Topic: Iridium
Integrating RockREMOTE Mini with the CR1000 Data Logger
In this integration, we’re bringing together two proven technologies to solve a common challenge in remote monitoring: reliably transmitting environmental data from locations with no terrestrial connectivity.
The Campbell Scientific CR1000 is a widely used data logger known for its durability and flexibility in harsh environments. By pairing it with the RockREMOTE Mini, a compact satellite device simultaneously supporting both IP and IMT communication over the Iridium Certus 100 network, we enable robust, low-power data transmission from virtually anywhere on Earth. This document outlines how the integration works, the benefits of each device, and the steps to get a system up and running.
Note: while our testing was with the CR1000, this solution will also work with the newer Campbell Scientific data logger models: CR1000x and CR1000Xe.
Why the Campbell Scientific CR1000 Series is so Prolific
The CR1000 and its successors are renowned for their versatility, reliability and robust performance in harsh environmental conditions. They support a wide range of sensors and communication protocols, making them the go-to choice for remote sensing applications. With CRBasic programming, data collection and processing can also be customized to meet specific needs, enabling bespoke, efficient, and reliable monitoring in a range of diverse scenarios.
Whether monitoring water quality or glacier temperatures at Mt. Everest, their ability to collect and process data has made them a cornerstone of environmental monitoring systems worldwide.
When paired with RockREMOTE Mini, the CR1000 becomes a truly global resource, capable of operating autonomously in even the most remote and harsh locations. By combining these two devices with a modest solar solution, users can deploy a fully self-sustaining system that ensures reliable data monitoring and access anywhere in the world, even in areas where no terrestrial networks are available.
Introducing RockREMOTE Mini
RockREMOTE Mini is an efficient and compact satellite communications device designed for connecting devices where terrestrial networks are unavailable. It utilizes the Iridium Certus 100 service and simultaneously can send data over both IMT (Iridium Message Transport) and IP (Internet Protocol). This allows you to take advantage of the easy and standards-based approach of IP for a PoC and then leverage the efficiency of IMT when scale is required.
With both Serial Communication (RS232/RS485) and Ethernet (with PoE+) available, the Mini is straightforward to integrate. The Mini’s Sleep pin allows for dynamic power management, which is particularly beneficial for solar-powered or battery-operated deployments. The Mini has a very low standby draw of only 300 mW while still being able to receive communications. It can be advantageous to put the Mini to sleep when power is at an absolute premium. An inbuilt GNSS receiver also allows the Mini to provide a time source for multiple connected devices over SNTP.
While it’s very straightforward to integrate the RockREMOTE Mini with your hardware, it is equally simple to get or view your data with our Cloudloop platform. You can use Cloudloop Data to view the data directly or have Cloudloop forward the data to your server. Crucially, Cloudloop functions as a translator between Iridium’s IMT protocol and many of the web standards that you are familiar with, for example, HTTP webhook, Azure Queue, MQTT, ThingsSpeak, AWS SQS & S3, to name a few. This means that integration is fast and efficient, allowing you to utilize the most efficient protocol for the satellite portion of the network and the most convenient one on the server side.
For IP, Cloudloop NOC provides clear packet tracing and troubleshooting, including the ability to set Inbound and Outbound firewall rules to ensure your device is protected and set up for your requirements.
Cloudloop Device Manager can also be used to manage devices by updating their firmware and configuration over the air, ensuring they remain up-to-date without requiring physical access.
Iridium Messaging Transport (IMT) vs IP
We have discussed using the most appropriate transport method for different parts of the network. This is crucial for keeping airtime costs down while also allowing for easy development. The table below gives a quick overview of the differences. Cloudloop enables you to benefit from the upsides of both.
| Iridium Messaging Transport (IMT) | IP-Based Communication | |
|---|---|---|
| Data Size | Small to medium data packets (max 100 KB per message) | Larger data transfers (unlimited size) |
| Cost | Lower cost per message (no headers, data only) | Higher cost per message (headers, TCP/UDP) |
| Use Case | Periodic sensor readings, status updates, scheduled reporting, configuration changes | Real time monitoring, program updates, large chunks of data transfers, and constant reporting |
| Integration | Requires CRBasic formatting to implement AT commands | Seamless – plug and play |
RockREMOTE Mini operates over Iridium’s Certus 100 Network, offering speeds of 22 Kbps up and 88 Kbps down to the remote terminal. IP is ideal for quick and easy integration with existing systems, leveraging standard TCP/UDP protocols, as well as Outbound, Inbound Port Filtering, and Port Forwarding.
In contrast, IMT is a message-based protocol that transmits data in Base64 format, eliminating the overhead of headers and limiting the message size to 100 KB. While IP requires no additional development work, IMT involves creating a CRBasic program to communicate with the Mini over a serial port using AT commands. This can add complexity, but it provides complete control over the transmitted data, making it a cost-efficient option for low-bandwidth applications.
For example, if an application involves transmitting temperature readings from a dozen sensors every hour, IMT would be the most cost-effective option. On the other hand, if you need to update the CR1000’s program remotely, retrieve a whole day’s worth of data, or monitor the data constantly, IP would be the better option. This highlights the flexibility of the RockREMOTE Mini since it can communicate both over IP and IMT at the same time.
How we Integrated the RockREMOTE Mini and CR1000
1. Connections:
- Connect the Mini’s brown Sleep pin to the CR1000’s C1 for power control
- Connect the Mini’s orange 0V-REF pin to the CR1000’s Ground
- Temperature sensor to 1H and 1L on the CR1000.
2. Serial Communication (for IMT):
- Mini communicates with the CR1000 via COM2 at 115200 baud
- Connect TX (CR1000) to RX (Mini) and RX (CR1000) to TX (Mini).
3. Ethernet Communication (for IP Inbound/Outbound Port Configuration):
- Connect the Mini’s Ethernet port to the CR1000 or a local switch
- Assign a static IP to the CR1000 in the Mini’s network range (e.g. 192.168.250.2).
Whether you’re optimizing for cost, scalability, or accessibility, the RockREMOTE Mini and CR1000 can deliver a tailored solution that meets your needs.
This CRBasic code snippet runs on our CR1000 Logger, managing the Mini’s power state based on temperature thresholds. Initially, the Mini is in Sleep Mode. When the upper temperature threshold is exceeded, the Mini wakes up and begins transmitting data. It continues transmitting until the temperature drops below the lower threshold, at which point it returns to Sleep Mode.
Michael Mitrev – Solutions Architect
Graduating with a 1st Class Degree in Computer Systems and Networks Engineering and joining the team in 2024, Michael has been closely involved in the development of the RockREMOTE Mini and is passionate about its growth and success.
He’s also contributed to the RockBLOCK RTU, ensuring the device integrates seamlessly with data loggers to create highly sought-after solutions – primarily focusing on testing with Campbell’s CR1000.
Ready to get started?
If you’re interested in learning more about how the RockREMOTE Mini can transform your remote monitoring capabilities, contact us for a personalized consultation.
Complete the form, or email hello@groundcontrol.com, and we will reply within one working day.
Report: How Satellite IoT Connectivity Supports Data Security
Securing IoT Data: Why Satellite Connectivity Matters
As industries become more reliant on IoT technology to monitor and manage remote operations, the security of IoT data has never been more critical. From energy infrastructure to national utilities, Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) organizations handling sensitive data are prime targets for cyberattacks. While cellular and terrestrial networks have long been the backbone of connectivity, their vulnerabilities are increasingly being exposed.
This is where satellite connectivity stands apart. Satellite networks offer global coverage, operate independently of local terrestrial infrastructure, and provide enhanced security features to mitigate cyber threats. However, like any technology, they’re not without risk. Our latest report, How Satellite IoT Connectivity Supports Data Security Measures, delves into the specific security challenges and solutions that satellite connectivity offers for IoT applications.
Read Data Security Report
Key Insights from the Report
1. The Growing Cybersecurity Threat to IoT Networks
Critical national infrastructure sectors, including energy, utilities, and transportation, are facing an increasing number of cyber and physical threats. Attacks on property, plus DNS poisoning, DDoS attacks, and Man-in-the-Middle attacks are just a few of the risks that can disrupt operations or compromise data integrity. Organizations must adopt a proactive security strategy to safeguard their IoT deployments.
2. Why Satellite IoT Offers a More Secure Alternative
Unlike terrestrial networks, satellite connectivity does not rely on local ISPs or cellular towers, making it less susceptible to traditional cyberattacks. High encryption standards, private network options, and advanced threat detection make satellite communications a strong choice for securing IoT data.
3. How to Mitigate the Limitations of Satellite Data Security
While satellite networks provide strong security advantages, they are not immune to threats. The report explores best practices, such as end-to-end encryption, network segmentation, and failover protection, that organizations can implement to further strengthen their security posture.
4. Expert Insights from Leading Satellite Providers
The report includes expert perspectives from industry leaders, including Viasat, TSAT, and Iridium, highlighting the measures these providers take to enhance security for IoT applications. From private satellite networks to real-time monitoring and AI-powered threat detection, these insights help organizations make informed decisions about securing their satellite IoT deployments.
If your organization relies on IoT connectivity for critical operations, understanding the security implications of your network choice is essential. Our comprehensive report provides the insights and strategies you need to enhance your security posture and protect your data from emerging threats.
Download the full report now to learn how satellite can be a key component of your IoT security strategy.
- Discover the level of confidence the general public has in CNI organizations’ data security measures
- Learn from industry leaders about best practices for securing critical infrastructure
- See how past attacks have exploited vulnerabilities in terrestrial networks
- Compare security measures across different satellite networks
- Get the knowledge you need to make informed choices about secure connectivity.
Can we help level up data security for your organization?
We’ve delivered connectivity solutions for critical national infrastructure projects for over 20 years. Our expertise in satellite technology, combined with a deep understanding of mission-critical applications, allows us to tailor solutions to meet your specific needs.
By partnering with Ground Control, you gain access to a team that is not only well-versed in the latest satellite technologies but also dedicated to helping you secure your communications, mitigate risks, and ensure that your operations stay connected no matter the challenges.
Complete the form, or email hello@groundcontrol.com to be connected to one of our expert team.
How Satellite IoT Makes Predictive Maintenance Possible Anywhere
Manufacturing and Heavy Industry operations around the world rely on their machinery to get the job done, efficiently and effectively. The cost of equipment failure and the resulting unplanned downtime has serious consequences for the bottom line, with medium unplanned downtime costs approximately $125,000 per hour. When inflationary pressures, supply chain demands and raw material costs are factored in, unplanned downtime costs for Heavy Industry were calculated as $59 million per year in 2023.
Faced with the need to minimize the business impact of unplanned downtime for critical equipment, industries with heavy assets and significant downtime costs, such as oil & gas and mining, are leading the way in adopting Predictive Maintenance solutions.
By incorporating satellite connected IoT sensors, Heavy Industries operating in remote locations can reliably monitor machinery in real time and react quickly to avoid equipment failures and keep assets operational. The data from satellite-connected sensors on equipment forms a vital component of deploying Predictive Maintenance programs in industries with high asset costs.
What is Predictive Maintenance?
