FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Xtellio
Xtellio Xenses create data. Xenses are devices that gather various types of data depending on the sensor option selected. They sense conditions from their surroundings and transfer the information as data via low-power, short-range wireless technology (50-80 meters indoors) to a Gateway Xentral. They have a very small formfactor, are easy to deploy and come as battery powered with battery-life up to 10 years.
Xtellio Xentrals collect or generate data and deliver it to the Cloud via the cellular/mobile network. They can be paired with many Xense devices but can also have built-in sensors and function on its own. Xentrals come as battery or fixed powered solutions. All our Xentrals have a built-in SIM solution and communicate via the NB-IoT/LTE-M technologies with long range and strong signal penetration to reach through concrete or even under ground. As the technologies are part of the 5G mobile network, your devices will also work on future generation networks.
Xtellio devices generate data throughout their entire lifecycle, for which we charge a yearly service fee. Regardless of your subscription tier, Xervices always includes easy onboarding, access to the device management system "Xtellio Butler", and APIs for monitoring your data in your own application. In addition to the basic features, you can opt in for more flexibility, such as device configuration and data delivery intervals via APIs, backup services, and more. Check out our subscription tiers - BASIC, BUSINESS, and PREMIUM - to see what they include.
Some customers just need raw data, others need visual graph views and the ability to setup alarms, save their data etc. At Xtellio we don't tie you into a limited application. Instead we give you access to APIs that you can integrate to the data services of your choice. In this way we give you freedom to backup, process and visualize your data with complete control and ownership.
Xtellio Deploy Standard: Standardized IoT devices that are ready to deploy as "plug and play". If you purchase our standard sensor devices, such as Xenses and Xentrals, you can skip development time. You will get very robust and high quality devices made in Denmark – ready to use.
Xtellio Create Custom is for costumers that might need changes or small tweaks to our standard solutions to meet specific use cases. We can base most developments on approximately 80% of our standard portfolio and define/build the remaining 20% though co-creation/design thinking methods. This is also the case if you need us to integrate our technology modules into your product. With our knowledge and expertise, you will benefit from accelerated time-to-market with lower costs of development.
IoT stands for "Internet of Things." It refers to the network of physical objects, devices, vehicles, buildings, and other items that are embedded with sensors, software, and connectivity, allowing them to collect and exchange data over the internet. The concept of IoT involves connecting these "things" to the internet to enable communication and control, creating a smart and interconnected world. IoT devices can range from simple sensors to complex machines and appliances, such as home thermostats, security cameras, industrial machinery, and even vehicles.
The data collected by IoT devices can be used for various purposes, including improving efficiency, enhancing safety, optimizing performance, and enabling new services and business models. With the growth of IoT, there is enormous potential for innovation and transformation across industries and domains.
We can build both our sensor technologies and gateway functionality into your product.
If your product already collects and broadcasts data, you also have the possibility to connect your product via low-power, short-range wireless technology or wireless M-Bus protocol to one of our Gateway Xentrals that can collect your data and transmit it to cloud via the mobile network.
Xtellio standard solutions are primarily based on technologies like low-power, short-range wireless technology and NB-IoT/LTE-M. When transmitting data and pairing Xenses with a Xentral Gateway via our mobile app, a smartphone can connect to the devices. Xentrals use low-power, short-range wireless technology to collect data from Xenses and furthermore it uses NB-IoT/LTE-M technology to communicate via the cellular/mobile network.
NB-IoT and LTE-M are both low-power network technologies designed for IoT applications. NB-IoT is best for applications that require low data rates and long battery life, while LTE-M is better suited for applications that require higher data rates and lower latency. Both technologies offer improved coverage, lower power consumption, enhanced security features, and support for various deployment scenarios. The value of these technologies lies in their ability to enable reliable and efficient connectivity for a wide range of IoT applications, even in remote or hard-to-reach areas, while conserving power and providing enhanced security.
