2G mobile data has coverage and ongoing support issues. Ryjen's product used 2G a telematic function, this will stop working when it is switched off. During the year 2024/25 Ryjen carried out a project to research what to use instead, develop the solution to integrate it with our product and test it.
The project aimed to eliminate dependency on 2G-based communication systems used by our embedded electronic control unit, as 2G networks are being phased out. At the start of the project, the existing scientific and engineering knowledge I have did not provide clear guidance on which alternative communication technology to select or how to integrate it effectively into our device. Specifically, there was uncertainty around the technical challenges of incorporating 3G, 4G LTE, or other wireless technologies within the constraints of our hardware, including power consumption, PCB design, software integration and ensuring reliable network connectivity.
The project sought to improve this knowledge by researching, testing, and developing new hardware and firmware solutions to successfully transition from 2G to a suitable next-generation communication system.
The project aimed to achieve an advance in the integration of a 4G LTE communication solution into our existing embedded control unit (ECU), replacing the legacy 2G system. There was no clear or proven method for integrating this technology into our system, which operates under strict constraints around power consumption, physical space, and firmware compatibility. The intended advance was to generate new technical knowledge around the evaluation, configuration, and integration of 4G LTE modules into a custom ECU design — including the development of a suitable PCB layout and communication firmware capable of reliably managing LTE connectivity. Achieving this required original research, testing, and iterative development to assess feasibility and performance, as the available reference designs and documentation did not directly support our system requirements.