SkyWave Mobile Communications
Encyclopedia
SkyWave Mobile Communications (“SkyWave”) is a satellite telematics company that provides satellite transceivers, dual-mode satellite/GPRS terminals and satellite network services for global tracking, monitoring, and control of mobile and stationary assets. SkyWave’s products are used in M2M
applications in transportation, maritime, mining, oil & gas, heavy equipment, and utilities sectors and communicate via Inmarsat
's global satellite service.
, Canada
in 1997. In its initial stages, SkyWave relied on the research and technical expertise provided by the Communications Research Centre
Canada (CRC) and local government funding services to develop the first product.
By 2007, SkyWave achieved 40% growth and was named one of the Deloitte Wireless Fast 50
companies along with other Ottawa companies such as BTI Systems Inc, BridgewaterSystems, and EION Inc.
Some examples of SkyWave products in use include government vehicles in USA, tuna buoys in the Pacific, truck tracking in the jungles of Brazil, the oil & gas industry in North America, and drinking water control in the UK. In addition, SkyWave’s satellite terminals have been used to track races such as the Dubai-Muscat Offshore Sailing Race in 2008 and the China Sea Race from Hong Kong to Subic Bay in 2006.
On April 1, 2009, Inmarsat acquired a 19% stake in SkyWave Mobile Communications to expand presence in the SLDR (Satellite Low Data Rate) market. SkyWave used the funds to acquire GlobalWave and double its size. The SLDR market is estimated at $600m and is expected to grow.
In December 2009, SkyWave launched a GLONASS
-compatible product for the Russian market. The DMR-800L with GLONASS/GPS can use either or both of the navigation systems to determine location.
In August 2011, SkyWave launched IsatData Pro, a new low data rate service for managing and communicating with remote assets around the world. IsatData Pro offers a significant increase in payload capacity compared to other satellite-based M2M services in the market, delivering up to 10,000 bytes to the device and up to 6,400 bytes from the device. Other global M2M satellite services currently available offer data connectivity at between 270 and 340 bytes. By delivering up to 37 times more data, IsatData Pro can meet the increasing demand for richer information in M2M applications, and allows businesses to share more data across diverse operations, via emails, electronic forms and workflow information. Applications include vehicle telemetry information, text-messaging remote workers, maintaining up-to-date driver logs, and the remote management and control of fixed assets.
Today, SkyWave is located in Ottawa’s technology district, west of the town of Kanata, Ontario
and employs over 170 people. SkyWave has designed, manufactured and shipped more than 400,000 satellite terminals to customers in the transportation, maritime, oil and gas, heavy equipment, utilities and government sectors worldwide..
(FCC) license in 2004 to expand business in the United States. Some other certifications include Inmarsat Type Approval DCC009 (Satellite), PTCRB
(GPRS), RoHS (Europe), Anatel
(Brazil), CE0470 (R&TTE)(Terminal).
Land mobile applications:
Marine applications:
Fixed Asset and SCADA
Applications:
Defence and security applications:
IDP600 Series- The IDP600 Series terminals use the two-way Inmarsat IsatData Pro satellite service for remotely managing fixed and mobile assets anywhere in the world.
IDP100 Series- The IDP100 Series modems are designed to be integrated into larger systems and use the two-way Inmarsat IsatData Pro satellite service.
SureLinx 8100- A dual-mode satellite/GPRS transceiver that switches between cellular (GPRS) frequencies and IsatM2M satellite service when cellular service is not available.
SureLinx 8100c - A SureLinx 8100 transceiver with an on-board computer designed specifically for vehicle telemetry applications.
DMR-800D - A satellite-only transceiver with two-way communication capabilities and low-power mode that allows use in remote unmanned locations.
DMR-800L - This transceiver is designed with a low look angle to be used in harsh conditions and marine environments.
DMR-800 OEM- A DMR-800 transceiver that comes unpackaged, allowing for customization and addition of sensors according to application needs.
DMR-800D C1D2 - A Class 1 Division 2 certified satellite transceiver that allows monitoring of assets, processes and environments in hazardous locations. The product includes a RS-485 serial interface for connection to SCADA devices, Modbus protocol interfaces for implementing reporting and telemetry capabilities of remote equipment and discrete input/output feeds for monitoring and control of local devices not using Modbus.
