Description
An IP67 set for outdoor and industrial applications. The set supports Non-Inverse Architecture (NIA). See more in Architectures Comparison – mobile beacon is transmitting ultrasound and stationary beacons are receiving ultrasound. Note, that the same HW could be also used in Inverse Architecture after uploading Inverse Architecture SW to each of the network elements (modem, stationary and mobile beacons). The HW supports two frequency bands:
- License-free ISM band 915 MHz for the US and countries in Region 2 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITU_Region)
- License-free SRD 868 MHz band for the EU and other countries (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short-range_device#SRD860)
Future support of 433MHz is coming on different HW variant. We always recommend to check your country’s local regulations. Content:
There are no batteries in the beacons, because the beacons are designed to withstand negative temperatures, while LiPol batteries don’t work well in these conditions. By default, we recommend external +12V fixed power supply (peak current up to 1A and average power consumption under ~10mW with 1Hz update rate), for example: Converter-220V-12V-IP67. This sales item is shipped using Shipping & Handling fee (Complexity I). Use cases:
- For 3D outdoor: one autonomous robot/drone or tracking of one forklift or another object & covered area of up to 1,000 m2
- For 2D outdoor: one autonomous robot or tracking of one forklift or another object & covered area of up to 1,500 m2
Further expansion:
Industrial-RX and Industrial-TX have 6D IMU (3D gyroscope + 3D accelerometer) inside. The Industrial-RX beacons – the stationary beacons of this set – differ from regular Beacons HW v4.9 in several ways:
- The Industrial-RX is an RX-only beacon, i.e. it can receive, but it cannot transmit ultrasonic signal. The fact that it is an RX-only makes it more sensitive, i.e. you will get a longer range between Beacon HW v4.9 and the Industrial-RX than between Beacon HW v4.9 and Beacon HW v4.9. Industrial-RX have the same ultrasonic performance than Mini-RX, but have additional functionalities:
- External antenna for larger radio coverage
- Additional external interfaces: RS485, UART. Optional – CAN
- External power supply +12V (+6V to +15v) for permanent supply or for long-life batteries – up to 1-3 years (depending on the update rate and size of the battery)
- The Industrial-RX beacons can receive any ultrasonic frequency from the bands: 19kHz, 25kHz, 31kHz, 37kHz, 45kHz. The filter can be simply selected in the Dashboard. At the same time, the working ultrasonic frequency of Beacon HW v4.9 is HW-defined by ultrasonic sensors and can’t be changed
- The Industrial-RX beacons can receive several ultrasonic frequencies at once. That is used in Inverse Architecture. See the comparison
- The Industrial-RX beacons are very solid and rigit, than Beacon HW v4.9. For more, check the Beacons Comparison table
- The Industrial-RX beacons can work with regular Beacons HW v4.9 in any combination as a part of a Starter Set or as a part of navigation systems and it is a superior RX-only replacement to HW v4.9. At the same time, since it is RX-only beacon, while the Beacons HW v4.9 is a universal dual-use beacon
The Industrial-TX beacon – the mobile beacon of this set – differ from regular Beacons HW v4.9 in several ways:
- The Industrial-TX is IP67-protected and rigid beacons for outdoor applications
- It is a TX-only beacon, i.e. it can transmit, but it cannot receive ultrasonic signal. Industrial-TX has about the same ultrasonic performance as Beacons HW v4.9
- It has additional functionalities:
- Additional external interfaces: RS485, UART. Optional – CAN
- It is >10 times more energy efficient than Beacons HW v4.9 per location update, i.e. battery lifetime of Industrial-TX beacons would be significantly longer than that of HW v4.9. It is a complex parameter and depends on several settings (location update rate, enabled sensors in HW v4.9, etc.)
- External power supply (+5V or +12V) for permanent supply or for long-life batteries – up to 1-3 years (depending on the update rate and size of the battery)
- The Industrial-TX beacons transmit in 25kHz, while default frequency for HW v4.9 is 31kHz. Note, that there are Beacons HW v4.9 with the following frequencies available: 19kHz, 25kHz, 31kHz, 37kHz, 45kHz. As of now, for 915/868MHz band only. On request, can be produced for 433MHz too (6 weeks).
