Smart Industrial IoT
Ruggedized IoT tracking and smart metering
Remote monitoring of devices, reliable data transmission, reduced downtime, increased security and low power consumption - our IoT solutions for the smart industrial sector offer all this.

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Solutions for Smart Industrial IoT

Smart Construction Equipment with Automated Data Transmission

BCD Atlantik and our Partners offer innovative solutions for the smart industrial market. Over the past few years, the introduction of the Internet-of-Things (IoT) technology has gained increased popularity in various industries, including the construction industry. As an experienced partner in the smart industrial sector, we can support you in any step of creating powerful, innovative, and robust appliances using our full portfolio of components and modules, services, and customer-specific integration options (partial or complete solutions/ ODM products).

Our next-generation solutions enable a more digitalized and significantly more efficient operation of your equipment on construction sites and in other rough environments worldwide. With benefits like remote monitoring and tracking of equipment, consistent automatized data collection and analysis, decreased downtimes, low power consumption, and higher safety, our solutions can essentially improve your business‘ operations.


IoT technologies for the construction sector (On-Board-Units)

One of the most promising applications of IoT technology for the challenging needs of the construction sector is the use of on-board units (OBUs) in construction machinery. These specially designed and robust OBUs can be used to automate and optimize tracking, data collection, and processing. An OBU is a small, battery-powered device that can either be built into existing construction equipment or installed in new equipment. The product is designed to collect data from the equipment through a standardized interface and transmit it to the cloud. One of the biggest advantages of OBUs in construction equipment is the ability to automate data transmission, which can significantly reduce the time and effort required to collect and analyze machine data.

This can improve overall machine efficiency, reduce downtime and increase safety. For example, an on-board unit can record a construction vehicle's fuel consumption and notify the maintenance crew automatically when the vehicle needs to be refueled. OBUs for construction equipment typically feature a rugged, waterproof design that can withstand demanding outdoor conditions. OBUs usually have an IP67 rating, so they can survive up to 30 minutes in water up to a depth of one meter without damage. This makes them ideal for use in wet environments and for high-pressure cleaning. 
 

In addition to being waterproof, OBUs for construction machinery are designed to withstand extreme temperatures and vibrations. They typically have an operating temperature range of -40°C to +85°C and are resistant to strong vibration as well as shocks.
To enable remote tracking of construction equipment, OBUs often include a GPS module for location tracking and an accelerometer for motion detection. This allows construction companies to monitor the location and movement of their equipment in real time, increasing security and reducing the risk of theft. Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) technology is now the first choice for long distance connectivity when accessing these IoT devices remotely in harsh environments.

The integration of IoT technology into construction machinery offers a sophisticated solution for automated data collection and increased efficiency of machines in the construction industry. Due to extensive experience in the implementation of software protocols (Atlantik Services) and the optimisation of RF antenna adaptations and sensor technology (Antenova/AKM), the ODM solutions enable an optimised time-to-market strategy. With their robust design, waterproofing and wide-ranging connectivity, these on-board units are well suited to meet the needs of the construction industry and support its digital transformation.
 

Integration of a Quectel BG77 IoT module for a robust IoT tracker

Next-generation IoT tracking solutions to reduce downtime and opportunity costs


TARGET CUSTOMERS:

  • Construction Machinery
  • Construction Equipment
  • Both light equipment (such as rammers and plate compactors)
  • Heavy Equipment (such as rollers and road pavers)
  • Equipment for harsh environmental conditions

 

MAKING USE OF FEATURES:

  • Operation temp range -40 °C to +85 °C
  • IP68 proof
  • 15G level gravity secure

     

Feel free to contact us for information on optimizing operations on remote construction sites and as well as transparency, productivity, and profitability!

Smart Metering

For Challenging Deployment Landscapes

The metering device itself is just one of the challenges involved in smart meter deployment. Since a smart meter per definition must be connected to enable the transmission of data, connectivity is a mission-critical requirement. There is not only one correct choice of network technology for connecting smart meters since each use case has different characteristics. The range of technologies used extends from utility private mesh wireless networks to Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) technologies such as LoRaWAN and Sigfox to the cellular market with Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) and LTE-M. In addition, there is also 2G cellular used in some markets.
 

