Satellite IoT refers to a specialized communication ecosystem that uses satellites orbiting the Earth to connect and exchange data with IoT devices. LEO or Low-Earth orbit is the most popular satellite network used for communication due to its high bandwidth and low latency.
There are three primary types of satellite networks for IoT connectivity:
Low Earth Orbit (LEO). These satellites have a smaller coverage area and complete an orbit around the Earth every 90 minutes, providing frequent service availability. The low orbital height results in significantly lower latency compared to Geostationary (GEO) satellites.
Medium Earth Orbit (MEO). Positioned at a higher altitude than LEO satellites, MEO satellites provide broader coverage with slightly higher latency.
Geostationary (GEO). GEO satellites remain stationary relative to the Earth's position and offer global coverage, but with higher latency due to their greater orbital distance.
Orbit Type | Altitude Range | Coverage Area | Orbit Period | Latency | Common Use Cases |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LEO | 180 km to 2,000 km | Smaller, regional | Approximately 90 min | Low | Earth observation, remote sensing, scientific research, some telecommunications applications |
MEO | 2,000 km to 35,786 km | Larger, regional to global | Several hours | Moderate | Navigation systems (e.g., GPS), communication services |
GEO | Approximately 35,786 km | Global | Approximately 24 hours (synchronized with Earth's rotation) | High | Television broadcasting, internet services, weather monitoring, long-distance communication |
Satellite IoT operates through connectivity between IoT devices, such as sensors or trackers, and orbiting satellites. These IoT devices are responsible for gathering data or executing specific tasks, and their collected data is transmitted to satellites through specialized communication protocols, such as LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network), MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport), CoAP (Constrained Application Protocol), NB-IoT (Narrowband IoT), Sigfox, Iridium Short Burst Data (SBD), Globalstar Simplex. Afterward, the satellite data is received by the ground stations, is further processed and becomes accessible to end-users via applications.
Aspect | Cellular IoT | Satellite IoT |
|---|---|---|
Connectivity Technology | Utilizes existing cellular networks (3G, 4G LTE, or 5G) | Relies on communication with satellites orbiting the Earth |
LPWAN Technology | NB-IoT, LTE-M (Low-Power Wide Area Network) | LoRaWAN, Sigfox (Low-Power Wide Area Network) |
Coverage Area | Limited to regions covered by cellular networks | Offers global coverage, including remote and inaccessible areas |
Deployment | Requires proximity to cellular infrastructure | Can be deployed anywhere, independent of terrestrial infrastructure |
Latency | Generally lower latency due to terrestrial proximity | Slightly higher latency due to signal travel to/from satellites |
Data Rates | Higher data rates with 4G/5G cellular technologies | Typically lower data rates compared to terrestrial cellular networks |
Power Consumption | Consumes more power due to cellular radio operation | May offer power-efficient options for low-power IoT devices |
Initial Costs | Relatively lower initial setup costs | May have higher initial setup costs for satellite connectivity |
Use Cases | Urban and suburban IoT applications with cellular coverage | Remote and rural applications, maritime and aviation, disaster recovery, remote monitoring |
Marine Telematics. Devices like Iridium's satellite-based trackers enable tracking of shipping containers, vessels, and vehicles during ocean voyages, providing essential data for logistics and safety purposes.
Smart Agriculture. Globalstar's SmartOne Solar and similar devices offer low-power, solar-powered satellite tracking for agricultural assets in remote areas, with real-time monitoring and optimizing farm operations.
Remote Oil Rigs. In remote offshore oil drilling operations, devices like Inmarsat's BGAN terminals provide reliable satellite communications for data transmission and crew communication.
Mining Operations. IoT satellite modems such as Orbcomm's enable mining companies to track heavy equipment, monitor environmental conditions, and enhance safety in remote mining areas.
Construction Equipment. Globalstar's SPOT Trace Solution enables tracking construction equipment and assets in locations where terrestrial connectivity is limited.
Transportation Telematics. Iridium Edge Pro allows real-time tracking and monitoring of vehicles and containers across transportation routes, even in remote areas.
