Polaris
Polaris is a Python programmable open IoT platform, designed for remote logging and Cloud applications. It is an excellent GPS/GLONASS vehicle tracker, available with 2G, 3G, LTE, NB-IOT modem. The Polaris application, available in Python Zerynth or Arduino, is open source so that it can be easily changed and customized.
if you want to see a comparison between Polaris and OpenTracker V2, have a look to this article.
Polaris can function as a GPS/GLONASS vehicle tracker, available with 2G, 3G, LTE, NB-IOT modem, but it’s so much more, too. It is a Python programmable open IoT platform, ready to connect to the Cloud with just a few lines of code. Polaris is also 100% Arduino compatible.
Polaris is the evolution of the OpenTracker, the most popular open-source vehicle tracker board in the world, which we developed in 2014.
Python programmable
With IoT in mind, we couldn’t think of a better programming language than Python. That is why Polaris is Zerynth-powered and Python programmable.
Thanks to the Zerynth (*) license onboard you can program it in Python right out of the box. Zerynth also allows C/Python hybrid programming.
The full Python application is released open source. Here are the Zerynth Studio download links for Windows, macOS, Linux (compatible with r2.4.0 – r2.5.0). Zerynth v2 documentation, API and demos is available here.
(*) Zerynth has a really small footprint. It requires just 60k-80kB of Flash and 3-5kB of RAM. Zerynth also integrates the RTOS of your choice with multithreading support. When it comes to security, it offers support for HTTPS, SSL/TLS, secure hardware encryption, and Blockchain.
Arduino compatible
As we said Polaris is 100% Arduino compatible. It is natively supported by the Arduino IDE, taking advantage of the vast Arduino code base.
The full Arduino application is released open source on the GitHub channel.
Advanced Features
Polaris also allows you to add a Li-Po battery, and run it without the car battery. For example, it can be added to a bicycle, thanks to that external power source.
With several analog inputs it can be connected to various sensors or collect data from the CAN bus. Several digital outputs are also available to directly control relays or other external loads. The sensor data can then be easily sent to the Cloud for remote monitoring. This makes Polaris ideal for industrial machinery where it is required to measure things like oil pressure, crane positioning, and so on.
When it comes to expandability, Polaris is quite versatile. There’s plenty of digital and analog I/O, communication interfaces like SPI, I2C and UART, and a MikroBUSTM slot which allows you to take advantage of more than 600 Click boards. This means you can add all sort of functionalities to Polaris: from OLED displays, buttons and UV sensors to motor control and motion sensors.
Power supplies
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- Main power input 8-36 VDC (2A max), compatible with 12V/24V systems/vehicles
- Backup battery input 3.6-4.2 VDC, for rechargeable Lithium cells
- Internal 3.3V and 5V supplies for add-on modules
- Several low power modes (down to <50uA)
Wireless interfaces
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- 2G Modem (Quectel M95 – Quad-band GSM/GPRS Modem)
- 3G Modem (Quectel UG96 – 5-band UMTS/HSPA, 4-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE, global coverage)
- NB-IOT Modem (Quectel BG96 – LTE Cat M1/Cat NB1/EGPRS Modem)
- GPS/GLONASS Receiver
Connectors and interfaces
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- 2 SMA antenna connectors (GSM, GPS)
- Socket for micro-SIM (modem)
- Micro USB device port for MCU diagnostics/programming
- Standard SWD debug header for MCU
- Main power supply and I/O connector (2×6 pins, Micro-FIT type)
- MikroBUS slot
- Generic purpose expansion connector
- LiPo battery connector
Storage
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- Socket for micro-SD card (full 4-bit interface)
- Quad-SPI Serial Flash
Sensors
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- 3-axis Accelerometer
- MCU temperature
Indicators
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- On-board status LED (controlled by MCU)
Stand-alone or in a kit
Polaris it is available as a stand-alone product and in a kit. The board comes in three versions: 2G, 3G, and NB-IOT.
Of course, the kit includes everything that you need to install Polaris right out of the box. You can choose between two kit options: with a Li-Po battery, or without it.
The kit includes:
- Polaris
- a metal case
- an antenna
- accessories
It is ready to be used as a vehicle tracker. Because its wide voltage input, it can be used on motorcycles, cars, trucks, heavy machinery, etc. Polaris offers several low power modes (down to <50uA), perfectly suited for IoT and industry 4.0 devices and applications.
Polaris 2G
€127.00 Excl. VATAdd to cart
Polaris 2G kit– Quadband 2G version of Polaris
– Black Polaris aluminum casing
– GPS/Glonass/GSM antenna
– Connector cable
€160.00 Excl. VATAdd to cart
Polaris 2G kit+
– Quadband 2G version of Polaris
– Black Polaris aluminum casing
– GPS/Glonass/GSM antenna
– Connector cable
– Li-Po battery: 2500 mAh
€170.00 Excl. VATAdd to cart
Polaris 3G
€153.00 Excl. VATAdd to cart
Polaris 3G kit– Pentaband 3G version of Polaris
– Black Polaris aluminum casing
– GPS/Glonass/GSM antenna
– Connector cable
€186.00 Excl. VATAdd to cart
Polaris 3G kit+
– Pentaband 3G version of Polaris
– Black Polaris aluminum casing
– GPS/Glonass/GSM antenna
– Connector cable
– Li-Po battery: 2500 mAh
€196.00 Excl. VATAdd to cart
Polaris NB-IoT
€132.00 Excl. VATRead more
Polaris NB-IoT kit– NB-IOT version of Polaris
– Black Polaris aluminum casing
– GPS/Glonass/GSM antenna
– Connector cable
€165.00 Excl. VATRead more
Polaris NB-IoT kit+
– NB-IOT version of Polaris
– Black Polaris aluminum casing
– GPS/Glonass/GSM antenna
– Connector cable
– Li-Po battery: 2500 mAh
€175.00 Excl. VATRead more
The Polaris NB-IoT comes pre-configured for 2G (GPRS) networks only. If you have an NB-IoT enabled SIM and want to use those network technologies, please contact us and we will give you detailed instructions about how to proceed.
Download & Documentation