Batteries for Smart Pallet Applications

The logistics can get complicated when shipping goods as there may be several stops and transfers along the supply chain. To ensure that shipped goods move efficiently through the supply chain and reach their destination on time, accurate tracking is crucial. Smart pallet tracking technology allows for accurate, end-to-end tracking of pallets and containers of shipped goods as they move through the supply chain. This technology allows shippers to track their pallets via pallet tracking devices for real-time updates on their location and condition.

Smart pallet technology relies on battery-powered GPS pallet tracking devices and RFID tags that provide updates on the location, movement, and condition of the pallets. These tracking devices and tags need a durable, long-lasting battery that allows them to continuously transmit data.

At Nichicon, we provide lithium titanium-oxide (LTO) batteries that can be used for smart pallet applications. Our LTO batteries have rapid charge/ discharge and energy harvesting abilities to provide long-lasting power while rarely needing to be replaced. The uninterrupted power from our LTO batteries will keep GPS pallet tracking devices operational through the entire journey through the supply chain to ensure end-to-end tracking and management.

What is a Smart Pallet Battery?

Smart pallet technology allows logistics managers to get regular, real-time updates of the location of shipped goods along the supply chain as well as the storage conditions, including temperature and humidity level. This technology can also provide movement alerts, trip history data, and impact detection. Smart pallet tracking works by putting RFID sensors and tags and GPS tracking devices on the pallets that can be tracked and managed with corresponding software. The GPS tracking devices and tags provide regular updates for real-time tracking.

For smart pallet technology to be effective, GPS pallet tracking devices and active RFID tags need a battery that can be trusted to operate through the entire supply chain. These batteries must be durable and require little maintenance while being able to perform in various environmental conditions.

Nichicon provides batteries for smart pallet applications that can keep pallet tracking devices powered from when they are shipped until they reach their destination. Our LTO batteries have a long cycle lifespan, (25,000 or more), and can provide power for pallet tracking devices for their entire journey through the supply chain. These batteries are also low maintenance and when combined with a energy harvesting device or RF wireless charging, they do not need to be replaced. They can operate in the hot and cold storage environments that your pallets may encounter. Our LTO batteries can also withstand physical abuse like crushing or puncturing without explosion or ignition.

What Makes Nichicon Batteries Great for Smart Pallet Applications?

With Nichicon’s LTO batteries, you do not have to worry about the operation of your GPS tracking devices as our long-lasting batteries have rapid charge/ discharge abilities to provide uninterrupted power though the entire shipping process. Our batteries can also operate in any storage or shipping conditions and require little maintenance, so they rarely need to be replaced.

The following characteristics make LTO batteries from Nichicon great for smart pallet applications:

Rapid charging: Our LTO batteries have rapid charging abilities and can fully charge in 3 minutes, allowing them to provide consistent power to pallet tracking devices and tags.
Micro-size: These cylindrical batteries have a 3-millimeter diameter and can fit in constrained spaces in tracking devices and tags.
Long life: Our LTO batteries have a lifespan of more than 25,000 charge/ discharge cycles and can power pallet tracking devices and sensors for a long time before requiring replacement.
Maintenance free: Our maintenance free LTO batteries provide dependable performance while rarely needing to be replaced.
Sustainable: Our LTO batteries are a sustainable solution as they are RoHS compliant and comply with all environmental requirements.
High power density: Our high-power density PTO batteries deliver long-lasting performance for pallet tracking devices and tags.
High safety: Our LTO batteries can operate safely in hot and cold environments with low risk of ignition or explosion. This makes them ideal for use in a wide range of storage environments. Our LTO batteries can withstand physical abuse like crushing or puncturing without explosion or ignition.
Low temperature: Our LTO batteries can charge and discharge effectively in extreme cold temperatures as low as -30°C.
High power discharge: It only takes 3 minutes for our LTO batteries to discharge which allows them to provide continuous power to pallet tracking devices for real-time updates.
UL 1642, IEC 62133-2 certified
ISO 9001, IATF 16949 & ISO 14001 certified

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Nichicon’s LTO batteries for smart pallet applications are maintenance free and provide long-lasting power so smart pallet tags and tracking devices can provide consistent updates for real-time tracking. Our LTO batteries can also withstand a wide range of storage conditions, including hot and cold temperatures.

