2020 has been a very busy year for Integra Systems, Inc., on many fronts.
Please see the latest Nordic Q2 2020 Quarterly.
The opportunities in the BLE space connected to 4G/5G is transforming our work model across multiple enterprise markets in a very rapid fashion. It all about not only the connectivity model; but also about secure and managed deployments.
See the first version this decade of the Wireless Quarterly from Nordic Semiconductor. www.nordicsemi.com is the leading provider of BLE SOC(s), "system on a chip".
BLE is changing the game in all kinds of unique applications never before thought possible. Note also the release of BLE 5.2.
Commercial 4G LTE-M and NB IoT solutions are now hitting the market in a big way in 2020. The value of Cellular IoT is it allows almost anything to connect globally to the macro cellular network without having to deal with a middle gateway.
Over time Cellular IoT will change as 5G is released. However realized now 4G will meet the huge demand of applications as they hit mainstream in 2020.
Integra Systems, Inc has brought together a combined partnership of technologies and companies that will offer to multiple enterprise markets secure field communications.
These solutions can be deployed immediately for the required mission needs.
Two versions exist:
Healthcare Command Center
Field Mobile Command Center
What is the business value?
- An immediate deployable self contained one box solution for secure connectivity for multiple Wi-Fi client devices with backhaul 4G connectivity with no IT requirements from the end user.
Connectivity live on site.
Both configurations consist of using a ruggedized router, an internal battery for many hours of run time on a single charge, external weather proof charging ports, and even solar charging.
All the electronics are enclosed as well as antennas in a military spec IP67 case, lockable and secure, that is fully functional when the case is closed and locked.
DOD FIPS 140-2 Wi-Fi is provided for all Wi-Fi devices, with Verizon LTE 4G as the backhaul with dual redundancy of the ATT network if failover is required.
We provide through our partner the network activation, kitting, shipping and billing. This is a complete “turn-key” solution for rapid field deployment for needed Wi-Fi connectivity with backhaul 4G connectivity to the cloud.
Field Mobile Command Center Details
Wireless Connectivity
Connectivity is provided via a ruggedized LTE Cradlepoint router with remote web-based access to all key configurations, reliable and secure VPN connectivity is standard, enterprise grade security is provided to the DOD requirements as described, and the solution is capable of up to 128 individual Wi-Fi connections in a simultaneous fashion.
Verizon On-Talk phones are standard on the Healthcare Command center
Power
External Power is provided but also this solution can be self-contained via a 11,000 mAh battery for extended deployments
Totally Self-Contained
All electronics are enclosed in the IP67 rugged case. Antenna elements are built into the internal lid of the case thus eliminating tampering. The healthcare command center is a wheel-behind design as well as TSA compliant. Both cases are lockable, secure, and tamperproof
External Port Access
Weatherproof exterior port access is provided to all USB data, charging, WLAN/LAN and power.
Does your current form of identification provide a proof-positive answer to these two most fundamental security questions?
Can you prove you are who you say you are?
Can you prove you're authorized to do what you are trying to do?
Sentry Enterprise has introduced a converged biometric security - "The First of Its Kind"
- A multi-function, ultra-thin, ISO compliant credential requiring a biometric fingerprint verification for activation of physical access (HID or MiFARE), as well as logical access.
- Biometrics are enrolled, stored, and matched solely within the credential, safeguarding Personally Identifiable Information (PII). Fully compliant with GDPR and CCPA regulations.
- No battery. Leverages advanced technology to harvest and amplify power wirelessly emitted by virtually any contactless card reader.
Carriers and transport companies have moved goods for decades and by nature they have systems in place that do this in a reliable fashion. It is a point to point business delivery model. You ship, they deliver.
We have found through our on-going pilots as well as our internal shipment logistics several business pains that needed to be solved.
These are defined as follows:
- Shipments are shown to be delivered..but the shipment is not received. Where did it go?
- Most companies are self insured; so on a high value product of say $30,000, the cost of insurance will be
in the hundreds of dollars; much more than the cost of shipping. Insurance is often declined and the
high value package is treated no different than any other package.
- The shipment may have incurred a high degree of stress or temp variations during the delivery process, but there is no
way to find out the where and when and if...hence no audit trail Where is the audit trail?
- If a delivery must remain in a certain place, there is no ability to ensure that it remains within that
certain place or know if it has been moved. Hence it could be stolen
- The NB-IoT and LTE-M Location Tracking has to be able to be used globally in a seamless fashion. This means that any NB-IoT or LTE-M locating tracking solution has to be seamless roaming across all carriers. Our solution makes this happen.
- Companies do not have the internal expertise to deploy a NB-IoT and LTE-M Location based solution let
alone on a global basis. This is not core to their expertise.
- Proprietary location systems are available, but they highly expensive and are not able to be used across all
the carriers.
The bottom line is we are connecting the technology, software, and cloud based management that has major value for the enterprise space.
Today's high value assets can be tracked by delivery on-line in transit; but once it gets to it's destination the responsibility ends there
Inventory sometimes is lost upon receipt at the destination
Integra Systems, Inc. has developed a ecosystems IoT offering to track assets effectively at a very competitive price point. It is the first tracker of it's kind with NB-IoT, LTE-M, and GPS that has an extensive battery life.
Additionally this solution includes BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), a motion accelerometer together with a temperature sensor; and to include a unique activated service button.
Finally, this is globally carrier qualified and built to industrial hardware requirements. The SIM is activated on the appropriate network, product is kitted, then shipped. Zero IT requirements from the user.
