Iridium Communications, global industry experts in satellite communications, and SKYWAVE, an ORBCOMM company and global industry experts in industrial IoT connectivity, are partnering to help heavy equipment manufacturers maintain access to connected equipment data across satellite, cellular and Wi-Fi networks. The partnership will combine Iridium’s global, weather-resilient low Earth orbit satellite network and Short Burst Data services with SKYWAVE’s intelligent multi-network management solution and OGx IoT platform. The integrated solution will help equipment manufacturers improve asset visibility, modernize existing deployments and extend connected services into remote areas beyond the reach of terrestrial networks.

For manufacturers managing equipment across geographically distributed fleets, gaps in communications coverage can limit visibility into asset location, operating condition and service requirements. They can also delay maintenance response and make it more difficult to provide consistent connected services across different equipment types and operating regions. Integration work is already underway to embed Iridium Short Burst Data directly into SKYWAVE satellite IoT terminals. This will give SKYWAVE’s heavy equipment OEM customers access to Iridium’s pole-to-pole satellite network as part of a broader connectivity environment spanning satellite, cellular and Wi-Fi communications.

Iridium Short Burst Data provides two-way satellite communications for transmitting compact packets of operational, diagnostic and location information. Combined with SKYWAVE’s network management capabilities, the service will allow connected equipment to continue transmitting critical data when cellular or Wi-Fi coverage is unavailable or inconsistent. The SKYWAVE OGx platform brings together purpose-built devices, connectivity services, data automation and application enablement capabilities for industrial IoT deployments. Its multi-network architecture is designed to manage communications across available networks, helping manufacturers maintain a more consistent flow of equipment data as assets move between connected and remote operating environments.

Iridium and SKYWAVE industrial IoT partnership graphic featured by Industrial Automation Monthly

Iridium and SKYWAVE will combine global satellite connectivity with intelligent multi-network management to support connected heavy equipment operating in remote environments.

The combined solution will support remote monitoring, diagnostics, predictive maintenance and service operations. It will also give manufacturers a pathway for updating existing connected equipment fleets without replacing the complete communications infrastructure supporting those deployments. Improved access to operating data can help manufacturers identify potential equipment issues earlier, schedule maintenance more effectively and provide service teams with the information needed to support assets across large territories. The same connectivity can also support the introduction of new digital services across equipment fleets.

“For more than two decades, Iridium has provided the only pole-to-pole mobile satellite network, delivering the coverage, resiliency, and reliability that mission-critical operations demand,” said Matt Desch, CEO, Iridium. “We look forward to partnering with SKYWAVE to bring Iridium’s global LEO capabilities to industrial IoT customers operating in even the most demanding environments.”

“This partnership is an important step in SKYWAVE’s mission to become the intelligent networking layer for industrial IoT,” said Sameer Agrawal, Chief Executive Officer of ORBCOMM. “Heavy equipment OEMs are looking for ways to modernize legacy deployments, expand connected service capabilities and deliver reliable digital experiences wherever their equipment operates. By combining Iridium’s global LEO capabilities with SKYWAVE’s platform, we are enabling OEMs to build and scale those capabilities across multiple networks.”

The initial collaboration will focus on heavy equipment manufacturers. The underlying architecture is also being designed to support transportation, agriculture, oil and gas, maritime and other industrial sectors with assets operating globally, remotely or outside the reach of terrestrial communications networks.

About Iridium Communications

Iridium Communications operates a global mobile satellite network that supports voice, data and messaging, aircraft surveillance, and positioning, navigation and timing services. The company provides satellite IoT connectivity for aviation, maritime, government, industrial and consumer applications. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Iridium works with an ecosystem of more than 500 technology and distribution partners serving customers worldwide. For more information, please click here.

About SKYWAVE

SKYWAVE, an ORBCOMM company, provides IoT connectivity, devices and application enablement technologies for mission-critical industrial assets. Its platform supports solution providers, systems integrators and equipment manufacturers through satellite and cellular managed networks, purpose-built devices, data automation and connectivity services. SKYWAVE technologies are used in transportation, agriculture, oil and gas, maritime and other industrial applications. To learn more, please click here.

Source/Photo Credit: Iridium Communications

(Editor’s Note: All trademarks mentioned in this article, including company names, product names, and logos, are the property of their respective owners. Use of these trademarks is for informational purposes only and does not imply any endorsement.)

Molly Bakewell Chamberlin
Latest posts by Molly Bakewell Chamberlin (see all)
Tagged