Tag: asset tracking

Tracking system by Particle supports IoT deployments

Particle — an edge-to-cloud internet of things (IoT) platform — is offering a new tracking system that allows organizations to track the locations of a wide variety of mobile assets.

Particle’s Tracker SOM (system-on-module) builds on its tracking services foundation. It provides a powerful GNSS, microcontroller and advanced peripherals in a compact form factor. Tracker SoM serves as an accelerated starting point for organizations that require a tailored tracking solution for sophisticated applications as well as a fully certified foundation for OEMs developing commercial products.

All of the company’s tracking solutions come with a high-gain GNSS antenna accurate to 1.8 meters.

A forthcoming study from Particle surveyed more than 1,000 IoT engineers and industry experts. Asset tracking was ranked as one of the top three most in-demand applications for IoT technology.

The asset tracking system is built on the Particle platform, spanning integrated internet-of-things (IoT) hardware, edge software, connectivity and cloud-based management software. The field-ready solution is configurable.

With it, customers can track the real-time location of critical assets and capture additional intelligence via sensor data including temperature and acceleration as well as remotely control mobile equipment and vehicles.

May 20, 2020
Radius Telematics sees spike in vehicle theft during coronavirus crisis

Photo: Radius Telematics

Radius Telematics has seen a big increase in the thefts of commercial vehicles since the coronavirus lockdown. With many offices, factories and construction sites unattended, thieves appear to be taking advantage of unattended locations.

According to Radius, vehicles and plant not equipped with GPS security devices that detect and track unauthorized movement are especially vulnerable as the thefts may go unreported for many days or even weeks.

Radius Telematics acquired two companies in 2019 that had a substantial proportion of their business in vehicle and plant security — both are reporting significant spikes in thefts.

Radius Telematics encompasses telematics brands Kinesis, UK Telematic, Plant-I, Sure-Track, CyntrX and Key Telematics. Altogether, Radius companies track more than 250,000 vehicles across the globe, with security devices fitted to 27,000 assets ranging from generators to vans, mini-diggers and earth moving trucks.

Many are equipped with Theft Recovery Trackers, small covert wireless devices with movement and tamper alarms. Once activated, the asset is automatically tracked to ensure that stolen assets are recovered quickly and efficiently.

“From security tracker alerts, we have seen a doubling in plant and van theft since the lockdown began,” said said Greville Coe, managing director of Radius Telematics. “It’s incredible that when we are all self-isolating and worrying about a deadly virus, crime is being committed while people and organizations are so vulnerable.”

Photo: Radius Telematics

One particularly disturbing theft was of a van stolen from a hospice for the terminally ill. The incident in Coventry, UK, saw a property belonging to a hospice ransacked and the theft of a hospice van. Fortunately, the vehicle was fitted with a Sure-Track tracker previously donated by Radius Telematics and the vehicle was safely recovered after three days. The Wireless Theft Recovery Tracker allowed the Radius nationwide finder network to accurately track the movements and whereabouts of the stolen vehicle.

“It’s shocking that thieves would target a charity caring for the terminally ill in what is an exceptionally difficult time,” Coe said. “Radius Telematics tracking services remain fully operational irrespective of the travel and business restrictions imposed due to the Coronavirus crisis. We hope we can help to ensure that essential services can be delivered with minimal disruption.”

Radius Telematics is a newly branded group formed within Radius Payment Solutions. The new telematics division incorporates a number of telematics-related businesses including their own Kinesis-branded vehicle tracking and previous acquisitions including Plant-i, UK Telematics and Sure-Track.

April 15, 2020
Semtech releases LoRa Edge for IoT asset tracking
Image: Semtech

Semtech Corporation, supplier of high-performance analog and mixed-signal semiconductors and advanced algorithms, has launched LoRa Edge, a versatile and low-power software defined LoRa-based platform.

Semtech said LoRa Edge will enable a wide portfolio of applications for indoor and outdoor asset management, targeting industrial, building, home, agriculture, transportation and logistics markets.

The first product from this portfolio is a geolocation solution for development of internet of things (IoT) devices for asset management applications. It features low-power Wi-Fi and GNSS sniffing capabilities combined with LoRa Cloud geolocation and device management services to significantly reduce the cost and complexity of locating and monitoring IoT assets.

