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Suivo

Introduction

Suivo is a company specializing in Fleet & Asset management, where IoT tags play a crucial role. Suivo offers a wide range of passive and active tags, as well as trackers and mobile devices that function as hubs/gateways. These devices identify tags and transmit any additional sensor data, along with a timestamp, to the central Cloud platform for further processing and reporting to end clients.

Gallery

Suivo Gateway Prototype Hardware Setup

Objectives

The primary objectives of the Suivo project were:

  • Hardware Development: To develop a cost-effective gateway that can detect nearby “short-range” active tags and transmit data to the central platform.
  • Connectivity: To ensure reliable Wi-Fi or optional 4G/5G connectivity for real-time data transmission.
  • Power Resilience: To design a system that remains operational for several days during power outages.

Technology Stack

The Suivo project utilized the following technologies:

  • IoT Tags: Active BLE tags used to transmit identification data.
  • Gateway: A custom-built gateway capable of detecting BLE broadcasts and sending the data to the cloud.
  • Wi-Fi/4G/5G Modules: Used for establishing connectivity with the Suivo platform.
  • Power Management Systems: Ensures the gateway can operate during power outages.

Project Development

Phase 1: Concept and Design

The project began with the conceptualization and design of a gateway capable of detecting active tags and transmitting data to the Suivo platform. This phase included:

  1. Component Selection: Choosing suitable off-the-shelf components for the gateway, including the modem, power management system, and BLE receiver.
  2. Design: Creating the housing design for the gateway, with considerations for in-house production by Suivo.

Phase 2: Development and Prototyping

In this phase, the focus was on building a functional prototype of the gateway. Key activities included:

  • Hardware Assembly: Integrating selected components into a working prototype.
  • Firmware Development: Writing and testing the code to enable the gateway to detect tags and send data to the cloud.
  • Initial Testing: Conducting tests to ensure the gateway's functionality in detecting tags and maintaining connectivity.

Phase 3: Testing and Optimization

Once the prototype was developed, extensive testing and optimization were conducted to refine the system's performance. This phase included:

  • Range Testing: Verifying the effective range for detecting BLE tags and optimizing the system accordingly.
  • Power Management Optimization: Ensuring the system could run efficiently on battery power during outages.
  • Reliability Testing: Stress-testing the gateway under various conditions to ensure stable performance.

Challenges and Learnings

Throughout the project, several challenges were encountered, such as:

  • Connectivity Stability: Ensuring reliable Wi-Fi or 4G/5G connectivity, especially in environments with weak signals.
  • Power Management: Balancing power consumption and operational longevity during outages.
  • Tag Detection: Ensuring accurate detection of BLE broadcasts within the specified range.

Overcoming these challenges provided valuable insights into IoT hardware development, connectivity solutions, and power management strategies.

Impact and Future Prospects

The Suivo project successfully delivered a prototype gateway that met the project objectives. The project demonstrated the feasibility of developing a cost-effective, reliable gateway for detecting and reporting active tags in real-time. Future prospects include:

  • Advanced Power Solutions: Implementing alternative power solutions, such as solar panels, to extend operational longevity during outages.
  • Enhanced Connectivity: Exploring more robust connectivity options to ensure reliable operation in all environments.
  • Scalability: Expanding the system to support a larger number of tags and additional sensor data.

Conclusion

The Suivo project exemplifies the application of IoT technology in fleet and asset management. The development of a cost-effective, reliable gateway for tag detection and data transmission highlights the potential for further innovation in this field. The project’s success underscores the importance of robust design, thorough testing, and continuous improvement in delivering effective IoT solutions.