Vertical: Logistics, Warehouses
Application: Sensors, inventory management, improved coverage and capacity
Ecosystem: CalChip Connect, Federated Wireless, Airspan, AWS
Private Network: LTE, CBRS
In a move set to upgrade the logistics industry, CalChip Connect, a leading IoT distributor, has joined forces with Federated Wireless to bring private 5G networks to smart warehouses. This partnership aims to simplify the deployment of advanced IoT solutions in warehouse environments, addressing the growing need for secure and efficient connectivity in the logistics sector.
The collaboration’s first major achievement is the successful implementation of a private wireless network at CalChip Connect’s 17,000-square-foot global IoT distribution center in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. This state-of-the-art installation serves as a proof of concept and a reference architecture for future deployments, showcasing the potential of private 5G networks in warehouse operations.
The network utilizes four Airspan CBRS radios and an LTE Evolved Packet Core running on an AWS Snowcone edge compute device. Federated Wireless provides the network management portal and handles the crucial task of spectrum management through its Spectrum Access System (SAS), ensuring clean, high-speed, and low-latency communications ideal for industrial applications.
This smart warehouse solution is designed to support a wide range of IoT devices and applications. From environmental monitoring sensors tracking temperature and humidity to advanced inventory management systems using wireless scanners and tablets, the network promises to enhance operational efficiency significantly. Plans are also in place to incorporate drone technology equipped with lidar for automated inventory counting, further pushing the boundaries of warehouse automation.
TJ Rancour, President and Co-Founder of CalChip Connect, emphasizes the importance of offering customers secure, high-speed wireless connectivity right out of the box, making IoT adoption more accessible. The partnership with Federated Wireless aligns with CalChip Connect’s commitment to providing a seamless customer experience and robust support model.
Looking ahead, the two companies are set to bring pre-integrated solutions to market, accelerating the deployment of IoT smart warehouse solutions enabled with private wireless connectivity. This streamlined approach is expected to benefit various industries beyond logistics, including manufacturing and education.