DMR-800LRIT - The DMR-800LRIT is designed specifically for the strict LRIT standards set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
MT3000 - A satellite terminal for tracking, monitoring, and SCADA applications. The MT3000 has received Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Class 1, Division 2 (groups A, B, C, and D) classification for use in hazardous locations.
MT3550 - A satellite terminal that features ultra low power consumption, designed for complex monitoring applications.
MT3400 - A satellite tracking terminal specifically designed to fit onto trailers and containers.
Core Modem Plus - A satellite communications modem that can be integrated into existing hardware.
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 transportation, maritime, mining, oil & gas, heavy equipment, and utilities sectors and communicate via Inmarsat
Inmarsat
Inmarsat plc is a British satellite telecommunications company, offering global, mobile services. It provides telephony and data services to users worldwide, via portable or mobile terminals which communicate to ground stations through eleven geostationary telecommunications satellites...
's global satellite service.
History
SkyWave Mobile Communications was founded in OttawaOttawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in 1997. In its initial stages, SkyWave relied on the research and technical expertise provided by the Communications Research Centre
Communications Research Centre
The Communications Research Centre Canada is a Canadian government scientific laboratory for research and development in the field of advanced telecommunications. For over 40 years, it has made significant contributions to the information and communications technology sector in Canada and abroad...
Canada (CRC) and local government funding services to develop the first product.
By 2007, SkyWave achieved 40% growth and was named one of the Deloitte Wireless Fast 50
Deloitte Fast 500
The Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Awards are run and moderated by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited. They recognize the 500 fastest-growing technology companies in regions around the world...
companies along with other Ottawa companies such as BTI Systems Inc, BridgewaterSystems, and EION Inc.
Some examples of SkyWave products in use include government vehicles in USA, tuna buoys in the Pacific, truck tracking in the jungles of Brazil, the oil & gas industry in North America, and drinking water control in the UK. In addition, SkyWave’s satellite terminals have been used to track races such as the Dubai-Muscat Offshore Sailing Race in 2008 and the China Sea Race from Hong Kong to Subic Bay in 2006.
On April 1, 2009, Inmarsat acquired a 19% stake in SkyWave Mobile Communications to expand presence in the SLDR (Satellite Low Data Rate) market. SkyWave used the funds to acquire GlobalWave and double its size. The SLDR market is estimated at $600m and is expected to grow.
In December 2009, SkyWave launched a GLONASS
GLONASS
GLONASS , acronym for Globalnaya navigatsionnaya sputnikovaya sistema or Global Navigation Satellite System, is a radio-based satellite navigation system operated for the Russian government by the Russian Space Forces...
-compatible product for the Russian market. The DMR-800L with GLONASS/GPS can use either or both of the navigation systems to determine location.
In August 2011, SkyWave launched IsatData Pro, a new low data rate service for managing and communicating with remote assets around the world. IsatData Pro offers a significant increase in payload capacity compared to other satellite-based M2M services in the market, delivering up to 10,000 bytes to the device and up to 6,400 bytes from the device. Other global M2M satellite services currently available offer data connectivity at between 270 and 340 bytes. By delivering up to 37 times more data, IsatData Pro can meet the increasing demand for richer information in M2M applications, and allows businesses to share more data across diverse operations, via emails, electronic forms and workflow information. Applications include vehicle telemetry information, text-messaging remote workers, maintaining up-to-date driver logs, and the remote management and control of fixed assets.
Today, SkyWave is located in Ottawa’s technology district, west of the town of Kanata, Ontario
Kanata, Ontario
Situated in the Ottawa Valley, Kanata is located about west-southwest of Downtown Ottawa along Highway 417 at a latitude of 45°18' North and a longitude of 75°55' West, with an area of . Its northern end is just to the west of the Ottawa River....
and employs over 170 people. SkyWave has designed, manufactured and shipped more than 400,000 satellite terminals to customers in the transportation, maritime, oil and gas, heavy equipment, utilities and government sectors worldwide..
Certifications
SkyWave has received a 15 year U.S. Federal Communications CommissionFederal 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) license in 2004 to expand business in the United States. Some other certifications include Inmarsat Type Approval DCC009 (Satellite), 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 ...
(GPRS), RoHS (Europe), Anatel
Brazilian Agency of Telecommunications
The Brazilian Agency of Telecommunications is a special authority created by the general telecommunications law in 1997 and regulated by the decree 2338, 07/10/1997...
(Brazil), CE0470 (R&TTE)(Terminal).
