Explanation of tracker profile parameters
All tracker profile parameters are presented on the Sensolus platform if you take a look at your tracker profile. In the list below we explain the basics of the working of the parameter and give some information on how to choose the optimal configuration for your use case. As not all the parameters are available for all tracker profiles, it is possible you will not see all of them in your tracker description. For all parameters Sensolus selected a default setting but other settings can be chosen if needed for your tracking solution.
Movement-based locations
How it works
When enabling the movement-based locations mode, motion is a trigger to capture locations. This means the accelerometer of the tracker is used as trigger to determine a location. Locations can, next to movement-based, also be determined periodically or in a scheduled way.
When to choose for movement-based location triggers?
- Most assets tend to stand still for a long period of time. While staying at the same position, capturing the location is just waste of energy.
- Using only periodic/scheduled location capturing eliminates all interesting location info in between 2 periodic/scheduled location updates, for example, the stops as you will not get journey information.
Motion start sensitivity: when is a start detected?
How it works
A start detection is based on tracker acceleration, more generically defined as a motion activity. To avoid false start detections, it is possible to configure the start detection sensitivity in line with the new use case. The question that should be answered here is when a start should be detected.
How to choose the right start sensitivity?
Always start testing with the standard settings for the sensitivity. When your tracker misses starts, consider a higher sensitivity. When false start recordings occur (for example, false starts due to garbage that is thrown in a waste container), consider a lower sensitivity.
Motion stop timeout: When is a stop detected?
How it works
How to choose Tstop
Stop timeouts allow finding a balance between eliminating short stops (for example, a trailer that is stopped for a short time in a traffic jam) and capturing the real stops.
When the stop timeout is configured too low this will cause unnecessary start/stop locations on the map and it is also unnecessarily reduces the battery life of the tracker.
On The Move interval: are locations captured while moving?
How it works
While moving (=while in On The Move (OTM) state) the tracker can be configured to periodically trigger OTM events to capture locations.
How to choose the OTM interval?
OTM events trigger to capture locations and are therefore directly related to the battery consumption and lifetime. Only choose OTM events or capture locations while moving when required for your use case. For example, for trailers an OTM update interval of 20 minutes could be necessary to follow goods while for returnable transport packaging normally no OTM updates are required.
Periodic locations: periodic location capture
How it works
Periodic triggers allow to capture a location at fixed time intervals. For example, every 24 hours.
When using periodic updates?
In almost all asset tracking cases motion-based triggers are preferred over periodic triggers since:
- Most assets tend to stand still for a long period of time. While staying at the same position, capturing the location is just waste of energy.
- Using only periodic/sheduled location capturing eliminates all interesting location info in between 2 periodic or scheduled location updates, for example the stops.
Periodic location updates can make sense as a backup in case a motion-based update was lost. Therefore, in the tracker profile we often configure as default setting a 48hours periodic update on certain asset types.
Scheduled locations: scheduled location capture
How it works
Scheduled triggers allow to capture a location (mostly used to capture the location for a fleet of trackers at the same moment) at specific times during a day.
When using scheduled updates?
Just as periodic triggers scheduled triggers are mostly used as backup for motion based location updates or if you want to get a location update of all your trackers at exactly the same moment.
A disadvantage of scheduled location updates is that they can congest the network when all trackers send a location at the same time. Therefore, this type of trigger is disadvised when 100+ trckers are expected to reside at the same location, especially when using Sigfox micro base stations.
Location technologies: sequence of location technologies used
How it works
Tracker can combine different location technologies to provide location information. The sequence of the location technologies specifies which geolocation technologies to use to capture location, and in which order they should be used.
When to choose which sequence?
Which location technology to use and in which order depends on the use case and the location capabilities of the tracker used (for example, some trackers cannot use GPS or Network location). If the tracker only travels outside, GPS → Network is a good choice. If the asset also travels indoor, depending on the overweight of indoor or outdoor time, choose to first scan for geobeacons (more indoor traveling) or first GPS signals (more outdoor traveling)
GNSS precision or accuracy
How it works
When capturing a location via GNSS satellites, the longer you let your tracker look for GNSS signals, the more chance it will get a (precise) location. Defining the duration a tracker can look for GNSS signals is called GNSS fix time. To optimize battery lifetime different GNSS fix times are created to the chosen accuracy or precision
How to choose the precision?
