FAQs
OWL FAQ’s
No – The simple answer is that you don’t have to install base stations. We have a couple of ways in which we can provide devices with RTK correction data:
- using our own base stations, or
- via 3rd party subscription to an RTK service
Onwave have the facility to provide a subscription service.
Each Base station can provide good quality correction data for any devices within at least a 20km radius of the base station location. Outside this radius the correction data obtained from the base station tends to deteriorate affecting the accuracy of the wearable devices, we stop using the data altogether at 30km radius which is why we tend to deploy our base stations with a separation of around 20km as this gives us redundancy and ensures accuracy.
To use an RTK service you need two items:
- a special RTK chip within the device, that can process an RTK data stream,
- an RTK ground network (base-stations) which has surveyed in locations that can act as reference for the correction data.
The data used is a format called RTCM, to get this RTCM data to the chip within the wearable device (Tag) we use a protocol called NTRIP (Network Transport of RTCM via Internet Protocol).
As the data flow is via IP (a standard networking protocol used by most IT equipment) the communication does not rely on a local radio broadcast from the base stations, it is transferred from the base stations to our cloud servers using the mobile network(s). It is then distributed to all devices within an effective area, these devices process the data on the RTK chip to give a very accurate position (c100mm).
In simple terms the device will last for up to 18 Hours based on a 2Hz (2 times per second location update rate).
The device takes approximately 3 hours to charge from flat using the power dock provided.
Data is held within the platform while the company has an active project once a project comes to an end Onwave will only retain the data for a further 90 days. Full details of our policies for data retention etc are available within the OWL Privacy Policy which can be provided on request.
The Audible Alert has been configured to sound at 78.3dB sound pressure level at 0.5m, while the device can output at far higher levels, sound alerts were configured to meet H&S safe limits and based on testing during on site trials.
OWL base stations are designed to be simple to install with low maintenance. They do not need to be installed in any particular location, as such, they can be installed anywhere that is easily accessible with a good view of the sky. Installation is typically completed within 3 hours.
They are designed to take power from any supply between 12v and 240V and this is the only requirement.
We are currently working on a fully independent unit that will work based on Solar and that will be completely stand alone.
OWL Network Rail approved hardware is certified to IP66 Standards which means it is IP66 Protected from total dust ingress and protected from high pressure water jets from any direction.
The device can provide the following Alerts, these Alerts are configurable for different patterns, sounds and indications. The Configuration is done within the OWL Portal and is generally set to be consistent for the Customer. The Customer is free to create new alerts as needed.
The Plus devices have the following alerting mechanisms:
- Haptic (Vibration – Multi Pattern)
- Audible (Buzzer – Multi Sound)
- Strobe (multi colour options)
The Customer can configure a specific alert (Haptic/Audible or Visual) to indicate when the battery is low. The configuration is done by the Project Administrator and will apply to all devices within your project.
The battery levels for devices are shown in real time within the OWL portal.
Our RTK base stations user similar technology to our wearable devices, however they are engineered to provide greater resilience with N+1 components, this ensures that they are reliable. We have an external power supply which is permanently wired into the device to ensure that they are available 24/7/365. Each module also contains a cellular modem and roaming SIMs so that it can communicate with the OWL Cloud Platform.
RTK stands for Real Time Kinematics it is a highly accurate technique used to determine the position of a receiver using the signal received from Global Navigation Satellite-based positioning Systems (GNSS) like GPS, Galileo, BeiDou, and GLONASS. RTK uses the phase of the carrier signal to eliminate timing errors and to determine the location of a receiver. As a result, it is significantly more accurate than traditional timing based GNSS solutions found in devices like smartphones. RTK is typically used in precision surveying technology including drones.
The OLED screen displays information about the device status it can also be used for creation of zones within the field for example when a user needs to create an exclusion zone for the task they are undertaking.
Our RTK base stations already cover large areas of the country, where we do not currently have coverage we can combine our base station infrastructure with that provided by 3rd Parties. To check where we already have coverage just contact the sales team; sales@owl-bi.com
Each Company will have their own physically and logically separated Database to restrict access to the Data.
OWL is hosted within UK Data Centres within Microsoft Azure and this is where all data is held.
Customers can request to have an in-country OWL environment but this will carry as cost and time associated with creation.
OWL hardware is designed with patented Klickfast™ technology. This means devices can be easily mounted to a range of custom designed clips. These clips can be added to clothing, include magnets for mounting to plant and come in a range of styles.
We typically supply custom made armbands which can be worn by the user, and which allow the tags to be simply connected and removed at the end of the shift.
The key consideration in placing the device will be to ensure that the Antenna (area with the cylindrical step) is not covered and that the device alerts can be received by the wearer.
Your company or the company whose OWL environment you are logged into, will be the Data Controller. Onwave will only be a Data Processor.
At Onwave we have engineered our own RTK base stations for several reasons:
- Affordability, base stations allow us to eliminate the cost of 3rd Party Subscriptions. For relatively small volumes of users, having OWL base stations is more economical.
