When we started designing the smart irrigation system for Sherwood Park Golf Course, one challenge became immediately clear:
How do you enable reliable data and control across an 18-hole course, without tearing up fairways or running costly infrastructure?
Traditional approaches, like wired connections or short-range wireless, simply weren’t feasible. We needed a communication solution that was:
- Long range – able to cover large outdoor areas
- Low power – allowing battery-powered sensors in the field
- Non-intrusive – no trenching or disruptive installs
- Scalable – able to grow as the course evolves
That’s why we chose a combination of LoRaWAN and Milesight gateways, and why this choice became a game-changer for the entire project.
Connecting the greens without disruption
Most large outdoor environments, especially golf courses, pose unique challenges for smart infrastructure:
- Distance: Irrigation zones are spread across wide areas.
- Obstacles: Trees, hills, and buildings can interfere with communication.
- Limited power: Field sensors often run on battery or solar power.
- Minimal infrastructure: No existing cabling or network points near irrigation zones.
For Sherwood Park, we needed a solution that could connect soil moisture sensors, weather stations, and irrigation controllers, all without requiring major civil works.
Why LoRaWAN was the ideal protocol
LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) is a wireless protocol purpose-built for exactly this type of application.
Here’s why it was the perfect fit for Sherwood Park:
Long-range coverage
LoRaWAN can communicate over several kilometres in open environments, easily covering the full extent of the golf course with just a few gateways.
Low power consumption
LoRaWAN sensors are optimised for low power use, enabling multi-year battery life, crucial when devices are installed in hard-to-reach locations.
Resilient, interference-resistant communication
LoRaWAN’s adaptive data rate and robust modulation allow it to maintain reliable communication even in environments with obstacles or variable conditions.
Simple deployment
Because LoRaWAN uses unlicensed radio spectrum, there’s no need for complex licensing or heavy infrastructure, it’s fast and cost-effective to deploy.
Scalability
As Sherwood Park expands or adds new irrigation zones, new sensors can be added to the LoRaWAN network with minimal configuration, ensuring the system evolves with the site.
Why we chose Milesight gateways
To anchor the LoRaWAN network, we selected Milesight gateways, a proven solution for demanding outdoor applications.
Here’s why Milesight was the right choice:
Excellent sensitivity and range
Milesight gateways deliver high receiver sensitivity and strong transmit power, ensuring reliable communication across the course — even in challenging terrain.
Industrial-grade reliability
Rated for outdoor use with IP65 protection, Milesight gateways withstand harsh weather, temperature swings, and UV exposure, making them ideal for permanent deployment on-site.
Flexible connectivity
Milesight gateways support multiple backhaul options, Ethernet, 4G LTE, and Wi-Fi, allowing seamless integration with the site’s existing network and the Tridium Niagara platform.
Easy configuration and monitoring
Their intuitive management interface allows for rapid deployment, while MQTT support makes ongoing monitoring simple, a key factor in keeping long-term maintenance efficient.
How it all comes together
With LoRaWAN + Milesight providing a robust, scalable wireless backbone, we were able to:
- Connect soil moisture sensors across all irrigation zones
- Integrate weather station data to drive intelligent irrigation decisions
- Enable remote control of irrigation controllers, with real-time feedback
- Feed all data into the Tridium Niagara platform, providing a unified interface for the Sherwood Park team
And critically, we achieved this without trenching, running cables, or disrupting course operations.
A future-proof foundation
By selecting LoRaWAN and Milesight, Direct Control delivered a solution that is:
- Efficient – reduced installation costs and disruption
- Flexible – ready to adapt as Sherwood Park’s needs evolve
- Sustainable – supporting better water management and lower energy use
- Scalable – easily expanded to include new devices or zones
This project highlights one of our key strengths:
Not just providing technology, but making smart, site-specific design decisions that deliver lasting value.
Conclusion
When designing smart infrastructure for large outdoor environments, wireless communication isn’t an afterthought, it’s the foundation. By selecting LoRaWAN and Milesight, we ensured Sherwood Park’s smart irrigation system was built on a foundation that is:
- Resilient
- Scalable
- Cost-effective
- Ready for the future
If you’re considering smart systems for your outdoor environment, from golf courses to parks to sports facilities, choosing the right wireless backbone can make all the difference.
Read the case study here