Data sent to the cloud
How does it work
Captured locations are sent by default to the cloud when the asset stands still for 25 seconds. This is because the chance of sending successfully data to the cloud is much higher when the asset is standing still instead of being on the move. This is only needed for trackers using the Sigfox network (TRACK 1000/1010/1020). For trackers using the NB-IOT network (TRACK 1100) data can be sent immediately to the cloud.
When to choose which setting?
Because it is sometimes difficult to communicate to the Sigfox network when trackers are traveling best is to choose to send data when the asset has stopped. This may provide better data integrity of your tracker data. If for your use case it is more important to have data quick instead of reliable, then you can choose to immediately send the data to the cloud.
External sensor connection
How it works
When trackers are ready to connect with BLE sensors, you can select with which sensors you want the tracker to connect. Every tracker has 2 channels to connect to sensor data. This data can come from one sensor (for example a combined humidity-temperature sensor) or from two separate sensors (for example a temperature sensor and a magnet sensor).
When to choose which setting?
If you want your tracker to also send the information from the surrounding BLE sensor to the Sensolus platform you choose the type of sensor to connect to. Connecting a BLE sensor comes with a battery lifetime cost.
Measurement and sending intervals
How it works
Sensor data is measured periodically and sent to the cloud platform in groups. The period can be configured remotely and it is possible to have faster polling with min/max/average functions. The configuration contains the measurement and the sending intervals of the sensor data.
When to choose which setting?
Using sensor comes with a battery cost. Therefore, try to reduce the measurement and sending period so the maximum acceptable for the use case.
Orientation monitoring
How it works
When enabled the orientation events and states of the tracker will be captured. If an orientation event or state happens, it is possible to capture the location of a tracker at the moment in addition to the orientation information.
When to choose which setting?
The choice of setting depends on the use case and the aim of the usage of the orientation monitoring. Orientation can be used as anti-tamper function, it can be used to detect an open/close state or to detect position changes:
- standard position: detect changes in orientation state and reports the side of the tracker that faces up.
- Open/close: install the tracker in such a way that it is in a vertical position (top-up) when the box is open and in a horizontal postion when the box is closed.
- Anti-tamper functionality based on orientation changes: the tracker will send an alert when the orientation of the tracker changes. Assumes a vertical installation of the tracker (top up).
- Orientation event 30⚬ : detect orientation events when angular change is bigger than 30⚬
- Orientation event 90⚬: detect orientation events when bigger than 90⚬
Anti-tamper functionality based on tamper button
How it works
The TRACK 1020 and 1030 have an anti-tamper button on the backside of the tracker. If the tracker is removed from the asset an alert will be raised as the pressure on the button will be released.
When to choose which setting?
When using a TRACK 1020 it is always interesting to use the anti-tamper functionality as it doesn’t impact the battery duration and you will be notified when the tracker is removed from the asset. Unless you are planning to often change the tracker from asset (using it to track different assets in different time periods).
In-flight detection
How it works
Defining if an asset is in-flight happens via the 3D acceleration algorithm and the pressure algorithm embedded on the Sensolus tracker. The combination of these algorithms makes it possible to validate if a tracker is tracking-off, in-flight or landing. If the tracker is in-flight it will not transmit information as this is not allowed by the flight regulations.
When to choose which setting?
When your asset is traveling by air it is important to not transmit data when flying. So, use the default setting (disabled). If your asset is not traveling by air it can be more useful to use another tracker from the Sensolus portfolio.
BLE advertisement
How it works
BLE advertisements are used to make your tracker visible to smartphone and zone anchors. It can be be activated on the tracker (on modus) or inactive (off modus)
When to choose which setting?
When you are not working with BLE zone anchors or smart phones to define the location of you tracker best is to configure the tracker not to broadcast a constant BLE signal (off modus). In that case there is no impact on the battery lifetime duration. Otherwise, let the tracker emit constantly a BLE signal (on modus). But be aware this impacts the duration of the battery lifetime.