Predictive Maintenance (PdM) is a proactive, data-driven approach that uses advanced technologies – such as condition monitoring, machine learning (ML) and IoT devices – to anticipate equipment failures and schedule maintenance before disruptions occur. By analyzing real-time data from sensors installed on machinery, PdM identifies early signs of wear, faults, or deterioration, enabling timely intervention to prevent costly downtime.
Unlike time-based or reactive maintenance, PdM optimizes equipment performance by triggering maintenance tasks only when specific conditions indicate a need. This approach improves equipment reliability, reduces maintenance expenses, and extends the lifespan of assets. AI-powered analytics and IoT-enabled sensors track key metrics like temperature, pressure or vibration, providing continuous insights into machine performance. When thresholds are exceeded, PdM systems issue alerts or initiate maintenance work orders.
The goal of PdM is to enhance operational efficiency by minimizing unplanned downtime, lowering maintenance costs, and ensuring asset reliability. Industries such as manufacturing, energy, and transportation rely on PdM to align maintenance activities with actual equipment conditions, maximizing productivity and supporting cost-effective, sustainable operations.
What is the Difference between Predictive and Preventive Maintenance?
Although often used interchangeably, Predictive Maintenance (PdM) and Preventive Maintenance (PM) are distinct approaches to equipment upkeep, each suited to different operational needs.
Preventive Maintenance follows a scheduled approach, performing maintenance at regular intervals based on time or measurable usage units, such as engine hours or production cycles. This method ensures equipment is inspected and maintained before issues arise, but it does not consider the actual condition of the asset.
For instance, a Mining operation may replace drill components every six months, regardless of whether those components show signs of wear. While this minimizes the chance of failure, it may result in premature replacements or unnecessary downtime.
Predictive Maintenance leverages real-time data from IoT sensors and advanced analytics to monitor the actual condition of assets. Maintenance is performed only when necessary, based on insights into potential failures or performance degradation.
For example, IoT sensors on a Combine Harvester may detect rising temperatures or irregular vibrations, indicating wear and tear. Predictive maintenance enables technicians to address the issue before a failure occurs, minimizing downtime and repair costs.
Comparing the Two Approaches
| Preventative Maintenance | Predictive Maintenance | |
|---|---|---|
| Basis for Maintenance | Time or Usage Intervals | Real Time Condition Monitoring and Analysis |
| Frequency | Regular, Fixed Schedule | As Needed, Based on Data Insights |
| Costs | Lower Initial Costs, Higher Cumulative Costs | Higher Initial Investment, Lower Long Term Costs |
| Downtime | May Require Equipment Stoppage | Often Avoids Downtime by Scheduling During Low Impact Periods |
| Efficiency | May Result in Unnecessary Maintenance | Targets Specific Issues, Optimizing Resources |
Types of Predictive Maintenance
There are three distinct types of Predictive Maintenance: Indirect Failure Prediction, Anomaly Detection, and Remaining Useful Life (RUL). Each approach differs in its desired objectives, the analytical methods used, and the type of information output provided.
Image adapted from the IoT Analytics Asset Performance & Predictive Maintenance Market Report 2023–2028
Indirect Failure Prediction
Estimates equipment health by calculating a ‘health score’ based on known maintenance requirements, operating conditions and historical performance data. When sufficient data is available, supervised machine learning can be applied to refine the predictions. This approach is scalable since it relies on manufacturer specifications, and it is cost-effective because it uses existing sensors.
Its dependence on large volumes of historical data may render it unsuitable for industries like heavy machinery, where high downtime costs necessitate more immediate and accurate insights.
Anomaly Detection
Identifies potential failures by detecting deviations from normal operating conditions in real time. Unlike methods that require historical data, it relies on current sensor data, making it particularly suited to organizations without extensive machinery usage records. This approach improves predictive accuracy by considering real-time environmental and operational factors rather than predefined maintenance parameters set by the manufacturers.
The risk of false positives can pose challenges, as unnecessary alerts may disrupt operations and complicate machine learning algorithm performance.
Remaining Useful Life (RUL)
Focuses on predicting the time left before equipment failure based on specific machine metrics such as operational hours, distance traveled, or activity cycles. By analyzing sensor data, this method identifies condition indicators that highlight whether the equipment is performing as expected or if faults have accelerated its degradation. RUL models are trained using system data collected under known conditions and applied to predict outcomes under new or variable circumstances.
While this method is highly robust and reliable, it requires detailed, high-quality data for accurate predictions, making it particularly effective for critical equipment in complex environments.
The Benefits of Predictive Maintenance
Predictive Maintenance brings many benefits to organizations through its advanced approach to equipment upkeep, using technology and data analysis to improve asset reliability and efficiency. By identifying potential issues before they lead to failures, PdM helps organizations reduce downtime, optimize resources, and maintain safer working environments.
Research, including findings from the US Department of Energy, highlights the tangible impact of Predictive Maintenance. Compared to preventive maintenance programs, it offers cost savings of 8% to 12%, and when compared to reactive maintenance, cost savings increase to 30% to 40%. These programs also enable a reduction in maintenance costs by 25% to 30% and minimize equipment breakdowns by 70% to 75%.
In addition to cost savings, PdM improves operational efficiency by reducing downtime by 35% to 45% and increasing production capacity by 20% to 25%.
How to Implement Predictive Maintenance
1. Establish Baselines and Data Collection
Baseline performance metrics are identified for the assets by monitoring its condition to set the normal performance benchmarks. Once the baseline is established, sensors are installed to capture real-time data, enabling continuous performance monitoring.
2. Install IoT Sensors on Equipment
IoT sensors are installed on critical equipment to monitor various parameters such as vibration, temperature, pressure, and noise. These sensors continuously collect data on the equipment’s condition and the data gathered is then transmitted to a centralized system for analysis.
3. Data Integration and System Setup
The data collected from the IoT sensors needs to be integrated with the PdM system. This involves connecting the sensors to a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) or a remote dashboard which allows for real-time monitoring and data analysis.
4. Set Maintenance Thresholds and Automate Alerts
Organizations need to define thresholds for acceptable performance levels. When these thresholds are exceeded, the system automatically triggers maintenance alerts, enabling timely interventions before equipment failure occurs.
5. Select and Implement the Right Analytics Tools
An analytics platform is required to handle the large volumes of data, apply predictive models, and generate actionable insights. Machine learning and AI algorithms are crucial for analyzing sensor data and predicting future equipment failures based on historical data.
6. Develop Predictive Models and Train the System
Predictive models are developed using historical data, maintenance logs and sensor data to forecast future equipment behavior. These models are trained to identify patterns in the data that may signal the onset of failure.
7. Integration with Existing Maintenance Systems
The PdM system is integrated with existing workflows, maintenance management systems, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. This enables seamless communication across platforms and allows for data-driven decision-making.
8. Monitor and Optimize the Program
After implementation, the PdM program should be monitored to evaluate its effectiveness. Continuous data collection and model refinement will help improve prediction accuracy over time.
Industrial Applications of Predictive Maintenance
Predictive Maintenance is becoming increasingly common practice in asset-intensive industries that depend on their large, complex machinery. For industries with assets in remote locations or critical communication requirements, satellite connected IoT devices can transmit real-time sensor data for PdM programs.
Energy and Utilities
The risk of equipment failure in energy production and utilities management can lead to significant financial losses and customer dissatisfaction. Power plants, wind farms, and utility grids employ PdM programs to ensure the continuous operation of critical assets like turbines, generators, and transformers. IoT sensors monitoring parameters such as vibration, temperature, and pressure are used to detect early signs of failure.
By analyzing these data points in real time with advanced predictive models, utility providers can prevent catastrophic failures, optimize energy production, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. This is particularly important in industries where unexpected downtime can have widespread consequences on both financial performance and customer trust.
Railways and Transportation
PdM is crucial in the transportation industry for ensuring the safety and reliability of infrastructure such as railway tracks, trains, and airport ground equipment. IoT sensors on trains and other critical assets monitor parameters like pressure, temperature, and vibration to detect early signs of wear or failure.
For example, PdM can be used to monitor brake systems or detect track deformations, preventing accidents and service interruptions. By integrating sensors with automated maintenance management systems (CMMS), transportation companies can schedule repairs before a component fails, enhancing passenger safety and reducing operational disruptions.
Oil and Gas
In remote locations such as offshore platforms or desert pipelines, Oil and gas operations face unique challenges in maintaining equipment. PdM is highly beneficial in these situations, as it helps companies remotely monitor the condition of critical machinery like pumps, compressors, and valves.
Satellite-connected IoT sensors track parameters such as pressure, temperature, and vibration to detect signs of imminent failure. Real-time data is sent to cloud-based platforms for analysis, and predictive algorithms generate alerts to maintenance teams, allowing them to address issues before they result in costly downtime or safety hazards.
Mining
With Mining machinery operating in harsh conditions, the risk of unexpected breakdowns can lead to costly delays and safety hazards. Predictive maintenance helps to monitor heavy equipment such as crushers, drills, and loaders, which are critical to mining operations.
Satellite-enabled IoT sensors measure variables like temperature, pressure, and vibration, providing continuous health checks of the machinery. Predictive models analyze these data streams to identify wear patterns and predict when maintenance is required.
Sensor Technologies in Predictive Maintenance
Predictive Maintenance utilizes a range of sensor technologies to monitor the condition of equipment and to detect and address potential failures before they lead to unplanned downtime.
Infrared Thermography
Also known as thermal imaging, infrared cameras identify heat spots which can indicate issues such as friction, electrical resistance, or misalignment in mechanical systems. It is particularly valuable in identifying worn-out components or malfunctioning circuits that tend to overheat.
Infrared thermography allows for real-time monitoring without disrupting machine operation and is frequently used in industries like power generation to track turbine blade conditions and ensure equipment runs efficiently.
Acoustic Monitoring
Using specialized equipment, maintenance personnel can detect ultrasonic or sonic emissions from machinery, which may indicate leaks, electrical discharges, or mechanical wear. Sonic monitoring is typically applied to lower-speed equipment, while ultrasonic analysis is more accurate and applicable to both low- and high-speed machinery.
Ultrasonic analysis is widely used in industries like construction and heavy equipment operations, where hydraulic systems and machinery require constant monitoring to ensure seamless operation and prevent project delays.
Vibration Analysis
Sensors track vibration patterns that help technicians identify potential issues like misalignment, unbalanced components or bearing failures in high-speed rotating equipment, such as motors, drills and fans.
Each machine has a unique vibration signature, and deviations from this pattern can be a strong indicator of mechanical problems. The ability to monitor vibration in real-time allows for early intervention, preventing costly repairs and downtime.
Oil Analysis
By analyzing oil for contaminants, viscosity changes, and particle counts, technicians can pinpoint wear and tear in machine components. Chemical analysis of oil can also reveal overheating or chemical degradation, providing early warnings of issues that could lead to failure.
This technology is often used in heavy industries, such as energy production or oil drilling, where machinery components are subject to extreme operating conditions.
Current and Voltage Sensors
These sensors track electrical characteristics like overloads, short circuits, and failing components. In industries such as mining or energy, where electrical systems are critical, monitoring these parameters ensures safety and minimizes downtime caused by electrical failures.
