There are two main types of satellite networks, geo-satellites and compact LEO-satellites. GEOSatellites have been in space for decades and have a stable technology partner. However, geo-satellites have a high service bill and require frequent maintenance. LEO-satellites are relatively small, sandwich-box-sized and occupy low-Earth orbits. They have a lower latency and are more capable of handling critical IoT applications.
LEO-satellites have a smaller footprint than GEO-satellites, and their signal footprint is typically less than a few hundred kilometers. Because of these limitations, satellite network providers have taken steps to mitigate signal interruption from LEO-satellites as they move away. Because LEO-satellites are smaller than GEO-satellites, their signals are lower-powered and have higher latency, but they are still a viable option for IoT applications.
LEO-satellites are the best choice for most IoT applications, as their coverage footprint is small and continuous. In addition, they are capable of reaching objects with limited terrestrial connectivity, such as sensors. LEO-satellites also offer guaranteed service levels (SLAs) compared to their GEO counterparts. These benefits make satellite a natural complement to terrestrial IoT networks. While past satellite adaptations weren’t designed for IoT use, today’s satellite solutions are affordable and accessible.
LEO-satellites are a better choice for many IoT solutions. LEO-satellites are more efficient and cost-effective, while GEO-satellites are more efficient for broader coverage. And, they are less likely to be affected by natural disasters. And, since LEO-satellites have fewer satellites than GEO-satellites, LEO-satellites provide more reliable connectivity.
These networks are becoming the most practical choice for IoT applications. In fact, M2M solutions are a vital component for ensuring the safety of employees, managing operations, and tracking assets in the field. Several industries depend on M2M services for a number of reasons. In addition to being a convenient and cost-effective way to monitor and manage assets, M2M solutions enable businesses to improve their business processes.
In addition to M2M applications, many other industries benefit from IoT connectivity through satellites. They can support M2M communication between remote devices and data centers in a cost-effective way. This is particularly important for mission-critical applications, such as disaster management and agricultural monitoring. Similarly, IoT solutions can provide information to businesses around the world, including healthcare. The type of connectivity used in these environments can be determined by the size of the IoT device.
Different types of satellite networks have different operating characteristics. The LEO satellites have a smaller footprint than the GEO-satellites. The LEO-satellites are in geostationary orbits and rotate in sync with the planet. As they rotate, they always look down on the same large area. The GEO-satellite constellation is a constellation of satellites that covers the globe with connectivity.
IoT devices communicate with the cloud and with the Internet. The data from IoT devices is transmitted and received by the satellite antenna. The data is then sent to a data center. The data is ultimately accessed by a user via the Internet. For example, the sensors in cargo containers may collect and store information and transmit data to the cloud. By 2028, there will be five billion connected devices and 24 million connections via satellite.
The existing satellite technology for IoT solutions does not use a high-throughput spectrum. It does not have the same capacity as the terrestrial networks. As a result, satellite-based IoT solutions are generally more expensive than other solutions. There are three main types of satellite networks used in IoT applications. They are narrowband providers, which operate in the GHz range, and high-throughput, multi-satellite systems.
The M2M/IoT solution is based on a combination of both GSO and NGSO technologies. The latter is a better fit for mobile and low-throughput applications. It offers a wide range of services. Hence, the M2M/IoT networks have become increasingly popular among IoT providers.
Interested on developing high value satellite IoT solutions? Contact us!
Many IoT applications transmit small chunks of data at regular intervals – status updates and measurements – which makes satellite networks ideal as narrowband LEO satellite constellations can easily send these updates without the need for steerable antennas.
Satellite connectivity does not treat all satellite users equally. Different orbit types have significant impacts on latency and bandwidth availability.
Cost-Effective Satellite Networks
Cellular network coverage is rapidly expanding worldwide, yet not all areas are adequately serviced. Due to the surge of IoT adoption by businesses, many are searching for non-terrestrial network solutions such as satellite networks to connect their devices and launch innovative apps – drawing even greater interest for IoT connectivity solutions.
Due to LEO and GEO satellite constellations that enable global connectivity, IoT devices may find it cost-effective to leverage satellite networks for certain use cases such as remote monitoring or data collection. Satellite networks offer global coverage that ensures your devices remain always connected.
Satellite connectivity was previously expensive and only used in limited cases, but recently providers have created “grilled cheese-sized” satellites to provide low-cost global connectivity to IoT devices at low data costs – creating new IoT applications along the way.
Mining operations frequently occur in remote locations where cell network reception is either nonexistent or intermittently available, making satellite IoT connectivity ideal for keeping heavy equipment connected and collecting the necessary data needed for environmental compliance, workforce safety, machinery telematics and more.
Logistics devices often track cargo temperatures during its journey across shipping routes. Unfortunately, traditional cellular connectivity only offers limited global coverage and can be prohibitively expensive when scaling globally. Satellite IoT connectivity provides an ideal alternative that keeps track of assets throughout their supply chains without draining your budget. With multi-mode modules like those offered by Emnify supporting both cellular and satellite connectivity seamlessly switching back and forth for IoT devices connected in most cases but seamlessly transitioning when necessary – ideal for logistics applications where data has to travel across long distances quickly!
