CalAmp unveiled a 4G LTE cellular router and gateway for AT&T networks that runs embedded Linux on a 400MHz ARM9 processor. The LMU-5000LTE is equipped with LTE, HSPA, and EVDO routers, a 50-channel GPS, and multiple I/O, and features fleet tracking, as well as user-programmable PEG (Programmable Event Generator) monitoring software.

The LMU-5000LTE combines gateway, routing, and M2M monitoring functions to enable organizations to set up managed cellular networks using AT&T’s 4G LTE mobile broadband network. It is designed to support remote monitoring and control, industrial and energy remote asset management, enterprise fleet management, workforce automation, and point-of-sale applications, says CalAmp.

CalAmp LM-5000LTE multifunction mobile 4G router

The device’s Linux-based firmware includes CalAmp’s PEG alert engine, which monitors external conditions and responds to customer-defined, exception-based rules based on thresholds like time, date, motion, location, geo-zone, and input. Also provided is the company’s PULS (Programming, Update and Logistics System) for over-the-air device (OTA) management and maintenance. PULS enables OTA updating of Linux applications, configuration parameters, PEG scripts, and firmware.

All this runs on a modest 400MHz ARM9 processor with 64MB RAM and 128MB flash memory. Ethernet, Serial, and dual USB ports are also provided, along with several Molex ports. These support an additional power-switching serial port, as well as GPIO, dual 1-wire interfaces, and other I/O.

The device offers a cellular router and gateway supporting LTE, HSPA, and EVDO, each with fallback modes. The 50-channel GPS “tracking engine” offers 2-meter accuracy and -162dBm tracking sensitivity, and there are even accelerometers designed for driver behavior, motion, and impact sensing.

Specifications listed for the LMU-5000 include:

• Processor — 400MHz ARM9
• Memory — 64MB RAM (133MHz); 128MB flash
• Cellular:
  • SIM slot
  • SMA main, SMA diversity
  • LTE — 700/800/900/2100/2600 MHz, up to 100Mbps down, 50Mbps up; HSPA/CDMA fallback
  • HSPA — Tri-Band 850/1900/2100 MHz with diversity, up to 7.2Mbps down, 5.76Mbps up; fallback to HSDPA/UMTS/EDGE/GPRS
  • EVDO — Rev A Dual-Band 800/1900 MHz with diversity, up to 3.1Mbps down, up to 1.8Mbps up; fallback to CDMA
• GPS:
  • SMA (with tamper monitoring, 3.0v)
  • 50-channel with SBAS, DGPS
  • 2.0 meter CEP accuracy (with SBAS)
  • -162dBm tracking, -147dBm acquisition sensitivity
  • AGPS capable
• Networking — 10/100 Ethernet
• Other I/O:
  • USB host
  • Mini-USB device
  • RS232 (DB-9)
  • 5-pin Molex for switched power TTL serial port
  • 4-pin Molex for power, ignition, I/O
  • 22-pin Molex for I/O:
    • 7x digital in
    • 5x digital out (relay driver)
    • 2x digital out (low-current LED)
    • 2x 1-wire interface
    • Voltage A/D in; status LEDs
• Security protocols — VPN (SSL v2, TLS v1), SSH server, SCP, SFTP
• Other features — 3-axis accelerometer; GPS/cellular antennas; tie-wrap or adhesive plus screw mounting
• Power — 7-32 VDC; power sleep modes; consumption 15mA (sleep), 170mA (with GPS on), 2A (peak transmitting)
• Operating temperature — -30 to 70° C
• Shock/vibration — Milspec 202G and 810G, SAE J1455
• Dimensions — 5.2 x 2.7 x 1.2 inches (131 x 67 x 29mm)
• Weight — 5.4 oz (153 g)
• Operating system — Linux 3.x

CalAmp expects to begin volume shipments of LMU-5000LTE by the end of April. More information may be found at CalAmp’s website.