Ground Control brings its innovative RockAIR tracking system back down to earth by officially making it available for land-based applications. The move is a result of high levels of interest in RockAIR’s low-cost, dual-mode communication and feature-packed approach to tracking and safety, already enjoyed by land vehicle fleet owners and operators in the military, charity, and commercial organisations.

With RockAIR, Rock Seven (now trading as Ground Control) initially delivered a ‘carry-on’ cockpit-mounted tracking system for helicopters and light aircraft that not only provided precise location reporting globally, it also introduced new internet of things (IoT) functionality that allowed pilots to send and receive messages and data over the internet. This unique feature-set also has the power to support safety and operational efficiency for diverse users on land, especially for vehicles operated by aid agencies and the military that may be travelling in potentially risky environments.

At its core, RockAIR provides regular GPS location reports from anywhere in the world over the Iridium satellite network or GSM networks at user-defined intervals, ensuring fleet managers know the whereabouts of their assets and people at all times. The dual satellite/mobile functionality provides lower-cost GSM-based tracking when in cellular range, and reliable failover to an Iridium satellite when outside of built-up areas. GPS coordinates are automatically transmitted using whichever network is available and most cost-effective, providing an extra layer of safety and security not available in single channel systems.

RockAIR

The RockAIR is a global tracking and messaging device designed for use on the dashboard of light aircraft, rotorcraft, and land-based vehicles. It has built-in LTE Narrowband, which allows it to use terrestrial mobile phone networks when possible, automatically switching to the global Iridium satellite network when LTE Narrowband is not available.

Building on its dual mode functionality, RockAIR offers new features designed to improve safety for vehicles operating in unfamiliar or dangerous locales. It can automatically transmit a GPS position as often as every 15 seconds or as infrequently as once every 24 hours, all easily configured by the user.

It also allows tracking profiles to be setup to enable faster rates if the integrated alert button has been pressed, if external power is applied (e.g., vehicle ignition), or if cellular data is being used rather than satellite. RockAIR also features a ‘Watch Me’ feature, accessible via the keypad, which informs the provider that more active monitoring is required for a period of time, enabling personnel in vehicles to react to situations that may escalate quickly, for example, during civil unrest or active combat.

While delivering precise tracking is RockAIR’s primary application, Ground Control has integrated extra functionality that takes advantage of the always-on connection the system keeps to the Iridium satellite and GSM networks.

Users can send and receive low-cost short emails and text messages using the free (iOS/Android) companion app over Bluetooth, ensuring that regardless of location, they can report back to base. RockAIR is also a true IoT device. It features a RS-232 port, which can be used for machine-to-machine data, enabling users to connect sensors and computing platforms to the internet. A Bluetooth API makes it easy for organisations to create their own apps that make use of the highly reliable connectivity RockAIR provides to benefit their specific operations.
 

Nick Farrell, director at Rock Seven (now trading as Ground Control), said: “While NGO and military organisations face completely different challenges from the general aviation sector, RockAIR’s tracking and data functionality is just as effective for improving safety and logistics on the dashboard of an SUV or troop carrier as it is in the cockpit of a helicopter or light aircraft. The interest we’ve received from organisations looking at land applications for RockAIR is huge, and we encourage fleet owners to get in touch to discuss how the system can help them to monitor and control their vehicles more effectively and for a lower cost.”

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Ground Control offers users the ability to connect to all Gill meteorological sensors, taking key data on a regular basis and transmitting it over satellites at an affordable price.

Collecting data from extremely remote systems is now becoming commonplace, and there are a number of existing GSM/GPRS services which allow this. However, they assume that there’s some form of mobile network coverage, whereas a lot of extremely remote installations are far from civilization or in areas where there are gaps in the mobile network coverage.

Now, there’s a way to collect data from your remote sensors regardless of where the systems are installed, using the global network of Iridium satellites and the RockFLEET‘s M2M/IoT ability.

Alongside the meteorological data, the RockFLEET unit also transmits position data – particularly useful where installed on buoys or other equipment that may move position either accidentally or by design. By getting regular position reports, you can receive early warnings if your equipment is moving off-station. RockFLEET is designed to provide global tracking and M2M/IoT (machine-to-machine / internet of things) data communication from anywhere in the world.

Rock Seven (now trading as Ground Control) has added compatibility with the ThingSpeak Open IoT (internet of things) platform for its RockBLOCK portfolio of plug-and-play two-way satellite communications systems.

Enabling users to aggregate, visualise, and analyse live data streams in the cloud, the combination of RockBLOCK and ThingSpeak will enable significant time and cost efficiencies for scientists and organisations deploying remote research and monitoring stations anywhere in the world.

