Introducing the
Aer Networks IoT Platform
Simple and flexible IoT networking architecture
Your gateway to the future
Now there’s an exiting, low risk approach to growth for commercial data-processing applications. Aer Networks IoT platform let you start small. Grow big. Grow in almost any direction: multiple sensors, multiple applications. Change and rearrange as your needs change.
Correct planning errors with little or no penalty. Your investment in hardware – and software – protected at every step.
Grow in new directions, too. Add almost any kind of sensor or application. Sensors and applications can all share data with each other.
Automate your office or production facility. Create hybrid systems of every kind. Open the gateway to almost any future you can imaging. All at a price that make it practical.
Start Simple
- Begin by installing a few Wireless Forwarders (gateways) so that the area has wireless coverage.
- Install some wireless (or wired) sensors; Choose from a broad selection of sensors or have your own custom made just for your application.
- Connect any application to the network.
This lets you custom-tailor the system you need, to fit your requirements and business-needs – just about any application you can think of.
Grow at your own pace
Because the platform consists of a network of Wireless Forwarders, you can start with a few sensors and applications and expand your network at any time. It let’s you add things, without changes in your existing network.
It also lets you expand in a way that makes maximum use of your budget. Low-cost sensors can be installed anywhere they are needed. Sensors, network functions, databases or data-providers can be shared.
How much can you grow?
A single network can consist of thousands of sensors and applications, but for added security, you can group them into multiple networks while still maintaining tight control over who gets to access what.
You can deploy the sensors where the work is; In the next room, in the next office, or on the next floor. Since all the sensors, applications and things attached to the network can communicate with each other and the shared data, the total power of the system grows with each sensor and application that is added.
What is the Aer Networks platform?
A Platform to build on
A network of inter-connected Wireless Forwarders (gateways), sensors, applications, databases and things that allows you to share resources and communicate. You only need one integration for each new thing you add to the network. Simple and flexible.
Local, encrypted data
Communication between sensors and applications is routed through the shortest path (on-prem). It is end-to-end encrypted – even when stored. This keeps the data local and secure and allows for a flexible architecture.
Open ecosystem
Purchase of-the-shelf sensors or have your systems-integrator make one using the Open Source code. Easily replace a sensor with one from another brand. No Vendor lock-in or proprietary components.
Secure – by design (NIS2/CRA)
Security holes can be patched by software-updating IoT-devices over-the-air. Passive network monitoring allows you to identify inappropriate communication. Everything you need to be NIS2/CRA compliant.
Network Management
Your IoT Network (Platform) is managed by the Aer Networks cloud-based web-interface. It lets you monitor device-health, manage encryption keys and deploy security-updates.
Batteries included
Easy to get started; Install the sensors, the Forwarders, name the data and setup forwarding. That’s it! Do it yourself of have a Systems Integrator do it for you.
Z-Mesh Inside
Based on the open IoT networking protocol Z-Mesh, the Platform is designed for interoperability, making it easy to replace sensors and apps with ones from other vendors. No vendor lock-in!
Integration simplicity
Most applications can receive sensor-data using a HTTP API but many also use MQTT. Aer Networks provide connectors for HTTP and MQTT but it is easy to build your own using the Open Source.
How is Aer Networks different to LoRaWAN?
Aer Networks is a more comprehensive and flexible IoT platform that can support multiple protocols, including LoRaWAN. LoRaWAN is a specific wireless communication technology optimized for certain use cases.
Aer Networks provides a unified infrastructure for IoT devices, apps, and systems, enabling greater interoperability, scalability, and flexibility.
| Property | Aer Networks (Z-Mesh IoT protocol) | LoRaWAN© |
|---|---|---|
| Technology agnostic | Supports multiple communication technologies, including UDP/IP, Bluetooth, Sub-GHz- & 2.4GHz radio, LoRa, Zigbee, Matter, LTE | Techology is specific to the (patented) LoRa© radio chip from Semtech |
| Unified platform | Platform for IoT devices, apps, and systems, enabling interoperability and seamless communication between different devices and applications | Specific network technology that requires devices to be compatible with the LoRaWAN protocol |
| Scalability and flexibility | Highly scalable and flexible, allowing it to support a wide range of IoT applications and use cases | Optimized for specific use cases, such as smart cities, industrial automation, and agriculture |
| Device and vendor independence | Allows devices from different manufacturers to communicate with each other, regardless of the vendor or technology used | LoRaWAN devices, while interoperable with other LoRaWAN devices, is not able to communicate with devices using other protocols |
| Focus on infrastructure | Focused on providing a unified IoT infrastructure, enabling businesses to build and deploy IoT solutions quickly and efficiently | Network infrastructure that is primarily focused on wireless communication technology |
| Support for multiple applications | Supports a wide range of IoT applications, including smart buildings, energy management, and industrial automation | Often used for specific applications, such as smart metering, asset tracking, and environmental monitoring |