General Description:

The SAVR Sentry Smart Asset Tag is a battery powered, autonomous asset tracking device designed for remote monitoring and control of high value assets, available in 5 Sentry models (Sentry 100-500 tags).

CostSAVR tags communicate their presence at timed intervals configured by the customer.

Sentry units can be equipped with environmental data sensors, expandable internal memory, and capability for cellular, satellite, WiFi, and/or mesh-based communications, according to customer configuration (See Tag Configuration section for standardized tag configurations and options). The modular design of the Sentry unit consists of solid state components, omni-directional antennas, and a rechargeable Lithium polymer battery encased in a hardened, waterproof housing. The Sentry Smart Tag feeds location and environmental data back to OnAsset, SAVR’S intuitive, web based application that tracks and monitors each and every tag employed in the system. Together, tag and software can supply encrypted, client variable updates as quickly as every 5 seconds using WiFi connections.

CostSAVR units both transmit data directly to Sentry devices utilizing Roll-Up Technology™ and can support customized software interfaces.

Features:

The SAVR Smart Asset Tag is equipped with 8 MB internal memory, a rechargeable Lithium polymer battery, and a choice of internal sensors for monitoring light, location, temperature, humidity, pressure, and movement. The Sentry tag can incorporate a patent pending FlightSafe™ capability for detecting and modifying operations/communications based on its presence near or aboard aircraft. For interface and expansion purposes, the units also can option Analog/Digital GPIO, USB, and RS-232 external data ports. The external LED status lighting and internal clock are customer configurable for time based reporting and notifications. Optional onboard memory expansion can provide up to 8 GB of custom data storage. Other features can include external power infeed and sensory I/O, along with ultra high sensitivity GPS with indoor/outdoor location sensing capability. The 500 series is completely optioned and has available Roll-Up Technology™ for intercommunication with other tags and streamlined bulk reporting to reduce cell and satellite time. In addition to OnAsset, SAVR also offers the RapidAlert™ notification system, forwarding real-time alerts via phone, fax, or SMS text message. Individual sensor modules, internal communication components, and internal CPU and other processing and power units are connected using I2C/SPI interfaces. Each internal component is designed with an individualized power supply to aid in disaster recovery from fluctuations in overall current supply to the tag. Each unit can maintain up to three antennae internal to the hard plastic casing, one for each of the WiFi, Cellular, and LAN Mesh. The temperature range for the least sensitive internal component is -20° to +55° C. There is an available temperature upgrade to extend the usability of the unit to -40° to +85° C. Units contain 3 external communication ports, 1 mini USB port and 2 RS232 ports, with the ability to convert one to an RS 485 port. The 500 series is also capable of acting as a receiver for other tags in the system, sending out and receiving information to and from other tags in the series. The Sentry tag also can be connected to SAVR’s Response Center, a 24/7 monitoring service that notifies customers of alert warnings by phone, email, or text message.

CostSAVR tags contain a 2.4 GHz radio capable of a read range of 1,000 feet or greater.

Benefits:

The primary benefit of SAVR tags are their out-of-the-box capability to provide monitoring and tracking of high value assets. At present, it is the only full service active asset tag system providing a complete array of environmental and location sensors. In addition, the Sentry tag also provides the ability to function on aircraft, detecting the presence of an aircraft and shutting down the cellular transmission portion of the device while continuing to monitor. The Sentry tags are also re-usable and reconfigurable, allowing flexibility and reducing implementation costs and expenses for re-design of replacement units. This increases usability, adaptability and ROI. The units are flexible enough to assist customer compliance facilitation with Federal regulations, including FDA Cold Chain requirements and SEC Sarbanes/Oxley.

