The Thorcom® VLR200 is a high performance vehicle tracking, location and telemetry unit combining a 50 channel GPS receiver and quad band GSM/GPRS communications in a robust unit suitable for a wide range of vehicle monitoring and mobile data applications.

The VLR200 is the latest development in GPS/GSM vehicle location and telemetry systems by Thorcom® and represents over 15 years experience implementing GPS positioning and vehcile location systems.

VLR200 brings together best-in-class 50 channel GPS receiver that includes Satellite Based Augmentation Service (SBAS), quad band 850/900/1800/1900MHz GSM/GPRS communications technology for world-wide radio coverage, analogue and digital inputs/outputs for telemetry and on-board data processing using the Java™ J2ME programming environment.

The VLR200 is small, lightweight and robust and is easily installed in the majority of vehicles and can be used with permanent antennas, temporary (mag-mount) antennas or a range of covert antennas.

VLR200 connects to the vehicle battery and uses an ignition sense (engine on) signal to power on and off automatically without user intervention. The unit operates over an extended supply range and is suitable for use with both 12V and 24V vehicles.

Four telemetry inputs can monitor indications such as a “panic” switch, hand-brake on/off, blue-lights on, door opened or other signals. An analogue input allows voltages to be measured over the range 0-36V and two open collector outputs allow relays, solenoids or other control devices to be operated.

An alarm input allows connection of a vehicle security alarm and a “force off” input allows the unit to be shut down in areas where transmissions are not permitted such as petrochemical sites or security restricted areas or disabled for privacy reasons when installed in privately owned staff cars when the staff member is off duty.

The VLR200 transmits location updates to any host that is reachable from the GSM network via IP networking – either over the GSM operator's public internet connection or over a private GPRS APN in a corporate environment.

Vehicle location information can be delivered to host computer systems, job despatch systems, or command and control systems via the Thorcom resource location gateway (ARL Gateway) or can be accessed via a web-based managed services such as Xlocate®.

Network Support

VLR200 is fully compliant with GSM release 99 and works on the vast majority of GSM/GPRS networks throughout the world including Europe, North America, South America, Africa and Asia.

When operating on EGSM (850/900MHz) the unit operates as a Class-4 device with a maximum transmission power of 2W (+33dBm) - when operating on DCS/PCN (1800/1900MHz) the unit operates as a Class-1 device with a maximum power of 1W (+30dBm).

The unit accepts a standard 3.3V or 1.8V GSM 11.11 SIM card by removing the rear panel and inserting the SIM in to the card holder.

Data communications over GPRS can be acheived using the network operators default APN and accessing the internet or via a dedicated APN in to corpiorate infrastructure. Thorcom is experienced in the design and installation of GPRS network operators and has implemented systems on Vodafone, Orange and O2 in the UK and Ireland.

ARL Gateway

The Thorcom Automatic Resource Location (ARL) Gateway can be used to manage a fleet of vehicles and other devices and to 'land' location data transmitted them.

ARL Gateway outputs data in Simple Vehicle Location Protocol (SVLP) - a simple to read/understand/implement ASCII format or Thorcom Resource Location Protocol (TRLP) a structured XML format.