Skip to content

Alternative to TCU suppliers

Tracker manufacturers without their own controls usually buy control units (TCU) and network controllers (NCU) from specialised suppliers. Here is, neutrally, what they offer publicly and where Feldmelder stands.

What the known suppliers state publicly

  • Suntrack (formerly P4Q, a Kinematics brand since 2025): TCU, NCU, sensor unit and distributed control; names Zigbee, RS485, Modbus TCP and an API as well as a retrofit service.
  • Gantner (Germany): control unit Track.Bloxx, central control and the IQX monitoring platform; names wireless mesh, RS485 and Modbus RTU.
  • Ingdemurtas (Italy): controllers with a sun sensor for single- and dual-axis trackers, by its own account suitable for any tracker.

When Feldmelder fits as an alternative

  • When you want controls and portal from one source – with an open protocol and its own REST API.
  • When safety positions should react to official weather warnings.
  • When you are ready to start with a pilot project on your tracker.

What Feldmelder does here

  • The box computes the sun position and points the trackers; with backtracking it flattens the rows when the sun is low so that no row shades the next.
  • The box works without the cloud – it decides on safety positions in the field and buffers its data for up to 72 hours.
  • On an official hail or storm warning of the German Weather Service (DWD) for the site the box moves the trackers to the safety position (off until it is set up).
  • On a DWD snow or ice warning the trackers move to the snow position so that the snow slides off.
  • If the link to a tracker drops, it follows its stored schedule and then moves to the safe position.
  • The protocol between box and portal (TTP v1) is openly documented, with JSON schemas to validate every message.
  • REST API with tokens and scopes (read only or acknowledge alarms) and CSV export of the measurements.

When Feldmelder does not fit

  • When you need controls with a long field history and a large installed base – Feldmelder is a young product.
  • When you need a specific radio or fieldbus protocol (e.g. Zigbee or Modbus) to the TCU – that is not built in.
  • When a certification has to be available right away.

How we work: every function of the box, the tracker control unit (TCU) and the portal is covered by automated tests. Field installations start with a pilot project and acceptance criteria agreed beforehand. The live demo shows an example plant with example data.

Product and company names mentioned are trademarks of their respective owners. Feldmelder is not affiliated with any of these companies. Information on other vendors comes from their public pages (as of 1 November 2026, sources in our market research).