Cellular (GSM/3G/4G) Tracking

CELLULAR (GSM/3G/4G) TRACKING FOR PETS AND LIVESTOCK

AnimalWatch365 has integrated Cellular (GSM/3G/4G) Tracking in several of its animal health monitoring solutions. Our engineers, tech support, and sales staff possess deep expertise in Cellular (GSM/3G/4G) Tracking.

Cellular tracking for pets and livestock utilizes GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), 3G, and 4G networks to transmit location data from tracking devices attached to animals. These networks leverage the existing cellular infrastructure to provide real-time location updates and monitoring capabilities, offering a range of benefits in managing animal movements, ensuring their safety, and improving operational efficiencies in farming and pet care.

Cellular tracking for animals typically involves two main components:

Tracking Device (Tracker): A small GPS-enabled device that attaches to the animal's collar or harness. It uses GPS signals to determine the animal's precise location and then transmits this data to a central system via cellular networks.
Mobile Network (GSM/3G/4G): Once the tracking device collects GPS data, it sends this information via cellular networks (GSM, 3G, or 4G) to a web platform or mobile app for real- time monitoring by the owner or farm manager.

GPS Technology: The tracker uses GPS satellites to pinpoint the animal's location with high accuracy. This data is processed and then sent through the cellular network.
GSM/3G/4G Modules: The tracker contains a GSM/3G/4G module that connects to the local cellular network. The choice of GSM, 3G, or 4G largely depends on the required communication range and data transfer GSM is used in areas where 3G/4G signals are less reliable or unavailable, while 4G is used in high-density or urban areas with fast data transfer requirements.
SIM Card Integration: A SIM card is embedded in the tracking device, allowing it to connect to mobile networks, similar to how a cell phone This enables continuous data transmission from the tracker to the monitoring platform.

Real-Time Location Updates: Once the tracker is activated, it continuously provides updates on the animal's position. This data is accessible through a web portal or a mobile application, allowing pet owners or farmers to monitor their animals remotely.
Geofencing: Cellular trackers can be programmed with virtual boundaries (geofences). If an animal crosses the set boundaries, an alert is sent to the owner or farm manager, helping prevent lost animals or escape incidents.
Activity Monitoring: Some advanced tracking devices monitor not just the location but also the activity levels of the animal. This can be especially useful for livestock, ensuring that animals are grazing or moving within expected parameters.
Historical Data & Movement Patterns: The system can store historical data, allowing for detailed analysis of the animal's movement patterns over time. This can be useful for assessing health, tracking migration behaviors in wildlife, or monitoring herding behavior in

Battery Life and Power Management: Battery life is a key consideration in cellular tracking. While GSM devices can often last days or weeks, 3G and 4G devices may consume more power due to higher data transfer rates. Modern trackers typically use energy-efficient designs and may include low-power modes or solar panels for extended battery life.

Real-Time Monitoring: The ability to track animals in real time offers peace of mind for pet owners and better oversight for livestock managers.
Wide Coverage Area: Unlike traditional RFID or Bluetooth-based systems that are limited to short ranges, cellular tracking takes advantage of the extensive coverage of cellular networks, which are available even in remote areas with proper signal reception.
Scalability: For livestock or larger-scale operations, multiple trackers can be managed from a single platform. This makes cellular tracking ideal for farms with large numbers of animals.
Safety & Theft Prevention: Real-time alerts can immediately notify the owner or farmer when an animal is in danger or has strayed too far from the safe area. This helps reduce the risk of theft, lost pets, or escaped livestock.

Network Coverage: While cellular networks are extensive, coverage can be spotty in extremely remote areas, especially in mountainous or rural This can be mitigated by using satellite-based systems in areas with poor cellular reception.
Battery Life: High data transmission rates from 3G or 4G can drain the battery It's essential to balance real-time updates with power-saving techniques.
Cost: Cellular tracking systems can be more expensive than other tracking methods due to the cost of the tracking devices, SIM cards, and ongoing data charges.

Integration with IoT (Internet of Things): Cellular tracking devices for animals are increasingly being integrated with broader IoT ecosystems, allowing data from animals to be analyzed alongside environmental sensors (e.g., temperature, humidity) for more comprehensive monitoring.
Improved Battery Efficiency: Advances in battery technology, such as solar-powered trackers or ultra-low power communication protocols, will likely extend the lifespan of devices and reduce the need for frequent charging.
5G Networks: As 5G networks become more widespread, cellular animal trackers will benefit from faster data speeds and lower latency, allowing for even more precise and immediate monitoring.