Applications:

Because of their flexibility, SAVR tags are applicable to a wide array of industries, primarily for use in tracking and monitoring high value assets. In particular, the tag unit is applicable to the following wide-industry applications:

•Shipping, storage, and management of any high value asset
•Transport industry, including sea, land, and air vehicles, containers, and cargo
•Fleet and equipment rental and management.
•Port / terminal management
•Construction, heavy machinery, and industrial equipment management
•Cold chain shipments ( pharmaceutical and food industries )
•Management of any assets sensitive to variations in movement, temperature, moisture, pressure, light, and/or chemical sensitivity
•Asset/environment monitoring in zones supporting aircraft frequencies

Sensors:

Aircraft Detect:

The Sentry is designed to detect aircraft frequencies, when present, and place itself into a user/manufacturer configured sleep mode after sending the last known location and sensory updates to the receiving software. This FlightSafe™ capability allows the unit to maintain basic allowable operations during the sleep mode, as configured by the user/manufacturer. Once out of range of discernible flight frequencies, the tag resumes full activity and updates the receiving software of historic activity that occurred during sleep mode. The internal detection component is a supplied RF power detector operating in the 600 MHz to 7GHz range with an input power range of -26dBm to 12 dBm. It maintains a 25 nanosecond response time with 0 dBm RF input level. The comparator output current is rated at ±20mA.

GPS:

The Sentry’s GPS locater contains a self contained, 50 channel GPS/GALILEO receiver to determine, verify, and report location on a user/manufacturer configurable time schedule. The module maintains a history of readings and uses those in comparison with new values for verification and accuracy. The number of readings per unit of time and number of times per hour readings are reported to the associated software are user/manufacture configurable. Like other modules within the Sentry tag, the GPS module is designed with a relative self contained power unit to alleviate module distress from fluctuating current supplies. The unit can simultaneously track up to 16 satellites while searching for new signals and uses a 32 channel acquisition engine, with reportedly greater than 1 million effective correlators for abundant concurrent searches. The module maintains jamming suppression mechanisms, and its Time To First Fix (TTFF) is less than 1 second. Power usage for the unit is 150 mA with Vcc at 3.6 volts. Output power for the module is -145 dBm for autonomous cold starts and -165 dBm for acquisition, tracking, and navigation. The unit uses the GPS L1 frequency – C/A Code. The unit also supports the European GALILEO system on the GALILEO Open Service L1 frequency, predicting even more powerful future performance once GALILEO is placed in operation.

CostSAVR units communicate back to a base Sentry unit and use the Sentry's location data to calculate their own relative position.

Tri-lateral Motion/Shock Sensing:

The Sentry employs a tri-axis, low voltage, digital output linear accelerometer for sensing of excessive vibration, acceleration, shock, and/or free fall. The inertial sensor is created in silicon and is suspended, attached to anchors in places, and free to move in the direction of motion. Motion detection is completed by measurement of imbalance using charged integration in response to a voltage pulse applied to the sense capacitor. The inertial sensor can be user/manufacturer configured to generate an interrupt signal (inertial wakeup/free-fall) when a programmed acceleration threshold is exceeded in at least one of the three axes. It maintains embedded self test, programmable interrupt threshold, and high shock survivability while being eco-pack compliant. The module uses I2C/SPI digital output serial interfaces to emit information in programmable 12 or 16 bit data representation. Its range is user selectable at either ±2g or ±6g. Measuring bandwidth is 640 Hz. The device can be used in a range of -40°C to +85°C. The module features 2.16V to 3.6V single supply operation with 1.8V compatible I/Os.

Light/Dark Sensing:

Light/dark sensing in the Sentry uses a photoelectric cell with a spectral response emulating the human eye. No optical filters are required for use. The unit can be programmed to detect light/dark at a specified level or to record the change in light received by the unit. This allows the tag to detect whether a light tight container has been opened, or whether the asset’s environment has experienced an unsuitable variance in the need for light or dark required by the asset. It is has a peak photodiode response wavelength sensitivity of 520nm while sharply attenuating ultra violet and infrared wavelengths, emitting an accurate, linear, and repeatable current transfer function, multiplied by integrated high gain amplifiers for expression to the unit’s processors. A clear plastic cap is used for the unit if this module is activated. Its radiant sensitive area is 0.369mm2. The module is temperature stable in the range of -40°C to +85°C.