For example, real time analysis of electrical data in mining operations can help identify potential issues in equipment like excavators or conveyors, allowing operators to address problems before they cause equipment failure and disrupt production.
Predictive Maintenance and Satellite IoT
For remote operations, such as those found in mining or offshore environments, Satellite IoT becomes a crucial part of the Predictive Maintenance Program. When assets are located in areas with unreliable or no cellular connectivity, traditional IoT solutions relying on cellular networks may fail to transmit vital data. Satellite IoT solutions overcome this challenge by enabling real-time data transmission via satellite, ensuring that assets can be monitored regardless of their location or environment.
Beyond just sensor data collection, Satellite IoT can enable remote control of assets. If an asset is detected to be operating in an unsafe condition, it can be remotely shut down to prevent catastrophic damage or safety incidents. This combination of real-time monitoring and remote intervention significantly enhances worker safety and helps avert equipment breakdowns before they escalate into more serious issues.
Get in Touch
At Ground Control, we design and build Satellite IoT devices leveraging the Iridium global network, providing reliable real-time data transfer from anywhere on Earth. Our feature-rich IoT platform, Cloudloop, can monitor and analyse sensor data and offers a simplified and well-documented API to connect to your existing Predictive Maintenance and Asset Performance Management (APM) toolkits.
With over 20 years of experience, we can help you make the best choices based on your requirements.
How to Choose the Right Satellite IoT Network for Your Application
As the world of satellite IoT connectivity rapidly evolves, selecting the right network for your remote application has never been more important — or more complex. Whether you’re deploying environmental monitoring devices, controlling unmanned systems, or tracking remote assets, understanding your options can save you significant time, money, and operational effort.
That’s why we created a comprehensive guide to help you navigate this dynamic landscape and make informed choices. The highlights are in this blog post; read the eBook to digest the in-depth version.
Read Free eBook
The Expanding Satellite IoT Landscape
In recent years, satellite networks have undergone a transformation. Established players have diversified their services, offering greater flexibility and more competitive pricing. At the same time, new satellite constellations are launching at a faster rate than ever, introducing innovative services and standards that promise even more possibilities for IoT applications.
This abundance of options is great news, but it also presents a challenge: with so many variables at play, how do you select the best network for your specific needs? That’s where our expertise comes in. Ground Control has spent over 20 years testing and integrating satellite networks to ensure optimal connectivity for our customers. We’ve distilled our knowledge into an easy-to-follow eBook that covers everything you need to consider.
Key Considerations for Choosing a Satellite Network
When evaluating satellite IoT networks, there are several critical questions to ask:
- How data-intensive is your application? Understanding your data volume needs is crucial. For instance, message-based services like Iridium Messaging Transport (IMT) are ideal for low-volume, energy-efficient data transmission. On the other hand, IP-based services such as Iridium Certus 100 are better suited for high-data applications like real-time control or video streaming.
- Where are your sensors located? Coverage matters. While some networks like Iridium offer truly global coverage, others may not reach polar regions or other remote areas. Additionally, factors like terrain and obstructions can affect the choice between Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geostationary (GEO) satellites.
- Is your application stationary or mobile? Mobile applications often require LEO networks, as they don’t rely on precise antenna alignment. Conversely, stationary deployments with a clear line of sight to a GEO satellite may benefit from the stability and cost-effectiveness of GEO-based solutions.
- How time-critical is your data? Applications requiring real-time data transmission will need well-established LEO networks with IP-based connections. For less time-sensitive use cases, store-and-forward technologies used by some newer LEO networks might be a cost-effective alternative.
Standards-Based vs. Proprietary Networks
One of the most exciting developments in satellite IoT is the emergence of standards-based technologies like LTE Cat 1 and NB-IoT over satellite. These allow a single modem to connect to both cellular and satellite networks, promising cost savings and supplier flexibility. However, these technologies are still in their infancy and come with trade-offs, such as higher power consumption or limited data volumes.
Where you have a combination of relatively high data volumes plus no mains power, proprietary networks offer optimized performance tailored to their specific satellite systems. For instance, message-based protocols like Iridium’s Short Burst Data (SBD) deliver efficient, low-power communication for small data packets, making them ideal for battery-powered IoT devices.
What You’ll Learn in the eBook
Our eBook, How to Choose the Right Satellite IoT Network, dives deeper into these topics and provides actionable insights, including:
- A detailed comparison of leading satellite networks like Iridium, Viasat, Starlink, and Globalstar.
- Real-world examples of how different networks excel in specific use cases.
- A practical framework for evaluating networks based on coverage, latency, power efficiency, and mobility.
- Insights into emerging technologies and how they may impact your future connectivity strategy.
By the end of this guide, you’ll have the tools you need to select a satellite IoT network that aligns with your technical and operational requirements.
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Can we help with your remote IoT application?
We have decades of experience designing and building satellite IoT connectivity solutions, and work with multiple satellite networks to ensure our customers get the right service for their needs.
If you would like expert, impartial advice on your remote IoT application, please get in touch! Complete the form or email hello@groundcontrol.com. We will reply within one working day.
Exploring the New Iridium Certus 9704: Compact, Low Power, and Built for IoT
Iridium have just launched their latest satellite transceiver, the Iridium Certus 9704. In this post we’re going to explore how this module compares with other satellite IoT modems, the Iridium 9603 and Certus 9770. We’ll look at ideal use cases for the new transceiver, how to get the best out of the device, and how to get started.
What is the Iridium Certus 9704?
The 9704 is a small, lightweight and low power satellite IoT transceiver that connects to the globally available Iridium satellite constellation.
It leverages Iridium Messaging Transport (IMT), a message-based service which allows users to transmit data packets of up to 100 kB. What is IMT?
What Applications are Suited to the 9704?
The 9704 has been designed to consume very little power, so it’s ideal for remote, battery-powered applications. For example, telemetry from heavy machinery; SCADA readings from unmanned substations or infrastructure; aggregated gateway / hub data; data logger transmissions.
It can also be used for simple UxV commands; stop, start, return etc.
How Does the 9704 Differ from the 9603 Transceiver?
The 9704 module is 34% smaller than the 9603N modem: 31.5 x 42 x 3.8 mm vs. 31.5 x 29.6 x 8.1 mm, and 12 g vs. 11.4 g respectively*.
The 9704 also boasts an 83% reduction in idle power consumption compared to the 9603. The message size for the 9603 is considerably smaller compared to the 9704; 340 / 270 bytes (Short Burst Data) vs. 100 kB (Iridium Messaging Transport). The link speed is also doubled with the 9704; from 2.4 Kbps to 4.8 Kbps.
Applications best suited to the 9603 include asset tracking, environmental monitoring and fleet management; it remains the most cost-effective way to move very small volumes of data using the Iridium satellite constellation. But for many applications, IMT will be a more cost-effective means of transmitting IoT data.
View 9603-Based Products
How Does the 9704 Differ From the 9770 Transceiver?
The Iridium Certus 9770 modem is a more powerful device. It can send data over IMT, but also over IP, creating greater flexibility and making it more suitable for applications where real-time command and control is required – for example, piloting a drone BVLOS.
The 9770 sends data far more quickly; 22 / 88 Kbps vs the 9704’s 4.8 Kbps (Tx/Rx). But this comes with a greater power draw; the 9770 requires 3.5 W to transmit/receive, whereas the 9704 requires roughly 0.9 W.
The 9770 is also larger and heavier than the 9704; 140 x 60 x 16 mm and 185 g vs. 31.5 x 42 x 3.8 mm and 12 g respectively.
The Certus 9770 can be used for voice communication, and the 9704 is data only.
Devices utilizing the 9770 transceiver are ideal for remote control of assets such as UAVs and USVs; or when it’s important that data is moved quickly, so any form of alerting mechanism such as remote security or systems failure alarms. They will also be the preferred choice of systems integrators who want the flexibility to switch between IP and message-based transmissions depending on the type of data being moved.
View 9770-Based ProductsWhich Devices Utilize the 9704 Transceiver?
At the time of writing, you can purchase an Iridium 9704 Developer Kit, which is a great way to evaluate Iridium Messaging Transport (IMT) in the lab and explore what the technology can do. We are IMT and Iridium experts, having worked with the Iridium development team for decades, and we are here to help you get the best out of Iridium Messaging Transport, whether you start with the Iridium kit or our own hardware.
For projects that are likely to move beyond proof of concept into field deployment, we generally recommend looking at our RockBLOCK range as early as possible. RockBLOCK 9704 is designed specifically for integration into IoT products, with a production ready form factor, a lower unit cost than the Iridium developer kit, and a straightforward path from prototype to volume deployment. We’ve also built C, Python and Arduino libraries around the 9704 transceiver, so you can focus on your application logic rather than on low level protocol implementation.
We offer several devices that leverage the new technology, among them RockBLOCK 9704, for IoT applications, and RockBLOCK Pro, which is our multi-purpose, all-weather tracking and IoT device. If you’re unsure which route is best for your project, we’re always happy to talk through the options and trade-offs.
What is Iridium Messaging Transport (IMT)?
Launched in late 2022, IMT is Iridium’s most recent satellite IoT service. It is message-based, which is the most cost-effective and power-economical way to communicate with satellite networks (vs. an IP connection which has a substantial overhead).
With a message-based service, you pay only for the data you choose to transmit, and only when it’s successfully transmitted. However, a drawback of message-based services is that the data has to be reformatted before it reaches your preferred destination; unlike IP-based communication, it isn’t a commonly utilized format.
We built Cloudloop Data to address this challenge. This delivers simplified store and forward IoT messaging between your devices and cloud-based services. Messages can be fanned to multiple endpoints, from cloud providers like Azure and AWS, to IoT dashboards including ThingsBoard and ThingSpeak. You also have the option to consume the decoded data in your own system, through delivery methods including email, MQTT and HTTP webhook.
How to Get Started With the Iridium Certus 9704
We encourage you to contact us to discuss your application; we are Iridium experts, and will provide you with impartial advice on the best airtime, service and hardware to best meet your needs.
We’re responsive, friendly and helpful, and we genuinely love helping people solve their remote connectivity problems, so please get in touch!
*Information on the 9704 is subject to change.
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The Lifesaving Value of Satellite Tracking in Small Aviation
Small aviation operations – flight schools, tourist flights, and private fleets – often venture into areas where communication can be a challenge. Pilots need reliable tools to ensure safety, track their progress, and communicate effectively, even in remote regions. Yet, many still rely on cell phones or satellite phones for these critical tasks, despite their limitations.
Here’s why a dedicated satellite tracking device isn’t just a convenience; it’s a necessity that can save lives.
We asked 138 aviators who variously pilot helicopters (30%), gliders (18%), light aircraft (43%), cargo aircraft (25%) or military aircraft (15%) what, if anything, they were using to track their flights.
67% of respondents said they utilized the GPS on their cell phone; 34% had a satellite phone, and 33% had a dedicated satellite tracking device for this purpose (respondents were allowed to pick more than one answer).
