Real Time Locating Systems (RTLS) A Proposal for a New NCITS TC Prepared by: Craig K. Harmon Presented by: Dr. Donald R. Deutsch IT/

What is RTLS? Item Management includes both the identification of an item and its location RFID provides a means of radio identification RTLS provides a means of radio location

A Description Some Quotes –“It’s Like GPS on a Local Level” –“It’s RFID on Steroids” –“It’s a Local Location Network” Fully Automated Systems That Continually Monitor the Locations of Assets and Personnel Utilizes Battery-operated Radio Tags and a Cellular Locating System to Detect the Presence and Location of the Tags Ubiquitous Coverage for a Campus or Facility

Locating vs. Positioning Positioning –Where Am I? –Provides Your Current Position –e.g., GPS (Global Positioning System) Locating –Where is ____? –Provides the Location of Something Else to You –e.g., ULD Locating System

Local Area Wireless Locating Technologies RFID Localizers RTLS –Time of Flight Ranging Systems –Amplitude Triangulation Systems –Differential Time Of Arrival (DTOA)

Reader 2 server RS-232 Reader 3 Reader 1 Reader 6 Reader 7 Reader 5 RS-232 Reader 4 Reader 8 Reader 9 Concentrator Tag Blinks: High Power, Low Power Tag Reader Within Range Localizes Tag Tag is Within Range of Reader #5 How Do RFID Localizer Systems Work?

Cell Controller 1. Controller sends 2.4 GHz ping to tags & starts clock 2. Tag that is awake encodes identifier on reflected signal at 5.8 GHz 3. Cell Controller receives signal from tag, stops clock 4. Cell Controller determines distance to tag based on elapsed time between send and receive Antenna 0. Tags Awaken Pseudo-Randomly – Turn On Transverter Tag How Does a Ranging System Work?

Transceiver 1 Transceiver 2 Transceiver 3 Transceiver 4 Transceiver 5 Transceiver 6 Transceiver 7 Transceiver 8 Transceiver 9 How Do Amplitude Triangulation Systems Work? Tags Blink Transceivers Receiving Strongest Signal Approximate Position Based on Relative Signal Strength server Master Transceiver RS-232 Tag Transceiver 2 Transceiver 3 Transceiver 6 Tag Transceiver 2 Transceiver 3 Transceiver 5 Tag Transceiver 1 Transceiver 2 Transceiver 5 Tag Transceiver 1 Transceiver 2 Transceiver 4 Tag Transceiver 2 Transceiver 4 Transceiver 5 Tag Transceiver 4 Transceiver 5 Transceiver 6 Tag Transceiver 2 Transceiver 5 Transceiver 6 Tag Transceiver 5 Transceiver 6 Transceiver 9 Tag Transceiver 5 Transceiver 6 Transceiver 9 Tag Transceiver 5 Transceiver 6 Transceiver 8 Tag Transceiver 4 Transceiver 5 Transceiver 8 RS-485

1. Tag Transmits ID Tag Server Location Antenna Location Antenna Location Antenna Location Antenna Location Processor 2. Each Antenna Receives ID and Sends to LP Over Cable 3. LP Determines First Arrival Time for Each Antenna and Computes Location Difference Between Arrival Time at Each Antenna (DTOA) 4. Database Server Receives Tag ID and Location Data From LP How Does DTOA Locating Work?

Vehicle Inventory Management Newly Assembled Vehicles Stored in Yard –Thousands of Vehicles must be Shipped per Day by Various Conveyances Assembling Shipments is Complex Operation Unfound Vehicles Cause Significant Delays Delays Cost Manufacturer $5- $10/Day/Vehicle –Vehicles Shipped with Quality Problems Cost Thousands of Dollars to Repair After Shipment –Incomplete Loads Require Additional Transports RTLS – Empower Mobile Real Time Decisions –RTLS Speeds Finding Vehicles –Vehicles are Checked Real Time for ship/hold status Using Wireless Network –RTLS Identifies Vehicles in Overflow Yards –Loaded Vehicles Status is Verified

Manufacturing Management Features –Real-time Visibility of All W-I-P on Site –Current Location –Location History and Trace-ability –Automate Receive, Put- away, Pick and Ship –Status Information Benefits –Reduced Material Handling Costs –Reduced Expediting Costs –Reduced Obsolete Inventory –No Line Switchovers

ULD Tracking at Airports

fmc Ground Support Equipment Tracking Locate GSE Instantly Monitor Utilization and Status Via Telemetry –“On Time” –Oil Pressure, Battery Level, etc…

Yard Management Distribution, Manufacturing and Shipping Yards Features –Real-time visibility of all trailers on site –Current location –Location history and trace-ability –Visual client alerts –Trailer status information Benefits –Eliminate Yard Checks –Improved yard operations Throughput - Utilization –Reduced spoilage –Reduced demurrage fees Payback –Less than 12 months

Location Networks Providing New Levels of Visibility Creating Mobile Decision Support Networks –Empowering Mobile Management Increasing Material Flow Velocity Providing New Levels Of Personal Security and Convenience

Potential Members General Motors Ford Boeing FMC Defense Logistics Agency American Airlines United States Postal Service Q.E.D. Systems United Airlines U.S. Air Force United Parcel Service U.S. Army Federal Express U.S. Navy U.S. Marine Corps Port of Tacoma Port of Oakland

Thank You!