Square Tracker

Description

Square Tracker is a sophisticated, low-power indoor precision tracker, ideal for advanced asset management without frequent battery changes or charges. It uses WIFI MAC address scanning for efficient and precise tracking, and its air pressure sensor enhances 3D positioning using barometric comparisons with reference sensors.

The cloud-based location solution leverages existing WIFI networks for improved coverage. Its 3D accelerometer detects motion and tilt, enabling theft alarms and energy-saving features like sleep mode. With battery options from 750 mAh to 6 Ah, it offers configurable performance and more than 10 years of battery life

Benefits & Use Cases

Square Tracker is a comprehensive in-door tracking solution, ideal for a wide range of applications related to asset tracking and surveillance. Its advanced features, including positioning and 3D accelerometer technologies, air pressure and temperature sensors and a robust design, make it particularly suitable for scenarios where precise tracking is essential.

Key Applications:

• In-door asset Management & Logistics: Ideal for tracking assets as equipment and instruments, wheelchairs, or baggage carts.
• Healthcare Equipment Tracking: Monitors vital hospital equipment, ensuring efficient utilization.
• Personal Item Security: Provides tracking for personal belongings like luggage and electronics.

Additional Advantages:

• Extended Battery Life: Up to 6 Ah battery ensures long-term operation with minimal maintenance.
• Flexible Installation: Offers multiple mounting options for easy deployment.
• Motion, Air Pressure and Temperature Sensors: Includes a 3D accelerometer for movement-based alarms & tracking, an air pressure sensor to support enhanced 3D positioning and a temperature sensor for environmental monitoring.

The Square Tracker stands out as a key device for boosting operational effectiveness and securing assets, offering the convenience of long battery life without the hassle of frequent replacements or lost assets due to depleted tracker batteries.

Mechanics

Figure 1: Mechanical outlines (mm).

Software

Square Tracker from Sensative is equipped with a sophisticated software architecture that includes a Virtual Sensing Machine (VSM) embedded in its firmware. This VSM executes specialized sensor applications designed for the device's sensing capabilities and specific use cases. The device is initially configured with a versatile, general-purpose tracking application, adaptable for a broad spectrum of tracking situations.

For more specialized requirements, Sensative provides tailored application development through its expert engineering services. This customization enables the Square Tracker to be precisely adapted to meet unique needs, thereby significantly enhancing its performance in a variety of specialized settings.

Getting started

Initial Setup & Activation (OTAA)

Pre-Activation Steps:

1. Prior to activating the device, ensure it is registered on the designated LoRaWAN server.
2. Utilize the Dev EUI and Network Key provided with your digital delivery information for registration.

Activation:

1. Following registration, briefly bring any NFC reader close to the device to initiate activation. Most mobile phones are equipped to serve as NFC readers. Just ensure that NFC is enabled in your phone settings.
2. The activation process might take up to two minutes. Successful join activity will be indicated on the LoRaWAN Network Server.
3. The device will continuously attempt the activation process until it successfully connects to the registered LoRaWAN network. Joining the network might take up to 24 hours once the LoRaWAN network becomes available.

Configuration:

1. Tailor the device settings to fit your specific use case.
2. Multiple configuration options are available. 3. Configuration support: https://sensative.com/resource-center/

Installation

General Guidelines:

For installation, the device offers dual mounting options. It can be securely attached using the adhesive provided in the package or mounted with screws.

These options allow for a wide range of installation possibilities, accommodating various surfaces and orientations to suit different operational requirements and ensure optimal performance.

Square Tracker can be mounted using the included adhesive for a secure and straightforward installation. When installing with adhesive, it's important to first clean the mounting surface. Use a 50:50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and water to ensure the surface is free of dirt and grease, which helps in securing strong adhesion of the tracker.

If you prefer screw mounting, the device accommodates M3 screws. It's recommended to use washers to prevent damaging the screw ears, which can be easily twisted off if not using screws.

The device also offers an additional mounting option using thin, 2 mm adhesive plates. These plates allow for flexible installation, enabling the device to be secured with screws either behind or adjacent to its position. The adhesive plates come attached to a foil, as depicted in the left image below, which aids in accurately marking the drill points for screws beside the device, illustrated by the arrows indicating the relevant holes in the picture below. For installations requiring screws behind the device, position the plates as illustrated in the right image below, and utilize ultra-low profile flat head screws, such as EJOT 905224, for a seamless fit.

To proceed with the installation, after marking and drilling the necessary holes, attach the plates using screws in the designated positions, ensuring the thick adhesive side is facing towards you. Next, peel off the protective films from the plate and device adhesives, verify the plates are correctly aligned, and then firmly press the device onto the plates for a secure attachment.

Figure 2: Adhesive plates for mounting with screws. Use the holes pointed out for adjacent or hidden screw installation.

For removal of a device mounted with adhesive, dental floss is the best tool. Simply slide the floss behind the sensor and use a sawing motion to gently cut through the adhesive, detaching the device without causing damage.