“Semtech continually delivers internet of things (IoT) solutions that simplify and accelerate the development of LPWAN applications,” said Pedro Pachuca, director of IoT Wireless in Semtech’s Wireless and Sensing Products Group. “LoRa Edge and LoRa Cloud geolocation services enable customers to develop ultra-low power applications for a variety of industries and will expand the mass adoption of LoRa in the IoT ecosystem.”

Over the next decade, 500 billion devices are expected to connect to the internet (according to Cisco), as organizations continue to shift towards a more IoT-focused business strategy, and the majority of those IoT devices require some form of localization capability either at point of install or through the assets life.

The LoRa Edge geolocation platform will enable solution providers to leverage the unique localization capabilities of LoRa as well as GNSS and Wi-Fi scanning capabilities from a single chip solution, allowing customers to choose the best localization tool for the application task they are addressing.

By removing the need for incremental GNSS and Wi-Fi components, LoRa Edge reduces the bill of material (BOM) costs of devices and significantly reduces design and procurement complexity, Semtech said.

The first LoRa Edge chipset targeted with geolocation (LR1110) is available today; more products from this portfolio will be released in the first half of this year.

Product Features

Multi-Purpose Radio Front-End
- 150 – 2700 MHz continuous frequency synthesizer range
- GPS/BeiDou scanning
- Wi-Fi passive scanning
Low-Power LoRa/(G)FSK RF Transceiver
- Worldwide frequency bands support in the range 150 – 960 MHz
- High power PA path +22 dBm
- High efficiency PA path +15 dBm
- Fully compatible with the LoRaWAN standard
Cryptographic Engine
- Hardware support for AES-128 encryption/decryption based algorithms
- Handling device parameters such as DevEUI and JoinEUI
- Protects confidential information such as encryption keys
- Stores NwkKey, AppKey, as defined in the LoRaWAN standard
February 26, 2020
Digital Matter’s battery-powered GPS receiver gets PTCRB approval

Photo: Digital Matter

Digital Matter’s Oyster2 4G battery-powered GPS receives PTCRB approval, AT&T certification and redesigned housing

Digital Matter’s Oyster2 is now PTCRB approved and certified for use on the AT&T Network in the United States. With PTCRB certification, operators and device manufacturers are confident of a device’s interoperability with mobile networks.

Designed for tracking non-powered assets for extended periods of time, common applications of the Oyster2 include tracking trailers, bins, hire and rental equipment, shipping containers, boats, bikes, scooters and more.

The Oyster2’s u-blox SARA-R410M modem operates on all major global LTE-Cat-M1 and NB-IoT bands. The device uses concurrent GPS and GLONASS tracking with a 72-channel high sensitivity receiver, and features a 3D accelerometer for G-force detection.

Configurable adaptive-tracking parameters allow the device to sleep when stationary, resulting in industry-leading battery life: up to seven years of life at once daily updates; one year of life at once hourly updates.

The versatile asset tracker can be powered by three off-the-shelf AA lithium batteries, or lithium thionyl chloride (LTC) batteries for enhanced performance and temperature tolerance.

The Oyster2 is now also available in redesigned ultra-rugged housing. Engineered with nylon glass, the IP67 housing is considerably tougher and thicker in key areas, providing increased durability, thermal resistance (the device can reach temperatures up to 185º F/85º C without compromising performance) and chemical resistance.

The device’s mounting tabs and screw holes have also been fortified and repositioned, improving resistance to cracking.

Digital Matter is an original equipment manufacturer of award-winning GPS and internet of things (IoT) devices and tracking software. Digital Matter devices are resold through 500 channel partners across the world and deployed in more than 110 countries.

September 23, 2019
U-blox partners with Arvento on multi-purpose tracker

Treyki Mini relies on u-blox positioning and wireless communication technologies.

Photo: Arvento/u-blox

U-blox, a global provider of positioning and wireless communication technologies, is partnering with Arvento Mobile Systems, a Turkey-based fleet telematics company, to develop a compact people and asset tracking device with a long battery life.

The Arvento Treyki Mini has eight operating modes, including special settings for tracking children (with geofencing) and senior citizens (with an integrated fall sensor). It is also suitable for use in sports, racing and asset management. It can also be used as an emergency beacon.

The tracker has an onboard positioning receiver, and reports its location using an internal GSM/GRPS modem. It can operate for up to seven days from its 900mAh LiPo rechargeable battery before it needs to be recharged.