Scalable
IoT connectivity requires high reliability in remote areas. Terrestrial wireless technologies may offer limited stability; satellite networks provide always-on connections that continue delivering data even during disruptions in terrestrial networks – thus meeting IoT applications with greater reliance.
Satellite IoT solutions also allow IoT applications to meet the long-range, high-bandwidth backhaul demands of Low-Power Wide-Area Network protocols – something terrestrial wireless technologies cannot achieve due to costly infrastructure costs and limited bandwidth capacity.
IoT satellite connectivity can also reduce costs associated with connecting IoT devices by enabling smaller, less costly modems. This makes IoT devices more affordable, making IoT an essential factor for businesses that operate in remote or harsh environments where replacing or maintaining connectivity equipment could become prohibitively expensive.
Satellites used in IoT networks can also be configured to transmit data in a multicast format, sending one message simultaneously to multiple recipients. This method is more cost-efficient than broadcasting to each device individually and ideal for IoT devices that need less power or transmission capacity.
With the launch of multiple small satellite constellations, organizations now have more choices than ever to create IoT networks backed by reliable and affordable satellite connectivity solutions. Established satellite operators such as Iridium, Inmarsat, and Orbcomm continue to lead in this sector, contributing over 80% of global satellite IoT connectivity revenue; yet newer start-ups leveraging low-cost IoT satellite solutions are making significant strides and projected to account for 20% of market revenue by 2026.
Wide Area
Satellite networks allow IoT devices to connect to the Internet even in areas without cell coverage, using radio frequencies for data transmission via antennae. Once sent to satellite networks, this information can then be analysed, visualized and acted upon by either cloud services or local systems.
IoT satellite networks offer cost-effective connectivity solutions for remote locations with limited network infrastructure, providing solutions like tracking refrigerated containers or vehicles stolen or lost – or alerting vessels of emergencies – using low earth orbit satellite constellations like LEO to provide robust connections with minimal latency; LEO orbits occur approximately 90 minutes apart so your signal should reach one 16 times in 24 hours!
Iridium, Globalstar, Inmarsat, Viasat, Skywave, SpaceX Swarm all provide global IoT network solutions with global coverage, including Iridium’s Globalstar constellation for real-time data transfer as well as handling large volumes of information allowing them to support an array of IoT applications.
Satellite technology’s ability to deliver connectivity for IoT applications is revolutionising farming and other industries, like transport. By connecting existing systems with satellite IoT connectivity, users can improve efficiency, reliability, and ensure critical data remains always accessible.
Industrial IoT applications often rely on reliable connectivity solutions with high bandwidth that are resistant to disruptions. Satellite networks’ cost-effectiveness and global coverage makes them the ideal solution for these use cases that rely on stable communications links to collect and transmit data.
Long Range
Satellite networks offer reliable, efficient connectivity solutions in remote environments that cellular networks cannot reach, making them the perfect complement to terrestrial connectivity solutions for IoT. Satellite networks enable businesses to expand globally with cost-effective speed – an advantage especially useful in tracking shipping containers across oceans or warning vessels of emergency situations.
But choosing the appropriate satellite network type is of utmost importance, as not all constellations offer equal performance. Each network’s orbit types, frequency bands and latency impacts vary considerably and this will have a dramatic impact on what IoT devices it can support.
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations are ideal for IoT applications that require narrowband data connectivity, as their closer distance reduces signal transmission losses and power requirements. Meanwhile, Geostationary Orbit (GEO), operating at 35000 km above Earth’s rotation axis provides consistent global coverage.
As part of your decision process for selecting an IoT satellite network, it is vital to take the volume of data being transmitted over it into consideration, along with your device’s battery life. IoT devices often consume large amounts of bandwidth even when not transmitting much data. A flexible edge computing capabilities help limit this from happening by either limiting frequency transmissions or batching and prioritizing data; both methods help drastically decrease bandwidth consumption by IoT devices thus conserving battery power while connecting more devices simultaneously.
Low Power
Satellite networks are ideal for IoT solutions when power limitations are at their greatest, as they only consume minimal energy per data transmission and utilize lower frequency bands that consume less power than cellular technologies. Therefore, satellite networks make for a good option when power availability is scarce – for example when refrigerated transport, weather balloons or data buoys need accessing power remotely.
Geostationary Satellite (GEO) networks offer IoT applications requiring high data transfer rates an ideal solution. GEO satellites feature larger solar panels which allows for increased transmission rates in less time; additionally they have the capability of providing low latency connectivity which may prove beneficial in use cases such as maritime logistics.
Traditional satellite connectivity required businesses to invest in various hardware configurations and service providers, adding both complexity and cost to IoT projects. Innovative companies such as Emnify have dramatically simplified this process by offering combined satellite and cellular connectivity in one device, drastically lowering Total Cost of Ownership while streamlining operational processes while eliminating multiple hardware configurations or service providers altogether.
IoT devices connected through satellite networks have the unique capability of remaining online even in remote mining locations with poor or unavailable cell reception, providing essential monitoring, predictive maintenance and emergency alert capabilities. Combining cellular technology with satellite technology enables IoT devices to deliver an enhanced ROI by offering reliable alternatives or backups to traditional cell technology solutions.
Interested on developing high value satellite IoT solutions? Contact us!