While this didn’t come as a huge surprise, there are drawbacks of relying on cell phones. Coverage can be spotty, due to both the altitude and the remote locations visited, and also due to weather conditions. Cell phone service can be negatively affected by storms, wind, rain and even simply cloud cover (source).
Satellite phones are generally less affected by weather, and don’t suffer from coverage issues; they are, however, designed primarily for voice communication, and have none of the specialized features that pilots can benefit from with a dedicated aviation tracking solution.
We asked the same group what they valued most in a tracking solution, and, aggregating ‘essential’ and ‘nice to have’, the results were:
- 91% – Location alerts (moving in and out of geofences, stop/start etc.)
- 88% – Mission reports (e.g. mission ID, asset details, route, crew, cargo etc.)
- 87% – Real-time tracking
- 86% – Distress notifications and escalations
- 85% – Two-way messaging
- 83% – Electronic flight bag*
So there is widespread consensus of the value of aviation tracking, but as seen above, only a third of respondents had a dedicated solution for this.
*Advanced messaging including transmission of flight manifest, weight, balance etc.
Why Dedicated Satellite Tracking Devices Excel
Dedicated satellite tracking devices, like the RockAIR, are purpose-built for aviation. Here’s what sets them apart:
Aviation-Specific Features
Altitude Recording: Provides critical data unique to aviation, unlike general-purpose devices
Emergency Response: Distress notifications and escalation processes to ensure swift action when every second counts
Location Alerts: Track movement in and out of geofenced areas or detect when a plane has stopped unexpectedly.
Reliability in Critical Moments
Real Time Tracking: Enables precise monitoring of flight paths, crucial for safety and coordination
Mission Reports: Record mission details such as route, crew, and cargo – helpful for operational efficiency
Two Way Messaging: Communicate instantly, even in areas with no cell coverage.
Designed to Last
Long Battery Life: Far exceeds that of cell phones or satellite phones, ensuring uninterrupted service
Durability: Built to withstand extreme conditions, including potential crashes, ensuring operability when it’s needed most.
A Real Life Lifesaving Story
The value of dedicated tracking devices isn’t theoretical; it’s proven. British pilot Sam Rutherford was flying in the Canadian wilderness when a crash left him stranded in freezing temperatures. Despite the dire situation, he managed to send a location-based message using his RockSTAR device. This timely communication enabled rescuers to locate and save him.
Without a dedicated satellite tracking device, Sam’s story might have ended very differently.
Key Use Cases in Small Aviation
- Flight schools: For flight schools, safety is paramount. Dedicated tracking devices allow instructors to monitor student pilots in real time, providing peace of mind and a critical safety net during training flights.
- Tourist flights: Scenic flights often traverse remote or rugged terrain. Real-time tracking and emergency features not only protect pilots but also reassure passengers of their safety.
- Small private fleets: Fleet operators benefit from improved efficiency and safety with mission reports, real-time tracking, and emergency response capabilities, ensuring that every flight runs smoothly.
Why Not Cell Phones or Satellite Phones?
While cell phones and satellite phones play a role in communication, they fall short in critical ways:
| Cell Phones | Satellite Phones | Satellite Tracking Devices | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altitude Recording | |||
| Real Time Tracking | |||
| Distress Notifications | |||
| Battery Life | Low | Medium | High |
| Durability | Low | Medium | High |
Dedicated satellite tracking devices stand out as the only option that checks every box for aviation safety and reliability.
Flying with a dedicated satellite tracking device is more than a practical choice; it’s a lifesaving decision. From real time tracking to emergency response, these devices are purpose-built to meet the demands of small aviation.
Can we help?
Don’t leave safety up in the air. Discover the RockSTAR, RockAIR, and other Ground Control solutions to ensure your operations are as safe and efficient as possible.
Contact us by completing the form, or emailing hello@groundcontrol.com; we’ll respond to your inquiry within one working day.
Drones in Modern Warfare: Enhancing UAV Capabilities with Satellite Connectivity
Drones, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), have become an integral part of modern military operations. Initially developed for reconnaissance and surveillance, drones have evolved into versatile platforms capable of executing various missions, from intelligence gathering to precision strikes. However, the full potential of UAVs is realized when enhanced with satellite connectivity, removing the limitations of traditional line of sight or terrestrial based communication, and enabling real time communication and coordination across vast distances and hostile environments.
While satellite connectivity has enhanced UAV capabilities, the utilization of UAVs in warfare is nothing especially new, and has instead, evolved significantly over the past century. Early concepts of UAVs emerged during World War I, with the development of rudimentary unmanned aircraft such as the “Kettering Bug”, – a drone prototype designed purely for bombing missions. However, these early models were not widely operational.
It wasn’t until World War II that UAV technology saw further development, particularly with the creation of the German V-1 flying bomb – essentially an early form of a cruise missile. The Cold War era spurred advancements in UAVs, primarily for reconnaissance purposes and the U.S. developed drones like the Ryan Firebee, which were used for surveillance during the Vietnam War.
The 1990s marked a turning point in UAV usage, particularly during the Gulf War, when drones like the RQ-2 Pioneer provided critical intelligence. Then in the early 2000s, UAVs like the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper – American remotely piloted aircrafts – gained worldwide attention for their role in counterterrorism operations. Powered by global satellite connectivity, these drones could carry out targeted strikes with high precision, far out of the reach of cellular and telecommunication networks. Step forward into 2024, and the role of UAVs in modern warfare has only continued to advance.
As the roles of UAVs broaden from strike and EW to logistics and ISR, the conversation is increasingly about how they’re used to protect people and infrastructure. Alongside the well known offensive missions, we’re seeing rapid growth in defensive and humanitarian applications enabled by resilient satellite links. Let’s explore some of these key roles in more detail.
Surveillance and Reconnaissance
Drones are extensively used for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. UAVs have the ability to capture real time video and image data, which is transmitted back to command centers for analysis, without the need for soldiers to be physically present in hostile or rugged environments. The drones often operate at high altitudes, across multiple geographies.
Search and Rescue
In post-conflict or disaster scenarios, UAVs can locate survivors and assess damage in areas too dangerous or inaccessible for physical teams. This can prevent further human loss and lead to the identification, location and administration of aid to ground-based defense teams. Drones have also been know to guide troops to safe areas, and away from enemy fire.
Aid and Supplies
UAVs can be adapted for resupply missions in hard to reach areas and have been deployed to help soldiers on the battlefield to receive essential supplies like food, water, and medical equipment. This capability becomes especially crucial in situations where ground convoys may face delays due to hostile terrain, enemy activity, or other logistical challenges.
Precision Strikes
UAVs equipped with precision-guided munitions allow military forces to carry out highly targeted strikes with minimal collateral damage. Their precision has made them instrumental in counter-terrorism operations and eliminating high-value targets while protecting civilian lives. Further, the remote strike action removes the need for ground forces.
Electronic Warfare
UAVs fitted with highly sophisticated sensor systems are designed to gather signals intelligence (SIGINT) by detecting and analyzing enemy radio transmissions, as well as electronic intelligence (ELINT) by monitoring radar emissions. This data can provide comprehensive insights into the structure, capabilities, and operations of enemy networks.
Satellite Devices Best Suited for Military Drone Applications
Satellite connectivity is a reliable, secure means of communicating with UAVs far beyond the reach of terrestrial networks. These devices are our top picks for command and control, piloting BVLOS, and transmitting real time video footage from UAVs, for civil and defensive applications only.
Simple Command and Control with RockBLOCK 9603
Command and control of UAVs requires stable, low latency communication channels.
RockBLOCK 9603 enables basic two way communication over the Iridium satellite network, allowing operators to send flight commands or adjust mission parameters approximately once every 10-15 seconds, regardless of their geographical location.
For example, RockBLOCK 9603 could send positional data, informing operators of any need to make altitude adjustments or course corrections during a mission. This level of sophisticated satellite-enabled C2 is essential for UAVs operating in areas where ground communication networks are compromised or unavailable.
RockBLOCK 9603 is especially suited to applications where space is at a premium. It’s designed to make adding Iridium Short Burst Data (SBD) satellite connectivity super easy.
Piloting BVLOS with RockREMOTE Mini OEM
One of the most significant challenges in drone warfare is piloting UAVs beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) – a necessity for long range missions or operations in hostile areas.
Solutions like the RockREMOTE Mini OEM provide satellite-based connectivity designed for such operations involving on the move assets.
RockREMOTE Mini OEM is lightweight, designed to draw as little power as possible, and harnesses the Iridium Certus 100 satellite network service, delivering virtually real time IP connectivity.
This technology allows for piloting and navigation adjustments, crucial for UAVs conducting missions deep into enemy territory. Furthermore, satellite-based communication ensures the operator maintains constant control over the UAV’s flight path, even when thousands of kilometers away.
Capturing Real Time Video Footage with RockREMOTE Rugged
Arguably, one of the most critical functions of UAVs in modern warfare is real time video reconnaissance.
RockREMOTE Rugged coupled with Videosoft video compression technology facilitates the transmission of high definition video feeds from drones to ground stations, enabling military forces to monitor enemy activities and gather intelligence without delay. This helps military operators to respond to threats or gather information promptly, enhancing battlefield awareness and operational decision making.
RockREMOTE Rugged does not require antenna pointing, and even with a poor or changing view of the sky, RockREMOTE Rugged can reliably and securely transfer data in close to real time via the Iridium satellite network.
Selecting the Right Satellite-Enabled Solution
 RockBLOCK 9603
|
RockREMOTE UAV OEM
|
RockREMOTE Rugged
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 45 x 45 x 15 mm | 175 x 60 x 37 mm | 250 x 97 x 61 mm |
| Weight | 36 g | 287 g | 1.2 kg |
| Power | Max 450mA | <30mW (sleep), <0.25W (idle), <7.5W (average transmit) | 0W (sleep), 5W (idle), 9W (average transmit) |
| Satellite Service | Iridium Short Burst Data (340 bytes ↑ 270 bytes ↓ per message) | Iridium Certus 100 (22/88 Kbps) + IMT (100 kB per message) | Iridium Certus 100 (22/88 Kbps) + IMT (100 kB per message) |
| Interfaces | Molex PicoBlade 1.25mm pitch | Ethernet (available on pin out), Serial RS232, RS485, GPIO (2xI, 2xO) | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Serial RS232, RS485 |
| Antenna | Built in 1621 Mhz tuned patch antenna (or use optional SMA connector for external antenna) | External – various approved options | External – various approved options |
| Hosted Applications | |||
| Ideal For | Simple Commands / Failover Comms | Piloting BVLOS; Sending Compressed Images | Transmitting Real Time Video Footage |
| View Product | View Product | View Product |
Edge AI, BVLOS, and the Next Wave of UAV ISR
UAV use is expanding across military missions, including kinetic applications; however, the fastest day to day gains we see are in defensive ISR and mission support; secure C2 beyond line of sight, wide area monitoring, and comms relay. Expect more drones running AI at the edge to spot “needles in the haystack” (changes on a perimeter, vessels of interest, wildfire flare-ups) before sending only the useful bits over constrained links, cutting bandwidth while speeding decisions. That’s already a theme in ISR tooling and video workflows.
