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Instrumentation • Electronics


of 25.6 per cent. The analysts believe that this growth will result from M2M communications being used in millions of motor vehicles, utility meters, point-of-sale terminals, security alarms and other machines. For manufactures that want an easy route to integrating


M2M communications within their products, Eseye offers a system based around SIM (subscriber identity module) cards using GSM technology. Eseye emphasises that it offers a complete end-to-end service, though customers can choose to make use of just the elements of the service that they need. This is in contrast to companies that simply issue SIM cards. As part of the service,


Eseye can help in the early stages of a project by, for example, minimising the data that is sent, which reduces the network charges payable by the customer. For products manufactured in small volumes, such as factory automation, a standard modem module can be used, together with a


Fig. 2. The Nissan Leaf electric car has an M2M system from Telenor Connexion that gives owners access to data at all times, whether they are in the car or elsewhere.


conventional SIM card. However, for higher-volume goods, Eseye can develop custom embedded modules. In applications where


space and weight are critical, the module can incorporate a chip SIM instead of a SIM card. Another important aspect of the service provided by Eseye


is that the company takes care of which telecommunications network is used. Eseye says it works with all the major networks worldwide so can ensure that customers get the most cost-effective service. Furthermore, a local network is always used, regardless of where in the world the product is located, which can be as much as two orders of magnitude cheaper than paying roaming charges for data.


On products that only send data occasionally, Eseye can configure the system so that the SIM remains dormant and incurs no network charges. However, if the product’s self- diagnostic system detects a fault, or another pre-defined event occurs, the SIM is enabled and granted temporary access to the network for 24 hours so that service engineers can interrogate the product, collect more data, perform further tests and, if need be, reconfigure settings, upload software updates or take other appropriate action. As far as the engineer is concerned, it is no different to communicating with the machine via an IP address. As part of its end-to-end service, Eseye can also provide


custom PDF reporting and/or web-based interfaces so customers can view data received or interact with the M2M- enabled products via a web browser.


Electric vehicles


Eseye operates in a variety of different markets but, earlier in 2011, it joined with Liberty Electric Vehicles, which specialises in electric vehicle technologies and vehicles, to develop M2M systems for electric vehicles. Drivers want traffic news and updates to satellite navigation systems; manufacturers want access to vehicle performance and diagnostic data; and passengers want Wi-Fi access for email and the internet. Drivers of electric vehicles also need to know the charging status or they may want to defrost the vehicle’s windows or preheat the seats while the vehicle is still attached to the charging point. And they may want to do all this from a remote computer or mobile device. Eseye has therefore established a strategic relationship with Liberty Electric Vehicles to develop features for the electric car of the future, making use of M2M connectivity (Fig. 1). Meanwhile, the Nissan Leaf, which is described as the


world’s first mass-produced, 100 per cent electric, zero- emission car, is equipped with a Carwings intelligent transport (IT) system that connects the car to Nissan’s Carwings Data Centre. This system, implemented by Telenor Connexion, gives owners access to data at all times, whether they are in the car or elsewhere (Fig. 2). Features on the Nissan Carwings system that were claimed to be unique when it was introduced at the end of 2010 include electric vehicle battery status


Remote monitoring of perishable food F


resh perishable food must be transported in a timely fashion to provide consumers with the best quality; a delay of a few hours in the cooling process or distribution chain can reduce marketability of some products significantly. Stepac, a leading global supplier of real-time cold chain monitoring and tracking systems, has developed Xsense for perishable foods. This incorporates Telenor Connexion’s embedded M2M connectivity to enable the receiver of temperature- sensitive goods to know immediately, before accepting a shipment, if the proper


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temperature has been maintained for the entire trip. Telenor Connexion says more than 200 customers in the fresh produce and meat industries have already purchased Xsense systems.


Xsense provides quality-related information from inside the carton or package. Data for temperature and relative humidity is collected and transmitted wirelessly to a communication unit (CU) via standard mobile and/or LAN networks. Data is available in real time throughout the shipment and alerts can be sent via SMS or email. Geographical tracking enables customers to


monitor the progress of the shipment as well. Udi Aviran, the commercial manager at


Stepac, comments: “To wirelessly monitor the temperature of shipments as they travel along the cold chain – and the world – has a large impact not only on the quality of the produce, but also on the financial success of our customers. The return on investment of cold chains depends mainly on the reduction of food waste. However, improved efficiency, such as implementing First Expired First Out (FEFO) management, can potentially also save millions of dollars annually.” l


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