From the tops of electric power poles in extreme weather to rattling locomotive engine rooms, machine-to-machine electronic components take a beating in harsh environments.
Responding to these industrial challenges, Verizon, a proven leader in building the nation’s largest 4G LTE wireless network, is paving a path for developers and device manufacturers to create the next wave of industry-specific connected machine solutions. The company is introducing a rugged 4G LTE Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card so that connected machines will be able to take advantage of state-of-the-art Verizon Wireless connections for new business opportunities.
Connected machines support a diverse set of business applications that sometimes operate in very challenging physical environments. For example, industrial devices monitoring a piece of equipment on a factory floor or enclosed in vending machines may be operating in a very high temperature. A device monitoring the amount of snow accumulation on a highway may be operating under a low temperature. In either scenario, these ruggedized devices and their components need to be designed to last for up to seven to 10 years in the field versus two years for typical consumer-grade device.
“Today’s connected machines require a more robust module than a smart phone or tablet,” said John Sullivan, executive director of M2M Platform Solutions for Verizon. “The modules need to have a longer lifespan and be able to operate in harsh environments to achieve their mission. For example, an energy company can place sensors atop wires without worrying about changing weather conditions, and wireless routers in the engine room of a locomotive will be able to withstand the constant vibration of the railroad.”
The new 4G LTE SIM joins the growing catalogue of 4G LTE certified network modules and chipsets that can be embedded into connected business machines or automated home equipment. The 4G LTE SIM comes in two versions - one that can be embedded directly into a device and one that can be inserted into a card holder and is removable.
Organizations particularly interested in the embedded SIM include automotive, healthcare, utilities and financial firms, specifically for the additional security and lifespan. Some examples include:
- Healthcare - A heart monitoring device that requires the reliability of a 4G LTE network, also requires the lifespan of the industrial SIM.
- Energy and Utilities - Embedded SIMs are particularly attractive to utility companies for enhanced meter security, fraud prevention and expanded lifespan of their meters under extreme weather conditions. Since utility meters are typically located outside, they are exposed to anyone who potentially wants to access a removable SIM.
- Financial Services - In an industry where security requirements are paramount, embedded SIMs can fortify a wireless automated teller machine (ATM) network.
The embedded SIM is smaller than the SIMs found in today’s consumer devices, specifically so module makers can more readily accommodate an embedded SIM. An embedded SIM also helps maintain security, since it can’t be removed and replaced for mal intent. Embedded SIMs also simplify the manufacturing process for equipment manufacturers since they are assembled utilizing the same technology as other electronic components and removing the step of manually inserting a SIM card.
Verizon has certified SIMs from Gemalto and Giesecke & Devrient (G&D) to work on the Verizon Wireless network. The companies are producing the new SIMs to meet Verizon’s specifications. Since these SIMs are certified, it makes it easier for connected device manufacturers to also build and certify their equipment for use on the Verizon Wireless network.
Sullivan said: “Verizon is a leading architect of the Internet of Things through the development of industry-specific connected machine solutions and the components that enable connected machine technology. With the 4G LTE SIM, we are working with our ecosystem of technology companies - including developers and device makers - to create solutions that are deploying machine-to-machine with cloud and security to create new opportunities for our business customers and consumers.”