With RockBLOCK providing a low-cost satellite data link and ThingSpeak’s ability to negate the need for an organisation to buy and manage its own servers, databases and associated infrastructure, the whole scientific process from data collection in the field and transmission through to analysis and communication of results can be significantly streamlined and automated. Data is transmitted direct to ThingSpeak servers via RockBLOCK, where users can access it using a sophisticated toolset that enables effective management and dissemination of the data.

With the ability to execute MATLAB® code in ThingSpeak, data can be quickly analysed and processed as soon as it arrives in the cloud. Storing data in the cloud provides easy access to data and using ThingSpeak’s online analytical tools, it can be easily explored and visualised, enabling faster discovery of relationships, patterns, and trends in data. Within ThingSpeak, data can be converted and combined, and new data can be calculated then visualised in plots, charts, and gauges. ThingSpeak also schedules calculations to run at certain times and enables data to be combined from multiple channels to build a more sophisticated analysis.

Before this, the innovative RockBLOCK system provides highly reliable delivery of the data from anywhere in the world. The system has been embraced by science and research users at sea and on land because of its low-cost, straightforward approach to adding data connectivity to almost any research platform or commercial product. It interfaces seamlessly with all mainstream computing platforms from Windows, Mac, and Linux through to the new breed of miniature computing hardware such as Arduino™, Raspberry PI™ and Intel Edison, which are widely used to power distributed scientific and environmental research nodes located in remote regions.
 

“RockBLOCK is the ideal complement to the ThingSpeak platform,” said Nick Farrell, Director, Rock Seven (now trading as Ground Control). “Together, they create a very low-cost yet powerful solution to collect data from remote locations, analyse it using industry standard technology and finally act on it through the use of automatic alerts or social media postings. While RockBLOCK is taking care of the connectivity side of remote monitoring, integration with ThingSpeak enables users to deliver data directly to the cloud and manage it quickly and securely”

 
ThingSpeak is compatible with the entire RockBLOCK portfolio, including the brand-new RockBLOCK 9603, an even smaller variant of the sophisticated RockBLOCK MK II solution. Thousands of RockBLOCK systems already provide machine-to-machine (M2M) data communication over Iridium’s global satellite network for thousands of professional users at sea and on land, in addition to providing a low-cost data link for private users in the burgeoning ‘maker community’.

Find out more about the ThingSpeak platform at https://thingspeak.com.

In the Irkutsk region of Russia (Lake Baikal), there are a lot of national parks and reserves. These are very remote and difficult-to-reach locations where hunting is usually prohibited – but there are a lot of poachers. There are no mobile phone masts or means of terrestrial communication.

In the woods of Irkutsk, there are a lot of small wooden huts. They’re called “zimniki” – a shelter which gives a safe place for park rangers to stay overnight. The rangers go to each hut twice a year as a routine. One of the park ranger’s jobs is to try to prevent poaching, but with such a huge area in such an inhospitable environment, that’s an incredibly hard job… and so they have come up with an ingenious way to do it!

This year they visited each of the wooden huts in November and left one RockSTAR tracker in each hut, hidden away, sending a report once a day. As well as automatically sending tracking data from anywhere on Earth, the RockSTAR units have an inbuilt temperature sensor with an alert mode, and so the park rangers set this at five degrees C. If the temperature went above that, the RockSTAR would send a special alert message.

RockSTAR

The RockSTAR Two-Way Messenger is a truly global communication device and tracking system. It allows you to send and receive short messages from anywhere on Earth with a clear view of the sky. It works far beyond the reach of Wi-Fi and GSM networks.

To survive in the harsh temperatures, the poachers will use the huts to get through the night. When they visit the huts, they’ll warm them up and trigger the temperature alert. And, hey presto, the message is received immediately, and the local authorities know exactly which hut is being used by a poacher that night.

This feature was never designed for this use but we fully support any use of our equipment which helps protect the world in which we live, so congratulations to the lateral-thinking rangers, and to our Russian partner MVS, on helping them achieve their goals.

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With over 20 years of satellite experience, the Ground Control team is well placed to help keep you connected when it matters the most. Whatever your communication or connectivity needs, we can help. Talk to one of our team to discover our products and services and how they can benefit, improve and streamline your applications.
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With the growing need to secure new data from remote and inhospitable areas of scientific interest balanced against commercial challenges and tough competition for academic budgets as a background, Ground Control reported an upsurge in its Iridium satellite communication products being used for environmental science applications in both the Arctic and Antarctic.