Photo: Arvento/u-blox

The Treyki Mini relies on the u-blox ZOE-M8Q concurrent multi-GNSS module to discover its location. This system-in-package (SiP) offering is 4.5 x 4.5 x 1.0 millimeters. It provides high accuracy thanks to its ability to receive 72 channels simultaneously, from up to three different GNSS constellations, the company said.

It also offers reliable positioning in challenging environments because it has a sensitivity of –167 dBm and is energy efficient.

Communications for the Treyki Mini are provided by the u-blox SARA-G340 dual-band GSM/GPRS module — its very low standby power of less than 0.90 mA helps extend the Mini’s battery life. The SARA-G340 module also supports firmware-over-the-air (FOTA) updates, enabling Arvento to continue to refine the Treyki Mini after production.

“The Treyki Mini is the result of a very close collaboration between Arvento and u-blox to optimize its size and power consumption,” said Özer Hıncal, general manager, Arvento. “We expect that the strong sense of partnership that evolved between our two companies during the development of the Treyki Mini will lead to further collaboration in the future, especially when it comes to telematics system solutions.”

December 4, 2018
Fujitsu low-power GNSS module aimed at consumer devices

Fujitsu has introduced a low-power multi-GNSS module for consumer devices and asset tracking. (Graphic: Fujitsu)

The MSB1054 multi-receiver module requires no external components and has built-in Flash memory, meeting needs of smartwatches, fitness trackers, logistics and navigation.

Fujitsu Electronics Europe (FEEU) is expanding its ultra-low power portfolio to include a multi-receiver GNSS module: the MSB1054. The ability to receive signals from several satellite systems significantly reduces the time to first fix, providing for faster and more accurate positioning, the company said.

Photo: Fujitsu

Besides the GNSS device itself, the MSB1054 provides a built-in RF-front end (SAW filter, low-noise amplifier) as well as a temperature compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO), so with the exception of an antenna no external component is required.

Furthermore, Fujitsu’s GNSS module is equipped with a built-in Flash memory for quick “hot start” to save the navigation data and further optimize performance.

With its dimensions of 5.8×6.2×1 millimeters and 3.4 mA current in low-power mode (such as for tracking), the MSB1054 is designed for a variety of applications such as smartwatches, fitness trackers and asset tracking, and can navigate indoors or outdoors, the company added.

October 30, 2018
U-blox offers location trackers with u-track toolset

Photo: u-blox

U-blox has introduced a toolset comprising the u-track software and the C030-R410M application board.

The toolset is a rapid-prototyping platform that lets product designers test and optimize the position accuracy and power consumption of wireless location tracking applications that use LTE-M and NB-IoT cellular networks, as well as GNSS technology. The toolset targets product engineers working on battery powered applications such as sport, people and asset trackers.

An increasing number of battery powered consumer and industrial products feature integrated GNSS receivers. These products include virtual reality headsets, smart watches, and devices to track elderly people, containers or parcels.

With the ongoing roll-out of low power wide-area cellular networks (LPWAN) such as LTE-M and NB-IoT technologies around the world and the extremely low power consumption they enable, the range of use cases for wireless location trackers is expected to expand further.

Screenshot: u-blox

“With today’s technology, product designers can now include optimized battery life in their applications,” said Florian Bousquet, product manager, Product Center Positioning, at u-blox.

“We developed this toolset to give customers a quick and easy way to test the accuracy and the power consumption of their product ideas using the latest generation of our technology,” he said. “In many cases, they can replicate their applications and start testing the performance of different device configurations in under 15 minutes.”

“The toolset offers access to the very latest technologies, from LTE-M and NB-IoT cellular communication to our proprietary Super-E mode (see video below) that delivers the best balance between power consumption and GNSS positioning performance,” he added.

The u-track software runs from embedded firmware on the new u-blox C030-R410M application board. The board, specifically designed to rapidly prototype applications for the internet of things (IoT), includes an ultra-small, low-power u-blox ZOE-M8B GNSS receiver and a size-optimized SARA-R410M LTE-M/NB-IoT cellular communication module.

Additionally, u-track includes a PC software application. Its user-friendly dashboard lets users log, retrieve, and visualize power consumption, accuracy, and other important values, such as the time it takes the GNSS receiver to calculate a position (time-to-first-fix, TTFF).

The u-track and C030-R410M toolset will be showcased on Sept. 12-14 at Mobile World Congress Americas, u-blox Booth no S.2702.

September 11, 2018
Antenova ships tiny GNSS active antenna module

Antenova is shipping its ultra-small GNSS active antenna module for tiny positioning devices, the RADIONOVA M20047-1. The antenna module includes a low noise amplifier (LNA) and surface acoustic wave (SAW) filter for better positioning from difficult locations.

