Replacing 2G and 3G mobile networks

Developments in mobile technology

Every ten years or so, a new mobile technology emerges that provides users with more possibilities and higher speeds. In the 1990s, GSM (2G) became the first digital mobile communications system, and in the 2000s, UMTS (3G) added lower data rates for surfing, but it was not until the 2010s that LTE (4G) made it possible to consume music and videos on the move. With the launch of 5G, the 2020s will particularly enable access to the Internet of Things (IoT), in addition to further growing bandwidths (> 1 Gbps). This will involve millions of devices observing the world and sending data into the cloud – thus further advancing the digitalisation of our everyday lives.

As 4G/5G-enabled smartphones become more widespread, mobile operators are reducing radio coverage and the number of frequencies used for old 2G and 3G technologies. With older devices, this initially becomes apparent in the form of poor reception, i.e. previous applications will no longer function properly. But this is only the beginning. Swisscom wants to completely switch off the GSM network (2G) by the end of 2020. In countries such as Germany and Austria, the UMTS network (3G) will also be switched off over the next couple of years.

Devices that only operate via the older 2G/3G mobile communications standards will no longer be usable once the network has been shut down. Switching off the 2G/3G network is particularly problematic for industrial applications since many sensors, control and monitoring modules also communicate via the mobile network. Applications such as traffic lights, thousands of lifts, alarm and monitoring systems, heating controls (e.g. for holiday homes), measuring equipment, ticket machines, payment terminals, data connections for machines and devices, etc. are particularly affected and must be replaced at a high cost.

on1500 – the intelligent hardware for industrial applications

on1500 is a most modern communication gateway and is suitable for

• monitoring and controlling any industrial facility,
• accessing different types of sensors for monitoring (keyword IoT),
• use as a communication connection for payment systems (point-of-sale, ticket machines, credit card terminals, etc.),
• logistics applications,
• remotely controlling heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems,
• accessing surveillance cameras,
• traffic management systems and
• alarm systems.

Simply unpack it, plug it in and away you go

The on1500 has Ethernet, mobile phone, WLAN and GPS connections and can therefore be used very flexibly. In addition to a stable connection to the internet, secure VPN connections to the company (e.g. for remote access) are also possible. No configuration is required to commission on1500. Simply unpack it, plug it in and away you go. For experts, however, there is also a wide variety of configuration options available, which can be easily configured via the central management tool: the onway director.
The device has a high-performance Dual Core ARM^® processor and reaches over 300 Mbps throughput (150 Mbps via VPN) that also allows extensive video surveillance. The housing can be easily mounted on a DIN rail. All connections are located on the front.