New Feature Announcement: AWS IoT Core Device Location Service with Amazon Sidewalk Integration
In an exciting development, a new feature has been announced that simplifies the process of resolving location data for devices enabled with Amazon Sidewalk. This integration utilizes the AWS IoT Core Device Location service, effectively removing the need for incorporating GPS modules in Sidewalk devices. This innovation is particularly beneficial for IoT devices that are small and powered by coin cell batteries – such as smart home sensors – as it helps in maintaining optimal battery life and reduces costs associated with GPS hardware.
Simplifying IoT Device Location Tracking
With the launch of this new capability, manufacturers of IoT devices and developers of solution-based applications can now create asset tracking and location monitoring solutions using Sidewalk-enabled devices. These devices can send data through various technologies such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Wi-Fi, or the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) to AWS IoT for location resolution. Once the location data is resolved, it can be sent to an MQTT topic or an AWS IoT rule, which can then route the data to other Amazon Web Services (AWS) offerings. This integration not only simplifies software development but also provides developers with a range of options to choose the optimal location source, thereby improving the overall performance of their products.
Addressing Previous Challenges
This feature addresses several challenges and architectural complexities previously faced by developers and manufacturers. By leveraging the Sidewalk network infrastructure to determine device location, there is no longer a need for power-intensive and costly GPS hardware on the device itself. This enhancement allows devices to efficiently measure and report location data from GNSS and Wi-Fi, thus extending battery life and allowing for the creation of more effective asset tracking and location-aware IoT applications.
Understanding Amazon Sidewalk and AWS IoT Core Device Location
For those who are new to Amazon Sidewalk and the AWS IoT Core Device Location service, a brief overview is in order. Amazon Sidewalk is a shared network designed to enhance device functionality through improved connectivity options. It supports a wide range of customer devices, including those used for locating pets or valuables, smart home security, lighting control, and remote diagnostics for appliances and tools.
Amazon Sidewalk operates as a secure community network using what are known as Sidewalk Gateways or Sidewalk Bridges. These can be devices like compatible Amazon Echo and Ring devices, which provide cloud connectivity for IoT endpoint devices. The network enables low-bandwidth, long-range connectivity both at home and beyond, utilizing BLE for short-distance communication and LoRa along with frequency-shift keying (FSK) radio protocols at 900MHz frequencies to cover longer distances.
Expanding Coverage and Integration
Amazon Sidewalk now provides coverage to more than 90% of the US population and supports long-range connected solutions for communities and enterprises. For instance, users with Ring cameras or Alexa devices that function as Sidewalk Bridges can choose to contribute a small portion of their internet bandwidth to create a shared network. This network benefits all Sidewalk-enabled devices within a community.
In March 2023, AWS IoT Core further strengthened its integration with Amazon Sidewalk, facilitating the seamless provisioning, onboarding, and monitoring of Sidewalk devices using qualified hardware development kits (HDKs), software development kits (SDKs), and sample applications. As of the current date, AWS IoT Core remains the exclusive avenue for customers to connect to the Sidewalk network.
Within the AWS IoT Core console, users can add their Sidewalk devices, provision and register them, and connect their Sidewalk endpoint to the cloud. For more detailed instructions on onboarding your Sidewalk devices, you can refer to the "Getting started with AWS IoT Core for Amazon Sidewalk" section in the AWS IoT Wireless Developer Guide.
Introducing AWS IoT Core Device Location Service
In November 2022, the AWS IoT Core Device Location service was announced. This new feature allows users to obtain the geo-coordinates of their IoT devices even when the device lacks a GPS module. The Device Location service can be utilized as a straightforward request and response HTTP API, or it can be integrated with IoT connectivity pathways such as MQTT, LoRaWAN, and now with Amazon Sidewalk.
In the AWS IoT Core console, users can test the Device Location service to resolve the location of their devices by importing payload data. Resource location is reported as a GeoJSON payload. For more information, you can visit the AWS IoT Core Device Location section in the AWS IoT Core Developer Guide.
Real-World Applications and Industry Demand
Customers across multiple industries such as automotive, supply chain, and industrial tools have expressed a need for simplified solutions like the Device Location service to extract location data from Sidewalk products. This integration streamlines customer software development and provides more options for selecting the optimal location source, ultimately enhancing product performance.
Getting Started with Device Location Integration
To enable the Device Location feature for Sidewalk devices, navigate to the AWS IoT Core for Amazon Sidewalk section under LPWAN devices in the AWS IoT Core console. Choose to provision a device or select an existing device to edit the settings, and activate positioning in the Geolocation option when creating or updating your Sidewalk devices.
When activating positioning, you need to specify a destination where you want to send your location data. This destination can either be an AWS IoT rule or an MQTT topic.
Here is a sample AWS Command Line Interface (AWS CLI) command to enable positioning while provisioning a new Sidewalk device:
bash<br /> aws iotwireless createwireless device --type Sidewalk \<br /> --name "demo-1" --destination-name "New-1" \<br /> --positioning Enabled<br />
Once your Sidewalk device establishes a connection to the Amazon Sidewalk network, the device SDK will send GNSS-, Wi-Fi-, or BLE-based information to AWS IoT Core for Amazon Sidewalk. If positioning is enabled, AWS IoT Core Device Location will resolve the location data and send it to the specified destination. After transmitting location measurement data, the resolved geographic coordinates and a map pin will also be displayed in the position section for the selected device.
Monitoring and Availability
You can monitor the Device Location data between your Sidewalk devices and the AWS Cloud by enabling Amazon CloudWatch Logs for AWS IoT Core. For more information, visit the AWS IoT Core for Amazon Sidewalk section in the AWS IoT Wireless Developer Guide.
The AWS IoT Core Device Location integration with Amazon Sidewalk is now generally available in the US East (N. Virginia) Region. To learn more about use cases, documentation, sample codes, and partner devices, visit the AWS IoT Core for Amazon Sidewalk product page.
Give it a try in the AWS IoT Core console and share feedback via AWS re:Post for AWS IoT Core or through your usual AWS Support contacts.
For more information, you can visit the AWS IoT Core for Amazon Sidewalk product page.
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