FaustLink, a specialist developer of IoT devices for clients based in South Africa, has utilized the Quectel SC200E smart module in a recent project to create a new mobile refrigeration testing device. The SC200E has been used in a new custom motherboard for the device and addresses the need to support a sophisticated user interface on a 10-inch touch screen. Access to SC200E features such as LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and SD card logging were also required.

The SC200E helps the device enable real-time processing to drive sensor and actuator hardware and also features a high-level OS to manage multimedia and connectivity features, and the user interface. The product itself is a large and robust mobile tablet with a 10-inch touchscreen that runs a single bespoke application that interfaces with special onboard hardware ports on refrigeration units. This allows the user to interact with and visualize data from various connected temperature, humidity, energy and pressure sensors and to run automated refrigeration test routines on refrigeration test rigs.

Traditional data loggers for refrigeration labs are difficult to move and inflexible in terms of sensor and software permutations or adaptations. They often require data to be copied to a computer for visualization and can be very expensive. In contrast, the FaustLink mobile refrigeration laboratory unit is cost-effective, mobile and easy to set up, allowing for field testing. In addition, an expansion port allows for any number or type of new sensors to be added.

“Conventionally, our hardware team implements a simple UI via an SPI connection to an LCD, driven via low level C code,” explains Alexander Faustmann, CEO of FaustLink. “However, using the Quectel SC200E, our software developers could develop the embedded UI as an Android app, greatly improving time to completion, quality, complexity and expandability of the UI. The SC200E was easily interfaced with the real-time hardware via an MCU coprocessor running C code and RTOS.”

The Quectel SC200E is an Android OS smart IoT module that is ideal for edge computing devices, smart POS, PDAs and tablets, vending machines, delivery lockers, audio and video recorders, as well as in-car video streaming and entertainment systems. The module weighs 10.2g, measures 40.5mm x 40.5mm x 2.8mm and offers maximum speeds of 150Mbps downlink and 50Mbps uplink.

“We’re delighted that FaustLink has selected the Quectel SC200E for their mobile refrigeration laboratory unit,” says James Schlebusch, Regional Sales Manager at Quectel Wireless Solutions in South Africa. “It’s great that FaustLink’s experienced developers have been able to utilize the SC200E to develop the embedded user interface as an Android app and accelerate time-to-market. Bringing greater intelligence to important use cases such as mobile refrigeration testing at an attractive price-point is central to the promise of IoT and contributes greatly as we collaborate with customers like FaustLink to build a smarter world.”

In addition, FaustLink has made use of Quectel’s certification and testing services.  Quectel’s certification team was able to get one of the company’s products tested and certified according to all requirements of the South African authorities. “The process was unbelievably quick and smooth compared with other testing and certification companies,” comments Faustmann. “We also make regular use of Quectel’s complimentary design review services.”

“It has been a game changer working with Quectel,” he adds. “The Quectel team is extremely supportive and was able to assist our team with building up technical expertise. Working with Quectel removes many of the barriers to entry normally faced by start-ups in the tech space and Quectel is always willing to help with advice and samples. Quectel technology is also genuinely high quality and in particular, QuecOpen® has enabled us to run application code directly on LTE modules and vastly improved the competitiveness of our cellular IoT products.”