Several successful deployments have proven the robustness of the company’s RockBLOCK and RockFLEET systems, highlighting their suitability for reducing costs not only in the research sector, but also in commercial industries such as oil & gas and mining.

Ground Control is the manufacturer of the innovative RockBLOCK, a tiny device that can be integrated with most computing platforms to provide global data transmission capabilities even at the Poles. The system is currently being used by a team from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research – New Zealand (NIWA) to measure the effects of storm waves on sea ice. RockBLOCK has been integrated on specially developed wave buoys deployed on to sea ice floes in the Arctic and Antarctic by NIWA. The system transmits GPS position and signal strength data from the buoys every hour, allowing the teams to plot the movement of the ice against wave data.
 

Project contributor Scott Penrose, software architect at Digital Dimensions, said: “The research is vital as it supports investigation into current environmental changes at the Poles while informing the development of future models. RockBLOCK helps us collect data from our wave buoys using Iridium short burst data, which is the easiest and most cost-effective way, especially considering the low cost of the device itself. Despite this, the system is more than capable of operating in such extreme environments while providing reliable data according to our set schedule.”

 
Ground Control’s Iridium technology is also being used in the Arctic by the Laboratory for Cryospheric Research, which is dedicated to the monitoring and understanding of the frozen earth including glaciers, ice caps, ice shelves, snow, and sea ice.

Laboratory members are undertaking research across northern Canada, including monitoring glacier changes in Kluane National Park, examining ice shelf and sea ice interactions along northern Ellesmere Island, and measuring glacier and ice cap dynamics across the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. A team from the laboratory is using Ground Control’s RockFLEET product, combined with a solar panel and extra battery pack, to provide long term position monitoring of sea ice in the region.
 

Nick Farrell, director of Rock Seven (now trading as Ground Control), said: “Operating in such extreme environments can be costly, so research teams are looking at ways to reduce their spend. RockBLOCK and RockFLEET fulfil this need, whilst still providing the reliability of much more expensive systems, in terms of hardware and airtime costs. There’s real potential for technology transfer from research to commercial industries based on these developments. We’re seeing more interest from the oil and gas industry for instance, where data originating at facilities in remote or hazardous locations can inform if an engineer needs to visit or not.”

 
Designed to work with any platform with a serial or USB port, including Arduino™, Raspberry PI™, and Intel Edison, as well as Windows, Mac, and Linux computers, RockBLOCK is a simple and reliable way to integrate two-way communication into sensor and measurement based research projects. It can send messages of 340 bytes and receive messages of 270 bytes using Iridium short burst data, which offers global, pole-to-pole coverage. At just 76.0 x 51.5 x 19.0mm, the system can be integrated easily into almost any sensor station. The RockFLEET system offers the same communication capabilities as RockBLOCK but comes in a sealed form factor for permanent installation.

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We've implemented satellite IoT infrastructure for decades, and there's very rarely been an obstruction issue we couldn't overcome with a bit of knowledge and ingenuity.

We'd be happy to talk to you about your project and offer impartial advice on the best antenna and satellite service for your particular requirements. Call or email us, or complete the form.
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The Laboratory for Cryospheric Research is dedicated to the monitoring and understanding of the frozen earth, including glaciers, ice caps, ice shelves, snow, and sea ice. The facility was opened in September 2007, with funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation, Ontario Research Fund, and University of Ottawa.

Laboratory members are undertaking research across northern Canada, including monitoring glacier changes in Kluane National Park, examining ice shelf and sea ice interactions along northern Ellesmere Island, and measuring glacier and ice cap dynamics across the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The Laboratory for Cryospheric Research is based in the Department of Geography at the University of Ottawa, and directed by Dr. Luke Copland.

Dr Copland is using our RockSTAR product, combined with a solar panel and extra battery pack, to provide long-term position monitoring of the sea ice. He’s sent some wonderful pictures back showing the setup, and it’s amazing to see just how large these floating blocks of ice are.

You can find out more about the project here: https://cryospheric.org/.

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We take pride in designing and building the RockSTAR ourselves. Over the years we've enhanced and added features based on feedback and specific customer requests, to ensure our device meets your needs.

Simply complete the form to find out whether the RockSTAR is the right fit for your organization. With our 20 years of expertise, we'll guide you in making the optimal choices for your critical communication requirements. If you prefer to speak to someone directly, call us on +44 (0) 1452 751940 (Europe, Asia, Africa) or +1.805.783.4600 (North and South America).
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Instant Detect is a State-of-the-Art Conservation System

Instant Detect is a conservation system designed to remotely monitor wildlife population and movements, and to play a leading role in anti-poaching efforts. The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) developed Instant Detect with funding from Google’s Global Impact Award, which it won in 2013.

