Jostle Mode ? Battery-Powered GPS Trackers

Jostle Mode: Benefits and Applications of Accelerometers in Tracking

Battery-Powered Asset Tracking Devices

A key feature critical to tracking is the ability to effectively detect the start and endpoints of a trip, while still conserving valuable battery life.

What is Jostle Mode?

Jostle Mode is a feature found in the Remora3, Oyster3, Yabby3, GPS Asset Tracking Devices. It can be used to detect and respond to vibrations or movements of a tracked asset. When activated, the device monitors for sudden or significant movements, such as vibration, shaking or jolting. This is used to detect trips or when an asset is in use, but can also be used to indicate tampering, theft, or other forms of impact. Upon detecting movement, the device can trigger specific actions, such as recording trip data or sending alerts.

3-Axis Accelerometers, are a critical component for detecting these movements,  to trigger Jostle Mode. When the accelerometer detects a jostle event, the following process occurs within the device

• The accelerometer wakes the unit
• The device immediately enters a trip
• Once in-trip, the accelerometer no longer wakes the unit
• The accelerometer wakes every two minutes on a timer to
• Ask the accelerometer if there was any movement in the last two minutes.
• If it is time to log a position, it gets a fix and records it
• Once the accelerometer and GPS show no movement, the trip ends

Data can be uploaded before, during, and after the trip, with optional heartbeats triggered if there has been no upload for an extended period. This feature ensures trips are recognised regardless of the ‘size’ of the movement, but it is less robust than GPS tracking mode at rejecting false trips, making it more suitable for applications such as recording run hours or tracking short-distance trips.

Standard GPS Tracking Mode

Devices like the Remora3, Oyster3, Yabby3 and the Barra GPS can utilise GPS to detect movement and determine the start and end of trips if they don't have an ignition source hardwired to them, Unlike Jostle Mode, GPS Tracking Mode uses satellite signals to accurately determine the location, movement, and the duration of trips. This mode is particularly useful for tracking assets that travel long distances and require real-time tracking. GPS offers high-precision and minimal false trip detection.

The Following Process Enables GPS Tracking Mode

• The accelerometer wakes the unit
• Upon waking, the device receives a GPS fix
• Upon movement detection and receiving a GPS fix, the device understands the asset has entered a trip
• Once in-trip, the accelerometer is turned off
• The accelerometer wakes up every few minutes on a timer to get a fix and check if the trip is still in progress
• When fixes suggest movement has stopped, around 3-5 minutes it ends the trip.

This method ensures that GPS is used sparingly, in order to preserve battery life. Standard GPS Tracking Mode also ensures that trips only begin when the device has moved a significant distance from its original position, providing accurate trip detection and efficient power usage.

The choice between Jostle Mode and Standard GPS Tracking Mode depends on your specific needs and applications. Our battery-powered devices, such as the Remora3, Oyster3, and Yabby3, are equipped to track trips using both Jostle Mode and GPS.

Jostle Mode vs. GPS Tracking

When comparing Jostle Mode and Standard GPS Tracking Mode, the choice depends on your specific application and needs. Jostle Mode is particularly suitable for scenarios such as run hour tracking for stationary objects, detecting vibrations, and providing rapid movement alerts. Jostle Mode can track small movements within a confined area, like a yard, and conserves battery life by avoiding constant reliance on GPS.
On the other hand, Standard GPS Tracking Mode is designed for long-distance travel monitoring, detailed fleet management, and real-time asset tracking. It ensures trips are only recorded when significant movement occurs.

Benefits of Jostle Mode

• Run Hour Tracking: Attach a device to a stationary object like a pump or generator. When vibration is detected, it enters a trip, and the start and end times are used to calculate run hours.
• Rapid Movement Alerts: Immediately trigger an upload once accelerometer movement is detected
• Tracking Movements Within a Yard: Track small movements within confined sites which are not accurately captured when using GPS.
• Conserve Battery Life: Avoid spending time and energy checking GPS for movement, increasing battery life when false trips are unlikely.

Jostle Mode Applications

Jostle Mode is particularly effective in the following scenarios

1. Monitoring activity in stationary assets such as generators, lighting plants and pumps.
2. Tracking construction equipment that remains largely stationary but requires monitoring for rapid movements or tampering.
3. Managing assets with minimal movement such as contanier workshops or equipment within a laydown yard.

What is Movement Based Tracking?