tiko, a company that envisions a future where cleantech will have a lasting positive impact on the planet, has partnered with Taoglas to develop a secure, low-power, and reliable cellular IoT solution to create a real-time energy management system for European electricity grids. The task involved Taoglas to develop a robust RF antenna solution to be integrated into the IoT hardware, resulting in a superior performance, connectivity, and reliability.
The Challenge for tiko
tiko’s solution delivers the benefits of convenience and energy savings to its end customers, while at the same time tiko provides grid stabilization services to the grid operator ensuring the stability of the European electricity grid with its Virtual Power Plant technology by controlling the demand of connected appliances.
To create an energy management solution that was secure, low-power, and reliable, tiko looked to harness the power of cellular IoT. They wanted their solution to provide real-time monitoring and control of energy consumption, alongside detailed reporting, and analysis, to help users better understand their energy usage, all the while maintaining a cost-effective price for consumers. Cellular IoT answers these requirements, coupled with comprehensive coverage, and robust security that is backed up by expert network management.
This task required a host of hardware design and deployment considerations, so the tiko team worked with world-class IoT continuum partners, Orange, Sierra Wireless, LACROIX, and STMicroelectronics for an integrated, all-inclusive approach to LTE-M connectivity – a network technology dedicated to connected objects.
During their tests, the IoT continuum alliance found that the initial antenna placed in the device was subpar, with poor performance. They turned to their trusted RF and antenna partner Taoglas for a reliable and swift solution to the problem.
The Solution
Through Taoglas’ extensive portfolio of advanced IoT antennas and world-class engineering, Taoglas quickly provided the IoT continuum with the antenna support they needed.
Following a series of EMC tests and technical engineering, Taoglas replaced and repositioned the previous antenna with their FXUB63 4G/LTE flex antenna, as it is highly efficient, wideband, lightweight, and ultra-compact. Additionally, it delivers an efficiency of more than 45% on the LTE bands from 698 – 3000 MHz, making it an ideal solution to offer reliable, fail-safe connectivity coverage on the 4G network.
The Outcome
Working together and leveraging their respective expertise and technology to build the tiko energy management solution was a success. The IoT continuum, with the support of Taoglas, provided an end-to-end IoT solution that helped to integrate the various components and technologies into a seamless and easy-to use solution. The partner’s smooth collaboration ensured tiko had the space and time to focus on developing their unique, award-winning software.
“Taoglas has proven to be a great partner for tiko in helping us to select and refine our antenna solution on a very tight timescale. Taoglas’ team were extremely responsive, clear in their communication thorough and resourceful in the investigations and fast in responding to tiko’s needs.”, said Colin Howlett, CTO at tiko Energy Solutions.
“When the IoT continuum approached Taoglas, their Engineers were quick to understand the problem and gave a solution and resolution on time,” said Yigal Dadoun, Senior Sales Manager, EMEA, Sierra Wireless. This, coupled with the IoT Cellular expertise that Sierra brought in with the IoT Continuum alliance in a single partnership aimed at accelerating Industrial IoT projects in general, reduced the inherent complexity and risk associated with the project.”
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