UK-Based Remote Monitoring

With the monitoring HQ in London, the Instant Detect cyber safety net is a truly global application of technology. The system has been used in Antarctica to monitor penguin populations and in Kenya in collaboration with the Kenyan Wildlife Service to tackle elephant and rhino poaching. The Tsavo region of Kenya alone has seen more than 1,000 rhinos killed in the last 18 months.

Traditional wildlife monitoring systems rely on SD cards or mobile cellular networks to save or upload images and data. These systems suffer due to lack of real-time imagery or simply don’t work when mobile coverage is lacking.

Joint Collaboration

Instant Detect was developed in collaboration with Cambridge consultants Iridium, Seven Technologies Group, and Wireless Innovation Ltd (now trading as Ground Control) in response to these issues. The covert system now sends data instantly via satellite to the ZSL team. When human activities trigger the system sensors – particularly with the presence of metal – the team alerts rangers to the presence of poachers with photographic proof. This early warning allows local enforcement to react quickly and keep a virtual eye on remote regions.

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Whether you have your own Environmental monitoring and reporting software, or are an OEM responsible for manufacturing meteorological sensors, if you want to explore integration options with Ground Control's satellite connectivity devices, we'd love to hear from you. Simply complete the form and one of our experienced team will contact you.
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We’re pleased to announce that SparkFun are now an official distributor of the RockBLOCK 9603 and RockBLOCK 9602 units in the USA.

The RockBLOCK 9603 allows you to send and receive short messages from anywhere on Earth, so long as you have a clear view of the sky. It works far beyond the reach of Wi-Fi and GSM networks. It’s perfect for the electronics hobbyist or maker who wants to transmit weather information from mid-ocean or use it to control their robot in the middle of the desert.

SparkFun is an online retail store that sells the bits and pieces to make your electronics projects possible. No matter what your vision is, their products and resources are designed to make the world of electronics more accessible to the average person.

In addition to products, SparkFun, through their Department of Education, offers classes and online tutorials designed to help educate individuals in the wonderful world of embedded electronics. Their ever-growing product catalog boasts over 3,500 components and widgets designed to help you unleash your inner inventor.

See the RockBLOCK 9603 and RockBLOCK 9602 on the Sparkfun website.

Already established as an innovative, low-cost satcom system for commercial M2M applications and internet of things (IoT) developers, Rock Seven (now trading as Ground Control)’s RockBLOCK plug and play two-way global communications system has been upgraded to offer more flexibility for commercial users. In addition to more standardised interfacing, RockBLOCK Mk2 now offers the choice of using an on board or external Iridium antenna.

Designed to work with any platform with a serial or USB port, including Arduino, Raspberry PI,  Intel Edison, as well as Windows, Mac, and Linux computers, RockBLOCK is a simple and reliable way to integrate two-way communication into any sensor or automation focused product design. It can send messages of 340 bytes and receive messages of 270 bytes using Iridium short burst data (SBD), which offers global, pole-to-pole coverage.

New features in RockBLOCK Mk2 include the addition of an optional SMA connector, so external antennas can be used instead of the onboard patch antenna. Rock Seven has also changed its equipment interface approach, replacing the original RockBLOCK’s proprietary break-out connector with a standard 0.1″ pitch connector. Both developments are aimed at giving greater flexibility when developing communication capabilities at the design stage of a project, whilst enabling simpler installation and interfacing.

As an easy-to-implement and operate system suitable for all levels of technical expertise, RockBLOCK provides a diverse user-base with a reliable way to communicate with and control equipment remotely. RockBLOCK Mk2 is designed to support commercial organisations in their effort to extend the IoT to remote areas, from the deserts and poles to oilfields, wind farms, and near-space.

Launched alongside the ‘Naked’ RockBLOCK Mk2 is a new version delivered in a robust case, called RockBLOCK Plus. Designed for rugged applications, RockBLOCK Plus is encapsulated in a waterproof IP68 housing and includes a 3m lead. It takes 9-30v DC power (instead of 5v on the standard RockBLOCK Mk2) and RS-232 signals (instead of UART).

RockBLOCK+ is ideally suited for use by commercial organisations operating in hazardous or inclement environments and is especially relevant for maritime application on workboats or ‘smart buoys’.

RockBLOCK Mk2 is a low-cost way to integrate remote machine-to-machine (M2M) communication functionality into any project. The product and service is available globally from Rock Seven or via international re-sellers.