Satellite and cellular connectivity specialists, Ground Control, has launched two small form-factor devices that can be used across multiple industries which require tracking and remote monitoring, both with ultra-low energy consumption.

British-owned Ground Control, which operates out of both the UK and US, claims the RockREMOTE Mini is the smallest and lightest Certus 100 IoT device in the market. Its sister product, the RockREMOTE Mini OEM, is a lightweight subassembly which can be easily embedded into a new product or remote IoT solution.

RockREMOTE Mini has already been signed up by sections of the heavy machinery industry market to transmit telemetry from autonomous machinery and remote generators. Its broad spectrum of capabilities is now supporting M2M (machine-to-machine), tracking, telemetry, remote monitoring, and SCADA applications. This supports more effective predictive maintenance as well as being a failover method for controlling devices for tracking and remote monitoring in applications such as forestry, wind farms, mining and agriculture.

Designed to save space, economise on power usage, and make satellite IoT data transfer more cost-effective, it provides networking and data transfer within a highly compact unit. With its rugged, IP67 waterproof casing, versatile interface options, all underpinned by Iridium’s Certus 100 and Iridium Messaging Transport (IMT) services, RockREMOTE Mini provides everything for global, midband data connectivity.

The RockREMOTE Mini OEM, designed to fit into current configurations already in service, likewise transmits IoT data using the Iridium Certus 100 service via TCP/IP or IMT.

Alastair MacLeod, CEO for Ground Control, said: “We are confident the Mini is the smallest, lightest most ‘complete’ Certus 100 IoT device, and the OEM version the only PCB variant available in the market today. We anticipate strong demand from a wide range of IoT applications, such as tracking and remote monitoring across the energy and utilities sectors, and beyond.

“Our aim was to keep the power consumption very low, a critical factor in remote environments. I’m delighted that we have had such positive early feedback from our customers, who are looking to realise the benefits across a wide range of industries and applications.”

RockREMOTE Mini offers IP data speeds of 22 / 28Kbps. Measuring just 182mm x 74.5mm x 53mm, it’s smaller and lighter than other competitive satellite IP devices, saving crucial design space, and fits in where it’s needed to.

Further information, including full data sheets can be found here RockREMOTE Mini and here RockREMOTE Mini OEM.

About Ground Control

Established 22 years ago in 2002, Ground Control uses satellite and cellular technology to connect people and things, particularly within hard to reach, remote areas – from wind farms to fishing fleets and first responders to forestry workers.

Ground Control designs and builds its own hardware covering the entire spectrum of connectivity requirements, with manufacturing facilities in the UK, and in the United States.

The company’s long-term partnerships with airtime providers such as Inmarsat and Iridium mean that it has access to the most competitive and comprehensive airtime plans, taking full advantage of their service evolutions in ways that make Ground Control’s customers’ challenges easier to solve.

Ground Control was launched when three leading brands – US-based Ground Control, and UK-based Wireless Innovation and Rock Seven – united to create a best-in-class technology and service provider in satellite and IoT.

Ground Control works within a multitude of Governments and industries, including Oil & Gas, Utilities, First Responders, Maritime, the Environment and Agriculture, from all over the globe.

About the IoT M2M Council

The IMC is the largest trade group dedicated to the global IoT/M2M sector – with over 28,000 IoT adopters as members. Board companies include 1NCE, 2J Antennas, A1 Digital, Aeris, Airgain, Blues, Digi International, eSAT Global, Eseye, Fibocom, floLIVE, Friendly Technologies, Giesecke+Devrient, Globalstar, Ground Control, Gurtam, Hologram, iBasis, Ignion, IoT Launch, Keyfactor, KORE, KYOCERA AVX, Losant, MultiTech, OQ Technology, Pelion, Printed Energy, Quectel, Somos, Tata Communications, Telit Cinterion, and Vodafone. Visit www.iotm2mcouncil.org