How do you monitor and control dozens of water wells scattered across extreme desert terrain – with temperatures beyond +50 °C and distances so long that repeaters are not an option? The answer: RipEX.
https//www.racom.eu/eng/case/water-well-management-across-the-saudi-desert
Challenge: Long-Distance, High-Reliability Telemetry for Critical Groundwater Infrastructure
Although 71% of Earth is covered with water, only 2.5% is freshwater – making groundwater management increasingly vital. In Saudi Arabia, where climate conditions are harsh and arid, water wells form a crucial part of sustainable resource planning.
The integrator Abunayyan Trading was tasked with creating a communication network linking 64 remote wells to a central control centre. Key requirements included:
- Long-distance radio communication without repeaters
- 10 W output power for extended coverage
- Extreme temperature operation – often exceeding +50 °C
- High reliability for mission-critical water infrastructure
- Support for Modbus Master–Slave communication
Solution: RipEX 400 MHz Radios – Designed for Harsh Desert Conditions
After evaluating and field-testing multiple technologies, Abunayyan selected RipEX as the optimal radio platform.
Why RipEX was chosen:
- Proven robustness in extreme desert heat
- Strong RF performance over long distances at 10 W
- Reliable Modbus Master–Slave operation using half-duplex
- Highly intuitive configuration and management interface
- No need for repeaters thanks to excellent link budget and sensitivity
One RipEX radio at the central control room acts as Master, communicating with 64 remote Slaves using Modbus. Polling is configured in half-duplex mode, ensuring each transmission uses the full available bandwidth.
Results: A Reliable Groundwater Monitoring System for Extreme Conditions
RipEX exceeded expectations on both major challenges:
- Long distances between wells
- Harsh desert climate
The network was installed and commissioned smoothly, without requiring additional support – thanks to RipEX’s intuitive web interface and straightforward configuration.
Today, RipEX ensures stable, secure and long-range telemetry for Saudi Arabia’s groundwater resources – helping protect one of the most valuable commodities in the region.
