TransCore has introduced new trailer tracking sensors, including an infrared cargo sensor and a temperature sensor

, for use on the company’s GlobalWave satellite trailer tracking products. According to Transcore, the widespread use of infrared technology lowers the cost of components, allowing prices less than $100 for purchases in volume.
"Adding satellite communication technology was an essential
element of our strategic vision. The introduction of the additional
GlobalWave sensors, and particularly the infrared cargo sensor, marks
the beginning of a series of upcoming design innovations in satellite
communications," said John Worthington, TransCore's president.
The GlobalWave cargo sensor detects the presence or absence of cargo. An event
trigger is used to notify fleet managers when trailers are loaded and ready for pick-up or unloaded and ready for assignment. The cargo sensor transmits infrared light pulses down the length of the trailer, approximately 2 feet above the floor from the front of the trailer toward the rear door. Specific features include:
* Selectively enable or disable scans.
* Programmable scan interval from minutes to hours.
* Polled, pre-scheduled, and event triggered reporting.
* Reports include load status, position, and event timestamp.
* Fully compatible with the GlobalWave MT2000 system.
* Configurable over the air or independently via the RS-232 port.
The GlobalWave temperature sensor allows a refrigerated truck temperature or the inner skin of a tanker's temperature to be monitored. High or low temperature settings can be alarmed when settings are exceeded. These alarms are automatically sent by satellite to the fleet operations center.
Ultimately, all sensor data is fed into a GlobalWave data communications terminal mounted on the asset. The MT2000 can accept input from multiple sensors installed on a single asset. The data is relayed via satellite to a convenient Web-based interface for immediate use by the customer's fleet operations center. Using this interface, the customer can access data reports tailored to operational needs. Such reports can be requested on demand, triggered by an event such as a change in load status, or sent to the operator on a pre-scheduled basis. Email alerts can be generated as well.
For more information, got to www.transcore.com.