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Using u-blox Innovations to Develop Next-Gen Industrial Asset Monitoring Solutions

Symmetry Electronics in Blogs on October 23, 2023

About Symmetry Electronics

Established in 1998, Symmetry Electronics, a Division of Braemac, is a global distributor of electronic components and systems. Combining premier components and comprehensive value-added services with an expert in-house engineering team, Symmetry supports engineers in the design, development, and deployment of a broad range of connected technologies. 

Exponential Technology Group Member

Acquired by Berkshire Hathaway company TTI, Inc. in 2017, Symmetry Electronics is a proud Exponential Technology Group (XTG) member. A collection of specialty semiconductor distributors and engineering design firms, XTG stands alongside industry leaders TTI Inc., Mouser Electronics, and Sager Electronics. Together, we provide a united global supply chain solution with the shared mission of simplifying engineering, offering affordable technologies, and assisting engineers in accelerating time to market. For more information about XTG, visit www.xponentialgroup.com.

The urgency to embark on industrial asset monitoring projects is palpable. Driven by the march of innovation and automation, the industrial landscape is undergoing a profound transformation. There is immense potential awaiting developers in an industrial asset management market that’s expected to reach a staggering $14.4 billion by 2029. This market growth represents a realm of untapped opportunities and the chance to revolutionize the way industries safeguard their critical assets. With each passing day, the demand for efficient, data-driven solutions to monitor industrial assets becomes more pronounced, making it imperative for developers to seize the moment.

Ultra-Low Power, Highly Accurate, and Pre-Certified GNSS Modules

Designing industrial asset tracking monitoring solutions has never been more convenient. Developers can harness the power of u-blox's innovative portfolio to create cutting-edge solutions. Known for its remarkable precision accuracy, the MIA-M10 series enables developers to precisely track assets across various environments, even in challenging urban canyons or remote rural areas. The SARA-R5 series from u-blox ensures seamless communication between assets and central monitoring systems. Additionally, their SARA-R510 AWS module leverages Amazon Web Services (AWS) to facilitate secure, scalable, and cost-effective cloud integration for convenient asset data storage, analysis, and management.

MIA-M10 Series

Ideal for compact asset-tracking devices, the MIA-M10 series is an ultra-low-power GNSS solution measuring at just 4.5mm x 4.5mm. Boasting remarkable efficiency, the series effectively doubles battery life through optimized power-saving modes. Additionally, it offers exceptional reliability with concurrent reception of signals from four GNSS systems to ensure maximum position availability.

Featured Products

SARA-R5 Series

The SARA-R5 series is a set of cutting-edge solutions that are built to endure the entire lifespan of IoT applications and are poised for seamless integration with 5G technology through the u-blox UBX-R5 chipset. With u-blox's LTE and GNSS chipsets, customers can rely on unmatched product longevity and comprehensive support.

Featured Products

SARA-R510 AWS

The SARA-R510 AWS is an LTE-M, AWS IoT ExpressLink module that’s engineered for seamless and secure access to AWS IoT services via LTE-M connectivity. This module provides direct access to the AWS IoT cloud, fortified by a hardware-based root of trust for enhanced security. With its user-friendly AT command set, development is streamlined, ensuring accelerated time-to-market. Additionally, it relieves the host processor from the complexities of connectivity and cryptography tasks, while offering host OTA capabilities for convenient firmware updates directly through the AWS Jobs service. Furthermore, it grants access to AWS IoT device and fleet management, along with a choice of over 200 optional AWS services, making it a comprehensive solution for diverse IoT applications.

Featured Products

Bluetooth Low Energy Asset Tracking Modules

Drawing upon a longstanding partnership spanning over a decade, u-blox, a frontrunner in positioning and wireless communication technologies, and Nordic Semiconductor, a renowned global leader in IoT solutions, offer an innovative portfolio of Bluetooth® Low Energy modules firmly rooted in Nordic's cutting-edge Bluetooth chipsets. This collaboration has transformed short-range IoT device connectivity and given rise to u-blox's NINA, ANNA, NORA, and BMD products.

