Swarm Asset User manual
Swarm Asset Tracker
PRODUCT MANUAL
Revision 1.00 · September 2022
©2022 Swarm Technologies, Inc.
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© 2022 SWARM TECHNOLOGIES SWARM ASSET TRACKER PRODUCT MANUAL · REV 1.00 · SEPTEMBER 2022
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The Swarm Modem-M138 is controlled by the export laws and regulations of the United States of
America. The U.S. Government may restrict the export or re-export of this product to certain individuals
and/or destinations. For further information, contact the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of
Industry and Security or visit www.bis.doc.gov
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Revision History
Revision
Date
Comment
Firmware
Version
1.00
09/16/22
Swarm Asset Tracker Product Manual - Initial Release
© 2022 SWARM TECHNOLOGIES SWARM ASSET TRACKER PRODUCT MANUAL · REV 1.00 · SEPTEMBER 2022
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Revision History 4
Additional Resources: 5
1 Product Overview 7
2 Device Registration 8
3 Mechanical Specification 9
3.1 Dimensions 9
3.2 Environmental 9
3.3 Torque Specifications 10
4 Electrical Interfaces 11
4.1 Connector Specifications 11
4.2 DC Power Interface and Charging 12
4.3 Power On/Off Control 14
4.4 Serial Data Interface 14
4.5 USB Power and Data Interface 16
5 Mounting Guidance 17
5.1 Mounting Feet 17
5.2 Magnet Mounts 17
5.3 VHB Tape 17
5.4 Pole Mounting Kit 18
6 RF Interfaces 19
6.1 RF Antenna 19
6.2.1 Antenna Characteristics 20
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1 Product Overview
The Swarm Asset Tracker is an end-to-end solution for tracking equipment, vehicles, and other
remote assets. The Swarm Asset Tracker functions anywhere in the world using Swarm's global
satellite network, and is ideally suited for remote locations that lack terrestrial network coverage.
The Swarm Asset Tracker is an out-of-the-box commercial product that can be set up within
minutes to transmit its GPS information and internal battery voltage.
Category
Description
Components
GPS, VHF radio with integrated ground plane, Integrated rechargeable
Lithium-Ion battery, indicator LEDs, 3.3V serial interface, USB interface
Onboard
Sensors
uBLOX GPS (lat/lon/alt), CPU Temperature, Motion wake/sleep triggers
Dimensions
and Mass
120 mm x 120 mm x 45 mm, 227 g
Power
Rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery
M8 - External DC Power Connection (6-28V)
Environment
IP67 - Dust and Waterproof
Operational: -40 C to +60 C
Storage: -40 C to +85 C
Default
Configuration
1 GPS acquisition every 4 hours with 2 transmissions per 8 hour window
Motion detection enabled
Lifetime
~6 months at default configuration, or longer depending on transmit interval
and motion
Data rate
1 kbps
Frequency
137-138 MHz (downlink)
148-150 MHz (uplink)
Table 1: Overview of the Swarm Asset Tracker.
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2 Device Registration
Create your Swarm Hive account at https://bumblebee.hive.swarm.space/hive/ui/sign-up and
sign into your account. Navigate to the Register Device page:
Figure 1: Swarm Hive Register Device Page.
Click Start Scanning to scan your Swarm Asset Tracker’s QR Code that is located on the sticker
affixed to the enclosure. If you are unable to use the browser-based scanner, you can also use
your camera app to scan the Asset Tracker QR code, and enter the auth code in the Hive
manually. See example below:
Figure 2: Sample Device Registration Process.
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3 Mechanical Specification
3.1 Dimensions
The overall dimensions of the Asset Tracker and its weight are summarized below.
Parameter
Value
Length
120.0 mm
Width
120.0 mm
Height with Antenna
250 mm
Weight
227 g
Table 2: Modem Mechanical Dimensions and Weight.
For detailed dimensional drawings of the Asset Tracker’s enclosure, please refer to the
drawings available here for Hammond P/N 1557D.
3.2 Environmental
The environmental specifications of the Asset Tracker are summarized below.
Parameter
Value
Operating Temperature Range
-40 °C to +60 °C
Storage Temperature Range
-40 °C to +85 °C
Operating Humidity Range
0% to 95%, non-condensing
Storage Humidity Range
0% to 95%, non-condensing
Ingress Protection
IP67 - Dust and Waterproof
Table 3: Environmental Specifications.
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3.3 Torque Specifications
The torque specifications for the Asset Tracker are summarized below.
Parameter
Recommended Value
Enclosure Screws
78 ozf-in
Antenna SMA Connector
10 in-lbs
M8 Power Connector
8.8 in-lbs
Table 4: Torque Specifications.
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4 Electrical Interfaces
The following subsections contain information for the electrical interfaces of the Modem.
4.1 Connector Specifications
A cable can be used with the Asset Tracker to provide external power. Please refer to Section
4.2 for more information. A part number is provided below for an example of the type of power
cable that can be used with the Asset Tracker.
Example Power Cable
FESTO: NEBB-M8G4-P-5-LE4
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4.2 DC Power Interface and Charging
External DC voltage can be supplied from the asset via an onboard male M8 circular connector
pictured below. The asset should be capable of supplying the required current in order to
recharge the onboard batteries. The Asset Tracker can also be charged via micro-usb, see
section 4.5 for more details. The unit will ONLY charge between -10C and +50C. All other
functions will work uninterrupted across the operating temperature range.
