LoRaWAN Monitoring of the Gabčíkovo Waterworks

The state enterprise Vodohospodárska výstavba, š. p. (VV) is responsible for the operation of water structures, including the Gabčíkovo Waterworks and its components – navigation locks, reservoir, and waterways. As part of its modernization efforts, VV needed a reliable IoT solution for accurate water level measurement, data transmission from remote areas, and centralized infrastructure management. Softigo delivered a custom-built solution based on the IoT platform Ambrella, tailored to meet these requirements. 

Project Scope and Infrastructure 

The project included the deployment of a complete LoRaWAN infrastructure, consisting of: 

• 30 industrial LoRaWAN gateways of type PC ENDURO S500-GW, with IP67 protection, suitable for outdoor use and powered via PoE. 
• Ultrasonic sensors TAMVEL TMTL-300W with integrated LoRaWAN modules for water level measurement, powered by solar panels with rechargeable batteries for autonomous operation. 
• A private LoRaWAN network server, integrated with the Ambrella platform, to securely receive, process, and manage data.

The system collects data in 5-minute intervals, with configurable periodicity to balance measurement granularity and battery life. 

Key Technical Features 

• Solar-powered devices enable deployment in areas without electricity and extend battery life. 
• Zero data transmission costs thanks to the private LoRaWAN network – no need for SIM cards or GSM roaming, which is critical near the Hungarian border. 
  
• Calibration tools and data validation are built into the platform – supporting accurate measurements, calibration, and remote configuration. 
  
• Data normalization and transformation occur directly in the backend before visualization and analysis. 
• Two dispatcher centers – one at the Gabčíkovo site and one at VV headquarters – use the Ambrella Dashboard to monitor all devices and receive real-time alerts in case of outages or measurement anomalies. 

Scalability and Security 

The entire solution is designed for both horizontal and vertical scalability, enabling: 

• Easy onboarding of additional devices (e.g. weather stations, vessel counters, smart buoys). 
• Centralized lifecycle management: provisioning, status monitoring, and firmware updates. 

The solution adheres to strict security standards: all data is transmitted encrypted, role-based access control is enforced, and all changes are fully audited. The multi-tenant architecture of the platform allows for future expansion to other water structures without architectural changes. 

Results 

The deployed solution significantly improved operational oversight and responsiveness. LoRaWAN communication replaced legacy GSM solutions that suffered from signal loss and high operating costs. Real-time water level data is now a key input for maintenance planning, lock reconstruction, and environmental monitoring. Since deployment, there have been zero system outages or device failures.