Connectivity will remain the backbone. Iridium-powered BVLOS links, facilitated by devices like the RockREMOTE Mini OEM, are being adopted to extend C2 and push telemetry/video from places cellular can’t reach, central to safe separation concepts and multi-aircraft operations.
Swarm and multi-UAV teaming are also trending for search & rescue, disaster assessment, and wide area reconnaissance, using multiple small platforms to map faster, hand off targets, and maintain comms. Agencies are likewise exploring comms-relay roles so one asset can keep others connected in difficult terrain.
Looking ahead, one area we’re excited about is humanitarian demining. Drones can scan from above, use onboard AI to flag likely contamination, and then alert clearance teams over satcom. As those edge models improve, triage gets quicker and tasking more precise.
In short, whether it’s low rate C2, BVLOS piloting, or near-real time ISR video, pairing UAVs with reliable satellite links is unlocking new defensive capabilities, and doing it in ways that help reduce risk to people on the ground.
Can we help?
Working on UAV command and control, BVLOS piloting, or real time ISR video?
We can help you choose and integrate the right Iridium-powered solution, from RockBLOCK for simple C2 to RockREMOTE for IP video, so you get reliable, global connectivity faster. We support civil and defensive applications; tell us about your mission profile and we’ll recommend a build that fits.
Complete the form or email hello@groundcontrol.com and we’ll get back to you within one working day.
What’s the Best Satellite Network for Your IoT Application?
Recently, the Swarm satellite constellation notified customers that, as of the end of 2024, they would no longer be able to utilize their service to communicate with their remote IoT sensors.
Swarm, purchased by Space X in 2021, is being sunsetted in favor of their new Direct to Cell (D2C) technology that Starlink – Space X’s satellite service provider brand – aims to bring to market in 2025.
But Starlink’s D2C technology isn’t a like-for-like replacement of the Swarm service. Swarm is/was (depending on when you read this!) a proprietary message-based service; you could send 192 bytes of data per message. It was designed for remote IoT deployments with power constraints – Swarm modems could be powered by a small battery or solar.
It also lent itself to applications where real-time communication was not required; as this blog post from 2022 illustrates, the average ‘round trip’ time for Swarm data delivery was 39 minutes and 44 seconds. Plus, Swarm utilized unlicensed terrestrial spectrum; this made it very low cost, but with the potential to have lower reliability in high-traffic areas.
Starlink’s D2C technology is an entirely different proposition. Firstly, it uses the LTE Cat-4, Cat-1, and Cat-1bis standards rather than proprietary technology. This delivers higher data rates and lower latency (the ‘round trip’ time) but has a greater power draw – not really suited to battery or solar-powered applications.
So, while Starlink are recommending to Swarm’s customers that they move to their D2C service once available – and this may well be a good choice – we thought it presented an opportunity to present additional options that may be a better fit for your application.
This is usually quite a nuanced conversation, and due to the blog post format, by necessity we’re making some simplifications. It’s always worth giving our team a call to get individualized, expert advice.
There are four key considerations: location, data rates, latency, and power.
1. Location
Starlink’s D2C service will initially be available in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Switzerland, Chile and Peru (source). So, if your IoT application is not in one of these countries, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
For 100% global coverage, including the polar regions, have a look at Iridium which has the only truly global IoT network in operation. If your project is not in the far North or South of the globe, Viasat (pictured) is a great choice. Globalstar has great coverage over North and South America, China and most of Africa and Europe.
2. Data Rates
Here we’re not just considering how much data you need to send, but how you need to send it. The most efficient way to communicate with satellites is to use a message-based service, which is what Swarm offered. It’s cost-effective and uses very little power. However, it does generally require some engineering work on your part to manipulate your sensor data into this format.
If you have the ability to do this, check out the following services:
- Iridium Messaging Transport (IMT), which allows you to send and receive 100,000 byte messages
- Iridium Short Burst Data (SBD), which allows you to send a modest 340 bytes, and receive 270 bytes; constrained, but competitively priced
- Viasat’s IoT Nano (previously called IsatData Pro), which allows you to send 6,400 byte messages, and receive 10,000 byte messages.
If you have a chatty application, and need to use IP data delivery, Starlink D2C is worth investigating (if/when available in your country / area of operation). Iridium Certus 100 is IP-based (22/88 Kbps), as is Viasat’s IoT Pro (formerly BGAN M2M). Because using IP data delivery is less efficient, it is often more expensive and power-hungry, so also explore whether your satellite IoT device supports edge computing, as this can help throttle back on airtime costs.
3. Latency
Latency refers to the length of time it takes for the data to leave the satellite IoT device, reach the satellite, come back down to the ground station, and be delivered to your server. One of the factors influencing this is the satellite orbit height; satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) have a lower latency than satellites in Geostationary Orbit (GEO).
That said, just because a satellite network is in LEO does not mean it will be quick to send and receive data, because the other factor is how frequently a satellite passes overhead. If your satellite network only has a handful of satellites in operation, it may be several hours, even a day, before your data is successfully transmitted. Swarm, despite having approximately 175 satellites in operation before it was disbanded, had big coverage gaps, which led to it having an average message delivery time of 39 minutes and 44 seconds.
This may not matter for your application. If you can manage taking receipt of your data a few times a day rather than in close to real-time, there are several new satellite networks that are worth investigating – among them Sateliot and OQ Technologies.
If you have a latency-sensitive application, an established satellite network in LEO is likely your best bet; Iridium or Starlink’s D2C service, for example. You could also experiment with changing timeout values on network requests to allow for higher latencies, caching more data, or using overlapping network requests and responses where possible (source). SD-WAN solutions can also be deployed to create hierarchical classes of service, and for TCP optimization (if TCP/IP is the preferred means of data delivery). This could unlock the GEO networks, such as Viasat, which are often more cost-effective than their LEO counterparts.
4. Power
Satellite connectivity is generally only the primary means of communication if there’s no cellular infrastructure in place – .e.g. oceans, deserts, mountains, forests and farmlands. Sensors deployed in these locations often also lack mains power, and are not easy to access.
For example: data buoys; hydrology stations; environmental monitoring; livestock monitoring; wind and solar farms and oil and gas pipelines.
In these instances, you need to look for solutions optimized for low power. Right now, that most likely means a message-based service using Iridium (IMT or SBD), Viasat (IoT Nano) or Globalstar’s satellite networks. In the next few years, Viasat and Iridium will start to offer standards-based solutions which will likely be lower cost, while still requiring very little power to operate. The great news is that proprietary technologies have started to come down in price in response to the advent of standards, so there’s no need to put your project on hold!
If your application has a power source – trucks, trains and heavy machinery, for example, or a remote outpost that has multiple solar panels – then you should take a look at Starlink’s D2C service, as it is expected to be competitively priced while moving (by IoT standards!) high volumes of data.
How to Choose
Choosing the best satellite network for your IoT application requires careful consideration of factors like location, data rates, latency, and power requirements. While Starlink’s D2C technology offers impressive data speeds and low latency, it may not be the ideal solution for all IoT deployments, especially those constrained by power or located outside the initial coverage areas.
Alternatives like Iridium, Viasat, and Globalstar provide various options, from message-based services ideal for low-power environments to IP-based solutions for higher data throughput. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your specific needs, and consulting with an expert can help ensure you pick the best network for your application.
Speak to an Expert
At Ground Control we’ve been solving remote connectivity challenges for over 20 years. We design and build our own hardware, and work with multiple satellite network operators and standards to ensure our customers get the right solution for their specific needs.
If you have an IoT or tracking application that’ll travel beyond cellular coverage, we’re happy to provide objective, expert advice. Email hello@groundcontrol.com or complete the form, and we’ll be in touch within one working day.
Unlocking Potential With Remote Video Surveillance
Developing Video Capability
In today’s interconnected world, the ability to monitor and manage assets remotely has become not just a convenience but a necessity. From sprawling agricultural fields and remote unmanned industrial sites, to vast stretches of pipeline and border control areas, the challenges of ensuring security, efficiency, and productivity in remote, often environmentally challenging locations, are ever-present.
Integrating advanced video surveillance technologies with satellite connectivity is revolutionizing how industries approach these challenges. Ground Control’s recent partnership with Videosoft exemplifies this transformation, bringing real-time, low-bandwidth video streaming over satellite to the forefront of remote off-grid operations.
This article delves into the transformative impact of satellite-enabled video surveillance across three critical applications: preventing remote solar panel theft and protecting parked vehicles like quadbikes, all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and heavy vehicles; leveraging aerial video footage over satellite for agricultural and forestry monitoring; and enhancing remote border control operations.
1. Safeguarding Remote Assets
Solar panels are increasingly being deployed in remote, often unmonitored locations as renewable energy installations proliferate. PV installations for solar farms and solar as a power source in remote industries present an increasing global opportunity for crime.
The attractiveness of solar panels to thieves is primarily because of their high value and the perceived ease of theft, especially from remote, poorly secured installations. Europe reports over 5,000 major solar thefts annually, with southern Italy experiencing rates ten times the European average. The problem is global; in Nigeria and South Africa, solar panel theft is stifling renewable energy growth.
Similarly, in industries like mining, agriculture, and construction, frequently stationed valuable vehicles and equipment, such as ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) or heavy vehicles, in isolated areas are at risk. These assets are prime targets for theft and vandalism due to their high value and minimal on-site security. The UK agricultural sector alone saw an estimated £49.5 million in stolen equipment in 2023.
There are known illicit global markets for farming and technology equipment, where criminals can sell their stolen wares for much higher prices. This specific type of theft has been triggered by soaring values, particularly in relation to metals and machinery and the low supply of farm machinery worldwide.
The Problem With Off-Grid Locations
While traditional camera surveillance methods provide a deterrent to criminal activity, they often rely on cellular networks which may not be available in remote locations. The network gap leaves off-grid assets vulnerable, with limited options to monitor and protect investments effectively and cost efficiently.
The Solution: Video Compression Over Satellite
Integrating Videosoft’s high-compression, low-latency, off-grid video streaming technology into Ground Control’s RockREMOTE Rugged device offers a robust solution. This facilitates real-time video surveillance over the Iridium satellite network, ensuring continuous monitoring even when there is zero cellular network availability.
Deploying a remote video monitoring strategy means action can be taken before a crime occurs. Video compression ensures quality image capture, and with RockREMOTE’s powerful edge computing capabilities, multiple sensor connection options, and real-time connectivity, it can detect certain events, like a person loitering after hours or jumping a fence. Follow-on actions can be automated or taken remotely, server-side, to deter a potential criminal’s next steps. By activating specific deterrents, like recorded announcements, alarms, and flashing lights, asset protection management can respond from anywhere in real-time to prevent a potential crime.
The cost-effectiveness of this solution lies in its data efficiency. By compressing video at the edge, data transmission costs are minimized without compromising the quality of the recording, making high-quality real-time surveillance financially viable over the Iridium satellite link.
2. Revolutionizing Forestry Monitoring
Agriculture, environmental and forestry monitoring can often span vast, remote areas, making it challenging to monitor crop health, forest conditions, or illegal logging. Drones have emerged as a powerful tool for aerial surveillance, but their reliance on local storage or cellular networks for data transmission limits their efficacy in remote regions.
