Temporary Construction Site Network System

Overview

Working with a system integrator based in Malaysia, a local contractor needed network connectivity at temporary construction sites with no fixed-line infrastructure, for IP cameras and access control. Using the Wavetel 5G industrial PoE-out router WR578, a site network meeting all of the customer's requirements can be set up within a single day and relocated as the construction site changes.

Challenge

Temporary sites are sometimes located in remote areas with weak infrastructure, unsuited to fixed broadband or fiber deployment.

Cameras require PoE power and a continuous uplink, yet most consumer-grade routers lack PoE and depend on a wired line. The site also has PLC equipment connecting multiple sensors, and the PLC uses RS232/RS485 industrial interfaces.

Site cabinets are mostly located in uncooled outdoor or semi-outdoor environments, alternating between high summer heat and low winter temperatures, and exposed to dust, moisture and vibration; with sites scattered, device status management is inefficient.

Site locations are scattered and there is usually no dedicated IT staff on site; once a site goes offline or fails, the fault is hard to locate quickly, resulting in low management efficiency.

Solution

A wireless cellular network carries the site uplink, requiring no fixed line or cabling; dual SIM cards with failover keep the link continuously online. In addition, an IPsec/OpenVPN encrypted tunnel can be established to securely transmit site data back to the monitoring center.

Four PoE-out ports can power and connect the cameras directly; in addition to the standard Ethernet ports, the device also provides serial ports, enabling direct collection of data from the PLC and multiple sensors via industrial protocols such as Modbus TCP/RTU and MQTT. Combined with VLAN segmentation, the cameras and the PLC can be isolated from each other.

The Wavetel industrial router operates over a temperature range of -40°C to 75°C and supports DIN-rail mounting, allowing it to run reliably in harsh environments.

Through the Wavetel RMS platform, all sites are managed uniformly for bulk configuration, monitoring and firmware upgrades.

Topology

The WR578 links the site camera and PLC to remote systems over cellular networks. Access and infrared sensors connect through the PLC.

Benefit

A complete site network can be deployed within a day and relocated at any time as the project progresses or the site changes, delivering efficient deployment and reusable assets.

A single Wavetel WR578 replaces a conventional cellular router, PoE switch and I/O device, reducing both device count and cost.

High network reliability: the industrial-grade rugged housing ensures continuous operation in harsh environments, while automatic dual-SIM switching restores the connection within seconds.

Device status is monitored remotely, and faults can be identified and resolved remotely without visiting the site.

Why Wavetel?

Wavetel IoT focuses on the industrial IoT field and develops its own industrial-grade routers, continuously iterating its products to meet new application requirements while offering customized designs. Through its partnership with Wavetel, the integrator has come to highly trust our technology and service capabilities, delivering a smart, reliable industrial network for the construction site.