I am busy testing this device. We want to use it with shipping containers. I was wondering if it is possible to add a switch to monitor the door plus a camera to take a picture when the door opens?
I have to add, I am a newbie when it comes to developing and programming devices. It is a new and exciting path I am taking now. Any advice or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Welcome.
What do you intend to do with the picture taken by the camera ?
If you want to put the T-BEAM (and its antenna) into the container there might be problems with the reception of the signal. Although the door of the container will not be totally RF-tight the coverage of the node will be strongly reduced.
it is for security and to monitor who opens the container.
True, i have to take that into consideration. I know the GPS antenna works because I have tested it. As for the RF it will need a test before continue. Thanks for point that out to me.
What sort of camera were you considering ?
You would need something you could power on\off and then there is the issue of where the pictures are to be stored.
Monitor how? Store in the hardware (flash) in the container? Or for transmission using LoRaWAN? (That will only work if you can compres the data to < 150 bytes and in optimal RF conditions)
Where do your nodes operate? Worldwide or only on predefined regions with the same regional settings? For worldwide you probably need to look at 2.4G LoRaWAN as that is the only frequency you can use in all regions.
With a traditional switch (on/off).
Transmit using LoraWAN, we hope.
Initially in South Africa.
Transmit using LoraWAN, we hope.
Fish-eye Lens Camera
LoRaWAN\TTN is for low data volume sensor applications.
Under worst case connection situations, which you really do need to plan for, then you have an allowance of circa 850 bytes of data per day. In ideal strong signal conditions the allowance is circa 17,000 bytes a day.
There is also the obvious issue that there is no guarantee that the sent packets are received.
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clearly, we have to rethink this as it is not suitable.
You mean you are looking for free consultancy for all of these?
Be prepared for multiple learning curves.
The short answer is: Yes of course that is possible!
Whether that answer is of any use for your use case is totally unclear however, just as unclear as the details of your use case are and what the relation between your use case, the T-Beam, WiFi, Bluetooth, LoRaWAN and the camera are.
Be clear and specific and provide sufficient details.
Don’t make this topic into a guessing game.
Be aware that:
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While the T-Beam V1.x has a power management chip, this does not automatically imply that the T-Beam is designed for low-power operation and running long periods on a single battery charge.
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For most applications all three antennas will need to be on the outside of the container.
Understand, mainly to monitor movement and door