Drones are also restricted in the altitude at which they can fly, limiting their coverage for each flight. They are ideal for short-range, lower-altitude video capture, but they have range and battery life constraints, and many do not offer the zoom options available from an aircraft. Aircraft can transmit video over much longer distances and cover vast areas unaffected by obstacles in the terrain.
However, sending video in real-time over satellite has been expensive, often reserved for emergency services and search and rescue operations. Yet, the need for accurate imagery, delivered cost effectively, in real-time, is increasingly critical in remote land surveillance and monitoring.
The Problem of Deforestation
In North America, illegal logging costs over $1 billion annually, with the U.S. Forest Service estimating $100 million in losses from public lands alone. Romania faces similar challenges, losing valuable primeval forests to illegal logging. New technology to combat these types of losses can’t come quick enough. A new report says deforestation globally increased by 4% in 2022 compared with 2021, with the loss of over 6.6 million hectares of forest. Although there was a decrease of 18% in tropical Asian countries, the world is now 21% off track to eliminate deforestation by 2030.
The Solution: Aerial Video Recording Operations
The encouraging part of Ground Control’s collaboration with Videosoft is that aircraft equipped with cameras to stream live footage can drive real-time insight while keeping aerial transmission costs down. RockREMOTE Rugged, combined with Videosoft’s compression technology, ensures efficient transmission of high-definition video over the Iridium Certus IP connection. Operators can remotely adjust camera focus, zoom, and capture high-resolution video for detailed analysis in real time, whether from the plane or the ground. Access to live feeds enables instant assessment, issue identification, and monitoring, facilitating real-time responses.
The RockREMOTE’s LTE failover feature switches between cellular and satellite networks as needed, maintaining the efficient video transfer and minimizing data costs. With aerial video over satellite, monitoring for illegal logging or assessing the health of farmland or forest canopy becomes significantly more manageable.
3. Enhanced Border Security
Border regions, especially those spanning vast and inhospitable terrains, pose significant challenges for security agencies. Monitoring these areas to prevent illegal crossings, trafficking, or other illicit activities is difficult, mainly due to the hostile terrain, remoteness, and sheer expanse. Traditional surveillance infrastructure is often impractical due to the need for cellular connectivity or the high costs of establishing and maintaining such systems.
Many factors influence the off-grid solution: the degree of threat posed by unsanctioned activity, the conditions for monitoring equipment and transportation, the ruggedness of the terrain, local data and available power supply.
The Solution: Satellite-Enabled Surveillance
From RF spectrum monitoring, to Thermal imaging, RockREMOTE Rugged’s broad range of connection interfaces and containerized edge computing capability enable it to operate with other key security sensors, cameras and applications. The system supports simultaneous live streaming from multiple cameras, providing comprehensive border coverage.
Further, RockREMOTE Rugged’s antenna is omni-directional, with no pointing required; ideal for fixed deployment in hilly or woody locations, or for on-the-move applications. It will also connect from a mobile surveillance unit.
Beyond Surveillance: The Broader Implications
The applications discussed represent a fraction of the potential unlocked by integrating advanced video compression technology with satellite connectivity. From conservation efforts and monitoring endangered species, to reducing remote off-grid crime, the possibilities are vast. Whether it’s safeguarding remote solar installations, leveraging aerial surveillance to protect forests, or enhancing the security of national borders, the ability to transmit real-time, high-quality video over satellite networks is a game-changer. As industries continue to operate in increasingly remote and challenging environments, such innovations are not just advantageous—they are essential.
Would you like to know more?
With over 20 years of satellite experience, the Ground Control team is well placed to help you keep an eye on the things that matter most.
Whatever your remote surveillance needs, we can help. Complete the form to be connected to one of our team to discover more about the innovative video software, RockREMOTE Rugged and how our solutions can support your project.
The Role of 3GPP Standards in Advancing Cross-Border Asset Tracking
Even in the age of eSIM technology, there remain challenges in tracking road, rail and ocean freight across borders. This post focuses on a key challenge: connectivity. Less than 40 percent of the Earth’s land surface is covered by mobile networks. This figure drops to just 12 percent when oceans are taken into account. So, assets moving out of cellular coverage have had two options: accept gaps in tracking, or utilize satellite connectivity.
The former isn’t an appealing option; freight is vulnerable to theft, adverse weather conditions, damaged infrastructure (roads, bridges etc.), breakdowns etc., all of which can be mitigated, or at least dealt with rapidly, if real-time, global monitoring is available.
The latter – satellite connectivity – has been a mainstay of high value freight for many years, but the relatively high cost of satellite tracking devices, plus airtime, has meant that some organizations with extensive asset inventories or limited budgets haven’t been able to take advantage of the technology.
3GPP standards are poised to lower the cost barrier to satellite connectivity, both directly and indirectly, unlocking truly global asset tracking capabilities to the benefit of logistics, agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, and many other industries.
3GPP’s Impact on Connectivity
3GPP is an initiative to create global standards for telecommunications, ensuring that a device developed and operated in North America would be able to connect to networks in Asia, Europe, Africa etc. As the name suggests, its original mission was to develop specifications for 3G mobile phones, but it has since created the specifications for 4G and 5G, with 6G in development.
Each revised version of the standards has a release number, and Release 17 was the first to accommodate non-terrestrial networks, or NTN. It was completed quite recently – Q3 2022 – and it will take time before devices utilizing this standard start hitting the market in volume.
What this means in this context is that a tracking device could use a single SIM to talk to both terrestrial and satellite constellations. There are several benefits from this:
- There are millions more ‘terrestrial’ tracking devices than there are satellite-enabled ones, and because of these economies of scale, they’re generally much lower cost. If these devices are made with the ability to connect to both terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, these same economies of scale will persist, and the cost of a satellite-enabled tracker will be lower.
- Satellite networks haven’t really, until the advent of 3GPP, had to compete with one another, in the respect that if you want to use satellite connectivity, you need to buy a proprietary modem that communicates with a single satellite network only. Once it’s in place, if you want to change the network, you would physically need to change the modem. But if you have a standards-based SIM, in theory, you can switch your airtime to a different satellite constellation remotely, with the likely impact being that airtime costs will be more competitively priced.
- Data analysis should be simpler; if your tracker is using the same networking language across multiple networks, for example, NB-IoT or LTE Cat-1, the ease with which you can integrate that data with your existing ERP, CRM or inventory management system is greatly enhanced.
Challenges With Implementing 3GPP
There are two ways to enable satellites to ‘speak’ the same language as terrestrial networks. The first is to modify the satellite, and the second is to modify the terrestrial device.
There is a limit to how much modification can be done to satellites that are already in orbit – some as far away as 35,786 kilometers from Earth. So the first option is currently the preserve of companies launching new satellite constellations. The key players here are Starlink, AST SpaceMobile, and Lynk. They are all in the process of launching satellites that are compatible with unmodified LTE-compatible devices. Their largest market is going to be cellphone users, but they’re all anticipating offering an IoT variation; Starlink is likely to be the first to market with this, some time in 2025.
However, they have a key challenge which restricts the global accessibility of these services; they don’t have access to the radio frequencies best suited to IoT and tracking applications. Licensed radio spectrum has been allocated for many years; for satellite network operators it’s called MSS (Mobile Satellite Service) spectrum, and for terrestrial network operators, it’s called MNO spectrum.
In the absence of licensed spectrum, the new satellite network operators have to collaborate with terrestrial network operators to use their spare spectrum. Starlink has agreements with T-Mobile to provide service to the USA, for example, whereas AST SpaceMobile has agreements with AT&T and Verizon. But if your truck or train traveled into Mexico, where Starlink does not, at the time of writing, have an MNO partner, the service would no longer be available.
Given that not all MNOs have spare spectrum – consider Europe and parts of Asia, where networks are already congested – it is unlikely that global service will be available in the next few years.
The second way to implement 3GPP is to update the terrestrial devices that talk to the satellites, and this is the preferred option of the legacy satellite network operators (SNOs). Viasat (previously Inmarsat) and Iridium are the leading SNOs exploring this; they have the advantage of having licensed spectrum, so their services will be globally available from launch.
But, and there’s a big ‘but’ here, they are looking at NB-IoT as their networking language rather than LTE, most probably because it is better suited to existing satellites which weren’t designed for high volumes of high bandwidth traffic. There are far fewer IoT and tracking devices that utilize NB-IoT than there are LTE-enabled devices, so it will take time for the device manufacturers to catch up.
Further, because not all of the satellite network operators have adopted the same networking language, a future in which you can negotiate on price with your SNO because there are several competitors vying for your business is further away.
However, having options to patch the gaps in cellular coverage, particularly as operators are turning off 2G, is a clear positive. If your device has a limited power source – solar or battery – LTE Cat-1 may well not be suitable. So a global in-fill of NTN NB-IoT – which is ideal for low power devices – overcomes the challenge of restricted roaming, and patchy terrestrial LTE-M and NB-IoT.
Where Does Direct-to-Device Come Into Play?
This is sometimes confused / used interchangeably with 3GPP standards-based communication, but it’s not the same thing. D2D refers to the ability for an unmodified terrestrial device to speak to a satellite, but it doesn’t have to be communicating using a standards-based language like LTE or NB-IoT.
The most well-known example of a non-standards-based D2D solution is Globalstar’s collaboration with Apple; Apple updated its handsets to speak to the Globalstar constellation, but they can’t ‘roam’ on to other satellite networks; it’s a proprietary, rather than a standards-based, solution.
Speaking of Proprietary Solutions…
It’s important to stress that proprietary-enabled tracking devices – such as those that use Iridium, Viasat or Globalstar for connectivity – are far from ‘over’. For a start, they already use the most efficient means of communication with satellites, because the devices were designed in conjunction with the satellites. They can send more data, and offer greater flexibility in terms of how that data is transmitted (i.e. IP-based, messages etc.), than standards-based propositions.
Because the narrative around 3GPP standards is chiefly around lower costs, this has already had an impact on satellite connectivity. For the first time, SNOs are enabling their proprietary modems to be incorporated into mass-produced chipsets. This will, through simple economies of scale, lead to a lower price for proprietary modems, making this an increasingly viable option for tracking trucks, trains, ships etc.
As an example, the incredibly small and light, solar-powered and satellite-enabled GSatSolar asset tracking device retails at just $199, with airtime costing <$5 per month (depending on the number of locations you want transmitting).
What Should You Consider for Your Asset Tracking Application?
Firstly, while standards-based devices promise much in the way of cost-savings and ease of implementation, it will be several years before this promise is realized. Mass deployment of devices and adequate supplier competition to influence airtime pricing is unlikely to happen before 2026-27. Further, it’s not clear how the new satellite constellations will overcome their spectrum challenges; although, where there’s a will, there’s usually a way!
In the short to medium-term, the good news is that existing proprietary satellite tracking solutions have, and continue to, come down in price. Our recommendation is to place inquiries and find out what the art of the possible is for your application.
