Totum achieves first indoor, direct-to-satellite IoT connection
Totum, an innovator in satellite connectivity, has successfully demonstrated indoor operation of their direct-to-satellite IoT connectivity offering, comprising an initial LEO network of 18 cubesats of 6U size, modern cloud with simple interfaces and end point low-power SoC with integrated DMSS direct-to-satellite modem, transceiver, PA, dedicated applications processor and memory. Based on groundbreaking wireless technology, which provides unprecedented reach from space, the demonstration showcased bidirectional communication between a fully integrated system-on-a-chip (SoC) and a low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite.
The terrestrial endpoint was located in a San Diego office building, and in contrast to high-gain directional antennas typically required by satellite modems, the demonstration made use of a miniature omnidirectional antenna.
“In 3 years, we’ve gone from the back of a napkin to demonstrating the world’s first direct-to-satellite communication system that works outdoors and indoors with a modem the size of a postage stamp,” says Ted Myers, founder and CEO at Totum.
“This accomplishment sits entirely on the shoulders of the innovative and passionate efforts of Team Totum, our silicon partner Orca Systems, and space partner Loft Orbital,” adds Myers.
The Totum solution provides both connectivity and position fixes for low-powered IoT location tracking and monitoring systems which require battery life of up to 10 years. Totum uniquely unlocks innovative, high-volume applications for supply chain, logistics, agriculture, transportation, energy, and industrial markets which require global coverage and indoor reach, in total a $20B+ connectivity opportunity.
“We’ve effectively created a whole new category for IoT connectivity,” says Dave Gell, Chief Commercial Officer at Totum. “Combining the global coverage of satellite with an indoor reach comparable to cellular puts us in a unique position to solve some of the thorniest problems in IoT today.”
“Critically, we’re able to do this with a total cost of ownership (TCO) that beats cellular. Not surprisingly, the market is responding,” adds Gell. “We’ve built strong partnerships with OEMs, solution providers and value-added resellers who combined have placed advance orders for 2 million devices with service.”
Further reading
SpaceX buys satellite startup Swarm
Lithuanian nanosatellite specialist to test solar sail
UK space companies to build beam-hopping satellite
AT&T and OneWeb plan satellite access in remote areas
Network to seamlessly integrate GEO, LEO and terrestrial 5G
Vodafone tests remote tracking of vehicles, drones and cargo
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