- Greater control of the product (one stop shop) with less reliance on 3rd party solutions.
Application to other technologies
RTK is important as traditional GNSS receivers, estimate their location using the differential in times transmitted from multiple satellites.
As a result, the accuracy GNSS systems is only guaranteed to between 1 – 4 metres.
This means traditional GNSS/GPS systems simply cannot provide the accuracy needed for many safety applications and could even increase risk if deployed in some scenarios.
To combat this inherent inaccuracy in GNSS, OWL uses RTK to provide centimetre-level accuracy.
Connect FAQ’s
All our customers get a pricebook which outlines the cost of all our services from managed APs and switches to VoIP handsets and call charges.
You will be made aware of any costs in advance of them being incurred
Onwave cannot ‘magic up’ connections and in some areas latency and packet loss deliver heavy impacts, so our engineers and network team help to get the best out of what is available, using our experience of hundreds of similar locations around the UK, we might for example use traffic shaped satellite to backhaul non-latency specific services such as HTTP and SMTP (browsing and email) and then use the available lower latency connectivity for VPN traffic
All our bonded cellular solutions have a data allowance per month, however we monitor this across all our sites and make sure that we upgrade you during the active month to avoid excess data charges and you only pay for what you use a fair rate.
We can scale up to 1TB of cellular data a month if you need it, but most packages tend to be from 20GB to 150GB
Yes, we provide IP based connectivity, although we can add on layers of privacy and security to block this if needed
The majority of our solutions have built in Wi-Fi and the ability for various VLANs, we can supply further Wi-Fi APs in case your premises need extra coverage
All our SIMs and fixed line solutions can have static IPs from our own RIPE allocation
Yes, be aware that if you are on bonded cellular you might incur large costs if you are a heavy data user
We can increase the data allowance on our cellular solution during the active month to enable you to avoid data overage charges. We can reduce the allowance with 30 days’ notice
Some installs can be undertaken by yourself, however we insist not if it is the first time we have worked together, this enables us to ensure everything works from the outset
Absolutely, we have a number of sites using full PTZ cameras for Critical National Infrastructure protection
Absolutely, Onwave even has a technology partner who can provide excellent packages wrapped around Office365 and Skype for Business
We deploy equipment that can be used in trains and has the following ratings:
EN 61373:2010 – Shock and Vibration Resistance
EN 50155 – Railway Applications – Electronic Equipment used on Rolling Stock
EN 61000 – Electromagnetic Compatibility
We deploy up to 4 bonded SIMs into vehicles which gives the best possible mobile data coverage in the UK by overlaying all 4 Networks on top of each other. As the connectivity is bonded together it also gives greater bandwidth allowing your field force to use cloud-based apps more reliably in real time without caching data
Onwave often deliver sites of greater than 100 users on our bonded cellular solution – sometimes we need to add in some satellite to do some ‘heavy lifting’ for non-latency specific services such as HTML or SMTP
Onwave can order up twisted pair for DSL or FTTC and overlay the broadband on top of it once live, we’ll also chase up BT Openreach to get you the most accurate delivery dates for the install.
If you don’t want a phone line we can provide DECT VoIP cordless handsets on a 3G back-haul to get your office, or just use Skype for business (our technology partner has the most innovative range of VoIP solutions for Office 365)
Onwave provide a fully managed service where one of our install engineers will present you with an Ethernet cable to put into your local switch. Depending on the solution you have at the location you may have an external antenna and a pole on a non-penetrating roof mount, or fibre NTE kit we usually provide a 6U flightcase or rack as well
Planning permission, listed building consent, or permission from the landlord or owner can sometimes be required. This is your responsibility however we can assist in this process
Onwave’s solutions are similar in many ways to an SD WAN however we can provide extra security by keeping your data on private networks away from the public Internet.
Onwave have a range of APs and VoIP handsets we can supply but as our services are all IP based most equipment should work
Onwave work closely with our customers and your dedicated account manager can advise you on all the available connectivity solutions available in any location, enabling you to choose the right combination of connectivity for your locations to get you the best value bandwidth and resilience, it could be a combination of fibre, DSL and cellular, or satellite and WiMAX
Onwave can provide connectivity all over the UK and by combining all the available connectivity we can even make the most remote locations connectivity viable
Onwave supplies solutions to business and utilities who need connectivity, from bonded cellular for remote or temporary sites and in vehicles, to full MPLS WANs on private fibre and many things in between.
Onwave’s customers range from the Utilities, to Billion Pounds a year turnover companies, to medium sized enterprises and SMEs, we’ve probably got a solution that fits your needs perfectly
Onwave has interconnects into all the major UK fibre and cellular networks, this means we can pick and choose from all available connectivity options the best solution for your site.
