Challenging Terrain
Network topography governed by the limitations of the terrain and remote geography, makes limited infrastructure and patchy cellular connectivity challenging to overcome. Iridium satellite offers two-way connectivity, with no tower infrastructure, connecting sensors anywhere globally with a clear sky view.
Scalability
Smaller sensing projects that prove valuable, often grow into bigger deployments with more demanding needs. Our services are designed to scale, along with our customers’ growth. Our device-agnostic IoT Platform (programmatical API) and technical expertise support your development no matter how big or small.
Withstanding the Elements
Remote environments are not forgiving when it comes to testing the ruggedness of technical equipment. If sensors are located in polar regions or in a data buoy at sea, for example, they need to be tough. Our rugged, IP-rated satellite devices are capable of surviving water submergence and extreme temperatures, at land or sea.
Creating Resiliency
When sensor data connectivity is mission-critical, such as in disaster recovery, there is a risk that the existing network might fail. Satellite connectivity can provide the failover connection to ensure resilience. Keeping you in touch with the data needed to make key decisions and take responsive action.
Breaking Down Sensor Network Challenges:
Remote off-grid sensor networks can prove challenging regarding spectrum connectivity, the reliability of date and time stamps on messages received, and the frequency of node failure during transmission. Satellite connectivity provides secure, two-way, reliable connectivity for your sensor data, or redundancy, if the cellular or LPWAN network fails. Iridium’s service is renowned for its 100% global connectivity and ensures upload or download speeds of 22mbps/88mbps. Connecting you to your individual sensors, dataloggers or IoT Gateways anywhere with a clear sky view.
Our Mini and OEM devices testify to a commitment to support low-power networking. When power supply is limited, we try to keep the energy demands of our satellite devices low.
The RockREMOTE Mini provides IMT and TCP/ IP connectivity. It uses less than 0.25 watts in receive mode and peak current draw is less than 1.66 amps at 12 volts. It also supports Power over Ethernet and is easily integrated into existing enclosures.
With versatile connectivity options, our devices connect sensors, or backhaul LPWAN gateway data to destinations of your choice. All data can be managed via our Cloudloop platform or programmable API. You can route it anywhere, including your inbox, so you can pick it up from your laptop, away from volcanic or landslide activity. With pre-coded end destinations built into the Cloudloop platform, we’ve done much of the development work, so you don’t have to.
We understand the need for control and security for sensitive real-time data that inform critical decision-making, government and environmental policy, or emergency response. Supported by Cloudloop Data and NOC (Network Operating Centre), take a real-time view of your data transmissions down to packet level, IP address, and geographical origin and amend firewall rules to protect your transmissions. So you always have a handle on your satellite connectivity and network performance, giving full peace of mind.
The NOC provides a remote view of your network to quickly identify packet failure or unusual network activity. Cloudloop’s Device Manager enables you to connect to your device remotely. You can access service and system logs to enable remote troubleshooting and update the firmware of your satellite device, no matter where you are located.
“Ground Control improves the efficiency and quality of our environmental data gathering. By installing a RockBLOCK in our PTM we can guarantee a great investment and low running costs, reliability, resilience, operator ease of use installation and operation, data accuracy, quality assurance, quality control and data security.”
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Connecting your Sensors
If you're looking for a remote switch or variable sensing measurement device, the RockBLOCK Switch & Sense capabilities, with both analog and digital input/outputs and serial interfaces, plus primary satellite connectivity provide a versatile means of interfacing with remote equipment and sensor data.
The RockFLEET adds to this, with 4G LTE least-cost routing, switching to satellite if the cellular connectivity fails and keeping you connected whether your sensors are stationary or on the move.
For critical real-time data transmissions, the RockREMOTE series features edge computing and can optimize data transport to report by exception, keeping the airtime cost down. In addition to LTE failover, these devices support TCP/IP and video data compression software, enabling high-resolution image and sound capture.
Who uses Ground Control for Remote Environmental Sensing?
Scientists and Environmental Researchers
Biology and Research Technicians
University Research Programmes
Wildlife and Environment Technical Management
Photographers/Videographers
NGO’s, Government Agencies & Commissions
Environmental Charities/Activists
Satellite-Enabled Environmental Solutions
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1st July 2022Satellite-Enabled Tsunami Early Warning System
As a critical communications network, there was never any question that ASC’s early warning system would need to utilise satellite connectivity, both for the coverage requirements and network reliability. Commercial terrestrial power and communications networks tend to perform poorly in a disaster – either through overuse or damage to their infrastructure.
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5th August 2021Automated Landslide Monitoring
Slide Sentinel is a fully automated landslide monitoring system using RTK. It regularly monitors landslide activity with high spatiotemporal resolution and centimetre-level accuracy for long-term deployments. Measuring this way aids in early warning information and limits the use of invasive and expensive drilling.
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19th July 2023The role RockBLOCK 9603 Plays in the Removal of Carbon from Open Oceans
Running Tide is developing a global carbon removal system to integrate & amplify natural carbon removal pathways. Here’s how Satellite IoT – specifically the RockBLOCK 9603, powered by the Iridium network – helps.
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11th August 2021Environmental Monitoring and Reporting
A Government Agency responsible for coastal, stormwater and catchment management has assigned Ground Control customer Obscape to assist with reporting on areas such as – monitoring and reporting on catchment management, flood risk areas, storm drains and drainage ditches with the aid of the RockBLOCK.
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9th February 2023BGAN M2M’s Role in Soil Moisture Monitoring to Help Combat Climate Change
As well as optimum vegetation and crop management through soil moisture monitoring, measuring soil moisture also helps to inform our understanding of how the natural environment responds to climate change. Here’s how the IoT Pro (BGAN M2M) service is supporting this initiative.
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17th July 2023Keeping Canada’s Waterways Clean and Safe with RockBLOCK Plus
2,700 wrecked boats present a hazard for Canada’s pristine marine environment. Incorporated into Barnacle Systems’ Rapid Deploy units, here’s the role satellite IoT plays in the clean-up operation.
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13th September 2016Iceberg Monitoring with the RockSTAR
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.
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4th August 2021Preventing Illegal Deforestation
The world’s two largest rainforests, the Congo Basin and the Amazon, are under threat from illegal extraction activities. Unfortunately, authorities have long lacked the means and mechanisms to deal with these illegalities which destroy ecosystems and undermine both forest and indigenous people’s livelihoods.
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13th October 2022How RockBLOCKs Can Transform IoT Projects With Global Connectivity
Cellular connectivity only covers 15% of the globe. Learn how the RockBLOCK suite can help simplify IoT expansion with pole-to-pole connectivity.
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11th May 2019RockBLOCK selected for KTH Sweden Underwater Sensing Buoy
The Royal Institute of Technology of Sweden developed the LoTUS (long-term underwater sensing) buoy, a system for collecting oceanographic data from perhaps the most remote place on the planet – the polar region seafloor.
Would you like to Trial Our Satellite Device in Your Sensor Network?
Simply complete the form, and one of our technical team members will respond with objective, expert advice. Or 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).
