Telemetry & Telematics Systems

Plextek’s experience in telemetry system design ranges from low data rate narrow band telemetry systems for stolen vehicle recovery to high data rate telemetry systems for Formula 1 motor racing. Wireless telemetry can be defined as machine-to-machine communications via a radio link (in the case when one end of the link is mobile this is also known as telematics). This is often the transfer of data from sensors for remote monitoring or data collation purposes. Typical applications include:

• Building alarms
• Metropolitan area monitoring
• Vehicle and boat alarms
• Remote meter reading
• Environmental applications such as weather stations and earthquake status monitoring
• Border access control
• Monitoring of water, gas or oil pipelines
• Data tranfer to/from Unmanned Arial Vehicles (UAVs)

Technologies such as GSM/GPRS and 3G are often considered for telemetry and telematics applications because the commercial network infrastructure already exists. Whilst these technologies sometimes offer an appropriate solution, they have not been optimised for the specific telemetry application under consideration. The power consumption, terminal equipment cost, data transport cost and/or data rate are unlikely to all be optimal for any given application. Other lower power wireless data transfer solutions such as Bluetooth, DECT or 802.11b WLAN may offer more attractive cost models but may fall short in other ways such as achievable range or battery life.

Plextek has extensive experience in the design of custom communications systems, many of which have been for telemetry or telematics applications. Examples of telemetry or telematics systems designed by Plextek include:

• A stolen vehicle recovery telemetry system which achieves an average range of 20km and 90% UK area coverage with just 60 base sites.
• An automatic remote utility meter reading system which was designed for a maximum density of 4000 terminals/sq km, battery life of 10 years and range of 1km.
• A telemetry link for Formula 1 motor racing, which was designed to provide a highly robust link. Not only does it have to survive the harsh vibration environment found in a modern racing car chassis, but it also has to compensate for the rapidly changing RF environment experienced across the link.
• Medical telemetry system design for remote monitoring of patient diagnostic data.

In addition to the detailed system design skills, Plextek has the in depth engineering expertise required to undertake the product development. Specific skills include:

• RF, microwave and mm-wave design
• DSP design
• FPGA implementation
• Embedded software design
• Design for manufacture
• Knowledge and understanding of telemetry standards such as Zigbee
• Innovative industrial design
• Design of intrinsically safe telemetry systems
• Development of automated test equipment
• Undertaking radio propagation surveys

Plextek's strong track record in the design of telemetry products and systems has been recognised by Analog Devices Inc (ADI) with Plextek being selected as a certified design house for ADI's wireless connectivity and telemetry devices. Plextek is able to undertake telemetry product and system design using ADI's ISM band transmitter ICs and ISM band transceiver ICs.

We are also able to undertake the design and supply of customer specified telemetry products. To discuss your telemetry requirements in more detail please contact us