Remote - M2M Special Issue 2013 - (Page 20)

Industry News Orbcomm’s Globaltrak Completes Shipment of Fuel Monitoring Solution to Afghanistan Orbcomm, Inc.’s GlobalTrak division has completed the shipment of its fuel monitoring system, which is designed to prevent theft of missioncritical fuel used by US and NATO forces in Afghanistan. A team has been deployed to manage on-site installation and launch of this system. Following an evaluation of several major companies, the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) selected GlobalTrak for this project and determined that it was the only solution provider that could demonstrate both fuel level monitoring as well as security of the fuel ports and valves. Customers include several fuel companies who have been contracted by DLA to deliver fuel to critical points around Afghanistan. This fuel monitoring system features an integrated tracking device that delivers near-real-time location, fuel level and security status of fuel tankers using cellular and satellite communication networks to a central data fusion and monitoring center. This data can be accessed by the customer through the Internet or by mobile devices. Customized reports can also be generated to meet a customer’s specific requirements. The system communicates with fuel sensors that are installed in chambers of a fuel tanker and wireless security seals that can be connected to valves or other fuel access points. This solution continuously monitors fuel levels and security status and will send an alarm in the event of a sudden breach or change in fuel level. Valuable metrics on driver and company performance for transportation contractors are also delivered and serve as a powerful forensics tool for the investigation of theft events. “The shipment of our fuel monitoring solution to Afghanistan is an exciting milestone for this project, and we are already seeing a growing market need for fuel security in areas outside the region, such as in Africa, Latin America and other parts of the Middle East, where fuel theft is also prevalent,” said Marc Eisenberg, Orbcomm’s chief executive officer. “We believe this solution will become a major deterrent to fuel theft in both military and commercial zones throughout the globe and will significantly improve operational efficiency for fuel transporters and other key stakeholders.” Telit Selected as Representative of Italian Technology Industry in Go-to-Market of Europe’s Galileo GPS Telit Wireless Solutions was selected among various applicant members of the Italian Technology Industry as one of the nation’s key representatives in the global roll-out of Europe’s Galileo ultra-accurate satellite positioning system. The selection reflects the high degree of credibility demonstrated by the Italian Government not only in the bold strategic plan proposed by Telit to accelerate global adoption of the Galileo technology, but also in the company itself. Telit also received a grant to execute its proposed strategic plan. The grant offers Telit the opportunity to accelerate its activities in development of projects for the positioning technology market. It bolsters human and financial resources required to enable Telit to advance in this market area and achieve leadership in product performance with services to match. This achievement is likely not only to enhance the company’s competitiveness but is also provide measurable boost for the Italian economy, concretely contributing tangible progress in the strategic and very high growth segment of M2M. Telit’s positioning technology R&D center is an integral part of the company’s R&D function headquartered in Trieste, Italy. The inclusion of positioning expertise stems from the company’s M&A over the past few years, which have since made it a leading designer and manufacturer of GNSS solutions for OEM applications, from personal and asset tracking to automotive solutions, incorporating over 20 years of pioneering experience with millions of high-performance GPS modules sold worldwide. Galileo is Europe’s global navigation satellite system, designed to provide a accurate, guaranteed global positioning service under civilian control. It is inter-operable with GPS and Glonass, the US and Russian global satellite navigation systems. By offering dual frequencies as standard, Galileo delivers real-time positioning accuracy down to the meter range. It ensures availability of the service under all but the most extreme circumstances and informs users within seconds of any satellite failure, making it 20 www.RemoteMagazine.com suitable for safety-critical applications such as guiding cars, running trains and landing aircraft. A range of services will be extended as the system is built up from initial operational capacity (IOC) to reach the Full Operational Capability (FOC) by this decade’s end. The fully deployed Galileo system consists of 30 satellites (27 operational, plus three active spares), positioned in three circular Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) planes at 23 222 km altitude above the Earth, and at an inclination of the orbital planes of 56 degrees to the equator. Digi Wireless Module Transforms NASA Robot from Research Project to Productive Member of Space Station Crew NASA is using Digi International’s ConnectCore Wi-i.MX53 wireless module to Wi-Fi enable its Robonaut, a humanoid-type robot that will perform routine maintenance tasks on the International Space Station (ISS). NASA’s Robonaut currently exists on the ISS as a torso, bolted to a pedestal, and is connected to the station with wires for power and control. The robot will be upgraded soon with legs and batteries that will allow it to move freely through the station. But that free movement will only be possible if all of the wires are gone, including the ones used for control and monitoring. NASA therefore installed Digi International’s ConnectCore Wi-i.MX53 wireless module to Wi-Fi enable the Robonaut. Digi International’s wireless module passed a set of tests to ensure it could survive in outer space. The wireless connectivity provided by the ConnectCore Wi-i.MX53 will help enable the Robonaut to perform routine tasks such as housekeeping and air quality testing in space. This will free up time for astronauts to conduct science experiments and other important tasks. The ConnectCore Wi-i.MX53 will also allow astronauts to manipulate the Robonaut from anywhere within the ISS or the NASA Mission Control Center on Earth. The wireless link will also transmit views from cameras on the Robonaut, allowing astronauts and NASA control team members to see what the robot is seeing in real-time and control its actions. The wireless link is part of a plan for further upgrades to Robonaut that will enable it to perform tasks outside of the space station. This could allow Robonaut to assist the crew during Extravehicular Activity (EVA), or spacewalking, tasks including work site setup and serving as an extra set of hands. B&B Electronics M2M Connectivity Equipment Passes NEMA TS2 B&B Electronics Manufacturing Company, Inc.’s range of M2M connectivity and data communications equipment has passed the NEMA TS2 standard environmental requirements, making them safe and reliable for use in Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) networks. A standard for traffic control assemblies, such as traffic lights, emergency road condition signs and walk/don’t walk signs. NEMA TS2 is designed for manufacturers to meet or exceed a minimum set of environmental requirements, including a -34°C to 74°C temperature range with 18 to 95 percent humidity over the range, and the ability to withstand 0.5g at 5 to 30 Hz vibration and 10 g’s of shock. B&B Electronics’ NEMA TS2-compliant M2M products include Ethernet switches, fiber media converters, serial isolators, Ethernet extenders, Ethernet routers and wireless communications equipment. Integrators, engineering firms and other ITS network designers are challenged to install and maintain infrastructures that enable communication across a mix of equipment and communications technologies. For instance, traffic controllers may have serial interfaces while digital signs, access points or IP cameras communicate via Ethernet. Other network design challenges are physical, such as availability of communications cables, implications of copper vs. fiber cables, and whether wireless is an option. “Our network engineers are increasingly being called in to consult on difficult projects to achieve connectivity across a mix of equipment and communications technologies, such as in ITS networks, where devices are being deployed in increasingly challenging environments, and where network boundaries are being relentlessly stretched to reach them,” said Sean Harrigan, CEO, B&B Electronics. B&B’s products cover traffic control cabinet applications in traffic control signals, digital signage, roadside radar, video surveillance, toll booths and intelligent parking systems. http://www.RemoteMagazine.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Remote - M2M Special Issue 2013

Towards Right-Sizing Security for M2M Solutions: A Practical Approach
Intelligent Power Distribution for M2M Communications
Optimizing Remote Monitoring in the Cloud
Exponential M2M Market Growth Calls for Innovative RF and Antenna Solutions
Benefits of Using Wireless Networks to Automate FAA-Mandated Obstruction Light Monitoring Requirements
Energy Management Systems For Green Buildings
M2M Products and Services
Industry News

Remote - M2M Special Issue 2013