Valuable assets are transported around the world in containers. Zillions travel by road and rail; they’re shipped between continents and are handled in ports and depots by sophisticated, computerized systems. Containers are an integral part of our global economy and tracking these mobile assets represents an important niche market for vendors of telemetry solutions.
Telemetry is a technology that allows the measurement and transparent conveyance of remote information. In this case, the information that buyers and sellers of containers need is the precise location of the relevant containers. This means that the solution must have a global reach and the modules that generate the information must perform 24/7 for many years in environments that may be harsh.
Telic has been active in this market for several years and recently they launched a new version of the tracking device known as Picotrack Endurance. Picotrack indicates that locations are measured precisely; they are also stamped with the time. Endurance speaks for itself. The devices can employ long-life batteries when tracking intervals are long. If location information is sent two to three times a day then the devices will perform for approximately five years. When tracking intervals are short a rechargeable battery is employed.
Containers are tracked around the world: on road and rail and sea. Assets are located using a combination of satellite (GPS) and GSM (GPRS and SIM) technologies.
Location data can be sent to various centers, e.g. emergency, tracking, logistic and service.
The electronics are housed in a small, flat, robust, enclosure. Virtually no maintenance is required. The device is water-protected and there is a wide ambient temperature range.
Battery life is an important parameter.
It doesn’t make sense to make repeated transmission when the location hasn’t changed. Telic’s solution, therefore, allows the device to go to sleep. The sleep mode can be determined by a motion sensor. In this case, it falls asleep when there is no movement for a predetermined time. The device wakes up as soon as motion is detected. It can also be configured to fall asleep during motion and to wake up as soon as container is stationary, i.e. to indicate where the asset has been placed.
Sleep mode can also be determined by time. The device falls asleep after a periodic event; the time frame is configurable. At the end of the time frame, it wakes up and transmits its GPS-position.
In addition, events can be bundled. The device collects and stores a configurable number of events without activating GSM transmission and they are subsequently sent in one transmission.
A watchdog system is another nice feature. If there is a GSM connectivity issue, it can be reset without stopping GPS. Similarly, if there is a GPS reception issue, it too can be reset without stopping GSM.
Bob Emmerson (News - Alert) is TMC's European Editor. To stay abreast of the latest news affecting the European market, check out Bob's columnist page.Edited by
Rich Steeves