Animal Watch 365 offers Cellular (GSM/3G/4G) Tracking products.
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Applications of Cellular (GSM/3G/4G) Tracking for Pets and Livestock

Cellular (GSM/3G/4G) tracking technology has several valuable applications in tracking pets and livestock. Below are some key use cases:

Pets: Cellular tracking devices can be attached to pet collars, providing real-time location data. Pet owners can track their pets on their phones, ensuring they are safe and preventing them from getting lost.
Livestock: Livestock like cattle, sheep, and horses can be fitted with tracking collars or ear tags. Farmers can monitor the location of animals in real-time, which helps prevent straying, loss, or theft.

Pets: A geofence is a virtual boundary that, when crossed by a pet, triggers an alert to the owner’s mobile This is especially useful for pets that roam freely, ensuring they stay within a designated area.
Livestock: For livestock, geofencing can help monitor and manage grazing patterns, ensuring animals don’t wander into dangerous areas like roads or off-limits zones.

Pets: Cellular tracking devices often come with activity sensors that track a pet’s daily movements, exercise, and sleep This can help owners monitor the health and well- being of their pets.
Livestock: Monitoring the activity levels of livestock can be critical for ensuring proper health, identifying early signs of illness or distress, and monitoring breeding behaviors.

Pets: If a pet goes missing or is stolen, the GPS tracker can help locate and recover the pet quickly, even in urban or remote areas.
Livestock: Livestock theft is a significant concern for A GSM-based tracking system can help in recovering stolen animals by locating their exact position, especially in areas where traditional security is lacking.

Pets: Some tracking collars can also include environmental sensors, which can detect temperature, humidity, or other environmental This helps pet owners ensure their pets are in safe, comfortable environments.
Livestock: Cellular-based trackers can monitor environmental conditions like temperature and humidity, alerting farmers if the animals are in distress due to harsh weather

Pets: Tracking devices that also record behaviors, such as barking, can help understand a pet’s emotional or physical state. For example, excessive barking could indicate anxiety or discomfort, which can be addressed early.
Livestock: Monitoring behavior like grazing patterns or rest periods can give farmers insights into herd dynamics, including the detection of sick or injured animals.

Pets: In rural or remote areas, cellular tracking can act as a virtual fence when combined with a GPS system, helping to keep pets within a designated area even without physical fences.
Livestock: This is particularly useful for large-scale farms or ranches where physical barriers might not be feasible. It can also reduce the need for costly infrastructure.

Livestock: For farmers, cellular trackers can monitor breeding cycles and detect changes in behavior that may indicate the optimal time for breeding. This is useful for managing herds and maximizing productivity.

Pets and Livestock: Cellular tracking devices can be used to collect data for research purposes, such as studying animal migration patterns, behavior, and habitat This data can help improve welfare standards and inform conservation efforts.

Livestock: Traditional livestock monitoring systems, like RFID, often require expensive infrastructure. Cellular tracking can be more cost-effective, especially in remote areas where cellular networks have broad coverage.

Case Examples

Livestock Monitoring and Management

Farmers in rural parts of the U.S. often use cellular-based tracking systems to monitor livestock, particularly cattle, in large pastures. Devices like those from Cowlar and others use GSM/4G cellular networks to track the location of individual animals, providing farmers with real-time data about their movements. This is especially helpful for preventing theft, ensuring livestock are not wandering into dangerous areas, or simply keeping track of herd location.

Tracking of High-Value Livestock for Security

In regions of the U.S. with high rates of livestock theft, cellular tracking devices are used to secure high-value animals, such as dairy cows or racehorses. These trackers can be placed on the animal’s collar or harness and use 3G or 4G networks to send location updates. Alerts can be set up to notify the owner if the animal is moved beyond a certain geographical boundary, making it easier to recover stolen animals.

Equine Tracking for Ranches and Farms

Equine trackers, such as those from Tracer, utilize GSM and 4G LTE technology to monitor the location and movement of horses. These trackers are particularly useful on ranches or for competitive equestrian events, ensuring that horses are always accounted for, especially during long rides or in large enclosures where visibility may be limited.

Remote Livestock Monitoring in Rural Canada

In Canada, particularly in the vast rural regions of Alberta and Saskatchewan, farmers use cellular-based tracking solutions to monitor the location and health of livestock, especially in remote areas. Products like Livestock Monitoring System (LMS) provide real-time GPS tracking and health data on cattle, making it easier to manage large herds spread over large distances. These systems utilize cellular networks to provide continuous, reliable data even in remote locations where traditional methods of tracking might fail.