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As a company that’s designed and built asset tracking solutions for over 20 years, Ground Control is well placed to help you navigate the dizzying array of options; get in touch – we’re here to help.
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How Direct-to-Device (D2D) is Shaping the Future of Satellite IoT Connectivity
The Internet of Things (IoT) market is set to grow globally by 18.8% over the next five years, fueled by advancements in 5G and AI technologies, rising demand for automation, and the expanding application of IoT across various industries.
For IoT applications in remote areas beyond the reach of 5G cellular towers, such as environmental monitoring and asset tracking in isolated regions, mountainous terrains, open oceans, and across multiple borders, continuous connectivity remains a challenge. In these scenarios, businesses often turn to satellite IoT, but the perceived high cost and apparent lack of interoperability with terrestrial networking technology may present barriers.
Direct-to-Device (D2D) technology is emerging as a transformative solution to these challenges, poised to revolutionize the IoT marketplace. But before we get to that, let’s clarify what’s meant by the various “direct-to-cell, direct-to-device, direct-to-mobile” terms being bandied about.
What is Direct-to-Cell?
Direct-to-Cell (D2C) is a form of satellite connectivity that enables smartphone users to perform basic functions like texting, calling and basic internet browsing when outside of cellular coverage, with no modifications needed to their cell phone.
This service can be provided in one of two ways: firstly, the satellite network operator (SNO) may partner with a mobile network operator (MNO), and provide the service using the MNO’s licensed terrestrial radio frequencies. In order to do this, both the SNO and the MNO need to use the same waveform technology, e.g. 4G/LTE. This requires the satellites to be designed and deployed with this capability; effectively, it is the satellite that is modified to work with the device, rather than the device being modified to work with the satellite. An example of this is Starlink’s partnership with T-Mobile in the USA.
Secondly, cell phone manufacturers can update their devices to allow them to talk to satellite constellations. This can either be delivered through proprietary solutions – i.e. the handset is updated to allow it to ‘talk’ to a single satellite constellation only (for example, Globalstar’s partnership with Apple) – or via a standards-based solution which can talk to multiple compatible networks, i.e. 5G NTN (NR, NB-IoT, eMTC).
In the case of the latter – where the necessary adjustments are made on the cell phone rather than the satellite – there are a limited number of smartphones that have been made compatible with 5G NTN, including the Google Pixel 9; we’d expect to see this increase in the future.
Image credit: Peter Kibutu, Advanced 5G NTN Technology Lead, TTP
What is Direct-to-Device?
Direct-to-Device (D2D) enables unmodified IoT devices, such as asset tracking beacons and temperature sensors, to transmit data over satellite when cellular is not available. This means that no extra hardware or software is needed to deploy a sensor outside of cellular coverage, or to monitor an asset moving in and out of cellular connectivity.
The difference between Direct-to-Cell and Direct-to-Device is simply the device being connected; in the case of the former it refers to cell phones; in the case of the latter, to IoT devices. They are often used interchangeably – Starlink, for example, refers to both phone and IoT device connectivity as Direct to Cell, whereas analysts Deloitte refer to both as Direct to Device.
For the purposes of this post, we’ll be focusing on IoT applications, and will stick to ‘Direct to Device’.
How Does D2D Work?
Similarly to D2C, there are two ways to deliver D2D. The first is to launch new satellites specifically designed to talk to existing IoT devices, and the second is to add an inexpensive chip to IoT devices so that they can talk to existing satellite networks. This could either be a proprietary chip, which allows the device to speak to a single satellite network, or a standards-based chip, which, in theory, would allow the device to roam on to any network built to the same standards.
There are pros and cons to each approach; in the case of purpose-built satellites, the main plus is that there is a large market of existing devices. However, as we will see, there are performance, spectrum, funding and regulatory challenges to overcome. In the case of new chipsets, whether standards-based or proprietary, it will take time for these to be developed and deployed at scale.
“What technical approach will predominate—one where chipsets in smartphones power satellite communication or where satellites act more as space-based cell towers enabled by network-on-the-edge architecture? In either case, advancement in both satellite and smartphone technology will likely be necessary to enable the full potential of D2D.” – Deloitte Center for Technology, Media & Telecommunications
What Role do Standards-Based Technologies Have to Play in D2D?
There are three cellular-based technologies designed for widespread IoT devices: NB-IoT, LTE-M, and LTE Cat 1. There are lots of blog posts dedicated to the pros and cons of each technology; as a very quick summary, NB-IoT and LTE-M use less power than LTE Cat 1, but LTE Cat 1 has higher data rates and lower latency.
LTE Cat 1 is available wherever there is a 4G LTE network; which covers most of the Earth’s population centers. LTE-M and NB-IoT network technologies are less widely available; 253 mobile network operators have launched NB-IoT or LTE-M networks in 81 countries, of which 173 operators have focused on NB-IoT, and 80 have focused on LTE-M (source).
The satellite network operators working on the delivery of D2D have not all chosen the same cellular technology. Starlink, AST Space Mobile and Lynk have all selected LTE Cat 1, whereas Iridium and Viasat have chosen NB-IoT.
This is probably because the more power-hungry LTE Cat 1 technology would create too great a resource drain on legacy satellite constellations which were not built for high volumes of high speed internet traffic. Equally, where there is no cellular infrastructure, there is often no power source, so an NB-IoT device that can last for years on a single battery is an appealing proposition.
Ultimately, systems integrators will need to make an informed decision about the most suitable technology for their requirements, based on service availability, data volume, latency, and power supply; this will then determine on to which networks their devices can roam.
Who are the Satellite Operators in the Direct-to-Device Market?
LTE Services:
- Starlink: As a major disruptor, Starlink is poised to play a significant role in the D2D market. With the capability to build and launch its own satellites via SpaceX, Starlink has already deployed over 100 D2D satellites and plans to launch over 7,500 more. This will support their goal of providing high-speed, low-latency global connectivity for both mobile and IoT technologies.
- AST SpaceMobile: AST SpaceMobile is making strides with plans to launch its first five commercial satellites in Autumn 2024. AST SpaceMobile has established agreements with over 40 mobile network operators. Backed by strategic investments from giants like Google, AT&T, Vodafone, and Verizon, AST has the potential to be a significant player in the D2D market.
- Lynk: Lynk has already launched satellites and secured relationships with mobile network operators in over 50 countries. Like Starlink and AST SpaceMobile, Lynk uses LTE standards to deliver 5G space-based connectivity directly to existing smartphones.
NTN NB-IoT Services:
- Viasat: Viasat, which now combines Viasat and Inmarsat satellites under the same brand, has satellites in geostationary orbit; 37,785 Km above the Earth. This means that the latency – the time taken for a data packet to be sent, received, and sent back to the ground station – is longer than satellites in Low Earth Orbit.
On the other hand, NTN NB-IoT is well suited to devices that are stationary, and send data several times a day, rather than needing a real-time connection. Viasat’s satellites have good capacity and fewer power limitations than satellites in LEO, so this is a company well placed to deliver on NTN NB-IoT in the near future.
- Iridium: Iridium’s Project Stardust signals their intention to move away from solely proprietary satellite IoT solutions towards standards-based solutions. Iridium aims to enhance its D2D strategy by leveraging its established low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network for 5G standards-based IoT and NTN services. Iridium aims to collaborate with OEMs and MNOs to integrate satellite capabilities into IoT devices.
Challenges in Rolling out Direct-to-Device
Radio Spectrum Allocation. Long-standing satellite network operators like Viasat and Iridium have licensed L-band spectrum which is ideal for IoT applications; it doesn’t require a large antenna, and is resistant to rain-fade. They can choose to allocate some of this spectrum to enable D2D.
New satellite network operators like Starlink, AST SpaceMobile and Lynk, however, need to forge partnerships with mobile network operators – T-Mobile, Verizon, Telefónica etc. – so that some of their licensed spectrum can be allocated to satellite connectivity.
This means that, for these SNOs, D2D service is only available where partnerships exist. Starlink, for example, has agreements with T-Mobile for the USA, Optus for Australia, Rogers for Canada, and several more; but is very far away from having global coverage.
There also needs to be ‘spare’ MNO spectrum available for use. In larger land masses with dispersed populations like Australia and Canada (respectively, the 6th and 9th least densely populated countries on Earth), this doesn’t present a huge issue. But consider parts of Europe or Asia; the new SNOs will have a much greater challenge gaining partnerships in densely populated countries.
Performance. As briefly mentioned earlier, the “legacy” satellite constellations of Viasat and Iridium weren’t conceived with high volumes of high speed traffic in mind. Hence the choice of NB-IoT as the networking technology, as NB-IoT’s waveform can be transmitted efficiently via satellites, with far less power required than LTE Cat 1bis – both on the device side and on the satellites themselves.
This doesn’t mean that Starlink, AST SpaceMobile etc. have a free-for-all in terms of capacity. Starlink coverage over the USA, for example, is, according to Elon Musk, anticipated to be 7 MB per beam (and the beams are very large). All users – both IoT devices and cell phone users – share that capacity, so congestion and bandwidth limitations are possibilities.
Regulatory. This is a challenge for the new satellite constellations, leveraging MNO spectrum. As Device-to-Device (D2D) communication extends beyond national borders, it poses significant challenges to existing regulatory frameworks and spectrum management practices. Since D2D users can operate in remote regions where traditional mobile networks don’t reach, their activity may span across countries. This makes it essential for neighboring nations to collaborate closely on spectrum management.
Additionally, roaming regulations, licensing, and authorizations may need to adapt, as D2D service providers are no longer confined to one country. This could lead to the development of regional or international licensing systems and potentially even an international regulatory body (source).
Funding. Companies taking the route of launching satellites compatible with terrestrial waveform technologies have a huge CapEx challenge; in order to provide service, they need to launch many satellites, at no small expense, and then bank on subscribers turning up in their tens of thousands in order to recoup their costs.
The business case for D2D purely in the context of IoT is that these new constellations will be able to communicate with unmodified cellular IoT devices – which are far lower cost than current satellite IoT devices – thus unlocking a new, lower price point for hardware. But lower costs means more subscribers need to be found before the SNO is profitable.
Existing satellite IoT applications are often mission-critical and need sureties of data delivery and speeds that D2D may not be able to deliver; thus D2D isn’t likely to dramatically cannibalize the existing satellite IoT market. New use cases need to be found, and use cases with thousands, if not tens of thousands, of endpoints.
This is a bit of a gamble when almost all of the costs have to be incurred before service can be delivered. It is possible that some of the new entrants will run out of steam before their services are commercially available.
When Will Direct-to-Device Services Be Available?
In the context of cellphones, D2D is already available, through Globalstar’s partnership with Apple. In this case, the manufacturer modified the cellphone to talk to Globalstar’s satellite network. However, this proprietary approach has proven unpopular; Iridium and Qualcomm took a similar proposition to market and ultimately shelved the project.
In terms of a standards-based D2D service, there are some early solutions being tested as we write (in September 2024). Notably Skylo, leveraging Viasat and Ligado’s satellite constellations, have partnered with several device manufacturers to develop chipsets that can be added to terrestrial devices to deliver D2D functionality.
