In a recent webinar hosted by Beecham Research on space-based asset tracking, industry experts came together to explore the latest advancements in asset tracking, through the enablement of satellite Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity. With increasing global demand for real-time asset monitoring, satellite technology is transforming how businesses track and manage their assets, even in the most remote areas. This blog serves as a summary of the conversations that took place during the live webinar.
The Growing Importance of IoT in Asset Tracking
IoT plays a vital role in asset tracking across a wide range of industries by enhancing security, optimizing operations and ensuring seamless asset management. It aids in safeguarding valuable assets and personnel by providing real-time monitoring and alerts, reducing risks and improving overall safety. Additionally, IoT-driven asset tracking generates continuous streams of operational data, enabling businesses to make more informed decisions, optimize logistics and enhance efficiency. Suppliers and organizations benefit from increased visibility into asset location and condition, ensuring better maintenance, reduced losses and improved operational control.
Industry Leaders Driving Innovation
The webinar featured insights from major players in the field:
- LoRa Alliance: The open, nonprofit association which develops and promotes the LoRaWAN® global standard, approved by ITU-T for secure, carrier-grade IoT LPWAN connectivity.
- Semtech: The inventors of LoRa® technology, focusing on continuous innovation for IoT systems.
- EchoStar Mobile: Operators of the first pan-European LoRa-enabled satellite IoT network, offering real-time, bidirectional connectivity.
- Connected: Providers of smart safety solutions leveraging Echostar’s connectivity.
Market Growth & Key Trends
The asset tracking market is expanding rapidly, with significant projected revenue growth from 2023-2030, from 4.5 billion to 14.0 billion respectively. Riding this macro-trend, satellite-based IoT connections are also set to increase dramatically from 2022-2028, as businesses seek more efficient, scalable tracking solutions with affordable ubiquitous connectivity.
LoRaWAN and Satellite Connectivity: A Game Changer
A key focus of the webinar was the role of LoRaWAN technology in Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN’s). LoRaWAN, an open-standard protocol, enables long-range, with a very low-power budget, making it an ideal choice for connecting IoT devices via satellite.
Notable speakers, including Olivier Beaujard, Chair of the LoRa Alliance® Board and Nicolas Damour, Semtech’s senior director of strategic partnership, highlighted the benefits of LoRaWAN NTN:
- Low power consumption: Devices operate efficiently on minimal energy, through small batteries or even with energy harvesting techniques.
- Extended range: Supports connectivity from 5 km in urban scenario to as far as 600 km in line of sight for LEO satellites and even 36000 Km for GEO-stationary satellites.
- The recent introduction of LR-FHSS allows LoRa to enhance spectral efficiency and versatility, maximizing ROI for NTN in the utilization of the satellite bands.
- Cost efficiency: With low-cost infrastructure and minimal power consumption, asset tracking becomes more affordable for businesses worldwide.
Satellite LoRaWAN – Expanding Beyond Terrestrial Limits
With terrestrial network coverage fragmented across 90% of the Earth’s surface, satellite connectivity becomes the most practical way to ensure ubiquitous connectivity.
In 2022, EchoStar Mobile launched the first standards-based commercial pan-European satellite IoT network in licensed spectrum (S-band). Based on the standard LoRa technology, it provides real-time, direct-to-satellite IoT connectivity to a broad range of businesses, including but not limited to, agriculture, environmental monitoring, infrastructure monitoring, and asset tracking. EchoStar Mobile commercialises the certified EM2050 module and the EM-SR satellite relay for direct-to-satellite connectivity, enabling IoT devices to connect any asset anytime and anywhere. With this simple to integrate and cost-effective offering, EchoStar Mobile empowers device manufacturers, OEMs and system integrators to efficiently deliver end-to-end solutions.
EchoStar Mobile is dedicated to supporting the LoRa Alliance in standardizing protocol extensions and functionalities that enable LoRa sensors to connect seamlessly across multi-orbit networks, including GEO, LEO and MEO. This ensures full convergence between satellite and existing terrestrial networks.
Real-World Applications & Use Cases
Industries across various sectors are leveraging satellite IoT tracking to enhance efficiency, safety and environmental monitoring. In smart agriculture, it is used to monitor soil conditions and protect beehives, ensuring optimal farming practices. The infrastructure sector benefits from lighthouse management, pipeline leak detection, water and electrical distribution networks, as well as railway integrity monitoring, improving operational oversight and safety. Environmental monitoring applications include wildfire detection, real-time assessment of floods and landslides and air and water quality, helping mitigate catastrophic risks and support conservation efforts. Additionally, personal safety and security are enhanced through wearable satellite-connected devices, providing vital communication and tracking capabilities for outdoor explorers and rescue teams operating in remote or hazardous environments. The latter application scenario was discussed in the webinar by Tiago Rebelo, Connected’s CEO, while presenting their Connected one alarm tracker leveraging Echostar Mobile’s LoRa-enabled platform.
The Future of Space-Based Asset Tracking
With satellite IoT technology becoming more standardized and cost-effective, businesses can anticipate significant advancements in connectivity and tracking. These improvements include expanded connectivity solutions that extend beyond terrestrial limitations, enabling seamless and ubiquitous communication in remote and hard-to-reach areas. Enhanced tracking capabilities will allow companies to monitor both fixed and mobile assets across multi-country operations with greater accuracy and reliability. Additionally, the adoption of hybrid terrestrial-satellite networks is expected to grow, offering a more seamless, scalable and cost-effective approach to real-time asset monitoring and management.
Final Thoughts
With over two years of commercial availability, LoRa-enabled satellite communication technology is driving a significant industry transformation. As businesses seek efficient, cost-effective and scalable asset tracking solutions, space-based IoT is proving to be the ultimate game-changer. For further insights, watch the webinar on-demand.
Semtech®, the Semtech logo, LoRa®, LoRa Alliance® and LoRaWAN® are registered trademarks or service marks of Semtech Corporation or its affiliates. Other product or service names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