Temperature:

Temperature measurement is accomplished in the Sentry tag with a solid state thermometer and thermostat serving as a temperature to digital converter. The unit is user/manufacturer configurable to take single or continuous temperature measurements and store them in an internal register. The thermometer resolution is configurable from 8 to 12 bits (1.0°C to 0.0625°C resolution), useful in applications where thermal runaway conditions must be detected quickly, such as in cold chain compliance situations. The module is accurate to ±2.0°C in a range of -55°C to +120°C with a read/write to an SPI interface. The module has an analog power supply range of 2.65V to 5.5V.

Humidity:

Humidity in the Sentry tag is determined by a digital output, temperature/humidity multi-sensor module using a capacitive polymer sensing element for relative humidity and a band gap temperature sensor. It is coupled to a 14 bit analog to digital converter and serial interface circuit, creating a fast response to stimulus time and insensitivity to external disturbances. Humidity can be measured in a range of 0%RH to 100%RH with an accuracy of ±3.5%RH. Hysteresis is measured at ±1%RH and long term stability is < 1% RH/yr. Resolution is rated at 0.5%RH to 0.03%RH. Individual calibration is completed for each module before use and is programmed within the unit as a reference that can be used for calibration of the signals from the sensors. The module requires a voltage supply of between 2.4V and 5.5V. A serial interface is optimized for sensor readout and power consumption and is not compatible with I²C. The module is temperature stable in the range of -40°C to +123.8°C.

Pressure:

Pressure/altitude measurement in the Sentry is accomplished through the use of a solid state, light weight piezo-resistive silicon pressure sensor that can be programmed to measure altitude, barometric pressure, or PSI. The effective pressure range for the module is 1-15 psia with pressure non-linearity of ±0.25%. Full scale power output span is 30 to 120 mV and long term stability is rated at ±0.5% Span/year. Response time for 10% to 90% is 1.0 msec. Operating temperature is -40°C to +125°C. Supply voltage is 3V DC with a max of 12V. Full scale output span is 30-120 mV, and zero pressure output is -25 to 25mV.

Real Time Clock:

The Sentry tag uses an internal, serial alarm, real-time clock with a full binary coded decimal (BCD) clock calendar that is accessed by serial interface and that can self-correct from a GPS signal. It counts seconds, minutes, hours, date of the month, month, day of the week, and year with Leap-Year compensation valid to 2100 (Note that “Don’t Care” values can be programmed into fields if not needed for alarm conditions). It contains a 96 byte, battery backed NV RAM for data storage. It maintains two time-of-day alarms programmable on combination of seconds, minutes, hours, and day of the week. It has clock outputs of 1Hz and 32.768 kHz. It supports SPI modes 1 and 3, has 2.0V to 5.5V operation range, and has an optional effective temperature range of -40°C to +85°C.

Communications:

The Sentry Smart Tag can be programmed to use any or all of:

• LAN Mesh
• WiFi
• Cellular (GSM/GSPR)
• Satellite (LEO)

The unit is programmed to use the least expensive mode of communication with the OnAsset software application or the SAVR Response Center.

LAN Mesh:

The LAN Mesh module is a 2.4 GHz ISM band RF transceiver with a transmission speed of 250 kbps and a spreading gain of 9dB. The module is interfaced through SPI. The chip uses 16 standard channels for communications. Power usage for the unit is 100 mA at 6 ms/packet and the output power is 20dBm. Range for the LAN Mesh is approximately 4,000 feet.

WiFi:

The WiFi module is run on a frequency of 2.4 to 2.484 GHz frequency with 1 to 11 selectable channels in the continental US. Transmission speed is rated at 54 Mbits/sec. Power usage is 360 mA for 15 seconds at startup. Output power is 850mW for regular performance and at 230kbps for data transfer. Effective range for the WiFi capability is up to 328 feet indoors.

