Falcon

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Get in Touch Falcon

4G LTE Cat-M1/NB-IoT Remote Sensor in a rugged housing

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The Falcon Cellular is a super-smart, battery-powered tracking device in a rugged IP67 housing - in particular designed for asset location with temperature monitoring.

Super-long battery life is possible with LTC (Lithium Thionyl Chloride) batteries, or connect to a power source for a permanent solution. The Falcon comes in a 2G version, or a 4G LTE CAT-M1 / NB-IoT combo module. The 4G version is especially designed for low-power operation - resulting in the longest battery life around.

Multiple input interfaces and a digital output allow for monitoring and control for many years. The Falcon Cellular uses a combination of GPS and Wi-Fi to track assets both outdoors and inside buildings, warehouses, depots etc.

The I2C interface supports a range of sensors, in particular the Digital Matter temperature probe. This is a great solution for cold-chain applications, where the Falcon device can be used to track items as small as pallets or coolbox containers, providing accurate position data and very accurate and responsive temperature monitoring. 

  • Run from battery (3 x AA - LTC or "off-the-shelf" Lithium) or line power (5-16V)
  • Rugged, waterproof IP67 Housing
  • On board GPS with LNA for location
  • Wi-Fi Sniffing for indoor localization
  • 2 x Digital Inputs with pulse counting
  • 1 x Analog Input (0-30V)
  • I2C interface for a wide range of sensors - especially temperature probes
  • also supports temperature and humidity
  • 1 x Digital Output
Rugged & Weatherproof

Rugged & Weatherproof

Small and Compact

Small and Compact

Flexible Power Options

Flexible Power Options

Multiple Inputs

Multiple Inputs

  • 4G LTE Cat-M1 / NB-IoT device.

    4G modem for low-power communication on Cat-M1 and NB-IoT networks.

    Internal Antenna

    The internal antenna provides for convenient installation and reliability.

    Low profile, compact, rugged IP67 rated housing.

    The Falcon Cellular comes in an IP67 rated housing (waterproof) that is UV stable and is large enough to accomodate the PCB, batteries and wiring.

    Dimensions: 135mm x 90mm x 35mm

    Operating Temperature

    -30°C to +60°C
    For operation in extreme temperatures the device must be fitted with Lithium batteries

    Power

    Line Power (5-16V)
    The Falcon Cellular can be permanently powered. Screw terminals for easy installation

    Lithium Thionyl-Chloride (LTC) Batteries
    The Falcon can be powered with 3 x AA LTC batteries, which offer an extended temperature range, lower rates of early failure, and longer battery life than 'off-the-shelf' batteries.

    Off-the-shelf batteries
    The Falcon can also be powered by 3 x AA consumer Lithium batteries which are readily available.
     

    Concurrent GPS and GLONASS Tracking

    • Concurrent GPS and GLONASS tracking
    • 72 channel high sensitivity receiver
    • -169dBm industry leading tracking performance
    • Battery backed up for optimal hot-start performance
    • AssistNow Offline aiding data for extremely fast time-to-first-fix and performance in urban canyon environments

    I2C Interface

    I2C (inter-IC communications) is an interface commonly used in sensor modules. This allows the SensorData to talk to a wide range of sensors including temperature, humidity, vibration and CO2 gas sensors, as well as numerous others.

    Digital Inputs

    2 x digital inputs with pulse counting capability (0-48V)

    Analogue Inputs

    2 x Analogue inputs reading 0V to 30V with auto-ranging
    Built-in battery voltage monitoring

    3.3V Switched Power

    Used to control the 3.3V power to external sensors and peripherals. Load limited and short circuit protected.

    Configuration

    Over the air configuration via Digital Matter's OEM Server

  • The Falcon Cellular's I2C interface, along with it's digital and analog inputs allow for a variety of sensors to be connected such as:

    • Temperature/Humidity Sensors
    • Tank Level Sensors
    • Switches to monitor door open/close
    • Panic Buttons

  • Firmware Smarts

    OTA Configuration

    The Falcon can be remotely configured and updated OTA (over the air). Device management is performed from Digital Matter’s OEM Server device management platform.

    Auto-APN

    Auto-APN allows the Falcon to analyse the SIM card and select the correct APN details from a list that is pre-loaded in the device’s firmware. This means that the Falcon can be shipped world-wide without requiring specialist setup for SIMs.

    Text Message Setup

    The Falcon can also be sent text messages to setup the APN, and other details.

    AssistNow Offline

    The Falcon will track successfully where other devices just give up.

    This fantastic technology allows the GPS to predict which satellites are in orbit above it and to dramatically reduce the time-to-first-fix of the GPS, and the overall performance of the GPS, especially in ‘urban canyon’ or forested environments

    Wi-Fi Positioning System (WPS)

    The Falcon uses a Wifi 'sniffer' to scan for Wifi access points and the signal strength from each one. This information is then used to triangulate a position which is typically accurate to 100 feet / 30m in metropolitan areas. And this can all be done in typically less than 3 seconds, using a lot less power than a typical GPS fix.
     

  • Documentation and Support Articles

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    Get all the latest documents and support information on our online knowledge base.

    Documents and Product Support

  • Device Management – OEM Server

    All Digital Matter devices are fully managed Over-The-Air (OTA) via our OEM Server web interface. The OEM Server seamlessly manages:

    • Device firmware – firmware updates can be done remotely
    • Network (administrator) parameters relating to critical communications
    • System parameters, including GPS parameters, IO configuration, logging options and general device behaviour settings
    • GPS AssistNow Offline aiding data files
    • Remote debugging of devices, including being able to trace data, view detailed debug message logs, and view a live trace of the server debug messages
    • Remote disconnect and reboot of devices
    • Driver list downloads to devices – this allows for the Driver Identification on the device to check if the RFID tag / username / PIN is valid, and for specific drivers to be allowed to drive / operate particular vehicles, for example based on licences or permits.
    • Geo-fence syncing with the devices – this allows the device to do advanced in-cab alerting and monitoring such as geo-fence arrival and departure, speed limit alerting, dangerous intersection warnings, turn on warning lights inside a geo-fence, and disable communications inside intrinsically safe zones such as gas plants.
    • Provides a command and message queueing platform to the devices and is incorporated into the remote management and debugging applications
     

    Data Connectors

    The OEM Server provides Data Connectors that forward data records on to the software platform of your choice, including Digital Matter’s own Telematics Guru platform.

    For more information on the OEM Server, click here

    If you would like to integrate the Falcon into a software system then please contact Digital Matter for more information on our integration protocols.