Cinterion Wireless Modules
Encyclopedia
Cinterion Wireless Modules GmbH, formerly Siemens Wireless Modules
, is a manufacturer of wireless modules for the cellular machine-to-machine (short M2M) communication. The company is based in Munich
, Germany
and has about 335 employees worldwide. It was acquired from Siemens in June 2008 by a group of investors led by Granville Baird, a venture capital
company. It has a 34% share in the global wireless modules business for Machine to Machine
applications.
In September 2008 Cinterion Wireless Modules announced that is had signed a contract with Astrata Group to provide GLP100i GSM communication module. In the contract Astrata Group has committed to buy at least 200,000 units for at least four years.
In June 2010 Cinterion was acquired by Gemalto (Euronext NL 0000400653 GTO), the world leader in digital security.
estimates that 82% of the global mobile market uses the standard, with over 3 billion people across more than 212 countries and territories using it.
Wireless modules can be differentiated by the cellular standard (GSM/UMTS/CDMA), the cellular data standards (GSM, UMTS, GPRS, EDGE
, HSDPA), as well as by technologies (Java
, GPS, SIM Access Profile). GSM/UMTS are internationally standardized cellular technologies, which allows the user unlimited mobility due to worldwide coverage and the interwoven roaming networks. GPRS/EDGE/HSDPA data standards allow varying data transmission speeds which can allow for very high speed communication. Java/GPS/SIM Access technologies give OEM
s the ability to customize the modules to fit their needs. Modules are further differentiated by the type of approval/certifications earned. Before a module is approved to connect to a wireless network, it is subject to rigorous, often expensive testing to gain various approvals and certifications including, but not limited to, RF
, PTCRB
, U.S. Federal Communications Commission
(FCC), and carrier approval. Pre-approved modules are more economically fiesable providing cost efficiencies and a shorter time to market. All Cinterion wireless modules are pre-approved and certified. Additionally, Cinterion wireless modules manufacturing process adhere to environmental regulations including the RoHS and WEEE, as well as complying with ISO TS 16949 quality benchmarks.
Wireless modules can be integrated into technology solutions to help a huge range of organizations and enterprises across many industries. Currently, Cinterion modules are used in a broad portfolio of solutions designed for a wide ranging applications including remote maintenance and control, environmental monitoring
, health care
or mHealth
, industrial computing, electronic toll systems, metering, automotive, POS systems, router gateway, security systems, as well as tracking and tracing.
Wireless modules help companies to minimize costs by improving processes and thus efficiency. For example, by placing an M2M solution into a vending machine, unnecessary stops of the route men will be avoided as the system will alert the company when it needs to be refilled – Allowing the company to save money from avoidance of any unproductive worker time, as well as saving gas, and time. Another example of efficiency improvement is seen in fleet management solutions that help transportation and delivery companies closely monitor fleet operations to ensure vehicles are properly fueled, up to date on maintenance, mileage, and speed which helps forecast and offers the ability to guarantee a timely delivery.
Siemens
Siemens may refer toSiemens, a German family name carried by generations of telecommunications industrialists, including:* Werner von Siemens , inventor, founder of Siemens AG...
, is a manufacturer of wireless modules for the cellular machine-to-machine (short M2M) communication. The company is based in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and has about 335 employees worldwide. It was acquired from Siemens in June 2008 by a group of investors led by Granville Baird, a venture capital
Venture capital
Venture capital is financial capital provided to early-stage, high-potential, high risk, growth startup companies. The venture capital fund makes money by owning equity in the companies it invests in, which usually have a novel technology or business model in high technology industries, such as...
company. It has a 34% share in the global wireless modules business for Machine to Machine
Machine to Machine
Machine-to-Machine refers to technologies that allow both wireless and wired systems to communicate with other devices of the same ability...
applications.
In September 2008 Cinterion Wireless Modules announced that is had signed a contract with Astrata Group to provide GLP100i GSM communication module. In the contract Astrata Group has committed to buy at least 200,000 units for at least four years.
In June 2010 Cinterion was acquired by Gemalto (Euronext NL 0000400653 GTO), the world leader in digital security.
