Telemetry – Radio Data Networks

Telemetry Solutions for Remote Monitoring

Over 30 years expertise in telemetry communications for mission-critical remote applications and projects, including satellite, cellular, licensed and license free, SCADA and BMS integration and much more.

SCADA and BMS Integration

Iridium Satellite Radio Comms

4-20mA Inputs for Sensor Integration

Solar and Battery Backup Options

2G / 4G LTE / 5G Connectivity

Over 40 Years in Radio Telemetry

The team at Radio Data Networks have been the pioneers of the use of licenced radio spectrum for radio telemetry and real-time control links for almost 40 years.

Our team have been responsible for the design and implementation of some of Europe’s largest licenced radio telemetry systems including AMR for Paris, Cannes and several other French City’s back in early 2000 and more recently monitoring of thousands of drinking water boreholes across the whole of Belgium.

In the UK, Radio Data Networks currently operates on what is probably the largest national licences issued by Ofcom, covering not only the mainland UK but also has been extended to include the Channel Islands.

Our telemetry systems serve a wide range of applications, many of which are critical to the wellbeing of our nation. These include flood monitoring, rail safety, sewer and CSO monitoring, real-time control of valves and pumps, flood evacuation, pollution monitoring and even monitoring and controlling the lights and foghorns at ports. In total we estimate that the use of this spectrum equates to over 500-million messages broadcast per annum.

Why licenced, simply it’s a legally protected service. Where any interference deliberate or not is a criminal offence and will be investigated and enforced by Ofcom.

Telemetry System Custom Build Service

We offer a comprehensive custom build service where we take our RDNET1000 Modular Telemetry system building blocks and create a compete telemetry system to meet a specific customer requirement.

This includes:

RDNET1000 Telemetry Family

The RDNET1000 family is probably one of the most comprehensive ranges of radio telemetry systems on the market and was launched back in 2010, crated by our highly talented team that has been designing such systems since the 1990’s.

It includes smart sensors with embedded edge computing through to traditional point to point radio telemetry links, that convey data such as 4-20mA levels and interface with SDI-12 sensors.

Unique to the RDNET family is the ability to mix both one-way and two-way systems and to broadcast data to multiple receiving locations or conversely to harvest data from multiple outlying sensors.

Systems are designed to be simple to install and maintain with no-need for customers to programme in the field.

All systems are manufactured in the UK and can be supplied to operate on a wide range of radio frequencies, both licenced and un-licenced. Depending upon the option selected, systems can operate over distances of a few hundreds of meters to tens of km.

The radio protocol used is called RDNET. It is a “lean” non-IP protocol with adaptive length making it ideal for long-term low energy solar or battery operation. The protocol also supports one-way and two-way traffic and a mixture of the both and has the ability to routh data from source to destination.

Licence Free Radio Telemetry

Licence-free operation is permitted in the UK on several radio channels and is perfect for short range applications within a site. This is a non-protected service and could be subject to interference from other users, devices, electrical equipment to which there is no redress. Hence for this reason we would not recommend its use for any links crossing 3rd party land or for more critical applications.

Licenced Radio Telemetry

Radio Data Networks are official Ofcom licence holders for radio telemetry services across the whole of the UK and Channel Islands. Licenced telemetry provides exclusivity and protection in law from interference and eavesdropping, enabling us as we do, to send almost half a billion messages annually, many of which cross third party land without fear of compromise.

VHF vs UHF

Speak to any radio amateur and they will confirm that VHF always will outperform UHF for communications, with respect to distance and penetration through forests and buildings. It was for this reason VHF was chosen for terrestrial audio broadcasts for the FM service for cars and homes, similarly we have uniquely chosen it for telemetry.

Radio vs Cellular Telemetry

RDNET1000 Modular Transmitter

The modular transmitter range is designed for industrial and commercial applications and as such is the mainstay of many FM, utility and regulatory agencies such as the EA.

The range is of a “Lego brick” construction where systems are built to suit customers specific requirements, be it operating voltage, power source, or the number and type of inputs and outputs.

Our policy is to supply systems that are fully pre-assembled, tested and delivered to work out of the box, along with accessories such as outdoor enclosures, solar panels and mounting brackets.

Reliability

Factually, a well-designed radio telemetry system can outperform cellular and other forms of communications with reliability in the triple nines. Messages can go from the transmitter to receiver without the involvement of 3rd parties or the internet permitting totally autonomous operation (see Licenced radio telemetry). Key to reliability is to keep data packets short, data rates slow and to include robust error checking as we have with our RDNET protocol.

Power Efficiency

Compared to cellular of satellite, a well-designed message protocol such as our RDNET can be highly power efficient as messages can be sent and received without the need to connect and to negotiate a session. The RDNET protocol is also adaptive, in that it automatically changes the message length to suit the payload. For this reason, we are able to offer enviable battery lives measured in years and even decades.

Licenced Radio Telemetry

Radio Data Networks are official Ofcom licence holders for radio telemetry services across the whole of the UK and Channel Islands. Licenced telemetry provides exclusivity and protection in law from interference and eavesdropping. It also permits us to utilise higher transmit power levels and to plan with our customers how frequently they need data, and offer a cyber secure exclusive radio band for Radio Data Networks and its customers.

Security

Being a local message, there is no means for hostiles to remotely hack or block a radio telemetry message from distant lands. Protocols such as RDN include several security features prevent both erroneous messages getting through.

Addressing

The RDNET protocol is based included a 32-bit address function which provides over 4-billion sensor or unit addresses. In the RDNET protocol it is the addressing that sets the source and destination of a message.

Need more information?

Contact our technical team today to find your next solution. Find out more information on our Linkedin page for latest updates.

+44 (0)1279 600440

For technical datasheets, consultative advice and to explore our larger portfolio, our technical team of engineers are happy to help. Alternatively, you can email us at sales@radio-data-networks.com.