DIN standard published for the communication interface for anti-theft devices on semi-trailers

Together with its partners DIN e.V., PEM Motion GmbH and FIR e.V. at RWTH Aachen University, MANSIO has developed a standard for a communication point for anti-theft devices on semi-trailers. The standard has now been published by DIN as DIN SPEC 91507.

DIN SPEC 91507 describes a standardized procedure for wireless communication between anti-theft devices and central servers in road freight transport. The aim is to ensure that different lock types and manufacturers are compatible with each other – as a basis for the digital management and monitoring of semi-trailers.

The interface uses the open MQTT protocol, which was specially developed for communication between devices. Structured “topics” are used to clearly assign messages to individual locks. JSON and string data is transmitted, such as status messages, position data or alarm notifications – for example, the battery level or lock status can be read out in real time.

The specification also describes control commands such as opening, closing or activating alarm functions. It also takes into account possible malfunctions and risks such as breakdowns or tampering and defines the information flows between the freight forwarder, platform, carrier and lock.
The specification was developed as part of the “STAFFEL” project (funding code 19FS2019D), which is part of the mFUND innovation initiative funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs (BMDV). It supplements DIN SPEC 91503, which describes procedures for the asynchronous handover of semi-trailers, and together with it creates a technical basis for secure and digitally networked freight transport.

Digital anti-theft locks play a central role for the MANSIO system, especially for asynchronous trailer handovers, in order to prevent unwanted access to the trailer. Such locks also offer an important security and organizational advantage in ferry transport, combined transport or when operating rental fleets. In the future, it should be possible to control and manage these IoT-based security systems directly via MANSIO – for greater transparency, security and efficiency throughout the entire transport process.

DIN SPEC 91507 can be downloaded free of charge from the DIN Media database:

https://www.dinmedia.de/de/din-spec