What is a wireless module?
Wireless modules are the component of an M2M device which produce, transmit and decode data over a cellular network. There are two basic wireless networks for which modules and M2M solutions are developed – GSM and CDMA. Cinterion modules operate on GSM networks which outweighs the CDMA market globally. The GSM AssociationGSM Association
The GSM Association is an association of mobile operators and related companies devoted to supporting the standardizing, deployment and promotion of the GSM mobile telephone system...
estimates that 82% of the global mobile market uses the standard, with over 3 billion people across more than 212 countries and territories using it.
Wireless modules can be differentiated by the cellular standard (GSM/UMTS/CDMA), the cellular data standards (GSM, UMTS, GPRS, EDGE
Edge
- Aviation :* Leading edge, a line connecting the forward-most points of a wing's profile* Trailing edge, the rear edge of the wing* Zivko Edge 540, an aerobatic aircraft- Mathematics, science and technology :...
, HSDPA), as well as by technologies (Java
Java (programming language)
Java is a programming language originally developed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems and released in 1995 as a core component of Sun Microsystems' Java platform. The language derives much of its syntax from C and C++ but has a simpler object model and fewer low-level facilities...
, GPS, SIM Access Profile). GSM/UMTS are internationally standardized cellular technologies, which allows the user unlimited mobility due to worldwide coverage and the interwoven roaming networks. GPRS/EDGE/HSDPA data standards allow varying data transmission speeds which can allow for very high speed communication. Java/GPS/SIM Access technologies give OEM
OEM
OEM means the original manufacturer of a component for a product, which may be resold by another company.OEM may also refer to:-Computing:* OEM font, or OEM-US, the original character set of the IBM PC, circa 1981...
s the ability to customize the modules to fit their needs. Modules are further differentiated by the type of approval/certifications earned. Before a module is approved to connect to a wireless network, it is subject to rigorous, often expensive testing to gain various approvals and certifications including, but not limited to, RF
Radio frequency
Radio frequency is a rate of oscillation in the range of about 3 kHz to 300 GHz, which corresponds to the frequency of radio waves, and the alternating currents which carry radio signals...
, PTCRB
PTCRB
The PTCRB was established in 1997 as the certification forum by North American cellular operators. Now a pseudo-acronym, it no longer stands for its original meaning of the PCS Type Certification Review Board .The purpose of the PTCRB is to provide the framework within which Cellular GERAN , UTRA ...
, U.S. Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
(FCC), and carrier approval. Pre-approved modules are more economically fiesable providing cost efficiencies and a shorter time to market. All Cinterion wireless modules are pre-approved and certified. Additionally, Cinterion wireless modules manufacturing process adhere to environmental regulations including the RoHS and WEEE, as well as complying with ISO TS 16949 quality benchmarks.
Wireless modules can be integrated into technology solutions to help a huge range of organizations and enterprises across many industries. Currently, Cinterion modules are used in a broad portfolio of solutions designed for a wide ranging applications including remote maintenance and control, environmental monitoring
Environmental monitoring
Environmental monitoring describes the processes and activities that need to take place to characterise and monitor the quality of the environment...
, health care
Health care
Health care is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans. Health care is delivered by practitioners in medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, and other care providers...
or mHealth
MHealth
mHealth is a term used for the practice of medicine and public health, supported by mobile devices. The term is most commonly used in reference to using mobile communication devices, such as mobile phones and PDAs, for health services and information...
, industrial computing, electronic toll systems, metering, automotive, POS systems, router gateway, security systems, as well as tracking and tracing.
Wireless modules help companies to minimize costs by improving processes and thus efficiency. For example, by placing an M2M solution into a vending machine, unnecessary stops of the route men will be avoided as the system will alert the company when it needs to be refilled – Allowing the company to save money from avoidance of any unproductive worker time, as well as saving gas, and time. Another example of efficiency improvement is seen in fleet management solutions that help transportation and delivery companies closely monitor fleet operations to ensure vehicles are properly fueled, up to date on maintenance, mileage, and speed which helps forecast and offers the ability to guarantee a timely delivery.