Solo 5G real-time tracking for supply chain visibility

Supply chain management in a large variety of sectors relies on on-time and uncompromised delivery of goods. Increasingly, efficient supply chains require tracking of shipment conditions in real time. Next to handling of perishable goods, high-tech electronics and specialty foods, the distribution of pharmaceutical products, such as vaccines, is particularly highly regulated.

Therefore, manufacturers are obligated to cover distribution in their overall quality system and must often adapt to adhere to current Good Distribution Practices as in the pharmaceutical or perishable goods supply chain (also see PDA Technical Report #52). One of the most regulated parameters in supply chain management is temperature, which determines not only the lifetime, but the usability of a product, often requiring a product lifetime temperature profile within a narrow band.

Therefore, reliable temperature monitoring in the complexity of a modern logistics network requires trustworthy data loggers, which are increasingly (pushed by regulations such as EN 12830) accepted only with certification from accredited laboratories (ISO 17025).

Tive’s in-transit visibility solution replaces passive data loggers with real-time visibility into the location and condition (temperature, humidity, shock and light) of sensitive cold chain goods such as pharmaceuticals. And with Sensirion’s cutting-edge three-point calibrated sensors, Tive continues to expedite the delivery of ISO-certified industry-compliant solutions that fit the demanding requirements of shippers and logistics service providers (LSPs) focused on moving life-saving vaccines and their ingredients.

“Tive helps customers and LSPs manage critical shipments and take actions to eliminate preventable delays and damage,” said Martin Forest, VP, Technology & Operations at Tive. “Condition monitoring is key – it must be real-time, hyper-accurate and compliant. With Sensirion, we are confident that our products have the very best components available so we can focus on improving our solutions and delivering even more to our customers.”

The SHT33 integrates Sensirion’s established digital humidity sensing capabilities and new high-accuracy ISO 17025-certified digital temperature sensing, optimised for cold and frozen chain applications, on a single chip. Relying on the industry-proven CMOSens Technology, the sensor offers computational power combined with highest reliability and accuracy specifications. Its functionality includes fast and energy-saving signal processing, two distinct and user-selectable I2C addresses and communication speeds of up to 1 MHz.

The DFN package has a footprint of 2.5x2.5mm2 while keeping a height of 0.9mm. Every SHT33 is identified by its unique serial number and is supplied with an ISO 17025-accredited calibration certificate. The calibration certificate comprises three temperatures, -30, +5 and 70°C. Calibration certificates and data for each SHT33 sensor can be downloaded from a server address given in the shipment documents, enabling efficient processing by automated systems.

In turn, SHT33 users not only embed sensor hardware into their product but are also able to merge the provided calibration data from the sensor with the calibration information needed for their dataloggers, greatly streamlining assembly and testing processes. “Tive’s innovative tracking solutions are the perfect application for our ISO 17025-certified humidity and temperature sensors, offering highly reliable, accurate and GDP-compliant sensor technology. Taking this disruptive approach, Tive and Sensirion are revolutionising cost-efficient temperature tracking in supply chain management,” added Matthias Scharfe, product manager for humidity and temperature sensors at Sensirion.