Prototype Development: Wall-Mounted GSM/Satellite Distress Beacon

Job ID: 40231312

Budget: $250 – $750 CAD

Seeking experienced hardware engineer to build a prototype of a wall-mounted emergency device. Specs:

Form Factor: Wall-mounted, compact, durable enclosure (weatherproof if outdoor use intended).
Primary Function: Transmit pre-programmed GPS coordinates to a central monitoring location (e.g., server, app, or emergency service) upon activation for real-time tracking.
Transmission Methods:
Primary: GSM (cellular network) for cost-effective, low-latency sending.
Failover: Satellite (e.g., Iridium or Globalstar network) if GSM unavailable.
Power Source: Battery-powered with optional mini solar panel for recharging.
Standby Battery Life: Minimum 1 year without charging (low-power mode).

User Interface: Single button for activation; 2 LEDs for status feedback.

Key Features
Programming: Device can be programmed with fixed location coordinates (e.g., via USB, Bluetooth app, or initial setup).
Activation Sequence:
Press button once (short press): Activates 2nd LED (glows red) as confirmation; auto-off after 2 minutes if no further action.
To send distress signal: Short press followed by long press (5 seconds).
Upon successful transmission: 2nd LED turns green for 20 seconds, then returns to standby (off).

LED Indicators:
LED 1 (Status): Steady red when device is powered on and ready to transmit. Flashes red if battery <30%.
LED 2 (Activation): Off in standby; red when button pressed; green on successful send.

Transmission Details:
Sends pre-set coordinates (latitude/longitude) to a central receiver.
Real-time tracking: Once activated, device could periodically resend location if movement detected (optional enhancement).

Power Management:
Battery: Long-life (e.g., lithium-thionyl chloride for extended standby).
Solar Support: Mini panel for trickle charging in sunny environments.
Efficiency: Ultra-low power consumption in standby (e.g., <1µA draw) to achieve 1-year life.


Technical Components (Suggested)

Microcontroller: Low-power MCU like ESP32 or STM32 for button logic, LED control, and power management.
Positioning: Built-in GPS module (e.g., u-blox) for coordinate acquisition (though pre-programmed, it could verify on activation).
Communications:
GSM Module: e.g., SIM800/900 for SMS or data transmission.
Satellite Module: e.g., Iridium 9603 or RockBLOCK for short-burst data.

Sensors: Battery voltage monitor for low-battery alert.
Enclosure: IP-rated for dust/moisture resistance; wall-mount brackets.
Certifications: FCC/CE for RF, potentially SAR for safety if wearable variant considered.


Must include GSM primary + satellite failover, 6 mths - 1year battery standby, custom button/LED logic. Provide schematic, PCB, firmware, and 1-2 working units. Timeline: 4-6 weeks. Experience with low-power IoT, GPS/GSM modules required. NDA mandatory.