Trimble Introduces New Industrial Wi-Fi Client to Improve Wireless Communications for Ports and Harbors

CHARLESTON, S.C., March 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) introduced today the new Enterprise Client for Outdoor Networks (eCone) FCI-2700, a rugged Wi-Fi client for industrial vehicles. The Trimble® eCone extends the range and improves coverage for any IEEE 802.11 wireless network, and includes the latest 802.11ac wireless standard.

The announcement was made at Port & Terminal Technology Conference and Exposition 2016.

World trade has grown at a rapid rate and is in large part dependent upon the shipping industry. With this growth has come the transition to integrated container operations. This transition has created a dependence on information technology and its underlying communications infrastructure. Ports and harbors are challenging environments and they depend on robust wireless networks to track shipping containers, which are constantly being processed through the container yard. Connecting port and terminal vehicles to a flexible and robust Wi-Fi network client such as the Trimble eCone allows reliable tracking of containers to improve truck turn times and overall port productivity.

Housed in a rugged, IP67-rated enclosure, the Trimble eCone FCI-2700 significantly improves wireless network reliability by enabling users to mount the entire wireless router outside the vehicle. The eCone connects to the vehicle using a single weatherproof Ethernet connection and is powered via the Ethernet directly from the vehicle's power – either 12V or 24V. The solution's design allows for easy installation on vehicles used for large outdoor applications, such as container handling equipment including reach stackers, top loaders, RTGs, UTRs and terminal tractors. In addition to supporting IEEE 802.11ac in the 5 GHz band, the eCone supports legacy standards including 802.11a/b/g/n and 2.4 GHz. The eCone is also capable of providing on-vehicle wireless connectivity for multiple IP-enabled devices. 

"We spent 10 months looking for a robust, industrial 5GHz client device. We evaluated a number of different devices and the Trimble eCone outperformed them all," said Jon Kelly, director of Infrastructure, Maher Terminals. "The new eCone from Trimble supports MIMO and 802.11n/ac, which provides extra bandwidth we can use in the future."

The Trimble eCone contains four internal antennas to support 2x2 Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) functionality across both 2.4 and 5GHz frequency bands, which increases coverage and extends the range of the entire network. The eCone also includes an embedded Trimble Condor C1011 GPS module to monitor the vehicles' location for wireless network mapping and enhanced troubleshooting.

"Our customers are looking for robust, scalable solutions that enable them to lower costs while improving the efficiency of their operations," said Joe Carey, director of Trimble's Fidelity Comtech Business Area. "Maher Terminals' wireless network is more capable and reliable as a result of the new Trimble eCone."

The eCone is the ideal complement to the Trimble Phocus Array Access Point, a configurable industrial-grade wireless access point with a smart antenna that optimizes wireless coverage in harsh environments. Together these solutions deliver industry-leading wireless performance suited for the challenging conditions found in industrial Wi-Fi environments.

Availability

The new eCone FCI-2700 is available now through Trimble's Integrated Technologies international sales channel.

About Trimble's Integrated Technologies Division

Trimble's Integrated Technologies Division is a leading provider of high-precision OEM GNSS modules for positioning and navigation solutions as well as intelligent, robust wireless infrastructure products that serve a broad cross-section of major markets including survey, port automation, autonomous vehicle guidance, marine, agriculture, construction, robotics, mining, utilities and others. Complete, out-of-the-box data transmission products provide simple to deploy, scalable products that add value to businesses, while reducing costs. Easy to integrate radio and high-precision GNSS modules offer OEMs and system integrators the ability to differentiate their products and gain a competitive edge in the marketplace.

For more information, visit:  www.intech.trimble.com.

About Trimble

Trimble applies technology to make field and mobile workers in businesses and government significantly more productive. Solutions are focused on applications requiring position or location—including surveying, construction, agriculture, fleet and asset management, and mapping. In addition to utilizing positioning technologies, such as GPS, lasers and optics, Trimble solutions may include software content specific to the needs of the user. Wireless technologies are utilized to deliver the solution to the user and to ensure a tight coupling of the field and the back office. Founded in 1978, Trimble is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif.

For more information, visit:  www.trimble.com.

GTRMB

SOURCE Trimble

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