SkyWave Mobile Communications announces the addition of several new features to its DMR-800 satellite terminals and SureLinx dual-mode satellite/GPRS terminals. The new capabilities of the SkyWave terminals include the ability to detect GPS and GPRS signal jammers, satellite antenna cut detection, load dump protection and user program encryption.
“The practices of cutting the antenna and using inexpensive jamming devices to prevent stolen vehicles from being tracked are of great concern to our customers” says Dan Poirier, Senior VP of Sales at SkyWave. “The new feature will now detect these devices and alert SkyWave customers’ central control stations to the hijacking or theft situation, thus providing an opportunity to respond accordingly. The addition of the antenna cut detection, user program encryption and load dump features will further increase security and reduce installation costs.”
The satellite antenna cut detection feature will promptly notify the driver by visual and/or audio alarms and central dispatch if the DMR-800/SureLinx terminal does not have active contact with the satellite antenna.
Load dump is a voltage spike that occurs in vehicles during engine start while the alternator is charging. Load dump protection in DMR-800 and SureLinx terminals will eliminate additional circuitry required to protect terminals from damaging voltage spikes, thus reducing the costs and increasing the reliability of the vehicle tracking systems that use SkyWave terminals.
Finally, user program encryption will make certain that the programming done by SkyWave customers cannot be altered or copied – ensuring the integrity of software while preventing program theft and misuse.