Nordic-based u-blox chipsets highlight the revolutionary potential of Bluetooth Direction Finding with emphasis on Angle of Arrival (AoA) and Angle of Departure (AoD) attributes. AoA involves transmitting a directional packet from a beacon or tag to a locator with multiple antennas, which calculates the signal's angle of arrival based on phase shifts between antennas. This method is ideal for asset tracking and Point-of-Interest applications. AoD relies on a transmitting device with an antenna array and a single-antenna receiver in the receiving device. Mobile phones, for example, can use Bluetooth for location tracking without extra hardware.

MQTT Anywhere Cellular Connectivity + CloudLocate Cloud Positioning

u-blox provides a comprehensive suite of services to empower businesses with end-to-end solutions for their industrial asset tracking needs. MQTT Anywhere, an IoT Communication-as-a-Service solution powered by SIM-based LPWA technology, is a versatile platform that operates across 600+ cellular network carriers in 190 countries worldwide, all without the need for cellular data. It provides a fixed, low-cost, globally ubiquitous connectivity option. MQTT Anywhere simplifies IoT systems integration and offers seamless roaming capabilities.

CloudLocate is a u-blox service that brings positioning to the cloud and extends the life of energy-constrained IoT applications by delivering up to 10X energy savings compared to standalone GNSS power-saving approaches. Additionally, it enables the expansion of market reach by facilitating the creation of enterprise solutions that leverage CloudLocate's global availability. This end-to-end solution is compatible with any connectivity technology, ultimately increasing device fielded lifetime while reducing operational burdens, all backed by our warranty and support.

Technical Engineering Support, Documentation, and Tools

Symmetry Electronics, a leading global distributor of specialty semiconductors and IoT communication products, supports engineers in developing industrial asset monitoring solutions. With over 20 years of industry experience, Symmetry provides a comprehensive set of resources, including detailed data sheets, market insights, blogs, videos, and in-house Applications Engineers who offer free technical support throughout the design cycle. As a part of the Exponential Technology Group (XTG), a network of esteemed electronic component distributors and design engineering firms, Symmetry is a valuable partner for engineers in the field.

Industry Applications and Use Cases

It's essential to understand the industries where asset tracking plays a pivotal role. Among the top three sectors leading the charge in IIoT adoption are energy & power, manufacturing, and connected logistics. For the energy & power industry, asset tracking ensures the efficient management of critical infrastructure (such as power plants and transmission facilities), optimizing maintenance schedules and enhancing reliability. In manufacturing, precise asset tracking streamlines production lines, reduces downtime, and enhances overall efficiency by keeping tabs on machinery and components.

Beyond these core industries, a broad range of segments also benefit immensely from industrial asset tracking solutions:

  • Energy & Power
  • Manufacturing
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Electronics & Semiconductors
  • Chemicals
  • Aerospace & Defense
  • Food & Beverage
  • Metal & Mining
  • Medical Devices
  • Biotechnology
  • Other Industries
A warehouse worker walks down the aisle of an industrial workplace with a tablet with smart technology overlays on the stock shelves.
Two large front-facing satellite dishes with many other satellite dishes facing other directions in the background.
two hands holding a tablet showing an on-screen analytics platform that's connected to the stock in the background warehouse setting.

Conclusion

The industrial Internet of Things and asset tracking are transforming industries across the globe. To delve deeper into this exciting realm and explore how you can harness its potential, we invite you to read our comprehensive e-book, "The Ultimate Guidebook to Developing Industrial Asset Monitoring Solutions". Discover how these technologies are revolutionizing industries and learn how to leverage them in developing key business applications. Embrace the future of asset tracking and stay ahead of the curve in the world of industrial IoT.

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Symmetry Electronics in Blogs on October 23, 2023

About Symmetry Electronics

Established in 1998, Symmetry Electronics, a Division of Braemac, is a global distributor of electronic components and systems. Combining premier components and comprehensive value-added services with an expert in-house engineering team, Symmetry supports engineers in the design, development, and deployment of a broad range of connected technologies. 

Exponential Technology Group Member

Acquired by Berkshire Hathaway company TTI, Inc. in 2017, Symmetry Electronics is a proud Exponential Technology Group (XTG) member. A collection of specialty semiconductor distributors and engineering design firms, XTG stands alongside industry leaders TTI Inc., Mouser Electronics, and Sager Electronics. Together, we provide a united global supply chain solution with the shared mission of simplifying engineering, offering affordable technologies, and assisting engineers in accelerating time to market. For more information about XTG, visit www.xponentialgroup.com.

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