Gateway LG3120e & E2C Field
In the previous article, we saw why modernizing the monitoring system of a building with an existing BMS is a real challenge—and why traditional wiring is almost never the right solution.
In this article, we’ll discuss the concrete solution we propose: the Robustel LG3120e with the E2C Field software platform, available at costruzionienergetiche.it.
The problem it solves
LoRaWAN sensors transmit data wirelessly. The building’s BMS communicates via BACnet or Modbus. Until now, getting them to communicate required external middleware, a dedicated server, and a technician to write custom code for each type of sensor.
With the LG3120e + E2C Field, all of that is a thing of the past. The gateway acts as a universal translator: it receives LoRaWAN data from the sensors and exposes it natively as BACnet or Modbus objects to the existing BMS. No additional servers, no middleware, no lines of code to write.
What is the Robustel LG3120e
The LG3120e is an industrial LoRaWAN gateway with integrated edge computing. It is not a simple “radio concentrator” like most LoRaWAN gateways on the market: it is a full-fledged industrial computer with onboard LoRaWAN connectivity.
Hardware overview:
- 2.0 GHz quad-core ARM CPU, 2 GB RAM, 8 GB storage
- 8 simultaneous LoRaWAN channels (EU868 for the Italian/European market)
- 2 Ethernet ports (LAN/WAN)
- 2 RS-232/RS-485 ports (software-configurable)
- 2 digital inputs (DI) + 2 digital outputs (DO)
- WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax
- 4G with physical SIM + integrated eSIM
- 9-36V DC power supply, IP30, operating range -25/+70°C
- Mounting on 35mm DIN rail, wall, or desktop
The operating system is RobustOS Pro, based on Debian 11 Linux — which means it runs containerized applications (Docker), Python, Node.js, and any other standard Linux tools. It is an open and programmable device, not a black box.
What is E2C Field?
E2C Field is the software layer that transforms the LG3120e from a LoRaWAN gateway into an OT/IT integration platform for buildings. It is developed by Robustel and runs locally on the gateway, without relying on the cloud for its core operational functions.
The platform’s six core functions:
1. Multi-protocol data collection Supports over 10 protocols: LoRaWAN (Class A and C), BACnet IP, BACnet MS/TP, Modbus TCP, Modbus RTU, OPC-UA, KNX, M-Bus, MQTT, SNMP. A single device aggregates data from HVAC systems, energy meters, wireless sensors, and existing building automation systems.
2. Zero-touch sensor onboarding Integrated codec library for over 100 LoRaWAN sensor models from leading manufacturers (Milesight, Dragino, RAK, Seeed, Tektelic, and others). To add a new sensor, simply select the brand and model from a drop-down menu: data points are generated automatically, without writing a single line of JavaScript code. The raw hexadecimal payload immediately becomes a readable value (temperature, humidity, level, etc.).
3. Bidirectional LoRaWAN → BACnet/Modbus Bridge This is the game-changing feature compared to traditional LoRaWAN gateways. E2C Field doesn’t just read sensor data: it automatically maps it to standard BACnet/IP objects, making them visible in the existing BMS as if they were native BACnet devices. The BMS can read LoRaWAN sensor values without knowing they come from a wireless sensor. And, for devices that support it (such as LoRaWAN Class C actuators), the BMS can also send control commands back—for example, lowering the setpoint of a wireless thermostat.
4. Local Edge SCADA Browser-based dashboard, with no additional software to install. Building floor plans, real-time graphs, sensor status, and alarm history. All accessible locally even without an internet connection—useful for on-site maintenance operators.
5. Local logic with Node-RED Serverless edge automation: rules such as “if temperature > 26°C, then send an email alert + close the valve.” The Node-RED engine is built-in, with dedicated E2C nodes that access sensor data directly without complex configurations.
6. Store-and-forward Local database with a 200 MB queue. If the internet connection drops, data is saved locally and sent to the cloud as soon as the connection is restored. Zero data loss even on unstable backhaul (4G in areas with weak signal, networks undergoing scheduled maintenance).
Software license: no recurring fees
E2C Field is available in three editions:
Edition Price Tags SCADA Codec
Free Free up to 100 No Basic
Core $199/unit (one-time fee) Unlimited No Full (100+)
Pro $299/unit (one-time fee) Unlimited Yes Full (100+)
The license is a lifetime license—you pay once, not every year. For projects that require the local SCADA dashboard (most building automation scenarios), the Pro version is the right choice.
Who is this for?
Facility managers and technical supervisors of commercial or industrial buildings with an existing BMS who need to add measurement points without any structural work. The LG3120e + E2C Field is the solution to the classic problem: “I want to know the temperature floor by floor, but I don't want to open the drop ceilings.”
Building automation installers and system integrators who need to offer a wireless solution compatible with the customer’s BMS. E2C Field produces standard BACnet devices: the BMS sees the LoRaWAN sensors exactly as it would see a wired BACnet thermostat.
Technical managers of multi-location sites (factories, stores, hotels, warehouses) who need centralized data collection with offline resilience and remote management. Integrated 4G with eSIM and the Robustel VPN (RCMS) enable remote management of each gateway without physical access to the site.
A real-life example of architecture
Typical scenario: A 3-story office building with a centralized HVAC system managed by a BACnet BMS. The customer wants to add temperature and air quality (CO2) monitoring in each office to optimize ventilation and comply with EPBD requirements.
Components:
- 1x Robustel LG3120e (installed in the mechanical room, Ethernet connected to the existing BMS)
- 30x Milesight AM319 LoRaWAN sensors (temperature + CO2 + humidity + occupancy)
- E2C Field Pro license
How it works:
- The sensors transmit every 5–15 minutes via LoRaWAN
- LG3120e receives the uplinks via the integrated ChirpStack LNS
- E2C Field automatically decodes the Milesight AM319 payloads (pre-installed codec)
- The values are mapped to BACnet/IP objects and made available to the existing BMS
- The BMS sees 30 new “BACnet devices” with temperature, CO2, and occupancy data for each room
- The BMS control logic can use this data to modulate airflow by zone
Result for the customer: granular floor-by-floor monitoring, without a single additional meter of cable, with native integration into the BMS they already know. Estimated installation time: 1–2 days for gateways + sensors, compared to 2–3 weeks for an equivalent wired solution.
Why not a generic LoRaWAN gateway?
A standard LoRaWAN gateway (Milesight UG65, RAK7268, Dragino) does one thing: it receives radio packets from sensors and forwards them to a cloud network server. That’s it. To do what the LG3120e + E2C Field does, you would need: a cloud network server (with a monthly fee), a separate application server, a developer to write the bridge to BACnet, and an additional monitoring system.
With the LG3120e + E2C Field, all of this is integrated into a single device, with a one-time software license and no servers to manage.
Availability and how to request it
The product is available on costruzionienergetiche.it as model EU868 (European band, optimized for Italy). Availability is expected by the end of May 2025. For production deployments, the commercial release will coincide with availability.
For evaluations, demonstrations, and customized quotes, please use the contact form or write to us directly: we are available for technical consultation to assess compatibility with your existing BMS and properly size the solution.
Costruzioni Energetiche is a Robustel reseller for the Italian market for the LoRaWAN and E2C Field lines. For technical and commercial information, please contact us
- Message Us on WhatsApp📞 : +39 338.8239553
- Email📩 : info@costruzionienergetiche.it