Antenova Ltd. is a manufacturer of antennas and RF antenna modules for connected devices and the internet of things.

The RADIONOVA M20047-1 is designed for small consumer devices such as smartwatches. (Photo: Antenova)

The RADIONOVA M20047-1 is an active antenna module for GNSS applications in the 1559-1609 MHz satellite bands using GPS, GLONASS, Galileo or BeiDou.

The M20047-1 antenna module comprises an SMD antenna with built-in active components: an LNA filter and SAW to boost antenna performance — so designers will not need to add these — contained in a compact FR4 part with low power consumption, measuring 7.0 x 7.0 x 0.9 millimeters and weighing less than 2 grams.

The onboard LNA and SAW filter act to boost the signal to the GNSS processor in environments where there is a restricted view of the sky or where line-of-sight to the horizon is difficult, the company said.

Architecture of the Antenova antenna. (Image: Antenova)

Antenova has also added an external matching feature to compensate for any de-tuning of the antenna caused by proximity to other components, such as a plastic case or a battery.

The clear-out area required by the antenna module is only 7.0 x 5.0 millimeters. This, with its tiny size, makes the M20047-1 suitable for small positioning devices where space on the PCB is tight, such as wearable devices, asset tracking devices, sports cameras and equipment and smartwatches.

The M20047-1 is an alternative to Antenova’s Sinica antenna (part no. SR4G008), which Antenova also recommends for accurate positioning.

The M20047-1 was first announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January.

Antenova’s antennas are specifically designed for easy integration. The datasheet and evaluation kit for the M20047-1 are available from www.antenova.com. Antenova also provides full engineering support, antenna testing, tuning and integration for its customers.

September 5, 2018
Hoopo to provide low-power geolocation for IoT

A new company, hoopo, has launched to supply an innovative, accurate geolocation solution for low-power wide area (LPWA) networks. The solution would improve precision for low-power Internet of Things (IoT) asset tracking.

Hoopo’s geolocation enables companies to locate their valuable assets without the significant cost or battery consumption that can be associated with GPS. hoopo’s IoT solutions help companies precisely track specific assets in areas such as shipping ports, airports, car dealer lots, cattle ranches and other asset-dense areas.

Hoopo has received $1.5 million in funding to further grow its business from a group of investors, including the initial investors in Mobileye; Israeli investor Zohar Gilon; and Ben Marcus, CEO of AirMap.

The need to understand and quantify asset location is quickly becoming a requirement for the enterprise and industrial IoT. However, the accuracy of today’s low-power geolocation isn’t precise enough to deliver on the full promise of the IoT.

LPWA networks are becoming the driving force behind smart city and other IoT applications because of their low-cost, low-power consumption, and high-coverage capabilities in rural and urban environments. The long battery life of LPWA devices allows businesses to deploy a maintenance-free device in the field for several years.

“Hoopo is addressing a real business need of companies around the world: cost-effective, yet precise, tracking of their valuable assets with longevity of battery life up to 10 years in the field,” said Ittay Hayut, CEO of hoopo. “LPWA checks off all of the boxes companies need in terms of cost and coverage, and hoopo’s solutions work alongside these LPWA networks to help businesses keep their assets safe, anytime and anywhere.”

Hoopo’s solutions are based on a patent-pending triangulation method that uses LPWA data transmissions to generate a precise location. The solutions suite includes low-cost LPWA gateways and devices, as well as a platform for management and real-time notifications. Companies can receive on-demand geolocation, establish geofences, receive movement alerts, and more, ensuring the protection of their valuable assets.

“Hoopo’s geolocation technology reveals new business verticals that were limited or impossible when using existing technologies because of their high-cost and significant power consumption,” said Menashe Terem, CEO at Tri-logical, a provider of tracking and management solutions.

“Early applications such as asset tracking are just the beginning of what advances in geolocation will enable,” said Eli Fogel, former CTO at Intel and hoopo investor. “Just as the advent of GPS launched a wealth of applications that no one ever thought of before, such as location-based advertising, there are future applications that this next generation of geolocation technology will enable. We’re excited to see what new applications emerge as customers embrace these new precision location capabilities.”

Hoopo is displaying at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona Feb. 26-March 1 in Hall 5, Stand 5D81.