GSM/GPRS:

Frequencies for the EGSM/GPRS CL are 850/900/1800/1900 MHz. GSM 850 TX frequency is 824-849 MHz. Equivalent RX frequency is 869-894 MHz. GSM transmission is limited to 160 characters per packet, paging every 9 multi-frames every 2 seconds and paging every multi-frames every 0.5 seconds. Link to link range is dependant on power output at the antennae and tower height and signal. Theoretical distance is 27 miles under perfect conditions. Output power is a maximum of 100 mA. Channels include the following:

GSM:

• GSM 850 @ PCL5 and PCL19
• GSM 900 @ PCL5 and PCL19

GPRS Class 8:

• GPRS 850 1TX/4RX slot at Gamma 3 and Gamma17
• GPRS 900 1TX/4RX slot at Gamma 3 and Gamma17
• GPRS 1800 1TX/4RX slot at Gamma 3 and Gamma18
• GPRS 1900 1TX/4RX slot at Gamma 3 and Gamma18

GPRS Class 10:

• GPRS 850 2TX/4RX slot at Gamma 3 and Gamma17
• GPRS 900 2TX/3RX slot at Gamma 3 and Gamma17
• GPRS 1800 2TX/3RX slot at Gamma 3 and Gamma18

• GPRS 1900 2TX/3RX slot at Gamma 3 and Gamma18

See the complete SENTRY Datasheet for the power requirements for the GSM/GPRS module.

CostSAVR uses a 2.4GHz radio which has a read range of 1,000 feet or greater.

Central Processing Unit:

The Sentry tag uses a 16 bit processor with a 36 bit MAC (Multiply and Accumulator) with Flash Boot-Loader partitions and 512 KB of flash memory. It has an effective lifetime of 5 years and can handle up to 60 x 106 MIPS (Million Instructions Per Second).

Memory:

Memory for the Sentry unit consists of a standard, built-in 8 MB data flash units with 256 KB to 1 MB static RAM. Memory can be upgraded to the optional Micro SD expandable to 8 GB.

Encryption:

Encryption is accomplished in Sentry tags with a chip supplying digital signature, challenge-response authentication, public key pair generation, and SPI interface, all with an operating range of 1.62V to 5.5V. The module uses two cryptographic engines, a 3DES Crypto Accelerator (112-bit keys) and a 32 bit public key crypto accelerator (RS 2048 bits, ECC 384 bits). A FIPS 140-2 level 1-3 random number generator is also included for generation of public keys and challenges during the authentication process. The unit also maintains secure storage of user data keys (persistent data storage with secure memory management – access control and anti-tearing and an administration application to manage contents and configuration). Power and frequency protection logic, logical scrambling on data and address, power analysis countermeasures and EEPROM (10 year data retention, 500K cycles) with password access control are also included. Message digest is an additional asset of the chip.

Battery:

The battery supply of the Sentry tag is handled by a Lithium polymer battery of 3.7V, 4000 mA. It can be recharged using any external device supplying 7 to 30 Volts DC through a USB connection, which includes possibilities of car battery, laptop, cell phones, etc. Note that each internal unit maintains its own regulated power supply to aid in disaster recovery from fluctuations in current entering the unit. Battery consumption is dependent on tag configuration and customer use.

External Power:

There is an external soft-start power switch on the Sentry to activate the unit, which can go into sleep mode under user/manufacturer configuration. There is also an external power connector port under the unit’s removable face plate. External power infeed is 5-4 Volts.

Alarm:

The Sentry unit can be configured with an 80 decibel internal buzzer for alarm purposes.

I/O:

The Sentry tag has 8 digital/analog I/O ports.

External Casing:

The Sentry is encased in an IP 68 compliant water tight casing made of ABS Lustran 433 with a tensile strength of 6100 psi at 73 degrees Fahrenheit. Its length/width/depth dimensions are 128.75mm / 97.65mm / 25.1mm. A three-way bracket container for the unit is available as an option for attachment to the asset.

External LEDs:

The Sentry is equipped with 9 standard orange, red, yellow, and green LED lights, which will light, darken, and/or flash to indicate GSM network availability and confirmation, motion detection, normal device operation (unit heartbeat), GSM uplink and lock, WiFi detection, and battery charging and full charge status. Two additional LED lights are reserved for future customization.