u-blox CloudLocate service for constrained IoT devices

u-blox has introduced a service that offloads the position calculation from IoT devices into the cloud, enabling positioning of even the simplest IoT devices with the most constrained computing, communications and energy resources.

The CloudLocate service will be used to locate devices that track large assets such as containers, cargo, rental e-bikes and scooters, and small high-value assets such as smart sensors and power tools. Typical applications include logistics, inventory, supply chain, production logistics and cold-chain management.

The service is suitable for IIoT devices that must survive in the field for months or years without battery replacement and only need a few position updates per day. Many IIoT devices use low-power wide-area (LPWA) connectivity, which CloudLocate complements without adding other restrictions. The service enables users to build enriched cloud services, grow their businesses and expand to different markets.

The energy and time required by the service to provide a location can be reduced by up to 90% compared to a standalone GNSS receiver undergoing a cold start without GNSS assistance, the company says. The measurement length and update rate can be configured, so users can make trade-offs between location accuracy and energy consumption to meet most application requirements. The service only needs an uplink from the device since it works out the device’s location in the cloud. By using data packets of just 12 to 50 B, it is suitable for use in devices with limited uplink connectivity and no downlink connectivity.

The service is available worldwide through the u-blox Thingstream IoT service delivery platform, a cloud-based delivery platform and administration interface for enterprise IoT services.