Why connect a compactor to 4G?
A traditional compactor generates electrical signals at each event (filling level, compaction cycle, breakdown). Without a connection, these signals remain locked in the control cabinet — no one sees them until an operator is physically on site. The 4G connection of the monitoring box changes everything: it makes these signals accessible remotely, in real time, from any browser or smartphone.
4G or NB-IoT connectivity is the technical foundation of compactor remote management on an industrial site.
To anticipate collection needs, remote fill level monitoring is detailed hereThanks to compactor remote management, data flows without human intervention from the electrical cabinet to the cloud.
Remote fill level monitoring complements 4G data transmission
Data transmission: 4G, NB-IoT and MQTT
4G is the most suitable choice for several reasons. Coverage in mainland France is almost universal with the three main operators (Orange, SFR, Bouygues). The bandwidth is sufficient to transmit IoT data (a few kilobytes per message) without excessive consumption. And the latency — less than 100 milliseconds — allows for almost instantaneous updating of the compactor status on the dashboard.
NB-IoT: the solution for harsh environments
Not all compactors are surface installed with good cellular reception. Some are located in parking basements, in closed technical rooms or in rural areas with low coverage. For these environments, NB-IoT (Narrowband IoT) is the appropriate solution.
NB-IoT is a Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technology designed specifically for IoT communications. Its main characteristic: excellent penetration indoors and underground. Where classic 4G fails, NB-IoT passes. The monitoring box automatically switches between 4G LTE and NB-IoT depending on the quality of the available signal — without human intervention.
Multi-operator: maximum coverage
The box uses a multi-operator SIM with automatic IMSI. Concretely, if the Orange signal weakens, the box instantly switches to SFR or Bouygues without losing the connection. This approach guarantees maximum availability: the box remains reachable even if a network operator experiences an outage or a degraded coverage area.
Multi-IMSI SIM: how it works
A multi-IMSI (Identity Module Subscriber Identity) SIM contains multiple operator profiles stored simultaneously. When the box initializes, it tests the signal quality of each registered operator and selects the best one. In the event of degradation, it switches automatically. The user does not have to do anything — everything is transparent.
This approach has a logistical advantage: a single SIM to manage, a single subscription, unified billing. The end user only sees one virtual operator while the box potentially uses three physical networks.
What the box transmits: the data in detail
Each event on the compactor generates a data frame sent by the box to the platform. Here is what is actually transmitted:
Level event. When the ¾ full or full signal changes state, the box sends: the compactor identifier, the type of event (¾ full or full), the timestamp to the nearest second, and the GPS location if available.
Anomaly event. When the emergency stop is triggered, the oil level is low or the collection box is missing, the box sends a priority alert with the exact timestamp of the event.
Heartbeat. Even when no event occurs, the box sends a periodic life signal (approximately every hour) which confirms that it is still powered and connected. If the heartbeat disappears, the platform alerts the operator: the box may be broken or without power.
The MQTT protocol: designed for IoT
MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) is the communication protocol used to transmit data from the box to the platform. Unlike HTTP, MQTT is designed for constrained environments: limited bandwidth, variable latency, low consumption devices.
MQTT works in publish/subscribe mode. The box publishes the data (publish). The platform subscribes to topics that interest it (subscribe). When a new event occurs, the message is transmitted immediately — no polling, no delay. End-to-end latency is less than 100 milliseconds.
Communications security
All communications are encrypted. The box uses TLS (Transport Layer Security) to establish a secure connection with the server. Authentication of the box with the platform is done by X.509 certificate — no password likely to be intercepted or guessed.
The box itself is SSH accessible for technical support only, with SSH keys saved. SSH access is disabled by default and is only enabled upon explicit customer request for diagnostic operations.
Over The Air (OTA) Updates
The box receives its firmware updates remotely, without physical intervention on site. When a new version of the embedded software is available, it is automatically deployed on all connected devices during off-peak hours (between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.). The process is transparent to the end user.
OTA allows you to add new features (new types of alerts, API integration), fix bugs and strengthen security without travel costs. This is a major advantage compared to solutions that require on-site intervention for each update.
Installing the box: what you need to know
Power. The box plugs into the compactor’s 24V AC cabinet. There is no internal battery for main power — the box uses power from the compactor. A backup battery ensures continuity in the event of a power outage.
Connection. The box connects to the digital inputs of the cabinet via a cable provided. No special wiring is required — the box comes pre-configured. Installation time is approximately 15 minutes per compactor.
Configuration. 4G pairing is automatic. As soon as it is powered on, the box searches for the best available network and connects to the platform. The user does not have to perform any network manipulation.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if the 4G network is unavailable?
The box automatically switches to NB-IoT. If neither network is available, data is stored in local memory (up to 1000 events) and transmitted as soon as the connection is reestablished.
Is data consumption high?
No. An event represents a few kilobytes. In normal use (a few dozen events per day), monthly data consumption is less than 50 MB — well below the available data plans.
Do you need a SIM card with a specific plan?
No. The box integrates a multi-operator SIM with an IoT data plan included in the monthly subscription. No additional SIM card or subscription purchase is necessary.
In summary
Connecting a compactor to 4G turns a mute device into an accessible remote data source. The combination of 4G LTE + NB-IoT + multi-operator SIM guarantees maximum connectivity, even in the toughest environments. The MQTT protocol ensures fast and secure transmissions. OTA updates allow the system to evolve without on-site intervention.
Discover our complete solution: compactor supervision box — IOTINNOV.
🔧 Do you manage a fleet of compactors? Discover our dedicated IoT remote management solution : real-time monitoring, email alerts, prediction of the next fill-up. Once connected, your equipment joins the compactor remote management platform. Un besoin similaire sur votre parc ? Échangeons 10 minutes — sans engagementÀ lire aussi