Taking the opposite approach – with satellites built for D2D, and needing no changes to devices – Starlink have announced that they intend to offer IoT services at some point in 2025. These will be limited to the areas where Starlink has an MNO partner.
With several technical hurdles still to overcome, it’s our view that we’ll start to see larger deployments of D2D IoT devices no earlier than 2026. In the meantime, however, the buzz around lower hardware pricing is already starting to impact proprietary solutions, with Iridium and Viasat for the first time allowing mass chipset manufacturers to build hybrid devices with their modems. These economies of scale should see proprietary satellite IoT hardware reducing in price, unlocking new applications for satellite IoT long before standards-based D2D becomes a reality.
Additional sources:
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Will Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) Change Offshore Wind Connectivity?
Offshore wind farms represent the frontier of clean energy, located far from shore where the winds are strongest and most consistent. However, these remote locations present significant challenges for connectivity.
While wired connections to wind farms are frequently in place, integrating a wireless system alongside an existing wired connection for wind farms offers significant benefits, including easier sensor deployment, cost savings, and faster data acquisition.
Indeed, according to Turbit, a dedicated wireless SCADA network enhances data resilience, security, and transmission speed, allowing near real-time updates that can boost output by up to 5%.
Wireless Networking Options for Offshore Wind Farms
Adding a wireless network, though, isn’t always straightforward. If your wind farm is within 12 nautical miles of the mainland, you can use appropriately secured 4G/LTE. Over 12 miles, and you’re looking at either a private cellular network, or a satellite-enabled Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN).
Private cellular networks, although very cost-effective once set up, are expensive and time-consuming to get started with. A more agile option is to explore LPWAN technologies, and this is where the advent of standards-based networks has the potential to unlock new applications.
To start with, the current options for setting up an LPWAN for your offshore wind farm (this also applies to the Offshore Support Vessels, USVs and buoys that support your operation) are:
1. Use an LPWAN such as LoRa to locally network your sensors, aggregate the data in a gateway, then use a satellite IoT transceiver to transmit the aggregated data.
Pros of a LoRa-Based LPWAN
- No cellular connectivity is required for a LoRa network
- Most turbines don’t need a dedicated transceiver to communicate with the satellite network; only the turbine hosting the gateway needs this. This reduces the hardware costs
- Moving data within a LoRaWAN is very low cost
- Either the gateway or the transceiver should have edge computing capabilities, so that the aggregated data can be processed, and only the necessary information transmitted. This ensures that costs are minimized.
Cons of a LoRa-Based LPWAN
- The data rate for LoRaWAN is limited to 50 Kbps, which may constrain applications
- If you have the option of using a commercial operated LoRaWAN, it’s more expensive to transmit data than if you set up a private LoRa network
- Setting up a private LoRa network is resource-hungry: you’ll need to purchase the gateway(s) and a network server, write the firmware, and create the connections.
2. Individually connect your sensors to a satellite IoT transceiver to form a satellite LPWAN.
Pros of a Satellite-Based LPWAN
- No cellular infrastructure is required for satellite IoT connectivity
- There’s no limitation in the distance between your sensors; your OSVs, USVs and data buoys can all be connected, even if they’re many miles apart
- There is no impact on the reliability of transmissions in extreme weather conditions
- It’s very secure: data is hard to intercept while in space, and firewalls, VPNs and private lines protect your data once it’s earth-bound again
- Depending on your choice of transceiver, data rates can be as high as 464 Kbps
- It’s fast and easy to get started with – satellite modems can communicate with most programming languages.
Cons of a Satellite-Based LPWAN
- Cost. Both the transceivers and the airtime are higher cost than purchasing LoRa transceiver radio modules, and using a LoRa network.
So, network engineers have a choice: commit the time, effort and money to build a LoRa network paired with a single satellite IoT transceiver, and enjoy long-term low costs. Or, accept that the operating expenditure will be higher, and move more quickly with a satellite LPWAN.
What we tend to find is that the selection depends on the number of sensors: if there are relatively few, engineers like the speed, ease and flexibility of a satellite LPWAN. If there are many, the long-term cost-saving benefits of a LoRa network coupled with a satellite transceiver win out.
But what if the cost of each satellite IoT transceiver was lower? This would mean that more sensors could be individually paired with a transceiver, while costs remained within budget.
Lower module costs is one of the benefits expected to materialize from 3GPP standards-based technology, so let’s get into it.
What is 3GPP?
3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) is a global collaboration aimed at standardizing telecommunications infrastructure. Established in 1998, it ensures that developers worldwide follow a unified approach in cellular technology development. One of its key achievements, “Release 17” in 2021, introduced satellite connectivity into the mix.
If a satellite network complies with 3GPP standards, a device – which could be a cellphone or an IoT device – equipped with a compatible 3GPP modem can seamlessly switch from cell tower coverage to satellite connectivity without any service interruption or the need for additional hardware. This is usually referred to as direct to cell (in the context of cellphones), or direct to device (in the context of everything else).
How Will 3GPP Standards-Based Technology Impact IoT Connectivity?
1. Lower Cost of Modems
There are millions more cellular-based IoT connections than there are satellite connections. So if you only need to buy one modem to communicate with your device, many more dual-function modems will be manufactured than satellite-only modems. Customers should, therefore, benefit from economies of scale, and a lower cost modem.
An important adjacent effect of 3GPP here is that incumbent satellite network operations like Iridium and Viasat have begun enabling chip manufacturers to incorporate their proprietary standards into mass production chips. That means that the cost of proprietary satellite modems is coming down too, again because of economies of scale.
2. Supplier Switching
Today’s satellite-only modems each talk to a specific satellite network. The ST6100, for example, talks to Viasat’s geostationary satellites. RockBLOCK 9603 communicates with the Iridium Low Earth Orbit satellite constellation. GSatSolar talks to the Globalstar network. If you want to change your satellite network, you’ll need a new modem – these are proprietary systems.
Conversely, the 3GPP standards-based modems will, in principle, talk to any satellite network that’s 3GPP-compatible. Meaning you could switch your airtime supplier without needing to replace any hardware. This may have the effect of making airtime rates more predictable, as competition to retain customers’ business will force greater pricing transparency.
Which Satellite Networks Will Support 3GPP Standards-Based Modules?
In this context, it’s helpful to structure the satellite network operators (SNOs) into three ‘classes’:
1. Established SNOs, which include Viasat and Iridium.
These operators have an advantage in that they have licensed radio spectrum in the L-Band frequency (perfect for IoT data transmissions), and global landing rights. This means their services are very widely available, and are extremely reliable, as their bandwidth is not heavily contested.
However, they need to retro-fit their satellites to support this new technology, and that’s not trivial. Viasat, via their partnership with Skylo, can connect with NB-IoT modems in North America and Europe, but have work to do to make their services more widely available. Iridium are working towards a release date of 2027 (anticipated to also be NB-IoT compatible).
2. Well-funded new constellations; chief among them Starlink.
Starlink’s best-known service is, of course, broadband internet for residential purposes. The satellites that serve these requirements are not the same as the satellites Starlink has launched since January 2024 to serve direct to cell.
The new Starlink direct to cell satellites are compatible with LTE devices back on Earth – specifically CAT-1, CAT-1 Bis, and CAT-4 modems – and service is expected at some point in 2025. Starlink does, however, have a challenge that the longer-established satellite network operators don’t have; it doesn’t have licensed radio spectrum. So Starlink partners with mobile network operators like T-Mobile in the USA and Optus in Australia to lease some of their licensed radio spectrum. Service is restricted to where these partnerships exist.
3. Innovative start-ups like Sateliot and OQ Technologies.
These companies were founded to capitalize on standards-based technology, and their satellites have been designed for this purpose. Currently, these start-ups are limited by the number of satellites they have in orbit; according to NewSpace Index, Sateliot have five, and OQ have 10 in Low Earth Orbit. This means that your sensor will need to wait for a satellite to pass overhead, perhaps once or twice a day, before it can send its data.
It’s early days, however, and both are planning to launch more satellites over the coming years. In the meantime, they are inviting people to join their early adopters program, and building partnerships with mobile network operators in much the same vein as Starlink; to leverage their licensed spectrum in areas not served by terrestrial infrastructure.
When Will Standards-Based Modems be Available?
Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) NB-IoT modems are available now, but with limitations on coverage and bandwidth. The full promise of these advancements will be realized when there are multiple global providers, but there are issues to work out – for example, the power drain on a satellite that previously had 50,000 devices talking to it at any given time, now needing to move the data for 10, even 100 times, the number of devices.
There’s also the need for partnerships between the new satellite network and terrestrial network operators to establish global coverage – so we estimate that 2027 onwards is when we’ll see widespread adoption.
That said, as mentioned above, we’re already experiencing some of the benefits of this innovation, in that SNOs like Iridium and Viasat are set to both adopt the standards but more importantly enable their proprietary modems to be made by mass chip manufacturers, enabling price reductions from their scale.
So the shift, in some respects, is already here; you can more economically connect individual sensors using proprietary systems. As airtime and device pricing for standards-based modems becomes clearer in the coming years, you’ll have to make a choice about the best technology for your project; but the impact of standards on affordability is being felt today.
What are the Advantages of Proprietary Systems?
Proprietary systems – e.g. where an Iridium modem talks to an Iridium satellite only – are likely to remain, as they will retain advantages over standards-based systems.
“From a technical perspective, there is no definitive conclusion as to which protocol strategy is better – using proprietary systems, 3GPP standards, or other standards-based systems such as LoRa. All have their advantages and disadvantages.” – Analysys Mason
The main advantages of a proprietary system are capacity and reliability. As any cell phone user knows, when there’s a lot of traffic in the system, cell phone service slows down or even stops. Managing substantial additional demand through a finite number of solar-powered satellites is likely to present similar challenges. Conversely, licensed waveforms will not be overwhelmed by traffic, which means that when you need complete confidence that your data will be transmitted, in as close to real-time as possible, they’ll remain the preferred choice.
For Offshore Wind companies, and indeed in most cases, some data are more critical than others. You need to know if a turbine has developed a fault in real-time; but you may be able to wait a few hours to find out what your data buoys are reporting in the respect of location, wave height, temperature, salinity etc. You need to be able to communicate in real-time with a UAV / unmanned vessel, but you can probably cope with receiving data from your vibration sensors a couple of times a day.
How to Choose the Best Satellite IoT Network
This is where a trusted IoT connectivity partner comes in. Companies like Ground Control, who work with multiple satellite network operators and networking protocols, can help you choose the most appropriate solution based on data rates, criticality, security, device mobility, and location.
We are on the beta test programs for several standards-based modems, and we’re constantly exploring new partnerships from both standards-based and proprietary system providers. We test every modem in-house so we can provide our customers with objective, expert advice.
Satellite IoT is exploding with new choices; it’s our role to simplify those choices so that you benefit from the most cost-effective, easy to implement and reliable connectivity for your application.
Get in Touch
We don’t operate a satellite network ourselves, but we do design, build and test satellite IoT hardware and supporting software solutions. This gives us an expert and objective view on the best networks and networking technology for your application.
Email us at hello@groundcontrol.com or complete the form, and we’ll be in touch within one working day.