Operations

Your device can be configured to best fit with your use case while maintaining a long battery life. Pre-defined configuration profiles are available.

The Square Tracker scans for WIFI routers and leverages a cloud service to convert detected WIFI MAC addresses into geographical positions.

It is recommended to use the built-in 3D accelerometer to control the WIFI scanning and enter sleep mode when the tracker is not moved.

"Position on Demand" is a feature of the Square Tracker, allowing you to configure the sensor to transmit its location data during its subsequent interaction with the LoRaWAN network when requested. This functionality enhances the tracker's flexibility and responsiveness in various tracking scenarios while preserving the battery life.

More information

• Default Square Tracker application documentation incl configuration options (link TBA)
• Support resource center

Technical information

Specification	Description
Features	Cloud supported WIFI MAC address scanning and geo-positioning for in and out-door usage. Motion and tilt detection using 3D accelerometer technology supporting alarms and motion-controlled positioning. Temperature sensor (Typical accuracy: +/- 2 °C between 0-30 ° C) Air-pressure sensor LoRaWAN connectivity NFC (Near field communication) connectivity with your smart phone
LoRaWAN specifications	Regions: * EU (863-870 MHz) * US915 (902-928 MHz) * AS923-1 (920-923 MHz) * AS923-2 (923-925 MHz) * KR (923-925 MHz) * AU (915-928 MHz) * IN (865-867 MHz) Up to +14 dBm output power Up to 10 km range LoRaWAN v1.0.4 OTAA (Over The Air Activation & Configuration) A-OTA (Application Upgrade Over The Air) Multiple LoRaWAN network keys for sensor-initiated roaming
Geo-positioning specifications	The device supports the following geo-positioning services. - 2.4 GHz WIFI (b/g/n) MAC address scanning - LoRa TDoA (Time Difference on Arrival) A geo-solving cloud service is required for geo-positioning.
Dimensions	Tracker 0.75: 58 * 58 * 7 mm, 23 g (750 mAh battery) Tracker 6.0: 58 * 58 * 15 mm, 75 g (6.0 mAh battery)
Operating conditions	-30 to + 65° C Indoor & outdoor: IP67 Sealed housing Circuit boards are moisture protected by Conformal Coating
Recommended storage conditions	+10 to + 30° C
Power supply	Tracker 0.75: Built-in 750 mAh Li-MnO2 battery. 3.0 V Tracker 6.0: Built-in 6.0 Ah Li-MnO2 battery. 3.0 V
Battery life	Tracker 0.75: Estimated more than 10 years battery life using any provided configuration profiles and 2 geo-position scans per day with a good LoRaWAN network coverage (SF7-SF 9). Tracker 6.0: Estimated more than 10 years battery life using any provided configuration profiles and one geo-position scan per hour with a good LoRaWAN network coverage (SF7-SF 9).
NFC	13.56 MHz Range: approx 2 cm. Position your NFC enabled phone on the front side of the Tracker such that the phone NFC antenna is positioned above the tracker NFC antenna. See drawing above. Optional Android app for local configuration and data monitoring (password protected)
Other	* Supports battery reporting. * Data memory for off-line storage of time-stamped data

Safety & Compliance

Square Tracker contains a replaceable primary Li-MnO₂ battery. The device should be disposed as a battery for recycling.

Li-MnO₂ batteries are in general a safe battery technology but should still be handled with care. Do not short circuit, puncture, or expose to temperature above +80° C.

Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help

FCC NOTICE (for USA):

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Radiation Exposure Statement: This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. In order to avoid the possibility of exceeding the FCC radio frequency exposure limits, human proximity to the antenna shall not be less than 20cm (8 inches) during normal operation. The antenna(s) used for this transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter. No changes shall be made to the equipment without the Company’s permission as this may void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

INDUSTRY CANADA STATEMENTS:

This device complies with Industry Canada licence exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device. This equipment complies with the safety requirements for RF exposure in accordance with RSS-102 §2.5.2. This equipment must be installed and operated in accordance with the provided instructions and a minimum 20 cm spacing must be provided between the antenna and any person’s body during wireless modes of operation.

INDUSTRY CANADA STATEMENTS:

Cet appareil est conforme avec Industrie Canada exempt de licence Rss standard(s). Son fonctionnement est soumis aux deux conditions suivantes : (1) cet appareil ne peut causer d’interférences, et (2) cet appareil doit accepter toute interférence, y compris des interférences qui peuvent provoquer un fonctionnement indésirable du périphérique. Ce dispositife est conforme à la norme de sécurité en matière d’exposition RF conformé-ment à la RSS-102 §2.5.2. Ce dispositif doit être installé et utilisé conformément aux instructions fournies et à 20 cm espacement minimal doit être prévu entre l’antenne et le corps de toute personne pendant les modes sans fil de fonctionnement.

INDUSTRY CANADA NOTICE

“This device complies with ISED’s licence-exempt RSSs. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause interference; and (2) This device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device”