In other words, ready to go out of the box upon receipt to provide immediate business value.
The return on investment of this architected end to end solution is:
- Reducing potential theft and to allow the user to be in control of the knowledge and location awareness of any high value asset real time on a global basis
- Ensure temperature control on critical assets
- Detect movement to deter theft and validate the shipment
- Validate and verify potential shock to the shipment
All of this is accomplished through a managed portal that the customer has access to combined with customized geofencing and algorithms tailored to the user.
Integra Systems, Inc. has been in around the RTLS space since 1999 and we have seen a lot of changes.
For the sake of now 2020, we will drop the nomenclature of RTLS because we consider this legacy. New business models have come onto the scene based upon the advancement in technology offerings. For example BLE with now 5.1 provides location accuracy never before obtained. Now there is also the release of BLE 5.2.
What are the challenges of asset tracking?
• There is no real time way of tracking high value assets during shipment
• How do you know where your actual asset is throughout the supply chain?
• How do you avoid theft?
• Movement cannot be monitored
• Often there is a need for high cost proprietary infrastructure.
• Temperature sensitive assets cannot be monitored.
BLE is now in every smart phone yet alone being incorporated into the leaders of the WLAN enterprise infrastructure thus we have an indoor solution that takes advantage of the technology changes.
As a result of all this is when standards prevail, costs drop, and then wide spread adoption comes.
Now the location tracking space with NB-IoT and LTE-M, location tracking has moved beyond walls of a building that literally can be anywhere on a global basis.
Integra Systems, Inc has the capabilities through our business partners to provide real business value add solutions for asset tracking throughout the enterprise space.
Our partner ecosystem is globally qualified, and has a strong market presence of 1,500,000 IoT kits deployed with over 50,000 unique configurations.
The solution described is a logistics tracking solution that is based upon cellular 4G which also supports BLE and Wi-Fi.
Positioning is provided by using Global Navigation Satellite System with the ability to provide measurement frequency for positioning and sensor data that can be viewed and changed at any point.
This architecture provides the basics of Geo Location, Interval, Temperature Alarm, and Shock detection alarm. This additionally includes a IoT platform for Alarm panel geo fencing, input of additional sensor data, as well as routing and sensor historical data.
All of this can be tied into a cloud solution via a API or web user client, with direct ERP integration.
LTE-M
LTE-M (or eMTC or CatM1) is designed for low power applications requiring medium throughput. It has a narrower bandwidth of 1.4 MHz compared to 20 MHz for regular LTE, giving longer range, but less throughput. The throughput is 375 kbps downlink and 300 kbps uplink, providing 100 kbps application throughput running IP. It is suitable for TCP/TLS end-to-end secure connections. Mobility is fully supported, using the same cell handover features as in regular LTE. It is currently possible to roam with LTE-M, meaning it is suitable for applications that will roam across multiple regions. The latency is in the millisecond range offering real time communication for time critical applications. LTE-M is perfect for medium throughput applications requiring low power, low latency and/or mobility like asset tracking, wearables, medical, POS and home security applications.
NB-IoT
NB-IoT (also known as Cat-NB1) is a narrowband technology standard that does not use a traditional LTE physical layer, but is designed to operate in or around the LTE bands and co-exist with other LTE devices. It has a bandwidth of 200 kHz, giving it longer range and low throughput compared to LTE-M and LTE. The throughput is 60 kpps downlink and 30 kbps uplink. It is suitable for static, low power applications requiring low throughput. NB-Iot is perfect for static, low throughput applications requiring low power and long range, like smart metering, smart agriculture and smart city applications.
Integra Systems, Inc. has been in and around the "Location Knowledge" space since 1999.
New models have now come onto the scene based upon the advancements in technology offerings in the business location tracking area. It is not about the technology in our opinion; but about the economic and process improvements by the use of the technology that can become realized.
For example; BLE with now 5.1 provides location accuracy never before obtained that will allow visibility of the client to change the game. This field location awareness will allow for potential new work flow and business improvements. See now also the release of BLE 5.2.
BLE is now in every smart phone; yet alone being incorporated into the WLAN AP enterprise infrastructure. This is a true convergence of use.
The bottom line is when standards prevail, costs drop, and adoption comes. Wi-Fi, BLE, and now the converged location knowledge space will provide major business value.
Now with NB-IoT and LTE-M, location tracking can also be provided inside and outside the walls of the enterprise taking advantage of 4G moving to 5G. A true location real time tracking ecosystem has now evolved for 2020 and beyond. When you now have the ability to have the data and mine this on real time basis, huge value is experienced to improve the overall business process.
Integra Systems has partnered with a world class proven solutions provider that is a ISO 90001 approved and a FDA audited facility that enables thousands of IOT devices per month via carriers on a global basis.
We can provide the hardware, software solution development, database output, and the deployment of any type of IOT wired or wireless solution on a global basis.
Download GFM327_0e_Bluetooth_Low_Energy_5.1
Download Bluetooth_5.2_Feature_Overview
Download 122019 - White Paper - Industrial IoT
Integra Systems, Inc., has been an advocate of Laird initially in the WLAN module space, but also BLE for many years. The quality of their WLAN roaming algorithms while ensuring enterprise grade security is one reason for our recommendation. This is based upon our field experience of the challenges in the healthcare mobility environment. We have validated and verified through testing performance with one of their BLE modules. This is a very good article that details out medical device security and FIPS 140-2.
