Device Mounting Recommendations
When using a Device with TVA, there are generally recommendations from a source Device vendor on the proper use, configuration, and mounting of the Device for best results. Although the vendor documentation is ultimately the recommended source for this guidance, this document seeks to provide some generalized guidance on Device usage.
Before considering the Device mounting, ensure that the recommended tests have been performed with the devices and that they are fully operable in the desired areas. Although the mounting and configuration of a device can impact the general success of the device, it does not allow a device to work in an unsupported region or area. As recommended elsewhere, always test devices in various configurations prior to deploying a device in use.
Devices are generally radio connected devices, whether using cellular, satellite, or area-wide connections. As such, a radio connected device is impacted by material blocking or obscuring the device, especially between a device and a receiving station. For a cellular device, this would be a nearby cell tower, while satellite devices need to have a clear line of sight connection to the sky.
When shipping cargo, it is recommended that a device be mounted securely on the exterior of a shipping container or other conveyence. The farther inside a container, and the more material packed around a device, the less likely that the device will be able to position, connect, and transmit information. Often a device packed deeply within a cargo shipment is entirely unable to transmit or get a position fix due to other packages, cargo, and material blocking the radio communications.
When shipping large, bulk material via flatbed, a device should be fastened on the exterior of the material if at all possible, and preferably on a surface facing upward. This allows the device to get the best possible GPS fix and have unobscured connectivity to cellular and satellite networks.
In some situations, the mounting of a device may have limited impact if the shipment is conveyed within a larger structure. A shipping container lowered into a ship hold may have many containers and layers of steel between the device and cell towers and satellites. In this configuration, the device mounting will be unlikely to provide any benefits until the container is removed from the obscured position.
The key points are to avoid metal and other material, including other cargo and shipments, from blocking the GPS receiving, and the outbound reporting transmitting of the device. There is variance betwen devices, as some may switch to cellular triangulation as opposed to GPS when operating in a degraded environment, however when seeking the best possible results, be sure to pack and position devices as optimally as possible.