Do you have questions about our LTO batteries? Contact Nichicon or one of our distributors or sales representatives in your area for more about how our batteries can be used for your smart pallet applications.

What is a Lithium Titanate Battery (LTO)?

The lithium titanate battery (LTO) shares many characteristics with the lithium-ion battery. One difference is the LTO anode. An LTO battery uses lithium titanate oxide, while a lithium-ion battery uses carbon. By using lithium titanate, the battery has a significant performance improvement.

How is placing the Nichicon SLB (LTO battery) on a PCB different than a Lithium Titanate or other battery?

The SLB is a battery with long leads, just like a standard capacitor. The leaded profile allows for soldering directly to the circuit board using hand soldering or a select solder technique. Lithium Titanate batteries require an additional mounting bracket or holder placed on a circuit board. The Nichicon SLB (LTO) take less board space allowing them to be used in very compact or densely populated circuit boards.

What is the difference between the Nichicon (SLB) LTO and Lithium-Ion Batteries?

LTO batteries are safer; they have an extremely small risk of ignition if there is a short. The SLB, Nichicon’s LTO battery, has superior charge and discharge capabilities, such as a 20C charge rate. Even higher rates are possible with pulsed discharges, like those used in telecommunications.

What are the advantages of the Nichicon SLB series (LTO battery)?

‘The SLB can withstand up to 25,000 charge/discharge cycles and have a lower cold temperature rating than a lithium-ion battery. And its low internal resistance allows energy harvesters to charge with weak currents without loss. They will not ignite if a short occurs. In addition to the advantages previously mentioned, the SLB comes in aluminum electrolytic case styles and size.

What is the difference between LTO batteries and supercapacitors/electric double-layered capacitors?

LTO batteries provide a substantial increase in capacity and demonstrate minimal self-discharge, distinguishing them from electric double-layer capacitors and enabling prolonged discharge. Remarkably, smaller rechargeable LTO batteries offer an impressive 20-30-fold increase in energy density compared to equivalently sized electric double-layer capacitors. Leveraging this significant advantage, our LTO batteries present a viable alternative to electric double-layer capacitors, delivering consistent power output over extended periods.

What is the difference between LTO batteries and lithium-ion batteries?

Our LTO batteries stand out in terms of their rapid charging, discharging, and extended lifespan, surpassing the capabilities of typical lithium-ion batteries while ensuring enhanced safety. Conventional lithium-ion rechargeable batteries face difficulties in achieving high power discharge, but our LTO batteries effortlessly handle this challenge with exceptional charge/discharge performance and remarkably fast charging times. The ability of LTO batteries to charge rapidly makes them ideal for devices that require quick charging intervals or scenarios. Unlike lithium-ion batteries LTO batteries can also be charged with weaker or low charging currents.

Can Smart Pallet Tags Work Without a Battery?

Smart pallet systems may use passive or active RFID smart pallet tags to track the movement of shipped goods through the supply chain. Passive smart pallet tags do not have an internal power source and can operate without a battery. However, passive smart pallet tags may not update as quickly or transmit as much data as active smart pallet tags.

Active smart pallet tags have their own internal power source and therefore, require a battery to operate. Batteries for smart pallet applications allow for more continuous updates and higher data transmission compared to passive smart pallet tags.

How Often Does a Smart Pallet Tag Need Replacement?

Smart pallet tags depend on batteries that can provide uninterrupted power over a long period of time so they can be tracked any time during their journey through the supply chain. LTO batteries from Nichicon have a long lifespan and rapid charge/ discharge abilities, when combined with energy harvesting or RF charging devices, allowing them to provide continuous power to smart pallet tags and tracking devices without needing to be replaced.