Hoy, Cada vez más cosas se están conectando. El internet de las cosas (IoT) se está moviendo más allá de las ciudades y en lugares donde las redes normales no pueden alcanzar. Granjas, carreteras, y los océanos necesitan dispositivos para mantenerse en línea. Pero eso no es fácil. Aquí es donde las conexiones satelitales pueden ayudar. By linking dispositivos de iot to satellites, we can now connect more places with fewer problems and stronger data flow.
What is Satellite Communication?
Satellite communication means sending and receiving data using satellites in space. It does not use towers on the ground like cellular networks do. These satellites can be placed in low, medio, or high orbits based on what they need to do. The best thing about satellite communication is that it can work almost anywhere—even where mobile networks fail.
How does Satellite Connectivity and IoT work?
Most IoT devices use cellular networks to stay online. But in remote places, that may not work. Satellite connections step in to help. Some devices use special modules or SIM cards that work with both satellite and cellular signals. They switch between the two depending on which one is available. This setup keeps the connection going—whether the truck is in a desert, the farm is far from a tower, or the cargo is out at sea.
Qué Are the Advantages of Satellite Connectivity in IoT
Works in remote places
Some industries work in areas where building a network is too hard or too costly. Satellite IoT provides ready-to-use coverage in places like oil fields, deep forests, or farmlands—without needing to build additional infrastructure.
Fills in weak spots
There are always places where signals drop—like forests, mountains, or remote rural areas. Satellite connections help cover these weak spots, so devices can keep sending data without interruption.
Covers more ground
Satellite IoT is now used with ground networks, not just on its own. The 3GPP group released 5G Release 17, which shows how satellites can help expand NB-IoT and LTE-M coverage through 5G NTN. En el futuro, satellites may work as the main layer for more network types. They could replace or support current systems.
The Applications of Satellite Connectivity in IoT
Agricultura
Smart farms use sensores to check soil, clima, y water use. Many farms are in rural areas with no towers nearby. Satellite helps these farms collect and use data without needing local networks.
Asset Monitoring
Companies use rastreadores to watch over goods and machines. With satellite, they always know where things are and how they’re doing, incluso en zonas remotas o de difícil acceso.
Energy Monitoring
Oil and gas companies often work in remote places. With satellite IoT, they can check machines, find problems early, and track the environment without going there in person.
Other Use Cases
Satellite IoT is also helpful in building projects, sea safety, tracking wild animals, and sending data during natural disasters. It’s useful anywhere that needs a strong and steady signal.
5 Trends of Satellite Connectivity in IoT
5G from space
5G is being extended to space, allowing direct connections between satellites and regular mobile phones. Tests have started to connect satellites with normal smartphones for calls and data. This shows that 5G from space could work.
For hardware makers, this means updating antennas and chipsets. Devices must switch smoothly between ground and satellite signals, handle different delays, and use power efficiently. This creates new chances to build compact systems that support both types of networks in one device.
More LEO satellites
Low Earth Orbit (LEÓN) satellites are removing coverage gaps for transport companies working across different areas. Más que 3,700 satellites are expected to launch each year from 2024 a 2033 — about 10 per day. Four major NGSO constellations (Starlink, Kuiper, G60, GuoWang) will make up 65% of these launches. This fast growth is changing how IoT and embedded devices connect.
Smaller devices
Satellites are getting smaller and cheaper. These nanosatellites and cubesats lower costs and speed up development. This gives more groups a chance to use space tech. Product designers can now build compact, energy-saving devices with more ways to connect. Combined with better materials and 3D printing, this opens the door to new shapes and uses.
Computing in space
Computación de borde is now expanding beyond the ground. Satellites with built-in processing will soon handle data directly in orbit. This reduces delays and limits the need to send all data back to Earth. It supports faster, more efficient tasks like monitoring the environment or tracking changes on the ground.
Devices can use cellular networks for large data when available, and switch to satellites for smaller, important tasks when needed. Device makers should consider how in-space processing can help manage data better by filtering and sending only what is essential.
Smarter networks with AI
AI is being integrated into the satellite systems. It helps run networks better by automating tasks, improving awareness, and speeding up decisions. Fleet operators can predict problems and route data more smartly.
Minew’s Role in Satellite Communication
En Minew, we’re exploring how to bring satellite connectivity into our devices. As satellite technology becomes more compact and accessible, we’re working to combine it with cellular netwohrks in a single solution—so users can stay connected wherever their operations take them.
Cellular vs Satellite Communications for IoT
Cellular and satellite are two main options for IoT connectivity. Cellular networks use local towers to send data and are widely available in cities and towns. They offer lower cost, smaller device size, and better battery life using technologies like NB-IoT and LTE-M. Cellular networks also give faster response times, which is useful for real-time tracking and alerts. They are easier to link with cloud services, apps, and existing IT systems.
Satellite networks work well in remote areas where cellular coverage is limited or missing. They can provide strong, reliable links over long distances, but usually cost more. Devices using satellite often need more power and are larger in size. Sin embargo, satellite signals can sometimes be blocked by dense trees or buildings.
Most businesses choose cellular for its low cost, strong coverage in populated areas, and easy setup. Satellite is better for special use cases, like offshore or rural tracking. Choosing the right one depends on your location, data needs, and budget. Many new IoT devices now support flexible options to use both when needed.
Resumen
Satellite IoT helps connect devices in places where cellular networks can’t reach, such as farms, rural highways, and remote sites. Unlike cell towers, satellites work from space and provide wide-area coverage. Many new IoT devices now combine satellite doohmetrometrounorteidoatiohnorte and cellular norteetwohrks in one system, using whichever signal is available. This keeps devices online even when one network drops. Satellite IoT is useful for farming, tracking goods, and monitoring energy in hard-to-reach places. Cellular is cheaper, uses less power, and works well in cities. Together, they offer a flexible, reliable solution for many IoT applications, based on location and needs. Más allá de eso, lora and cellular networks are now evolving to connect directly with satellites, enabling IoT devices to work in remote or off-grid areas. LoRa supports ultra-low-power sensing, while 5G NTN allows standard cellular modules to communicate without relying on ground infrastructure. This expanded coverage empowers truly global, battery-efficient IoT deployments for environmental monitoring, logística, y respuesta de emergencia.
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