Markets
SkyWave sells terminals to Solution Providers (such as OnixSat) who put satellite communications products and services into industry-specific applications for their customers. The following are four main uses for this technology:Land mobile applications:
- Vehicle tracking and monitoring, fleet managementFleet managementFleet management is the management of a company's vehicle fleet.Fleet management includes commercial motor vehicles such as cars, vans and trucks. Fleet management can include a range of functions, such as vehicle financing, vehicle maintenance, vehicle telematics , driver management, speed...
- Security and anti-theft monitoring
- Heavy equipment security and management
- Trailer and container tracking, rail car tracking
- Cold Chain ManagementCold chainA cold chain is a temperature-controlled supply chain. An unbroken cold chain is an uninterrupted series of storage and distribution activities which maintain a given temperature range...
Marine applications:
- Long Range Identification and TrackingLong Range Identification and TrackingThe long-range identification and tracking of ships was established as an international system on 19 May 2006 by the International Maritime Organization as resolution MSC.202...
(LRIT) - Ship Security Alerting SystemShip Security Alerting SystemThe Ship Security Alert System is part of the ISPS code and is a system that contributes to the International Maritime Organization's 's efforts to strengthen maritime security and suppress acts of terrorism and piracy against shipping. The system is a joint project between Cospas-Sarsat and the...
(SSAS) - Vessel monitoring systemVessel monitoring systemVessel monitoring systems are used in commercial fishing to allow environmental and fisheries regulatory organizations to monitor, minimally, the position, time at a position, and course and speed of fishing vessels. They are a key part of monitoring control and surveillance programs at the...
(VMS) - Vessel equipment, environment, security monitoring
- Buoy sensor monitoring and tracking
Fixed Asset and SCADA
SCADA
SCADA generally refers to industrial control systems : computer systems that monitor and control industrial, infrastructure, or facility-based processes, as described below:...
Applications:
- Oil & gas pipeline and critical parameters monitoring and control
- Fluids monitoring
- Electric power valves monitoring and control
- Environmental monitoringEnvironmental monitoringEnvironmental monitoring describes the processes and activities that need to take place to characterise and monitor the quality of the environment...
Defence and security applications:
- Personnel tracking
- Perimeter control
- Homeland and border security
- Blue Force TrackingBlue Force TrackingBlue Force Tracking is a United States military term used to denote a GPS-enabled system that provides military commanders and forces with location information about friendly military forces....
, protection, monitoring, and security
Products
The following are the satellite terminals manufactured by SkyWave Mobile Communications:IDP600 Series- The IDP600 Series terminals use the two-way Inmarsat IsatData Pro satellite service for remotely managing fixed and mobile assets anywhere in the world.
IDP100 Series- The IDP100 Series modems are designed to be integrated into larger systems and use the two-way Inmarsat IsatData Pro satellite service.
SureLinx 8100- A dual-mode satellite/GPRS transceiver that switches between cellular (GPRS) frequencies and IsatM2M satellite service when cellular service is not available.
SureLinx 8100c - A SureLinx 8100 transceiver with an on-board computer designed specifically for vehicle telemetry applications.
DMR-800D - A satellite-only transceiver with two-way communication capabilities and low-power mode that allows use in remote unmanned locations.
DMR-800L - This transceiver is designed with a low look angle to be used in harsh conditions and marine environments.
DMR-800 OEM- A DMR-800 transceiver that comes unpackaged, allowing for customization and addition of sensors according to application needs.
DMR-800D C1D2 - A Class 1 Division 2 certified satellite transceiver that allows monitoring of assets, processes and environments in hazardous locations. The product includes a RS-485 serial interface for connection to SCADA devices, Modbus protocol interfaces for implementing reporting and telemetry capabilities of remote equipment and discrete input/output feeds for monitoring and control of local devices not using Modbus.
DMR-800LRIT - The DMR-800LRIT is designed specifically for the strict LRIT standards set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
MT3000 - A satellite terminal for tracking, monitoring, and SCADA applications. The MT3000 has received Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Class 1, Division 2 (groups A, B, C, and D) classification for use in hazardous locations.
MT3550 - A satellite terminal that features ultra low power consumption, designed for complex monitoring applications.
MT3400 - A satellite tracking terminal specifically designed to fit onto trailers and containers.
Core Modem Plus - A satellite communications modem that can be integrated into existing hardware.