Technology Cellular

In 1941, Hollywood actress Hedy Lamarr applied for the U.S. patent that lies at the heart of wireless communications. Though used in military applications during the Second World War, it wouldn’t be until the 1980s that cellular technology would become broadly available.  2G & 3G Cellular Migration Program

Boldly imagining new uses for the technology originally developed to facilitate person-to-person communications, in 1995, Siemens introduced the first cellular module built for Machine-to-Machine communications – sparking a surge in mobile applications, particularly fleet and container tracking, and even consumer telematics, with the introduction of OnStar in 1995.

Connecting mobile assets complicated the network picture. The benefits that cellular provided to the remote monitoring and asset tracking applications proved to be game-changing as well as cost saving. By leveraging public cellular networks, not only can you monitor assets on the move, but you can also eliminate the cost associated with building out and managing your own wired infrastructure.

These cellular networks were designed for person-to-person voice communications. Lucky for the network carriers, consumers were okay with replacing their cell phones every two years (at the most) and bringing failed systems back to the store for service, when needed – like battery replacement. Unfortunately, machine communications have more stringent requirements. When it comes to connecting utility meters, for example, power companies expect equipment to operate reliably, anywhere, for as long as 15 years, oftentimes in harsh environmental conditions, and more often than not on battery power. These devices are expected to be available without changes for supply lifetimes of 10-20 years.

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