Yes, sensors can be combined in various ways in order to match your data need, both in Xenses and in Xentrals.
If you don't find the sensor combination needed among our standard sensor devices, we can very likely design a custom solution with you.
Below is a list of modules that Xtellio has implemented and deployed in solutions. We are constantly expanding our horizons to offer you new modules and technologies, eg. energy harvesting. Contact us to hear more if you don't find your request below. Perhaps it is on the way or already in use in other deployments.
- Radar sensor (measures distance/fill level). Only for Xentrals.
- Tracking sensor (measures location). Only for Xentrals.
- CO2 sensor. Only for Xentrals.
- Accelerometer sensor (measures impacts and movements in 3 axis)
- Ambient temperature sensor
- Relative humidity sensor
- Ambient pressure sensor
- Beacon sensor (broadcasts an unique wireless ID)
- RFID/NFC chip sensor (for reading employee ID cards). Only for Xentrals.
- Light sensor
- Magnet/Hall sensor (detects open/close or measure cycle counts)
- PT1000 temperature sensor (measures temperature at a specific point)
- Thermocouple sensor (measures extreme temperatures from -59°C to +370°C)
- Digital I/O sensor (measures on/off status from digital inputs or analogue voltage).
To activate Xentrals, simply press the device button for 5 seconds until it flashes green and turns into a solid green light. The device is then activated and ready to collect and transmit data. To install Xenses, you need to pair them with an activated Xentral through our mobile app (available for iOS and Android) by scanning the device label's QR code. Both Xenses and Xentrals are easy to mount using two screws or strips.
If you have chosen the BASIC subscription tier, you cannot configure your devices, and you will have to use the standard configuration. With the subscription tier BUSINESS, you can configure your devices in Xtellio Butler (web app). If you have subscribed to PREMIUM, we also give you possibility to configure devices via APIs.
From component selection to mechanical specifications, we have created ruggedized/robust device designs for industrial use. Most of our devices are waterproof, classified as IP67. However, devices that rely on being in contact with the surrounding air to measure air quality will have a lower IP rating.
When you purchase from Xtellio, you will get access to the Xtellio Butler (web app), where you can view your purchased devices and browse the suite of capability-based APIs that you wish to integrate.
To become a user, you need to be setup by your company's Xtellio admin. Once that is done, you will receive a welcome email and get access to the system.
The amount of API documentation you can see in the Xtellio Butler will depend on your subscription tier: BASIC, BUSINESS, or PREMIUM. In the Xtellio Butler, you can also create a personal API token, which you will need to use with our APIs in the services where you wish to utilize your data. You can always sign in to the Xtellio Butler by clicking the upper right corner of our website at www.xtellio.com.
Integrating the Xtellio API requires a general understanding of programming, web-services, and software architecture.
To integrate Xtellio's API you will need access to the Xtellio Butler (web app), from where you can generate your server API token authorizing you to access the API as well as view the OpenAPI spec to understand the different capabilities provided.
Step 1: Generate your access token
First step is to generate your server access token, which is required in order to start using the Xtellio API. The access token is unique to your user account and will authorize you to access and call the API. Create your access token in Xtellio Butler under the menu item “User” and use the “Copy” function to copy your token to memory.
Step 2: Study the OpenAPI spec
Select the menu item “Integrations” in Xtellio Butler in order to view the OpenAPI spec and to familiarize yourself with the API capabilities. Understanding the API capabilities is an important step of integrating the Xtellio API into your application or environment.
Step 3: Build your integration
Provide your access token (paste from memory if copied) as part of the header parameters section of your application/environment.
Build your requests by use of appropriate GET, POST, or UPDATE methods (depending on tier).
Step 4: Test your integration and handle potential errors
Having built your integration make sure to test and verify that it works as intended, ie. returns expected data. Response- and error codes can be viewed in the OpenAPI spec - make sure to handle potential errors appropriately to avoid breaking your integration.