Services

2G/3G/4G Consultancy

IoT Hardware Consultancy

Many IoT ventures depend on established 2G, 3G and 4G connectivity to provide an internet connection from a device in the field to a centralised server. GSM is vastly complex and a source of many risks.

IoT Hardware Consultancy

IoT hardware ranges from a simple sensor to a high-powered edge computer. Software optimisation can reduce the real-estate required at the edge and can dramatically lower CAPEX as a consequence.

IoT platform Consultancy

The specific purpose of IoT Platforms are often poorly differentiated. Fully understanding the options and requirements is critical to making the best "make or buy" decision.

LPWAN Consultancy

IoT platform Consultancy

LPWAN technologies such as LoRaWAN and NB-IoT are often touted as the future buliding blocks of the IoT but knowing the right one to apply for your application is key.

2G/3G/4G Consultancy

How can DJF assist with 2G/3G/4G Technology for IoT?

A classic mistake in IoT is to assume 100% uptime from an estate of cellular connected devices and have no contingency for when devices in the field do not connect. Many probems can be mitigated by design but it cannot be assumed that this will 'just happen'.

Topics on which DJF can provide assistance include:

M2M/IoT SIM card tariffs

One of the most critical considerations in an IoT application that uses cellular communication is the per SIM, per month cost for connectivity. Many business cases are killed by applications that require expensive SIMs, usually due to a high data bundle requirement which is often a consequence of short-sighted software design.

Network architecture

To get your data to traverse mobile phone networks appropriately , it is often necessary to employ VPN technologies such as IPSEC, GRE, OpenVPN, L2TP, private APN & others. Knowing the options available can simplify system design and/or remove hours of software development. Its an obscure topic but must be fully understood before deployment.

Roaming SIMs

In principle, the application of roaming SIMs - aka multi-network SIMs - can be a great way to solve logistical and reliability based concerns. Having access to all the radio networks in any one country is a demonstrable way to achieve better uptime but there can be significant frustration when roaming SIMs dont roam due to unexpected and unsolved problems in hardware design.

Automatic vs Manual network selection

As an extension to the topic above, Automatic vs Manual network selection is one of the most critical and widely misunderstood topics associated with cellular connected devices. If you plan to use roaming SIMs, it is essential to understand the network selection criteria inside cellular device hardware.

Site Survey

A site survey can be a valuable way to ascertain which network is best to use in a particular location. DJF can offer this service or provide advice on how best to do it yourself. Dont just go for the strongest signal!

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There are many considerations in deploying 2G/3G/4G attached IoT devices. This page lists only a few.

If you think DJF Technology can assist - feel free to reach us at the contact page.

IoT Hardware Consultancy

How can DJF assist with IoT Hardware considerations?

Arguably the biggest question relating to hardware is "make or buy". For low volume deployments, off the shelf hardware generally makes sense but at higher volumes the business case for making your own can be muddied by expensive global certifications, especially when designing 3G/4G based devices.

Areas in which DJF can be of assistance include:

Router versus modem?

A very subtle differentiation exists between a 3G/4G router and a 3G/4G modem. Using a modem can save cost in a project but considerations relating to PPP Dialers and connection control must be taken into account.

Cellular/Wifi/Bluetooth module design considerations

When embarking on your own PCB designs, the application of modules as a connectivity building-block is commonplace. Whilst Bluetooth and Wifi can be relatively trivial (SSID considerations aside), cellular module use comes with a broader array of considerations, especially from a certification perspective.

AT Commands & connectivity control

A typical AT Command guide can be in excess of 500 pages long and full of both critical and extraneous information to the success of your IoT project. Most Design Engineers are very talented people but have little or no experience with the vagaries of AT commands. Accepting some help on the first such design can be the difference between success and failure.

Peripheral I/O

The application of CAN bus, RS232, RS422, RS485, Digital IO, Analogue IO, Modbus and other types of Fieldbus is common knowledge to some but can be an alien concept to those starting IoT ventures from a non-traditional background. DJF can provide single day or telephone consultancy sessions to sessions to quickly bring clients up to speed in new areas.

