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Converged cold chain logistics monitoring

Maintaining a modern cold chain logistics fleet is about ensuring product integrity (DIFOT score), regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency. Monitoring technologies make it achievable; but the wide range of data points required can pose integration challenges, higher maintenance costs, and open potential points of failure. The nodeG5 addresses this issue by combining the scope of monitoring jobs required onto one industrially certified edge IoT gateway.

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Solutions Overview

The nodeG5 offers Solution Providers for cold chain logistics a way to consolidate multiple monitoring functions on a single, powerful 4G/LTE IoT gateway. The industrially certified edge device seamlessly handles the collection of vehicle telemetry, location & reefer environment data from various industrial protocols into JSON or XML format, either for sending in real-time; or to store, process & send from its SQL database.

 

Developers can create their own value add onto the Debian edge gateway with containers or scripts (support for Python 3.9.2 is provided). On top of that applications like real-time alerts & writing to downstream devices can be done using our own sample scripts as reference.

Connecting the fleet & goods data to a server dashboard or cloud app for remote monitoring is easy with the integrated MQTT, Azure, AWS and Ubidots clients on our firmware.

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Converging applications on the nodeG5

2.1 Fleet Management

 

Comprehensive vehicle telemetry data collection enables predictive maintenance, fuel efficiency optimisation, and driver performance monitoring, leading to reduced operational costs and improved fleet utilisation. Embedded tracking allows operators to have visibility over their vehicles and stock in real time.

  • Native support for CAN J1939 & OBD2 protocols enable comprehensive vehicle diagnostics for both small and large cold chain vehicles. 

    • Real-time engine performance monitoring

    • Fuel efficiency tracking

    • Driver behaviour analysis

    • Preventive maintenance 

  • Embedded GPS

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2.2 Real-time Conditions Monitoring & Alerts

 

The nodeG5 continuously monitors cargo temperature through multiple sensor inputs, processing data locally to detect anomalies and trigger immediate alerts, ensuring product integrity throughout transit.

 

  • Multi-protocol sensor support:

    • Modbus RTU/TCP temperature sensors

    • Bluetooth Low Energy sensors

    • Door contact sensors

    • Humidity sensors

  • Local SQL data logging with 32GB storage

  • Configurable sampling rates

  • Real-time alert processing

2.3 Customised Value-Added Offerings

  • Support for Python 3.9.2

  • Run Docker, Node Red & ML models such as TensorFlow

  • Use our library to write scripts to control downstream I/O, Modbus & CAN equipment i.e. refrigeration and other systems remotely from a dashboard.

 

2.4 Aiding Compliance and Reporting

Automated data collection, parsing to JSON or XML, and storage capabilities ensure compliance with GDP (Good Distribution Practice) and other regulatory requirements, while providing detailed audit trails and customisable reporting. 

 

2.5 Other

  • Collect feed from vehicle cameras via USB & transmit in real-time over 4G/LTE.

  • Add onsite controls & audio via HDMI & USB devices.

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Technical Overview

3.1 Core Hardware Specifications

  • Industrial-grade ARM processor (NXP I.MX8M Plus quad core)

  • NXP AI/ML Neural Processing Unit, up to 2.3 TOPS

  • 32GB eMMC storage

  • 2GB RAM (contact us for options)

  • CE, FCC & RCM industrial certified hardware

  • Operating temperature range: 0°C to 60°C (contact us for options)

  • 4G/LTE modem

  • Integrated GPS module

  • CAN bus interface

  • RS485 Interface

  • 2 x 1000Mbps Ethernet LAN ports

  • Multiple I/O ports including 4IN + 4OUT Digital I/O, 3 x USB & 1 x HDMI

  • Optional Bluetooth & WiFi module

 

3.2 Server & Cloud Connectivity

  • Integrated MQTT client with TLS security

  • Integrated Azure IoT Hub, AWS IoT Core & Ubidots clients

  • Store-and-forward capability

  • Bandwidth optimisation

 

3.3 Edge Processing

  • Local data processing with python scripts, docker containers, Node-red and TensorFlow/ ML inferences.

  • SQL data filtering and aggregation

  • Edge-based machine learning capabilities

  • Protocol conversion to JSON or XML formats

 

3.4 User Interface

  • Web-based configuration menu

  • Remote SSH access

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Benefits & Use Cases

4.1 Reduced Costs & Operational Risk

  • Prevent risks related to stock spoilage with alerts

  • Ensure compliance with report & data logs

  • Allow tracking of stock & deliveries, including unauthorised access

  • Prevent cumulated vehicle downtime

4.2 Increased Operational Efficiency

  • Reduced cloud compute costs with local data processing 

  • Reduced hardware complexity

  • Simplified maintenance

  • Lower total cost of ownership

  • Improved fleet utilisation

 

4.3 Flexible Data Control In Your Hands

  • Develop customised solutions with our API

  • Local SQL data logging & storage

  • Uninterrupted data sending with 4G connectivity 

  • Secure monitoring on server or cloud

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Implementation Considerations

5.1 Installation Requirements

  • 12V/24V DC power input

  • Antenna placement considerations

  • Sensor network planning

  • Network connectivity assessment

5.2 Integration Guidelines

  • API documentation

  • Custom protocol support

  • Third-party system integration

  • Data format specifications

5.3 Support and Maintenance

  • Remote diagnostics

  • Preventive maintenance alerts

  • Software update management

  • Technical support services

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Conclusion

The nodeG5 combines all the necessary components for the complex monitoring challenges of modern supply chain operations into one box. Its convergent design, robust features, and flexible architecture make it an ideal choice for developers seeking to build their cold chain monitoring capabilities with reduced operational complexity and costs.

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Live Demo

See our demo dashboard showcasing our CAN Bus monitoring simulation.

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