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The goal is to create business efficiencies and better knowledge of activities on Earth
Hyper-scale deployments of Internet of Things (IoT) devices integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) capabilities, known as “Smart-IoT,” will create new levels of performance and efficiency for businesses while also providing an urgently needed source of truth on planetary changes related to climate change.
Hyper-scale means deploying between thousands or even millions of sensors over a very large area — be it a country or on a global scale — in a mass, non-uniform distribution pattern. Besides the obvious costs of terminals and services and the need for security, a major factor in the adoption of Smart-IoT at hyper-scale is implementation velocity. Only products that can be carried by hand, deployed without training and that provide clear usefulness reach hyper-scale.
Challenges with existing terrestrial and satellite IoT systems
For hyper-scale deployments in a Smart-IoT world, sensors need to rely on consistent, high-speed and real-time connectivity so that the data transmitted from the sensors can be optimized with AI and ML intelligence for actionable use.
While traditional IoT models attempt to leverage cellular infrastructure, the limited speeds and inconsistent coverage of cellular are surprisingly inadequate.
Satellite IoT systems have long been hoped for as an alternative to cellular connectivity. Unfortunately, with a high cost of service today’s satellite capabilities have limited their usefulness for anything but small, classical, “beep IoT” (low bandwidth) deployments.
Wired terrestrial networks don’t offer the ubiquitous global coverage of satellite, making them only a partial solution.
To achieve mass scale and connect millions of satellite IoT devices to data centers, a new communications technology is needed with the following improvements:
- Coverage must be global and ubiquitous.
- Connection speed must be consistent and high enough (at least 1 Mbps— typically up to 5 Mbps) to enable AI/ML interactions with the data center.
- Easy install is required for massive deployments as it is usually the largest contribution to the total cost of ownership (TCO).
The E-Space solution to building out at scale
- Modernized satellite system: E-Space’s satellite IoT system is based on advanced satellite technology, which delivers a low latency, consistent high-speed service that connects to the world’s smallest satellite terminal. Its IoT sensor is like a cellular sensor but will not require any external satellite kit. The modem is similar in size to a cellular modem yet uses a smaller battery since it operates at lower power levels. Both scenarios will save the end-customer on the system costs.
- True “use anywhere” coverage: E-Space has developed a truly ubiquitous satellite system to transmit and operate in “use anywhere” conditions — with limited variation in coverage across a land mass. This novel technology will solve the “edge of cell” or “out of coverage” issues experienced with cellular-based IoT deployments. Its unique capabilities set it apart from any other, traditional or legacy NewSpace IoT satellite system.
- Easy installation: E-Space makes mass deployment possible with an easy, tool-free installation and does not require antenna pointing.
- Lowest TCO: E-Space overcomes the cost challenge with advancements in satellite system design and manufacturing — which has lowered total LEO system costs by 90% when compared to competing systems. Additionally, costs are lowered through simplified installation and E-Space sensors that provide a single physical solution with no external cables, connections or parts to fail.
Almost all current satellite systems require years of development to reach launch and commercial service and are often prohibitively expensive to deploy at scale. The E-Space hyper-scale approach is enabled by our ability to stand up an entire constellation quickly. By making the end terminals and service highly affordable, E-Space is heralding a new era of communications and connectivity that will enable a wide variety of use cases across industries worldwide.