Various connection options

Despite these differences, metering companies are choosing to focus on a limited number of connectivity options, with NB-IoT and LTE-M leading the market for cellular metering. Connectivity decisions are increasingly based on cost, security, coverage, power consumption, and potential throughput of connectivity. Each of these factors can lead to the success or failure of rollouts and therefore must be carefully considered against one another to find the ideal solution. 
In terms of coverage, nearly complete nationwide coverage, capable of reaching meters in difficult locations such as underground basements or service rooms of large buildings, is required. To achieve this throughout the country, more than one connectivity solution may be required wherefore multiple versions of meters may be needed. This may be suboptimal, but necessary to ensure complete coverage.

Another limitation is battery life. With a useful life of two decades or more, utility companies need energy-efficient meters. The expense of battery replacement can ruin a utility's profitability. Therefore, low-power solutions with the capacity to still transmit the data needed by utilities and their partners are very appealing. Prior to Release 13 of 3GPP*, when PSM and eDRX capabilities did not exist for Cat-1 and above classifications, installations over 10 to 15 years were not possible. Now, innovative chipsets and modules enable the lowest power consumption a microcontroller unit (MCU) can achieve.
*3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is a worldwide cooperation of standardization bodies for standardization in mobile communications

 

Now, innovative chipsets and modules enable the lowest power consumption a microcontroller unit (MCU) can achieve.

QUECTEL BC660K-GL

Quectel's BC660K-GL module is based on Qualcomm's latest chipset, QCX212, and is specifically designed to fulfill the requirements of the smart metering sector. The module has a notably low power consumption, which is essential for installations intended to be in operation for 15 or 20 years. BC660K-GL enables long-term use due to its extremely low extended DRX power consumption and PSM consumption of less than one micro Ampere. In fact, power consumption is as low as 800 nano Amperes, and depending on the usage cycle, daily consumption can range as low as 5 to 20 microns. These are extremely energy-efficient levels at which a typical MCU would go into deep sleep. This makes the BC660K-GL an extremely powerful module for the smart metering market.

With our expertise in the field, we provide you with technical consulting and design support for your custom project and are available to collaborate with you in developing a field-tested platform.

Recommended products & options

Specially developed for industrial IoT applications

 

LTE-EVB-KIT + BG77-TE-A

UMTS & LTE development kit
  • Two (U)SIM interfaces
  • Two UART interfaces
  • Multiple audio interfaces
  • USB interface
  • Keypads and LED indicator lights 
  • Suitable modules: UC20, UGxx1), EC2x2), FC20 series3), EG95

BC660K

LTE NB-2 Development Kit
  • Evalboard
  • NB-IoT antenna with SMA connector
  • Micro USB cable

BG77-LGA

Narrowband | CatM & GNSS Module
  • Multimode LPWA module
  • USB 2.0 interface
  • Integrated RAM and Flash in baseband chipset
  • Hardware-based security functions
  • Extended temperature range from -40 °C to +85 °C
  • Supports LTE Cat M1, LTE Cat NB2 and integrated GNSS 
  • Complies with 3GPP Release 14 specification

BC660KGLAA-I03-SNASA

NB2 IoT Module
  • Compact, multi-band LTE Cat NB2 module
  • Ultra-low power consumption
  • Ultra-low Cost
  • Built-in eSIM
  • Wide power supply range: 2.2-4.3 V
  • LCC package facilitates high volume production
  • Compatible with Quectel GSM/GPRS M66 and NB-IoT BC66 modules, enabling easier upgrades in the future
  • Numerous embedded Internet service protocols
  • Multi-band and rich external interfaces for convenient application

AK09918C

Compass sensor

AK09918C realizes the smallest size 0.76 mm × 0.76 mm × 0.5 mm (63% of the size of the conventional product AK09916C) of our company, while maintaining the high performance of the conventional product AK09916C.

AKM compass sensor, 4-pin WL-CSP package. (Power supply 2 pins, 2 pins for I2C communication), Power supply: 1.65V-1.95V, Measurement range +- 4.9µT, Resolution 16bit, Power consumption: 1.1mA@ 100Hz ODR, Interface: I2C

SR4L034-R

Inversa 4G-Antenna

Antenova's Inversa 4G antenna for LTE applications is a high-performing product with a very compact size. It allows you to have a left and right version and use them as single or in pairs for MIMO. This makes the Inversa perfect for small tracking devices, on-board diagnostic devices and for devices with limited space.