Ground Control launches dual-mode RTU for reliable remote monitoring in utility and environmental sectors

Ground Control has launched the RockBLOCK RTU Micrologger, a compact, low-power, dual-mode remote telemetry unit built to serve critical infrastructure operators with widely dispersed assets.

Purpose-built for remote monitoring, the device captures and transmits sensor data via Iridium SBD, NTN NB-IoT, or cellular, offering a seamless, low-cost way to retrieve critical information from even the most hard-to-reach locations. This makes it especially valuable for water utilities and environmental monitoring teams needing to collect small but important data points, like tank levels, flow rates, or pressure, on a daily or event-driven basis from sites well beyond the reach of terrestrial or LoRaWAN networks.

Key features include:

• Dual-mode connectivity: Iridium SBD + NTN NB-IoT for global, always-on coverage

• Ultra-low power consumption: Ideal for solar or battery-powered deployments

• Sensor compatibility: Supports analog and digital sensor inputs

• Compact and rugged: Built for tough field conditions with minimal installation overhead

Pilot projects are currently underway in the UK and North America, with the dual-mode Iridium/cellular version available now and the NTN NB-IoT enabled devices ready for customer testing at the end of September.

Alastair MacLeod, CEO at Ground Control, said: “You don’t need a complex system just to collect a couple of sensor readings a day. You need something simple, reliable, and built for the real world. That’s what the RockBLOCK RTU delivers.”