Battery & solar-powered systems

Site visits are a major part of the commercial considerations in IoT applications. The cost of 'truck-rolls' is only going in one direction. This is why power budgeting and optimisation can be critical in battery powered applications.

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There are many considerations surrounding the choice of IoT Hardware. This page lists only a few.

If you think DJF Technology can assist - feel free to reach us at the contact page.

IOT platform consultancy

How can DJF assist with IoT Platform considerations?

The term "IoT Platform" is very vague and can lead to misunderstanding of the purpose and functions of the specific service. Broadly, it is a piece of application software that can reside on a customer's server or be hosted in the Cloud as part of a complete solution. Common types include:

SIM Management Platform (SMP)

Jasper Wireless (now Cisco Jasper) have captured a large part of the market for SIM management platforms. Mobile Netork Operators often deploy Jasper to replace or supplement their own billing engines & SIM management platforms. Understanding why you need such a platform, how to access data contained therein through an API and what happens if the integration of such a system into your business is not properly "change-managed" is key making the best return at the least risk.

Device Management Platform (DMP)

Device Management Platform is a term commonly used by hardware vendors of devices such as 3G/4G routers and 3G/4G modems to show online status of deployed devices and variables that pertain to the current connection such as signal strength and data usage. There is typically a lot of cross over between a DMP and an SMP and IoT companies will often try to use just one. However, there are a subset of functions that cannot be provided by one or other and this where use of an API interface can be helpful.

Application Enablement Platform (AEP)

Currently, the most famous example of an AEP is PTC's 'Thingworx' platform. This doesnt necessarily make it the best solution for your application but it is well marketed and a good example of what an AEP can do. Using an AEP accelerates time to market by using a software framework that has already been written so IoT companies do not have to reinvent the wheel. There may be reasons to do all software development in-house - DJF can help companies to fully explore the pros and cons of both approaches.

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There are many considerations in deploying IoT patforms. This page lists only a few.

If you think DJF Technology can assist - feel free to reach us at the contact page.

LPWAN consultancy

How can DJF assist with Low Power WAN considerations?

Low Power WAN technologies is yet another subsection of IoT solutions that is generally not well defined or contextualised. Fundamentally, LPWAN technologies allow battery-powered devices to connect to the internet. This means smaller and more numerous devices can connect to the internet, often from inaccessible locations. Some of the key technologies in this space are listed below:

NB-IOT (CAT-NB1, CAT-NB2 pending)

At the time of writing (March 2019), 140 operators in 69 countries are investing in NB-IoT networks globally. This will provide a nationwide low cost, low power and low bandwidth connection to the internet. The technology will allow sensors to connect directly to the internet and by virtue of being battery-powered can be installed in locations where traditional cellular products could not. Lack of coverage and inter-operator roaming currently represent significant limitations to the technology's effectiveness.

LTE CAT-M1 (LTE-M)

At the time of writing (March 2019) 60 operators in 35 countries are investing in LTE-M networks. Its important to note that the USA is included in that list and with 3G switch-off imminent, CAT-M1 may be an essential commercial alternative to full 4G devices that can be cost-prohibitive. CAT-M1 can be thought of in simple terms as a new and sustainable 2G solution that is overlaid on 4G networks.

LoRaWAN

LoRaWAN employs license free spectrum (typically 868MHz in EU and 915MHz in USA) to provide a complete protocol stack for low power devices to transmit their data to a server on the internet. Confusion about the difference between Public and Private LoRaWAN networks is commonplace. In January 2019, the LoRa Alliance announced that more than 100 operators globally have deployed and are now operating LoRaWAN networks. Using a LoRa Gateway with 4G backhaul can be a very quick and effective way to deploy a "pop-up" network although there can be many challenges when putting together the component parts of a LoRaWAN stack.

Sigfox

Sigfox networks have been deployed across several countries & support up to 140 messages per day at a data rate of up to 100 bytes per second. The technology has good propagation but has very limited overall bandwidth limiting its application to devices that need to report a very small amount of data relatively infrequently.

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There are many considerations in deploying LPWAN networks. This page lists only a few.

If you think DJF Technology can assist - feel free to reach us at the contact page.