This might mean starting on bonded 4G and traffic shaped satellite, evolving to DSL and then fibre once delivered, taking into account the number of staff you have on site and the duration of the contract needed
Onwave usually install and deploy your fully managed service within 5 days of order
Every solution in every location has different factors impacting on the delivered speed, on cellular it can even change during the course of the day, this is why we provide a managed service to enable your site to work without needing to continually plan for outages, reduced bandwidth, etc.
All our 3G/4G, satellite, DSL and FTTC contracts are monthly rolling.
WiMAX, WISP and fibre contracts tend to be a minimum of 12 months
Our bonded cellular and satellite sites go live within 5 days of being ordered, we then leave these in place as long as needed whilst the fixed lines are delivered
- Cost – You pay by the MB for data and Mobile data can be particularly costly once you’ve used your monthly allowance, Onwave monitor usage and allow you to upgrade during the active month to avoid excessive data overage charges
- Sparse coverage – Onwave overlay all the cellular networks by bonding together SIMs giving us the data coverage of all the networks combined
- Bandwidth – there are two aspects:
- Your local network coverage – how well you can connect to the network’s masts
- Onwave use high gain external MIMO antennas to get the best quality connectivity to the local towers
- Onwave also use multiple SIMs, multiple antennas to connect to multiple towers on any available networks
- The Networks’ backhaul – how many others are connected to the same mast?
- In city centres 4G now runs very slowly as hundreds of smartphone users use the backhaul
- Onwave uses multiple networks in our backhaul to get you any available spare backhaul on any network we have got a connection to, this reduces the impact of back-haul contention
- Your local network coverage – how well you can connect to the network’s masts
If you are in the currently active month we will alert you to data overages and advise you to upgrade to the next package (usually around £2-3 per GB), this will avoid hefty data overage charges (usually around £15-20 per GB)
Onwave’s speciality is getting your site online in 5 days or less, using bonded cellular and satellite, then we can place and chase your order for fixed line connectivity so you can get on with more productive activities.
All our 3G/4G, satellite, DSL and FTTC contracts are monthly rolling.
Onwave’s speciality is getting your site online in 5 days or less, using bonded cellular and satellite, if you’ve already got a phone line in we can get ADSL or FTTC enabled in 10 days, then we can place and chase your order for fixed line connectivity so you can get on with more productive activities.
In some areas we also have access to WiMAX, WISP and microwave P2P links.
All our 3G/4G, satellite, DSL and FTTC contracts are monthly rolling.
Non-penetrating roof mounts can be an extra cost as well as any cherry pickers needed to gain access to heights
Bonded Cellular installs have a router, a number of high gain MIMO antennas, some antenna cabling, desktop, wall, or external mounts
On-net means we can provide a private network, away from the Public Internet, using multiple service providers as we have physical interconnects from them to our core MPLS network
Our installation engineer will arrive on site, covering off all RAMS/HSE needs in advance, our operations team will have spoken to and briefed the site contact in regards to what will happen on the install day
If you are taking the Onwave kit with you we can arrange a de-install to re-install which is a lower price than a brand new install, the new site may need different SIMs and network configurations so we need to be involved in this process.
We can set an absolute limit on your site to avoid charges but most customers need to keep their sites live and appreciate our data overage management which helps them avoid excess data charges
Onwave monitor all our managed devices and core MPLS network 24/7 so if there is an outage we call up customers to alert them to an outage. Often as we tend to use dual path back-haul in most sites customers haven’t noticed the outage, just a slighter slower service as they are operating on reduced bandwidth.
If you do have an issue our engineers are available on the phone to help resolve it
Bonding involves aggregating WAN/Internet connectivity services together. It works to combine the following: ADSL, FTTC, Fibre and Mobile data. We do not add satellite into the mix due to its high latency, however we can add in satellite with traffic shaping for SMTP, HTTP, etc. if needed.
Onwave can provide connectivity all over the UK, as we use a mixture of all the main UK connectivity providers we get the best choice for your location. We also have unusual services such as WiMAX, WISP and P2P microwave to get your site’s online.
Our installation engineers will try to install them in the best location for the best connectivity at your site, however feel free to discuss having them in alternate positions. This question usually comes up in advance of the install date from discussion with our operations team
Onwave UK Ltd provide managed connectivity services that from the following range:
- Cellular
- Fibre
- Standard broadband (ADSL)
- WiMax
- WISP
- Satellite
- P2P Microwave
Onwave connect into a number of Tier 1 fixed line providers for Fibre, FTTC and ADSL as well as all 4 UK cellular networks, this means we can overlay all their individual deployment footprints to get the best connectivity option in any locations
We are better because we have got access to all the main network providers’ services overlaid on top of each other. So you are not limited to one providers footprint whether this is their fibre network or their mobile network. One provider might provide the best connectivity in central London yet poor in Manchester and a different provider the reverse, Onwave allows you to get the best value for all your locations
Single SIMs from a single network have lower bandwidth and less resiliency than a bonded solution where we use bonding SIM routers to combine the bandwidth from all 4 networks into a single ‘pipe.’
Onwave tend to issue new numbers for our VoIP solution but there are work arounds.
