Aplicom Tracking Devices Guide: A, C & Q Series Comparison

The Ultimate Guide to Aplicom D Protocol Tracking Devices

For over 25 years, the Finnish company Aplicom has been a leader in high-end telematics, providing robust solutions for fleet management and industrial IoT in over 50 countries. Many of their legacy and current devices communicate via the Aplicom D Protocol, often utilizing Port 5049 for server integration.

Overview of the Aplicom A-Series

The A-Series is known for its versatility and was designed for demanding telematics applications. While some models like the A9 PRO have been discontinued in favor of the newer 4G LTE T-Series, they remain widely used in existing fleets due to their reliability and Java-programmability.

Product Comparison Table

Model	Connectivity	Key Features	Best Use Case
A9 / A9 PRO	2G / 3G / 4G LTE	Compact, internal/external antennas, 3D accelerometer.	General vehicle tracking and driver behavior.
A11 / A11 LTE	2G / 3G / 4G LTE / BLE	Bluetooth LE 5.0, global roaming, OTA updates.	Advanced asset management with wireless sensors.
A1 Max	3G / GPRS	FMS/CAN support, digital tachograph, iButton ID.	Heavy trucks and professional logistics.
A1 Trax	GSM / GPRS	GPS/GLONASS, mileage reports, event control.	Handy asset and fleet tracking.
A1 M2M	GPRS	Extensive interfaces, SMS remote monitoring.	Industrial M2M and remote telemetry.
A5 GLX	GPS / GLONASS	Engine data integration, durable build.	Accurate positioning for working machines.
C-Series	GPRS / WLAN	Modular architecture, aluminum housing, C/Java programmable.	Customized vehicle computers for large trucks.
Q-Series (T-Series)	4G LTE Cat-M / 5G Ready	Silver Cloud management, IP-enclosed, entry-level.	Cost-efficient, straightforward tracking.

Technical Integration: Protocol and Ports

Most Aplicom devices, including the Aplicom A1 Max and A1 Trax, are compatible with major software platforms. Key technical points include:

• Port 5049: The standard port used for the Aplicom D Protocol.
• Event-Based: The protocol consists of binary message packets (snapshots) triggered by specific events like ignition or distance.
• Customization: Users can develop custom logic using the Aplicom SDK or the A-Series SW Configurator.

Specific Configuration Templates

For your Aplicom A-Series, C-Series, and Q-Series devices, configuration is typically handled via the Aplicom Configurator software (saving as .acf or .xml files) or via SMS commands. Below are the specific configuration templates for the most common use cases.

1. Basic Server Connectivity (GPRS/LTE)

This is the core template to point any Aplicom device (A9, A11, A1 Max) to your tracking platform.

• APN Name: internet (or your M2M provider's APN)
• Server IP/Host: your-tracking-platform.com
• Port: 5049 (Default for Aplicom D-Protocol)
• Protocol Type: TCP (Recommended for reliability)
• Login/Password: (Leave blank unless required by APN)

2. Standard Fleet Tracking Template (Logic)

Apply these thresholds to balance data usage and tracking accuracy:

Trigger Event	Condition	Action
Ignition ON	Status Change	Send Snapshot (Event 1)
Moving	Every 60 seconds	Send Snapshot (Event 2)
Cornering	Heading Change > 30°	Send Snapshot (Event 3)

Ignition OFFStatus ChangeSend Snapshot (Event 4)HeartbeatEvery 1 hour (Stationary)Send Health Check (Event 5)

3. A11 LTE & Q-Series: Bluetooth (BLE) Template

For the newer A11 and Q-Series, use this template to integrate wireless sensors (Temperature, Door, or ID Beacons):

• BLE Mode: Enabled
• Scan Interval: 10 seconds
• Sensor Filtering: Whitelist by MAC address
• Data Mapping: Map BLE "Manufacturer Data" to Aplicom D-Protocol "Free Data" fields.

4. A1 Max / C-Series: FMS & CAN-bus Template

Used for heavy-duty trucks to extract engine data:

• • CAN Interface: Enabled (High-Speed 250kbps)
  • Protocol: FMS / J1939
  • Captured Parameters:
    • Fuel Level (Liters/Percentage)
    • Total Fuel Consumption
    • Engine Coolant Temperature
    • Tachograph Driver ID (if connected to D8 pin)

SMS Configuration Examples

If you do not have the USB cable, you can send these commands (format varies slightly by firmware version):

Conclusion

Whether you are using the rugged A9 PRO for machinery or the A11 LTE for global fleet roaming, Aplicom provides a stable, future-proof platform. For new deployments, consider the newer T-Series which offers integrated cloud management via Silver Cloud.