Pin
Function
3,4
6-28 VDC
1,2
GND
Figure 3: Connector Pinout.
Example Mating Connector
TE: T4010008041-000
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Input Voltage [VDC]
Typical Current Draw [mA]
6
1000
9
620
12
460
18
300
24
230
28
200
Table 5: External Power Current Draw.
Figure 4: DC Input Voltage vs. Current Draw.
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4.3 Power On/Off Control
In order to power the Asset Tracker ON, press the ON/OFF button once. You’ll see dim lights
around the edge of the PCB light up. In order to power the Asset Tracker OFF, press the
ON/OFF button again.
Figure 5: Power On/Off Button.
4.4 Serial Data Interface
The serial data interface is a CMOS serial UART 3-wire (serial Rx, serial Tx, and ground)
interface at 3.3V digital signal levels over which the Modem transfers commands, responses,
and message data. The FTDI header for the serial data interface is accessible inside the
enclosure after removing the 4 screws at the bottom. The serial communication parameters can
be found below.
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Figure 6: Serial Data Interface.
Parameter
Value
Baud Rate
115200
Data Bits
8 Bits
Parity
None
Stop bits
1 Bit
Flow Control
None
Table 6: Serial Data Interface Specifications.
In addition, the electrical characteristics for SERIAL_RX, SERIAL_TX can be found below.
Symbol
Parameter
Min
Typ.
Max
Unit
VIL
I/O input low level voltage
-0.3
-
0.3*3.3V
V
VIH
I/O input high level voltage
0.7*3.3V
-
3.3V
V
Table 7: Electrical characteristics for SERIAL_RX, SERIAL_TX.
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All customer messages, data, and settings are stored in non-volatile memory. As such, after a
power cycle, customer settings as well as any messages that have not yet been transmitted
over the Swarm network will be retained on the Modem. The read/write lifetime of the Modem
memory exceeds 20 years.
4.5 USB Power and Data Interface
A USB interface is provided via a micro-usb connector accessible inside the enclosure after
removing the 4 screws at the bottom. The connector can be used to charge the Asset Tracker
and for configuration of the Asset Tracker. The unit will ONLY charge between -10C and
+50C. All other functions will work uninterrupted across the operating temperature range. The
current consumption during USB charging is 500mA.
Figure 7: USB Power and Data Interface.
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5 Mounting Guidance
This section describes the recommended mounting practices for successful deployment of the
Swarm Asset Tracker.
5.1 Mounting Feet
Please refer to this document on Hammond’s website for instructions on how to install the
enclosure mounting feet.
5.2 Magnet Mounts
Magnet mounting can also be utilized. A total of 4 magnets per Asset Tracker are recommended
for reliable mounting of the device. An example magnet part number is provided below along
with the recommended screw part number.
Example Magnet Mounts
McMaster Carr: 7132T27
Example Screws for Magnet Mounts
McMaster Carr: 91292A108
5.3 VHB Tape
The Asset Tracker can also be mounted using double sided Very-High-Bond (VHB) tape. A link
is included below for a variety of VHB tape options that can be selected and used based on the
specific requirements of the user application and deployment environment.
Example Screws for Magnet Mounts
McMaster Carr: VHB Tape Options
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5.4 Pole Mounting Kit
Pole mounting kits can be purchased from Hammond Manufacturing at this link. The mounting kit
can be used to secure the Asset Tracker to a variety of surfaces quickly and securely. Please refer
to this document on the Hammond website for mounting instructions.
Recommended Pole Mounting Kit
Hammond: PMB Series
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6 RF Interfaces
This section describes the physical characteristics of the RF connectors and specifications of
the RF Interface.
6.1 RF Antenna
For illustrative purposes, a picture of the Swarm ¼-wave antenna is shown in Figure 9.
Figure 8: Swarm Coiled ¼ Wave Antenna.
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6.2.1 Antenna Characteristics
The Modem is certified with the following antenna as described below. No power reduction
compensation is required for use with this antenna.
Swarm Coiled ¼ Wave Antenna
Parameter
Value
Length
22.0 cm
Diameter (Connector)
11.2 mm
Diameter (along major length)
7.6 mm
Weight
31.5 g
Operating Temperature
-55 °C to +130 °C
Operating Humidity
0-100% humidity, condensable
Impedance
50 Ohms nominal
Polarization
Linearly Polarized
VSWR (between Swarm Bands)
Max Δ < 0.5
Gain
2.0 dBi
Nominal Output Power
30 dBm (Declared)
Frequency
137.000-138.000 MHz (Rx)
148.000-150.000 MHz (Tx)
Connector
SMA male (U.FL to SMA female cable
required)
Antenna Ground Plane
Required, integrated into the Asset Tracker
Antenna Height Requirement
1m above the ground/solid surfaces
Antenna Classification
Mobile, Fixed
Minimum separation distance from body
36 cm
Table 8: Antenna characteristics for Swarm Coiled ¼ Wave Antenna.
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Table of contents
Other Swarm GPS manuals