Pet GPS Trackers (Collar-Based)

In the U.S., cellular-based pet GPS trackers, such as those by Whistle or Link AKC, are used to track pets in real-time. These devices leverage 4G LTE networks to transmit location data to a smartphone app, providing pet owners with alerts if their animal leaves a designated safe zone. The trackers can also monitor pet activity levels, making them a popular choice for keeping pets safe and healthy.

Animal Watch 365’s Products Related to Wi-Fi Tracking for Pets and Livestock Comply with

Cellular (GSM/3G/4G) tracking devices used for pet and livestock tracking in the U.S. must comply with a range of regulations to ensure their legal use and functionality. Key regulations that may apply include:

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Regulations:

FCC Authorization: Any device that transmits radio signals (like GSM/3G/4G tracking devices) must be approved by the FCC. This includes obtaining certifications such as the FCC ID to ensure compliance with radio frequency (RF) standards.
Electromagnetic Interference: Devices must also meet limits on electromagnetic interference (EMI) to prevent interference with other communication devices.

Wireless Telecommunications Regulations:

Wireless Communication Service Regulations: These include rules for spectrum usage and power limits for devices that transmit over cellular networks, ensuring that the devices do not interfere with licensed wireless communications. This is particularly important for devices utilizing GSM, 3G, or 4G networks.
Carrier Network Agreements: Manufacturers must ensure their devices are compatible with the specific wireless carriers used for cellular connectivity (such as Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.), and must abide by carrier regulations regarding usage and network access.

Animal Welfare Regulations:

S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) & Animal Welfare Act: While the Animal Welfare Act primarily applies to the treatment and care of animals in research or commercial settings, devices used for monitoring livestock or pets may need to adhere to certain care standards and operational guidelines to ensure they don’t cause harm or discomfort to animals.

Consumer Product Safety:

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC): Devices must comply with the safety standards that apply to consumer products, which could include non-toxic materials, battery safety, and any electronic hazard protections.
Battery Disposal and Hazard Regulations: If the device uses rechargeable or replaceable batteries, it must comply with regulations surrounding battery disposal, safety, and recycling, such as those under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Privacy and Data Protection:

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Regulations: The tracking device must comply with privacy regulations, especially if personal data is collected about the pet or livestock This includes adherence to rules about data storage, sharing, and consumer consent.
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and Other State Regulations: Depending on the state, additional data privacy and consumer protection laws may apply, such as CCPA in California, which gives consumers rights over their personal data.

Environmental Regulations:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regulations: Manufacturers must ensure that their products meet environmental regulations regarding waste, recycling, and disposal of electronic components. For example, electronic waste (e-waste) regulations could apply if the device is disposed of improperly.

By complying with these regulations, companies like Animal Watch 365 can ensure that their pet and livestock tracking devices are legally and safely sold and used in the U.S.

In Canada, cellular-based tracking systems, such as those used for pet and livestock tracking, must comply with a range of regulations, primarily focused on telecommunications, privacy, and consumer safety. Here are some key regulations that Animal Watch 365’s products would need to comply with:

Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) Regulations

The CRTC regulates telecommunication services in Canada, including wireless Any GSM/3G/4G-based tracking device would need to ensure that it operates on frequencies approved by the CRTC and complies with the Canadian Radio Frequency Spectrum requirements.
Compliance with the Radiocommunication Act and Radiocommunication Regulations is required, particularly ensuring the devices do not interfere with other communication systems.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)

ISED governs the use of radio frequencies and the certification of wireless Products like GPS tracking devices need to adhere to ISED’s guidelines and certification processes.
For any cellular-based tracking devices, they must meet the Radio Standards Specifications (RSS), which ensure that devices don’t cause harmful interference and meet specific technical performance standards.

Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)

If the tracking device collects personal data (such as pet owners’ information or location data), compliance with PIPEDA is This law governs how personal data should be handled, ensuring transparency and consent when data is collected, used, or disclosed.
Given that pet and livestock tracking devices may involve data collection, the company would need to have clear privacy policies and possibly user consent for collecting, storing, and using location information.

Consumer Protection Legislation

Tracking devices sold in Canada must meet general consumer protection regulations under the Competition Act and the Consumer Protection Act. These regulations ensure that products are safe, properly labelled, and function as advertised.
If the product is being sold directly to consumers, there are rules about warranties, returns, and general fairness in marketing practices.