- The Industrial-TX beacons can work with regular Beacons HW v4.9-25 in any combination as a part of a Starter Set or as a part of navigation systems and it is a superior RX-only replacement to HW v4.9. At the same time, since it is RX-only beacon, while the Beacons HW v4.9 is a universal dual-use beacon
Marvelmind Indoor Navigation System is an off-the-shelf indoor navigation system designed to provide precise (±2cm) location data to autonomous robots, vehicles (AGV), drones and forklifts. It can also be used to track other objects that the mobile beacon is installed upon, for example, virtual reality (VR) systems, helmets for construction workers or miners, jackets, etc. The navigation system is based on stationary ultrasonic beacons that are united by radio interface in a license-free band (915/868MHz or 433MHz). The location of the mobile beacon is calculated based on the propagation delay of an ultrasonic signal (Time-Of-Flight or TOF) to a set of stationary ultrasonic beacons using trilateration. Key requirements for the system to function properly:
- For 3D (X, Y, Z) tracking – An unobstructed line of hearing/sight by a mobile beacon to three or more stationary beacons simultaneously
- For 2D (X, Y) tracking – An unobstructed line of hearing/sight by a mobile beacon to two or more stationary beacons simultaneously
- Distance to the nearest 2 or 3 beacons – not more than 30 meters (recommended). In ideal conditions – up to 50 meters
Description
An IP67 set for outdoor and industrial applications. The set supports Non-Inverse Architecture (NIA). See more in Architectures Comparison – mobile beacon is transmitting ultrasound and stationary beacons are receiving ultrasound. Note, that the same HW could be also used in Inverse Architecture after uploading Inverse Architecture SW to each of the network elements (modem, stationary and mobile beacons). The HW supports two frequency bands:
Future support of 433MHz is coming on different HW variant. We always recommend to check your country’s local regulations. Content:
There are no batteries in the beacons, because the beacons are designed to withstand negative temperatures, while LiPol batteries don’t work well in these conditions. By default, we recommend external +12V fixed power supply (peak current up to 1A and average power consumption under ~10mW with 1Hz update rate), for example: Converter-220V-12V-IP67. This sales item is shipped using Shipping & Handling fee (Complexity I). Use cases:
Further expansion:
Industrial-RX and Industrial-TX have 6D IMU (3D gyroscope + 3D accelerometer) inside. The Industrial-RX beacons – the stationary beacons of this set – differ from regular Beacons HW v4.9 in several ways:
The Industrial-TX beacon – the mobile beacon of this set – differ from regular Beacons HW v4.9 in several ways:
Marvelmind Indoor Navigation System is an off-the-shelf indoor navigation system designed to provide precise (±2cm) location data to autonomous robots, vehicles (AGV), drones and forklifts. It can also be used to track other objects that the mobile beacon is installed upon, for example, virtual reality (VR) systems, helmets for construction workers or miners, jackets, etc. The navigation system is based on stationary ultrasonic beacons that are united by radio interface in a license-free band (915/868MHz or 433MHz). The location of the mobile beacon is calculated based on the propagation delay of an ultrasonic signal (Time-Of-Flight or TOF) to a set of stationary ultrasonic beacons using trilateration. Key requirements for the system to function properly:
Additional information
915/868MHz (US/EU)
Questions and Answers
Does this have ros support??
We use the same format for streaming out from different types of beacons/modems. So, all systems in the Non-Inverse Architecture support ROS.
In coming releases, we will reach the same level of support for the Inverse Architecture as well.
Hi, i am very interested in these to guide a feeding robot in a barn. Will it not interfere with the lots of iron casing of the barn it self ?
Yes, the system is pretty much designed for such applications.
Iron or any other material wouldn’t affect our system at all, because the system is not based on RSSI, like BLE/Bluetooth or WiFi. However, the system does require direct line of hearing/sight from mobile beacon on the robot to two or more stationary beacons within 30m. If provided, you will have precise +-2cm tracking in the barn for your robot.
There is a Placement Manual to advise on beacons placement in different cases: https://marvelmind.com/pics/Marvelmind_Robotics_ENG_placement_manual.pdf
Hi, I’m looking into using this kit in an outdoors application. I have a couple of questions on this aspect:
1) I saw that the beacons have a working temperature range between -40C and +50C. Do you have a temperature probe to compensate for temperature effects on the speed of sound?
2) What’s the maximum wind that the sensors can endure producing reliable results?
Thanks!
1) Provide by design only. No special tests are done and no guarantees by default without additional verification. There is a possibility to connect an external probe, but it is optional and customizable.
However, it is possible to enter in the Dashboard any temperature and adjust manually. We will be able to add a function in the API doing that as well, if there is a sufficient demand for it
2) There is no a clear-cut answer to this, because it depends on level of wind, potential wind protection, relative position of beacons to wind, etc. Many parameters. Thus, we always recommend to test in real-life environment before larger-scale installation
Hello
Does is system work with Pixhawk 4 Autopilot system for indoor navagation?
Yes, it does. But we suggest Super-Beacons for ArduPilot, because they are lighter and have easier interfacing.
Please, check additionally:
– https://marvelmind.com/drones/
– https://youtu.be/52e6eTZapJ8