The Griffin Air is a long-life, ultra-rugged, battery-powered asset tracking device designed for global logistics and supply chain applications, including air cargo, with airline-certified smart sensing that automatically disables cellular transmissions while in flight, continues to log location and sensor data, and seamlessly resumes normal operation once back on the ground.

Combined with multi-network cellular connectivity, intelligent power management, and advanced location technologies, Griffin Air delivers reliable indoor and outdoor asset visibility across all transport modes in a single deploy-once solution.
 

Key Features:

• Global Connectivity: Connect almost anywhere in the world with a cellular network with 4G Cat 1bis and 2G fallback.
• Certified for Air Cargo: Track cargo everywhere, Airline Certified Automatic Flight Detection, smart environmental sensing disables transmissions during flight while continuing to log data.
• Indoor/Outdoor Location Asset Tracking: Onboard multi-constellation GNSS, Wi-Fi AP MAC Address Scanning, and Cell Tower location for indoor/outdoor asset management.
• Cloud-based location solving: Cloud-based location solving for substantial power savings when using Wi-Fi and Cell Tower scanning.
• Bluetooth® 5.2 Gateway: Report on Bluetooth Tags and Sensors to enable wireless Condition Monitoring, Tagged Asset Management, and more.
• Adaptive Tracking Technology: Tracks assets when they’re on the move and enters sleep mode when stationary to conserve energy.
• Impact, Tip & Rotation Detection.
• Geofencing & Location Alerts.
• Run Hour Monitoring & Asset Utilisation.
• Deploy-Once Battery Life: 2+ years on 3 x AA user-replaceable batteries with ‘battery low’ and ‘battery critical’ alerts.
• Ultra-Rugged: Waterproof and rugged IP67 Housing.

Griffin Air Key Info and Resources

Key Technical Specifications

• 3-5.5V input voltage range
  • LiFeS2 batteries recommended

• 4G Cat 1bis with 2G fallback modem
• Internal Nano 4FF SIM
   

Device Manager Documentation

Device parameters and firmware are configured via our Device Manager interface. Make sure to check out the resources here. In particular, Device Manager - Getting Started.
 

Technical Support and Advice

Digital Matter partners should Contact Support for any product issues or enquiries.

For default tracking parameters, check out this article.

For more information on how to configure Bluetooth Scanning, see Bluetooth Scanning.

Initial Provisioning

This guide is intended to assist new users in getting a Griffin Air online for the first time. Once you have some experience with the device, this process may change slightly.

For example, you may wish to queue firmware and parameter updates before inserting a SIM and batteries - so that the device picks up new settings once it gets online.
 

Provisioning Process

1. Provision on Tracking Platform

While this is not specifically required to 'fire up' a device, it is generally helpful to do this step first as it will mean if all goes according to plan, we'll simply see our device appear online in this platform. 
 

2. Insert SIM Card

The Griffin Air uses a Nano (4FF) SIM Card. The device operates on 4G Cat 1bis & 2G networks, and as such requires a specific SIM card from these networks. 

Locate the silver SIM holder on the PCB. There is an image on the silkscreen which shows the SIM orientation. Slide the SIM into the holder with the keyed corner first and the SIM contacts oriented down to the main board.

3. Insert Batteries 

Insert the batteries, following the markings on the battery holder indicating the polarity. The springs are the negative terminals. 
 

4. Getting Online

Once the batteries are inserted, the internal LED will come on and flash. The device will do the following:

1. Connect to the server: If the SIM card works, the device will connect to the OEM Server and attempt to download any firmware and parameter updates, then fetch fresh GPS aiding data.
2. Get a GPS Fix: The device will attempt to get a GPS fix. You can speed this up by moving to an area with a good GPS signal.
3. Reconnect to the server: The device will attempt to connect again to upload the result of the GPS Fix.

If the device does not complete these steps in 10 minutes, it will go to sleep and try again on the next heartbeat or the next trip start.
 

 Mounting and Installation

The Griffin Air can be mounted onto an asset to be tracked using screws, bolts, cable ties, magnets, or industrial adhesives. 

When choosing a mounting point, you have two competing goals

• To minimise the chances of the device being accidentally crushed, dislodged or discovered by a thief
• To maximise the GNSS and mobile reception and provide adequate ventilation.

Key mounting notes:

• Avoid installing the box completely enclosed in a metal box
• Avoid installing in a location that will result in elevated temperatures. For instance, mounting the device in direct sunlight on the dash of a non-ventilated cabin may cook the batteries, leading to abnormally short service life. 
• Try to orient the GNSS antenna towards the sky where possible (screw heads facing down)
  • The best possible mounting location for optimal GPS reception gives a clear, 180-degree view of the sky and is free from obstructions.
• If installing in a potentially low signal environment, check the signal strengths reported in device data

Default Tracking Parameters

By default, the Griffin Air is set up for GPS movement-based tracking. The following default settings apply:

Update Rate:

• Out of Trip (stationary): 12-hour heartbeats. This is a position and an upload every 12 hours.
• In Trip (on the move):
  • Upload on movement detection.
  • GPS point every 2 minutes.
  • Upload every 30 minutes.
  • End a trip after 5 minutes of no accelerometer movement.
  • Upload on movement end.

The defaults provide a good starting point, but it is important to monitor and tweak your settings to ensure the battery life is acceptable. Contact support if you require assistance. 

Special Tracking Parameters

The System Parameters that are specific to the Griffin Air are the following:

• Barometer
• Ground Mode (Adv)
• Location Preferences (Adv)
• Geolocation (Adv)

These features are configurable to a certain degree. Read more about these in the following articles:

• Configuring Ground Mode
• Location Preferences - Griffin Air