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ioTracker 3

ioTracker_3

The ioTracker 3 is a multi-sensor IoT tracker which uses LoRa for connectivity. We have developed the full product (PCB and firmware) in house. We have done our best to create a product which can be used for a wide spread of applications. Our trackers are highly configurable and the settings can be configured over-the-air. The most important settings will be addressed in this documentation.

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you need a specific configuration for your use case. There is a good chance we have already implemented it or we can address it for a future firmware release.

You can contact us via the contact form on our website or via e-mail: info@iothings.nl.

Housing

The ioTracker 3 has an industrial, water- and dustproof enclosure and is qualified with a IP68 rating. The dimensions of the ioTracker 3 are 57,4 x 33,4 x 18,7mm.

Mounting options

Belt clip

We have a optional belt clip accessory availabile in our webshop. This mount features a clip which ensures a rigid fit around your belt or pocket.

Wall mount

We have a optional wall mount accessory available in our webship. This mount features two holes for screw or tyrap it down to an asset for a rigid mounting experience.

Lanyard

You can fit a mobile phone strap through the hole in the enclosure and attach it to a lanyard

Sticky tape

We advice to use VHB tape from the brand 3M for attachting the ioTracker 3 to an object. This tape is very strong and ensures a reliable assembly.

Positioning

The ioTracker has several internal sensors on board, which can be used for indoor and outdoor positioning.

GPS

The ioTracker uses the uBlox EVA-M8M GPS chip. This chip can maintain contact with 2 satellite networks at the same time. In addition to GPS, you can choose between Galileo, GLONASS and/or BeiDou. The position can be determined within a few meters accuracy, but the energy consumption of this method is the highest. There are various configuration options to activate GPS only when it's really necessary. GPS positioning is only suitable for outdoor use.

WiFi

The ioTracker has the Espressif ESP8285 WiFi chip on board. This makes it possible to scan for WiFi networks on the 2.4 GHz band. The networks which are found (BSSIDS), together with the signal strenght (RSSI) are added to the payload. The energy usage of WiFi scanning is relatively limited, which is why this function is performed every time the ioTracker moves. This function is suitable for indoor and outdoor positioning.

Bluetooth Low Energy

With the Nordic nRF52832 BLE 5.1 chip it's possible to use various Bluetooth Low Energy functions. Like WiFi, the networks which are found (BSSIDS), together with the signal strenght (RSSI), can be added to the payload. Also it's possible to configure UUID filters and triggers. For example: When a certain UUID is absent, the ioTracker can automatically send an uplink or enable GPS. BLE is the most energy efficient way to determine the location and is suitable for indoor and outdoor positioning.

Sensors

Temperature

The measuring range of the TI TMP116 temperature sensor is between -25 °Celsius and + 85 °Celsius. It has a resolution of 0.01 ° Celsius and an accuracy of 0.2 °Celsius.

Light

The measuring range of the TI OPT3001 light sensor is between 0.01 lux and 83000 lux. It has a resolution of 0.01 lux and a relative accuracy of 0.2 %.

Shocks (3D accelerometer)

The measuring range of the ST LIS2DE12 accelerometer is ± 2/4/8 or 16 g. It has a corresponding sensitivity of 15.6 / 31.2 / 62.5 / 187.5 mg/digit.

High Shocks (optional)

The measuring range of the ST H3LIS200DL high g-shock sensor is ± 100 or ± 200 g. It has a sensitivity of 780/1560 mg/digit.

Humidity (optional)

The measuring range of the Bosch BME280 humidity sensor is between 0 % and 100 % relative humidity. It has a sensitivity of ± 3 % and a hysteresis of ≤ 2 %.

Air pressure (optional)

The measuring range of the Bosch BME280 air pressure sensor is between 300 hPa and 1100 hPa. It has a sensitivity of ± 0.25 % and the RMS noise value is 0.2 Pa.

Button

The ioTracker 3 features a multi-functional button which supports multiple sequences (single, double and login click) and multiple actions (send uplink, start GPS etc.)

Battery

Battery life

The battery life of the ioTracker 3 depends heavily on user specific configurations. Things like the uplink interval, usage of GPS/WiFi/BLE or the spreading factor impacts the battery life. For instance: With an average spreading factor (SF10), it will be able to send approximately 90K messages with sensordata. On SF7, it can approximately send 500K messages.

With our battery calculator you can calculate the predicted battery life for your configuration and use case.

Battery replacement

After replacing the battery with a new one, the ioTracker must be reset using the normal reset procedure.

Battery type

The ioTracker 3 uses a 1/2 AA Lithium battery, which works on 3.6 volts and has capacity of 1200 mAh. You can also find these batteries under the name ER14250.

Operating window

Typically this type of batteries have a operating window from -20° up to +65° Celsius. Please check the datasheet of your battery manufacturer for more information.

Status indicators (LED and buzzer)

  • The ioTracker sends an uplink message
  • First green blink: The button is pushed
  • Second green blink: The ioTracker sends an uplink message
  • The GPS function is active
  • Sleep mode is active
  • The ioTracker failed to receive an acknowledge after sending an confirmed uplink message
  • The alarm function is active
  • The bluetooth function is active

Reset procedure

In case you are experiencing issues, the ioTracker can be reset with the following actions. When you are in a "window", you may release the button and press the button once short, to perform the corresponding action.

  1. Press and keep holding the button.
  2. The ioTracker starts beeping and flashing blue, this window enables "Bluetooth activation window"; For a normal reset, keep pressing.
  3. The ioTracker starts beeping at a different tone and flashing yellow. This is referred to as "normal reset window"; For a factory reset, keep pressing.
  4. The ioTracker starts beeping at a different tone and flashing red. This is referred to as the "factory reset window" and, as can be read below, will execute a factory reset.

See Activation windows for details on the effects of a normal and factory reset.

*Skip this step when you have an ioTracker 3 purchased before 2022 (see Activation windows for details).

Activation windows

Activation windows Action Result
1 BLE ioTracker starts Bluetooth (e.g., to connect with ioTracker Configurator mobile application) and the LED starts blinking blue
2 Normal reset ioTracker:
- reboots
- re-joins network
- keeps settings
- resets battery level to 100%
3 Factory reset ioTracker:
- reboots
- re-joins network
- settings factory reset (LoRa keys remain)

*ioTrackers purchased before 2022 do not have the bluetooth activation option and, hence, the normal reset is at activation window 1 and factory reset at activation window 2.

Deep sleep mode

The deep sleep mode will be activated when the voltage of the battery get's to low. When the button is pressed a short yellow blink indicates that the deep sleep mode is active.

With a long press on the button, the ioTracker will get out of the deep sleep mode. It's recommend to check or replace the battery when this occurs.

Warranty

Unless expressly stated otherwise in writing, the warranty period on hardware is 24 months for consumers and 12 months for other Other Parties. The warranty period starts from the moment the hardware is delivered.

If you are experiencing problems please contact us via the contact form on our website or via e-mail: info@iothings.nl.

If you are experiencing problems after the warrenty is expired, please also contact us and we have a look at it on a best effort and case-by-case basis.

RMA

You may return defect devices the the following address:

ioThings
Pastoor Debijestraat 42
5963 AG Hegelsom
The Netherlands

Please add a note with your company details in the shipping box.