Wireless communication in the age of globalization and the common need of unlimited, unrestricted access to information enters almost all spheres of human activity and communication between machines (Machine To Machine). The number and variety of already introduced applications and those which are waiting to be discovered or worked out is as big as the richness of human imagination and willingness to make life more comfortable. That is why only a few areas and examples of applications using GSM/GPRS wireless technology have been described hereafter as it is not possible to cover all possible solutions.
Security systems
Thanks to their features, wireless M2M devices are often used in all kinds of integrated alarming and security systems. The main role wireless modules play in such systems is reporting all the alarm states defined separately for a specific application: opening doors, windows, exceeding the allowed temperature by the heater, turning on the alarming sound devices. Reports generated by the module itself or just resent by the module through the network can not only be sent in simple SMSs but also through advanced logs sent to the remote server on-line. The advantage of the second solution is that a customer has an access to the log history every time and everywhere he wants. Advanced security systems based on EDGE enable even sending an on-line signal form cameras monitoring different objects and places. In particular cases a GSM/GPRS/GPS module installed in a valuable device (even in a pet’s collar) can provide more or less accurate information concerning the actual position.
Management systems
GSM/GPRS wireless modules are being used in all kinds of monitoring and management systems providing bidirectional communication between devices integrated in different subsystems. The main advantages of such systems are: reduction of human interference into M2M communication, rationalization of information exchange as well as improvement in credibility and topicality of information thanks to using wireless communication. A few examples of such systems:
• remote update of industrial device controller software,
• acquisition of data from end devices (sensors),
• device status monitoring,
• reporting production line, supervising station failure, etc.
• remote control of manufacturing process on a production line
• relay of measurement data gathered by various measurement and control stations
• remote electrometer, gas-meter, heat and water meter reading
• industrial automation systems requiring accurate time standard (GSM/GPRS/GPS)Moduły
Voice applications
Nowadays integrating a cable network with wireless networks in a technical context is not a problem any more. However infrastructure still remains a problem. To be more precise the problem is the lack of infrastructure especially in hardly accessible locations. Wireless GSM/GPRS modules are a tremendous solution everywhere, where designing cable networks is impossible due to architectural limitations (lack of permissions for mounting cables), economic aspects (providing cable infrastructure for a small number of subscribers is unprofitable). Sending voice messages is only one of many functions of such kind of devices. These devices may work as fax or take care of e-mail as well as make an Internet connection accessible through GPRS.
The most common applications of wireless GPS/GPRS modules concerning voice functions are:
• wireless local loop (WLL) terminals
• wireless phone boxes,
• wireless fixed phones.
Automotive and logistics
Automotive industry is one of those market branches where wireless communication is the only alternative due to mobility requirements. GSM/GPRS technology, thanks to its worldwide range, is an excellent and in fact the only solution that meets all the requirements of this specific branch. GSM/GPRS combined with GPS technology provides the possibility of creating advanced supervisory systems and applications which make use of vehicle state data, which means that these solutions are widely used in logistic support and security systems concerning automotive. The main role of GSM/GPRS/GPS module installed in a car is not only to provide voice connection but proves to be much broader. In the existing automotive applications M2M modules allow to:
• provide reports concerning vehicle’s technical condition (amount of fuel left, engine up-time)
• locate a vehicle (eg.: in case of a robbery),
• report faults and failures,
• track goods or shipment routes,
• activate security systems (ignition blockade, cutting off fuel)
POS/ATM
• ATMs
• parking meters
• cashing terminals,
• vending machines,
• slot-machines.
Wireless internet access
It was not so long ago when that using a wireless access to the Internet through circuit switched connection was the only solution. It was neither comfortable due to low transfer rates nor cheap. Today, thanks to the availability of GPRS and EDGE systems, we can easily gain access to information in almost every location we want. Remote access to the Internet is not only a private user domain. There are many applications, connected mainly with banking and accountancy, in which the guaranty of uninterrupted, continuous connection to the network is a crucial issue. M2M modules are used in such applications to provide main link backup.
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