LYNX Data Modem - July 24th, 2008 by Diplomat Guru
Lynx Communications Bridge
A companion product to the Datax3, the Lynx Communications Bridge is designed for stand alone use or in conjunction with the Datax3 as a mobile data terminal.
Built into a vehicle mounted rugged extruded aluminium enclosure, the purpose of the Lynx is to connect various serial data devices together in a vehicle installation and to communicate information from them to somewhere else.
Affectionately known as the “Lynx Box” this compact microcontroller based product provides the hub for most vehicle installations. The basic unit is fitted with 4 COM ports and a GPS receiver.
Additional modules provide any combination of a dual-SIM GPRS modem or a FFSK modem with an industry standard 15-way High-Density D-Connector for interface to a PMR data compatible two-way radio.
Vehicle Tracking
At the heart of the unit is a high sensitivity GPS receiver based around the latest U-Blox5 chipset with best in class accuracy and performance. Location information is communicated back to Diplomat Navigator booking and dispatch and the position of the vehicle is displayed on a map.
A choice of built-in communication modems is available - a Dual Sim GPRS/GSM modem for connectivity over the GPRS/GSM mobile phone network and a FFSK modem for communication over a two-way radio network.
One of the unique features of this product is the fact that it has dual sim holders so that it can be used on two networks simultaneously. Switching between the networks can be by ad hoc sampling of network signal strength or by using a pre-defined Geofence feature that will automatically select the best network for a given area.
Communications Bridge
Four internal UARTs provide four EIA/TIA-232 compliant COM ports for connecting to serial data RS232 peripherals such as the Datax3, vehicle mounted cameras, proximity card readers, card swipes, etc. Each serial port can be independently configured to cater for the different protocols that different devices demand and to allow communication between those devices in a way that would not otherwise be possible.
Using field installable RJ11 connectors for easy installation of cables, the Lynx bridges the gap between the different serial data devices in a vehicle installation.
Inputs And Outputs
The Lynx also features two active high and two active low opto-isolated inputs for connecting to door sensors, panic switches or rooflights, and two independent SPDT relays continuously rated for 12V @ 6Amps for control of vehicle mounted equipment, lighting or immobilisation.
Mobile Data
The Lynx Communications Bridge allows any combination of PMR data or GPRS data systems to connect seamlessly to the vehicle’s on-board equipment. In GPRS/GSM mode a dual SIM layout allows switching between networks either automatically from network signal strength or manually via attached data terminals such as the Datax3.
The Lynx can select which network to use not only by network signal strength or manual selection but also in conjunction with the vehicle’s location. The built-in high sensitivity GPS receiver of the Lynx combined with the advanced Geofencing software provides another factor to determine which one of the available communication networks to use at any given time. In this way, pre-defined “exclusion zones” for particular communication technologies or networks can be configured if required.