February 8, 2018
Fathom enters tech alliance with beacon maker Gimbal

Fathom, a Bluetooth real-time location system (RTLS) asset tracking company, has signed an agreement with Gimbal, a manufacturer for enterprise-grade mobile engagement and location intelligence.

The partnership presents customers with the combined strengths of each company: Gimbal’s reliable beacons and over-the-air security and Fathom’s high-accuracy indoor location platform, the companies said in a joint press release.

The agreement includes joint marketing and sales referrals to common prospective enterprise customers. It also enables Fathom to distribute Gimbal beacons and leverage Gimbal Secure Mode functionality.

“With Fathom to monitor and locate their beacons, both existing and new Gimbal deployments will enjoy the best each company offers,” said Fathom CEO Guylain Roy-MacHabée. “We are building a partner ecosystem with the best global beacon vendors and we are proud to work with Gimbal. Fathom’s asset tracking customers can now purchase Gimbal beacons directly from us, including the popular coin-sized Gimbal S10 — an ideal form factor that enables exciting and secure asset tracking scenarios.”

Fathom offers next-generation indoor location technology, utilizing Bluetooth to enhance asset tracking systems. Fathom complements asset tracking systems by providing greater coverage than RFID, greater accuracy than Wi-Fi and at a lower cost than other real-time location systems like ultra-wideband (UWB).

“Fathom’s location expertise and ability to accurately locate beacons indoors without the need for a mobile app is a natural fit for the asset tracking market,” said Brian Dunphy, general manager for Gimbal’s enterprise business. “We are delighted to be working with Fathom to expand the reach of each other’s products in the marketplace.”

Gimbal harnesses the power of location and proximity to drive value and create personalized experiences for customers, using location-specific events, geofences and beacons to access deep data analytics via a sophisticated location management platform.

May 22, 2017
U-blox launches multi-GNSS module for wearables, UAVs

The u-blox ZOE-M8Q is designed for wearables, UAVs and asset trackers. Photo: U-blox

U-blox has launched a new positioning module, the ZOE-M8G. The ZOE-M8G is an ultra-compact GNSS receiver module designed for markets where small size, minimal weight and high location precision are essential.

ZOE-M8G offers exceptionally high location accuracy by concurrently connecting to GPS, Galileo and either GLONASS or BeiDou. It also provides -167 dBm navigation sensitivity, important for wearable devices, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and asset tracker applications.

The new u-blox ZOE-M8G helps simplify product designs, because it is a fully integrated, complete GNSS solution with built-in SAW-filter and Low Noise Amplifier (LNA). It can be used with passive antennas without the need for additional components, and doesn’t compromise performance.

The ZOE-M8G GNSS module measures 4.5 x 4.5 x 1.0 millimeters. Due to its small size, a complete GNSS design using a ZOE-M8G module takes approximately 30 percent less printed circuit board (PCB) area compared to a conventional discrete chip design with a CSP chip GNSS receiver.

“When you’re designing products such as smart watches, fitness trackers, asset trackers, UBI dongles and even drones, every square millimeter and every gram counts. The u-blox ZOE-M8G makes it significantly easier for product designers to achieve precise location tracking while keeping within their strict form factor and weight restrictions,” said Uffe Pless, product marketing, Positioning Product Center at u-blox.

Samples of the u-blox ZOE-M8G will be available in February 2017, and volume production will start in October 2017.

January 24, 2017
U-blox, Wirepas partner on industrial IoT module

NINA-B1

Wirepas and u-blox have partnered on an advanced decentralized radio communications solution, the NINA-B1 module, for industrial Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The goal of the partnership is to make large scale, decentralized industrial IoT networks easy to deploy for the companies’ customers.

The small NINA-B1, which the companies say is comparable to advanced mesh technology, is a stand-alone Bluetooth low energy module with the latest power performance. It can be used for applications such as healthcare, connected buildings, manufacturing and telematics. The module has been certified for a range of countries world-wide, according to the companies.

“The NINA-B1, in combination with the Wirepas Connectivity software, enables short time to market for easy-to-install, large scale, decentralized industrial IoT applications in segments such as lighting, sensor, asset tracking and beacons,” says Hakan Svegerud, head of product strategy, short range radio, at u-blox.

“We believe that technology should never be the starting point; instead, we should concentrate on business and application needs,” says Wirepas CEO Teppo Hemiä. “As needs evolve over time, so should the technology. Wirepas and u-blox share this core value and that is what makes us stronger together.”

August 25, 2016