No business can afford
to be disconnected.
M2M Connectivity’s IoT Satellite solutions and hardware provide peace of mind no matter where your assets are. Designed for areas with limited or no cellular connectivity, IoT Satellite provides always-on connectivity for business-critical applications.
Underpinned by our global partnerships with satellite hardware and airtime providers, and supported by our in-house engineers, we give you access to a comprehensive range of M2M/IoT satellite devices and solutions.
Why IoT Satellite?
IoT Satellite is useful in locations where other networks are not available or viable. Satellite connections eliminate the need for wired connections, offer enhanced reliability and greater security. Uniquely, IoT Satellite can be used as the sole signal provider or as a back-up system if a cellular connection fails or drops off.
Access data with no
terrestrial coverage
Get data from the
field to the cloud
Keep track of remote
people and assets
Run simplex and
duplex applications
Key advantages
- Cost effective – utilising low-cost battery powered sensors & micro-transmitters
- Low latency – ability to return data in a few milliseconds
- Wider range – unlimited coverage compared to space-based terrestrial networks
- Greater reliability – increased stability ensuring always on connectivity
- Security – closed environments and encryption improving data security
- New applications – not previously possible due to connectivity limitations
Key applications
IoT Satellite is used across all industry verticals from
agriculture to mining, utilities and agriculture.
Examples include:
- Environmental monitoring – remote sensing & data collection e.g. Water health
- Mining – improving onsite health and safety e.g. Fatigue monitoring
- Agriculture and farming – monitoring livestock health e.g. Heat and location
- Utilities – asset and infrastructure condition monitoring e.g. Downed power lines or short circuits
The M2M Advantage
M2M has spent over 17 years delivering cellular technologies for M2M/IoT, from early days with analogue, CDMA and 2G/GSM and 3G networks, to now specialising in LTE networks across Australia and New Zealand.
- Environmental monitoring – remote sensing and data collection e.g. Water health
- Mining – improving onsite health and safety e.g. Fatigue monitoring
- Agriculture and farming – monitoring livestock health e.g. Heat and location
- Utilities – asset and infrastructure condition monitoring e.g. Downed power lines or short circuits
Helping you deploy the right solution
Our priority is to understand your needs before recommending devices or a total cellular IoT solution. We can provide cellular connectivity via LTE, LTE-NBIoT or 5G.
Hardware
Our partners
Iridium Communications Inc. is the only satellite communications company that offers truly global voice and data communications.
A technology innovator and industry leader, Iridium works with over 400 value-added partners to advance the way enterprises, governments, and individuals connect through reliable, low-latency communications services.
Inmarsat’s Broadband Global Area Network – BGAN – provides both simultaneous voice and data, globally.
Offering a portfolio of guaranteed, on-demand IP streaming rates, BGAN is the service of choice for many people working in areas that have little or no terrestrial connectivity, from live broadcast media to scientists exploring for mineral deposits.
Myriota has pioneered a new way to retrieve data from anywhere on earth, either on land or at sea. In a landmark partnership with Spire Global, Myriota will deliver near real-time IoT connectivity by the end of 2022! Leveraging years of customer focused R&D and an extensive suite of patented innovations, Myriota delivers secure, low-cost, long-battery life satellite IoT connectivity.
Globalstar’s Simplex network covers Australia, New Zealand and beyond, providing a low-costsolution for applications wanting to monitor assets, while not needing too many messages per day (e.g. up to 4-6).
Key benefits of the Axonn simplex products include low cost hardware, extremely long battery life (low power) and messaging costs similar to SMS.
FAQ
Which Satellite network do I use?
This depends on the application. There are many factors such as, Mobile or Stationary, how much data is being sent and packet size etc.
Is IoT Satellite always expensive?
It will come down what is the business case is for IoT satellite and how best to measure return of investment. If the data is critical for the project, then lacking of visibility is more expensive than not having it. If the data is not that critical, but the deployment is in the middle of nowhere then having a comms infrastructure might be an over stretching for the project.
How come I can get a GPS signal however I can’t transmit my position?
GPS satellites signals behave differently, and the readings are often reflected and not very accurate. To transmit a position the satellite service needs clear view of the sky.
Do I need a VPN service with my BGAN M2M service?
No, however it is strongly recommended you use a VPN service with BGAN M2M traffic as the IP address provided by the service provider is a static public facing IP address and could be subject to DDOS attacks leading to higher data charges if the satellite service is always on.
If I am using a SIMPLEX satellite service like Globalstar can I change the polling rate when the satellite device is deployed in the field?
No you cannot. The SIMPLEX service sends data from the field to the gateway and it is not possible to communicate back out to the field. You would need to have the device in your workshop and connected to the configuration tool to change the polling rate.
Can I reconfigure my device when it’s on the field?
It is possible to reconfigure the device on the field depending on the network deployed. You need (1) two way communication satellite network and (2) device management platform allow the changes.
Connecting a sensor into a satellite modem is just plug and play – why do I need some Engineering on this?
There is no plug and play in satellite IoT (or IoT in general). Our experience demonstrate that having an holistic view of the project will impact positively in the success of the project. There is a relationship, implicit or not, between the different layers of the IoT overall architecture (i.e. sensors, power requirements, where the solution will be deployed, how often to transmit, do you need FoTA?, etc)
How much does IoT Satellite cost?
This depends on the application – however can range from for a Small packet based application.
I am reading about the varying IOT satellite IOT solutions out there such as Cubesats, eSat, are they real?
This space is certainly developing, and we are watching closely the developments of most of the proposed systems. As these systems mature we will begin to understand the key applications and costs involved for these types of solutions.
Does the BGAN M2M service use IP connections?
Yes. The BGAN M2M service is an end to end IP service with two way communications.
Do the Narrow band satellite services use IP connections?
No. The narrow band satellite services are a messaging-based protocol and work through a gateway which receives messages and store them. To access the data your application will need to request the data from the gateway to your application.
Will it work inside a shelter / on the dashboard of a car?
The simple answer to both is no. The antenna needs clear visibility of the sky.
I can ingest the data directly from the satellite network – why do I need a middleware like Asset Vision to send data into my platform? Can I remove this platform?
There is an advantage to have a ‘device management’ for each type of product. There is a trend in the market that manufacturers offer ‘device management’ rather than integrators start this piece of work from scratch, which it will take longer time
Do you have a project in mind?
Need some guidance on your next project? Or just simply want to know where to get started incorporating M2M/IoT technology into your business?
Use our contact form to submit your questions and one of our team of M2M/IoT experts will get back to you with more information.
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