CAREU U1 Lite Review

CAREU U1 Lite

 

Rating: (4/5)

 

Our Verdict

This device has good performance overall. It has a very sturdy firmware with many advanced options not available in many trackers for example during an accident this device sends back the snapshot of the path and speeds with acceleration values at a gap of 1 sec to make detailed analysis. Many additional accessories can also be attached with this device like RFID reader etc. Also one good feature of this device is that it can report back the location on SMS along with the link to the google maps.

Pros

Good hardware is used in the device

Intelligent firmware which make the complete utilization of the processor and is extensive in feature set.

External GPS antenna gives the best in reception of signal

Attractive design

Internal memory is good for offline storage.

Cons

Not waterproof

It is on the expensive side of the tracking devices

 
 

 
 

The CAREU U1 Lite vehicle tracker is an all-in-one GPS tracking device to deliver positioning messages and help back-end users to proceed with the analysis and the applications of vehicle transport, management, anti-theft, security, tracking, to name a few.

About CAREU U1 Lite

The CAREU U1 Lite vehicle tracker transmits the wireless signals such as location, peripheral and vehicle control data to a control center. The onboard GPS receiver provides users with location data including speed, direction, mileage and altitude. It uses an onboard GSM/GPRS module to accomplish wireless transmission.

A microcontroller can probe location and command data at regular intervals, derive actions from location, peripheral and control data, and execute such actions. Among the best features of the CAREU U1 Lite vehicle tracker, in particular, they transmit data in ASCII mode or binary mode. Peripheral data indicates the status of various peripherals connected to and/or controlled by the device. The peripherals include, but not limited to, door locks/un- locks, starter interrupt, ignition, battery, engine and panic button.

About Company

Systems & Technology (S&T) was established in 1987, with more than 10 years devotion in Automatic Vehicle Locating (AVL) industry, S&T has accumulated experiences and know-how to provide complete solutions to our clients. S&T AVL solutions covered over 100 countries, we are not only providing solutions but also consult service in different applications.

S&T’s reliable CAREU and IntelliTrac tracker series with Find’n’Secure tracking software form Embarc Information Technology (P) Ltd. enrich the functionality of vehicle tracking and advance the capability of the vehicle tracking systems.

 

With aggressive product development and customization ability, S&T has exported its products to over 180 countries. Providing customers total tracking solutions globally is S&T’s business commitment and core value.

 
 

Technicality and Marketability

The CAREU U1 Lite has so many excellences to be competitive enough to stand out in the market. With regard to the technicality, the CAREU U1 Lite saves and records more data even under inactive communication status, and it also provides better power management, coexistence of GPRS and SMS modes.

Features

• Cost effective and easy installation
• SMS, GPRS TCP, FTP communications
• 50 Geofence reports (Circular/Polygonal Zones)
• Remote configuration
• Real-time tracking (Time, Distance Interval or Intelligent Mode, and Heading)
• Intelligent power management
• Power low/lost alarm
• Journey report wireless download
• GSM/GPRS simultaneously
• Mileage report
• 50 user-defined reports
• Firmware upgrade over the air (via GPRS from FTP)
• Up to 120,000 data logs

  Specifications
  

• Dimensions (L x W x H): 72mm x 108mm x 31mm
• Weight: 165g
• GPS Receiver: 50 Channels or Above
• Datum: WGS-84
• Power Source: 8-30V DC
• Power Consumption:
  72mA@12VDC (Operating Mode)
  8mA@12VDC (Standby Mode)
  6mA@12VDC (Deep Sleep Mode)
• Operating Temperature: -20℃～+70℃
• Communications: GSM 850/ 900/ 1800/ 1900, SMS, GPRS TCP/UDP, FTP
• Serial Ports: 1 RS-232 Port (Configurable)
• Input Ports: 3 Digital Inputs (2 Positive Triggers & 1 Negative Triggers) ; 1Analog Input (12-bit Resolution)
• Output Ports: 2 Outputs (Max. Sink Current 300mA) 
• Backup Battery: Li-Ion, 1050mA

   
   

  Hardware Architecture
  

  As hardware is concerned, the CAREU U1 Lite is comprised of a micro-controller, regulator, GPS receiver, GSM/GPRS modem, G-Force sensor, flash memory data storage, I/O interface and LED status indicators.
  

