How Do Tenna Trackers Work?

Tracker Technologies

Tenna’s various trackers utilize one or more of the following technologies to function:

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Technology

Tenna’s BLE Beacons “bark” every second, without providing any location or tracking information. The tracking is done when the Beacon is detected by a smartphone or table with a running Tenna app. BLE is optimized for long-life without sacrificing range – up to 300 feet – making it an ideal tracking technology for industrial construction asset tracking. Low energy makes this technology an affordable way to monitor asset location. Tenna BLE devices can last up to three years.

Internet of Things (IoT) Technology

IoT is the network of physical “things” connected to the internet by sensory devices that collect data on objects and exchange information with other devices or systems over the internet – without requiring human interaction. This technology provides the ability to digitize a variety of mixed assets for construction businesses to track and manage these online. IoT technology requires at least one of the following other wireless technologies such as cellular, GPS, BLE and Quick Response, to make these connections happen (at low costs in many cases) via IoT-enabled tracker devices. 

IoT equipment tracking devices capture real time data that is stored in your Tenna asset tracking system. They work automatically so your team can focus on the work in front of them.

Cellular (Wireless) Technology

Cellular (Wireless) technology facilitates communication and data sharing through devices that do not have cables or wires. Cellular wireless technologies maximize coverage while optimizing cost and performance. These technologies include 3G, 4G, 5G, Long Term Evolution (LTE)-M/Cat-M and LTE NB-IoT.

Global Positioning System (GPS) Technology

GPS works in nearly any outdoor location. Tracking devices that use GPS normally report their GPS position at regular intervals so the location can be used by software applications to monitor and track an asset’s location. GPS devices receive highly accurate timing information from several satellites (maintained by the US Government). A GPS device uses this timing information from the various satellites to calculate its position, often within a few feet (the location accuracy may vary depending on many factors such as weather, obstructions, location of satellites, and others). GPS’ location accuracy is optimal for tracking medium to large equipment and vehicles, as well as many other items around the world.  

Tenna GPS trackers also include a cellular MODEM in them and use cellular data plans – like a mobile phone – to convey the location and track assets.

Quick Response (QR) Code Technology

Durable and affordable QR code labels and tags come in different sizes and materials. Simply scan the code with the Tenna equipment tracking app on a smartphone or tablet, and asset information quickly uploads to Tenna.

Telematics Technology

Telematics is a technology that remotely monitors engine-operated assets, such as equipment, heavy trucks and vehicles, by transmitting GPS position, onboard diagnostic information, and other vital asset health data to a central location for analysis and monitoring. Telematics data helps ensure assets run smoothly, safely, and cost efficiently, and allows businesses to optimize their equipment fleet operations when using Tenna.

How do Cellular GPS Trackers Work?

Cellular GPS trackers autonomously collect and deliver telematics data. At the most basic level, these trackers provide a GPS position and transmit it over a cellular network for location tracking. More advanced trackers (that plug into an asset with an engine) collect additional telematics for more advanced performance monitoring. 

1. Satellites communicate highly accurate timing information to a GPS tracker installed on an asset.

   1. A tracker needs visibility to at least 4 satellites for improved location accuracy. 
   2. It is very important for the asset to have a clear view of the sky!
2. The asset’s GPS tracker calculates the location coordinates.
   1. Plug-In trackers are charged by the asset’s battery.
   2. Solar trackers are charged by the sun. This is another reason why a clear view of the sky is very important!
3. The trip or cycle data is then sent over a cellular connection to the “cloud.” 
4. Tenna then collects the data from the cloud.

Tenna's Cellular GPS Trackers

• TennaMINI (Plug-In Solar | Plug-In | Solar | Battery) 
• TennaFLEET
• TennaCAM (in conjunction with TennaFLEET)

How do Bluetooth Trackers work?

The TennaBLE Beacon transmits “heartbeats” every second that are picked up by the Tenna app on a mobile device. When in range (up to 300 feet), the app records the mobile device’s position every two minutes and stores it to the cloud to report to Tenna.

Tenna's Bluetooth Trackers

TennaBLE Beacon (Ruggedized | Steel Puck) 

How do QR Code Trackers work?

QR Code trackers offer a manual way of capturing asset location and other details (when scanned with a smart device). Asset location (interpreted from the GPS position of the reader) is automatically sent to an asset tracking system and opened for the user to manually add other asset condition details or notes to the system.

Tenna's QR Code Trackers

TennaQR (Label | Tag)