Customers of Vanguard Wireless who have a software subscription granting them entry to our web-based user portal can easily navigate to a dedicated page showcasing the telemetry of their emergency alert system. This invaluable feature allows us to meticulously assess and enhance the design of the evacuation or nurse call system network, enabling us to pinpoint opportunities for stronger connections and the implementation of additional signal pathways. By doing so, we strive to optimise the effectiveness of these crucial systems, ensuring the utmost safety and security for our valued customers.
What Is Telemetry?
Telemetry, a remarkable technology, enables the seamless measurement and wireless transmission of data from distant sources. This ingenious system operates by employing sensors to capture electrical data at the source, which is then effortlessly transmitted to secondary locations for comprehensive monitoring and analysis.
The applications for telemetry in the realm of software development and IT administration are truly remarkable, as it allows professionals to remotely monitor the health, security, and performance of various applications and their components in real time. Through telemetry, these experts can measure critical factors such as startup and processing times, crashes, user behavior, and resource utilisation, thus providing invaluable insights into the overall state of a system.
How Does Telemetry Work?
Telemetry utilises a telemeter to measure electrical or physical data. These measurements are then converted into electrical voltages, which are combined with timing data by a multiplexer to create a seamless data stream. This stream is then transmitted to a remote receiver for analysis and monitoring.
The versatility of telemetry allows for data transfer using analog or digital electronic devices. This technology has various applications, including the measurement and transmission of data from IoT sensors found in automobiles, smart meters, power sources, robots, and even wildlife.
How Does Vanguard Wireless Use Telemetry Data?
At the top of this blog you can see an example of a Vanguard Wireless nurse call and evacuation system. This example is comprised of a TCU (Vanguard Wireless' Touchscreen Control Unit) and 12 devices. The graph is demonstrating which devices have established a radio frequency connection to one another, and what the signal strength of that connection is.
In this example, all lines are green which means the connection is strong.
- You can see that NC+S 06 is connected to three other devices however only two of these are connected to another device on the network. This means should an alert be triggered, that device can push or receive an alert from two sources.
- If you look at NC+S 03, you can see that six devices are using its single connection to the system to push or receive alerts, making this device extremely important to the function of the system. Should NC+S 03 lose connection or power, those six devices will lose the connection. This demonstrates to system managers that this device is integral to the operability of the system. Should the line between it and NC+S 02 turn yellow or red, it puts half of the system at risk.
This is the remarkable aspect of telemetry - the visual depiction of a network can swiftly uncover its strengths and vulnerabilities in real-time. It empowers system managers with extraordinary capabilities, eliminating any need for guesswork. It serves as an infallible troubleshooting tool, guaranteeing a fail-safe solution.
How Can Telemetry Save You Time?
In the realm of traditional emergency alert systems, discovering and resolving issues can be a time-consuming and tedious process. Workplaces would typically need to proactively identify problems and then spend valuable time troubleshooting, which often involves moving devices, checking power sources, and conducting tests to determine if the issue has been resolved. While smaller systems may be fixed relatively quickly, larger systems require more time and effort. Furthermore, fixing one problem can sometimes lead to the emergence of new issues, resulting in frustration and wasted time.
Using Vanguard Wireless' telemetry graphs remove any speculation.
In the examples of telemetry provided below, there are three different sizes of Vanguard Wireless systems. The first system is an evacuation system consisting of the TCU and five devices. The second system is a combination of an evacuation and nurse call system, slightly larger with the TCU and 14 devices. Lastly, the third system is a very large installation with over 100 devices. Each device has a unique name, making it incredibly easy to address any issues that may arise.
- System one is a smaller installation that is perfectly suited for medical facilities, warehouses, factories, and other industrial sites. In this scenario, system managers have the ability to quickly identify any issues with the furthest evacuation siren 01, which is indicated by a red line. This signifies that the connection needs improvement. To rectify this, the system manager can either relocate the siren closer to the next device in the network, which is evacuation siren 03, or install another device in between the two evacuation sirens. This strategic adjustment will greatly enhance the overall strength and effectiveness of the network.
- System two is a medium-sized installation, perfectly suited for a range of environments such as small to medium construction sites, mining camps, civil works projects, educational facilities, and assisted living homes. Within the telemetry graph, there are four noticeable red dots, indicating that four devices are currently not connected. However, these devices still show green or yellow lines because they are still part of the system, but are either disabled or not receiving power. Additionally, there are two yellow lines observed between four nurse call trigger + evacuation sirens. It is crucial to address the connectivity of NC+S 15 and NC+S 01, as well as NC+S 02 and NC+S 04. It's important to note that moving these devices closer could potentially jeopardise the connection between other devices on the network, so the installation of a secondary device should also be considered as a solution.
- System three is a massive installation, perfectly suited for large-scale construction and civil works projects. Despite its immense size, system managers can quickly assess the outstanding health of their system. Every one of the 100+ devices is seamlessly connected, beautifully indicated by vibrant green dots. There are only eight subtle yellow lines, suggesting that connectivity could be enhanced, but without any significant detriment. As the site progresses and devices are relocated or added, system managers can effortlessly refer to the impact on telemetry and make adjustments accordingly. With such a vast number of devices, there is absolutely no room for speculation. Vanguard Wireless' telemetry graph eliminates the need for guesswork entirely.
Regardless of the scenario, system managers can rely on the real-time updates of the telemetry diagram to assess the impact of any changes made to their emergency alert system. This allows them to quickly determine the effectiveness of their fixes and promptly address any other issues that may arise, completely eliminating the need for speculation, saving them precious time.
Are You Using Telemetry?
To receive a comprehensive guide on harnessing the power of your Vanguard Wireless telemetry graph, reach out to us today. If your current evacuation or nurse call system, whether in a construction, industrial, school, medical, or any other workplace setting, lacks the capability to swiftly identify operational risks and provide proven solutions, it's time to make the switch to a Vanguard Wireless system.