• Users can connect PC’s HyperTerminal to the Diagnostic/setting port for the AVL configuration
• G-Sensor for car accident prevention, car tow-away warning and power management
• The audio interface supports hand-free phone call
• GPIO that connects to any customer monitoring points by door switch, anti-thief or actuators
• The A/D input that connects the analog signal sensor to the AVL, such as the fuel or temperature sensor

   
   

  Smooth Curves and attractive Design:-
  

   
   

  

   
   

  Main Cable wiring
  

• PWR Connector

 
 

• I/O Connector

 
 

Processor

 
 

The ARM® Cortex®-M3 processor is the industry-leading 32-bit processor for highly deterministic real-time applications, specifically developed to enable partners to develop high-performance low-cost platforms for a broad range of devices including microcontrollers, automotive body systems, industrial control systems and wireless networking and sensors. The processor delivers outstanding computational performance and exceptional system response to events while meeting the challenges of low dynamic and static power constraints. The processor is highly configurable enabling a wide range of implementations from those requiring memory protection and powerful trace technology to cost sensitive devices requiring minimal area.

 
 

Intelligent Firmware

The firmware in the device applies intelligent filtering to overcome coverage limitations for both GPS and GSM/GPRS networks. Motion sensor controls the status of the device, whether in sleep, idle or fully-powered mode, and thereby controls the amount of current consumed by the device. Backup battery and tamper sensing GPS Antennas primarily indicate the loss of Main Power and the interruption of GPS antenna connectivity. The device supports over-the-air firmware upgrade to deliver additional functionality without physically touching the device once installed. The firmware of the CAREU U1 Lite can be upgraded through mini USB without disassembling the device.

GSM Module (U-blox Sara 350)

 
 

 
 

SARA-G3 series modules are versatile 2.5G GSM/GPRS cellular modules in a miniature LGA (Land Grid Array) form factor. Featuring low power consumption, the SARA-G3 series combines baseband, RF transceiver, power management unit, and power amplifier in a single, easy-to-integrate solution. SARA-G3 modules provide a fully qualified and certified solution, reducing cost and enabling short time to market. These modules are ideally suited for M2M and automotive applications such as: Automatic Meter Reading (AMR), Remote Monitoring Automation and Control (RMAC), surveillance and security, eCall, road pricing, asset tracking, fleet management, anti-theft systems and Point of Sales (PoS) terminals.

SARA-G350 (quad-band) are full feature GSM/GPRS cellular modules with a comprehensive feature set including an extensive set of internet protocols. The modules also provide fully integrated access to u-blox GNSS positioning chips and modules, with embedded A-GPS (Assist Now Online and Assist Now Offline) functionality. Any host processor connected to the cellular module through a single serial port can control both the cellular module and the positioning chip / module

GPS Module

We don’t have any detailed information about the GPS module. The GPS is manufactured by an OEM in Taiwan. The quality of GPS is good according to our testing. There is no interference in the path when the device in on the road. During stationary reporting however some points did jump between locations. This has been seen commonly in almost all the GPS chips due to triangulation error.

Technical Information about internal battery

Li-Ion rechargeable battery, 1050 mAH. Device operating time with internal battery depends on temperature, data sending frequency (SMS and GPRS), and accumulator age, number of charge/discharge cycles. However, 1050 mAH battery gives roughly 10-12 hours’ coverage with 1-minute reporting interval.

 
 

Applications

• Vehicle Real-time Tracking
• Vehicle Data Warehouse
• Vehicle Security/ Rescue/Anti-hijack
• Mobile Asset Tracking
• Fleet Management
• Location Based Service