AirLink™ Raven X and Raven XT 3G cellular gateways to add real-time data collection and remote monitoring to its vibration monitoring product line. The AirLink gateways provide a robust communications platform that simplifies management of remote assets. A rugged design and embedded machine protocols make the Raven line ideal for industrial and infrastructure applications.

Monir was able to locate a provider  Sierra Wireless partner, Baka Communications, Inc.  who had experience in the field and access to the equipment required. Prior to deployment, Monir put the intelligent AirLink devices through rigorous testing in its warehouse to ensure strong signal strength and reliable communication with the vibration monitoring equipment. The devices passed in-house signal strength tests in a typical installation mock-up, as well as in more isolated areas.

The Monir vibration monitoring product line consists of a seismograph monitor, geophone sensor, Raven X or XT gateway, antenna, and a cover to protect the equipment from natural elements, as well as tampering and/or vandalism.  Monir relies on AirLink management software for remote device configuration and maintenance, which simplifies Monir’s equipment deployment by saving standard protocols in the system’s memory, which makes adding new inventory a seamless operation. In addition, the Raven X and XT devices have provided considerable cost savings by significantly decreasing the number of trips to and from a construction site, allowing more time to service its clients unique project requirements.

“We will be expanding the deployment to include a majority of our vibration monitoring installations,” said Samantha Ford, project coordinator and lead estimator for Monir. “It’s also comforting to know that all AirLink devices are embedded with ALEOS, meaning that we can use the hardware platform that best suits an application and still manage the devices with the same software products.”

The Sierra Wireless AirLink Raven X and XT intelligent 3G gateways provide Monir with the following benefits:

• Reliable connectivity – ALEOS intelligence provides “always-on” and “always-aware” connectivity required for critical fixed and mobile data applications.
• Increased productivity and revenue – Eliminates regular travel time to construction sites required for physical data collection, allowing employees to focus on other customer activities.
• Seamless solution integration – In combination with ALEOS, AirLink management software allows for quick and easy device configuration, as well as troubleshooting of remote Raven X and XT gateways in the field.
• Future Proof – The common ALEOS platform enables all AirLink devices to “look” the same, ensuring that next generation hardware can be managed with the same tools that Monir uses today.
• Improved customer service – Provides real-time vibration measurement data to alert construction site owners of potential issues so they can react in a timely manner.