Health Canada (If Applicable)

If the tracking device has any health-related applications or is intended to be used in close proximity to animals for veterinary purposes, Health Canada may regulate it under the Food and Drugs Act. However, this typically only applies if the device has medical or therapeutic claims.

Environmental Regulations

Devices that use batteries or other electronic components must comply with environmental regulations regarding recycling and disposal, such as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations or equivalent Canadian standards.
The company may also need to meet specific standards for product design to ensure sustainability and reduce environmental impact.

Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL)

If the tracking device communicates with mobile apps or sends notifications to users, it may need to comply with CASL, which governs how electronic messages are sent to users. This includes ensuring that all communications are permission-based and users can easily opt out.

Animal Watch 365 should ensure that all devices are properly certified, meet the required frequency and technical standards, protect consumer privacy, and adhere to safety and environmental requirements.

The international standards that Cellular (GSM/3G/4G) tracking systems for pet and livestock tracking generally need to comply with include a combination of telecommunications, safety, and data protection standards. Below are some key international standards relevant to these products:

Telecommunications Standards

ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) Standards: Cellular tracking devices often need to comply with the standards set by ETSI, which ensures that the devices operate efficiently within mobile networks (e.g., GSM, 3G, 4G). ETSI standards cover aspects like radio frequency usage, power levels, and interoperability.
3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project): The 3GPP is responsible for setting standards for cellular technologies like GSM, UMTS (3G), LTE (4G), and others. Devices should adhere to these standards for data transmission, security, and compatibility across different networks globally.

Radio Frequency and EMC Compliance

FCC (Federal Communications Commission):In the U.S., any device that transmits radio frequencies, including cellular tracking systems, must meet the FCC regulations for RF emissions. This includes ensuring that the device does not interfere with other communications systems.

CE Marking (Conformité Européenne): In Europe, devices must comply with CE marking requirements, ensuring that they meet the safety, health, and environmental protection standards set by the European Union.
IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission):Standards from IEC ensure electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), meaning that the device should not emit interference and must be resistant to external interference that could impact its performance.

Data Protection and Privacy Standards

GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation):If the tracking system collects, stores, or processes personal data (e.g., location data), it must comply with GDPR in the EU, ensuring the privacy and security of individuals’ personal data.
ISO/IEC 27001 (Information Security Management Systems):This international standard sets the criteria for an information security management system (ISMS) and may apply if the tracking system involves storing or processing sensitive data.

Animal Welfare and Industry-Specific Standards

ISO 17025 (General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories):If the product involves specific testing for its impact on animals or its environmental safety, manufacturers may need to ensure compliance with ISO 17025 to certify the accuracy and reliability of testing.
OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health):Although there is no specific OIE standard for tracking devices, any system used in veterinary or livestock management must be in line with OIE guidelines for animal health, especially for devices that affect animal behavior or well-being.

Battery and Safety Standards

UN 3 (UN Manual of Tests and Criteria for Lithium Batteries):Tracking devices powered by lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries must comply with international safety standards for batteries, including testing for transport safety and risk of fire or explosion.
IEC 62133 (Safety requirements for portable sealed secondary cells and batteries): Ensures the safe design and operation of batteries within the device, particularly regarding issues like overheating or leakage.

Environmental Standards

RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive):A European directive that restricts the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, ensuring that tracking devices are free from harmful materials like lead, mercury, and cadmium.

WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive):Also part of EU regulations, this standard ensures that electronic products are properly recycled and disposed of to minimize environmental impact.

By adhering to these international standards, manufacturers ensure that cellular tracking systems for pets and livestock are safe, effective, secure, and environmentally responsible. These standards also promote consumer confidence and compliance across various markets globally.

Animal Watch 365 has developed strong expertise in Cellular (GSM/3G/4G) Tracking for Pet and Livestock. This technology is also referred to by several alternative names, including Mobile Network-Based Tracking, Wireless Network Tracking, GSM/3G/4G Pet/Livestock Tracking, Cellular-

Based Animal Monitoring, Network-Connected Animal Tracking, 4G-enabled Pet/Livestock Tracking, and Cellular Location Tracking for Animals. These terms all highlight the use of cellular networks to monitor and track the location of animals in real-time.

Customers can use Animal Watch 365’s products such as

AnimalWatch365 offers expedited shipping for its products to various destinations across the U.S. and Canada, operating from our hub in Baltimore, MD. We encourage you to reach out if you wish to explore our product offerings or discuss potential partnerships. You can get in touch by completing the inquiry form or contacting us via email.