About outdoor tracking management- GPS, Cellular, LoRa, and RFID. 

Outdoor asset tracking is critical for businesses that rely on the movement of goods, equipment, and vehicles. Various technologies enable companies to monitor the location, status, speed, and direction of movement of their physical assets. Here check below to know more about outdoor tracking technology - GPS, cellular, LoRa, and RFID. 

GPS

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is the most commonly used technology for outdoor tracking. The system was developed and is operated by the United States Department of Defense. It is used for navigation, mapping, surveying, and applications that require precise positioning, such as tracking the location of remote devices or hikers. GPS uses a network of satellites to transmit radio signals to ground receivers to determine location. Orbiting satellites transmit signals that enable GPS receivers to calculate their position through trilateration - using three reference points from multiple satellites to calculate their position. The devices broadcast on at least two frequencies - L1 (1575.42 MHz) and L2 (1227.6 MHz). Newer satellites also broadcast on L5 (1176 MHz).GPS is ideal for tracking assets that are constantly moving and need to be monitored in real time. These devices are able to provide precise location data, speed, and direction of movement within a range of 10 to 50 feet. GPS can also be used to track assets in remote or hard-to-reach areas, such as ships at sea or vehicles in the desert.

However, GPS tracking is expensive and may not work well in areas with poor satellite coverage, such as urban canyons. Other factors that can affect positioning accuracy include atmospheric factors, which cause signal delays, and multipath effects when GPS signals reflect off surfaces such as buildings before reaching the receiver.

Cellular

Cellular tracking devices use the same mobile networks as smartphones. Therefore, they do not require a data plan or any additional infrastructure. The wide coverage of mobile network providers provides a huge space for cellular solutions.The value of cellular networks lies in their ability to transmit and receive large amounts of data over long distances. Therefore, cellular networks are ideal for solutions that require large amounts of data to be transmitted in real time. Applications range from fleets, railways, cold chain, smart cities, and agricultural management.

One disadvantage of cellular networks is their high data costs compared to technologies such as LoRa and RFID that do not require data plans. While cellular networks offer wide coverage, alternative or complementary solutions may be needed in remote areas or offshore applications.

LoRa

Long Range Radio (LoRa) is designed for long-range communications—up to 5 km (3 miles) in urban areas and 15 km (10 miles) or more in rural areas. LoRa uses low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) technology to transmit data over these long distances. LoRa devices operate in unlicensed spectrum—433 MHz (Asia), 868 MHz (Europe), and 915 MHz (North America), which allows long-range transmission without the need for licenses or network planning. The technology is ideal for tracking assets that are widely distributed and require long-range, low-power communications, such as utility meters. LoRa devices can be battery-powered and transmit data up to several kilometers from a gateway. This makes LoRa ideal for tracking containers, pallets, and equipment in large industrial sites or ports. LoRa can also be used to track assets in remote or rural areas beyond cellular network coverage.

One drawback of LoRa is its limited data transmission capacity. While many IoT sensors don't need to send a lot of data, for applications that require a lot of transmissions continuously or periodically, LoRa may not provide the bandwidth or low latency needed.

RFID

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a technology that uses radio waves to identify and track tags attached to objects. There are two types of RFID: active and passive. Active RFID tags use batteries, while passive tags do not. Therefore, passive RFID is most often used for indoor asset tracking due to the shorter read range of battery-free technology. However, many companies have found innovative ways to use RFID because it is one of the lower-cost tracking options. Some companies produce "ultra-long-range" passive RFID tags that can be read up to 300 feet or more. These tags are typically larger (1-2 feet long) and are designed to be mounted on containers or in yard warehouses. Other companies pair RFID with GPS to best track assets and determine location. A forklift with an embedded RFID reader will read the RFID tag it comes into contact with and pair that information with the GPS location information. In this way, the technology can be used both indoors and outdoors.

RFID is ideal for tracking assets within a specific area, such as a warehouse or production facility. It is often used to track assets entering and leaving an area, such as containers or trucks entering and leaving a port or distribution center. RFID is also suitable for tracking assets that require a high level of security or cannot be manually tracked, such as high-value assets or hazardous materials. The choice of outdoor asset tracking technology depends on the specific needs of the business. GPS is ideal for accurate real-time monitoring of frequently moving assets, while LoRa is suitable for tracking assets distributed over a wide area. Cellular networks are suitable for outdoor solutions that require high bandwidth, especially mobile solutions. RFID is best for tracking assets within a specific area or yard. Each technology has its advantages and disadvantages. Businesses should choose the technology that best meets their needs and budget.

We offer a variety of customized IoT handheld devices that can be used for outdoor asset tracking and management. If you need, please contact us for detailed communication.