Precision (indoor) Real Time Location Systems

Peter Batty

Sensors

Precision Location Tracking

Tags

Real time 3D location model

Location Tracking Indoors

A surprisingly hard problem

Direct signalMultipath signal

Technology Approaches

RFIDRFI

DUWBWiFi

PassiveActive

Accuracy

Presence

~ 3-4m ~ 15-30cm

UWB = ultrawideband

© 2011 Ubisense

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Positioning technologies compared

SCALE

AC

CU

RA

CY

(m

)

0.3

1

10

Room Building Factory City

IR PROXIMITY

WLAN RSSI

CONVENTIONALRF TIMING

ULTRASOUND

GPS

IDEAL

3

PASSIVE

RFID

ELECTRO-MAGNETIC LASER

UWB

Point

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Why is UWB best?Signal strength

Time

10-15ns = 3~5m error

Normal signals Reflections & direct signal interfere

500ps = 0.15m error

Time

Signal strength

UWB Can distinguish direct signal & reflections

Transmitter

reflectedsignal

directsignal path

reflectedsignal

Receiver

© 2011 Ubisense

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Ubisense UWB RTLS key facts

Sensing Method Time-difference-of-arrival + Angle-of-ArrivalAccuracy Up to 15cm in 3D Range Up to 160mCoverage area UnlimitedTag count UnlimitedUpdate rate Variable, 10 updates/sec to 1 update/hourTag battery lifetime Several years, depending on usage profile

SENSOR

SENSOR

TAG

Sensor

Tag

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Ubisense UWB RTLS tags

Different tags for different applications

• Asset tag with small form factor– Omnidirectional antenna– 5 year battery life (typical)

• Personnel tag with additional I/O features– Buzzer– LEDs– Buttons

• Intrinsically safe version– For use in oil/gas installations

• Industrial tag– For manufacturing, transportation– Larger battery, more robust

• Modular tag for direct integration– Receives power from host– Can transfer data from host to/from system

© 2011 Ubisense

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INTEGRATION WITH GPS

GPS is appropriate for tracking persons, vehicles and assets in large outdoor areasGPS signals break down as the receiver enters an urban areaUbisense will automatically sense the location of the person or vehicle as it enters and area of coverage and the location can then utilize the Ubisense UWB systemUbisense has developed a tri-mode tag which includes UWB/2.4GHz/GPS

© Ubisense, 2011. Company Confidential © www.ubisense.net9

© 2011 Ubisense

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SiRFstar GPS module

The Tri-Mode tag in detail…

© by Ubisense 201010

2.4 GHz module

Ultra Wideband module

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Ubisense Module integrated with power tool

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Ubisense UWB RTLS sensors

Angle-and-time-sensing receivers• Planar array of four UWB receivers per

sensor• Angular resolution ~ 1°• Time resolution ~ 200ps (≡6cm distance)

Sensors connect via Ethernet network• Use existing structured cabling• Powered over Ethernet• Optional networking via WiFi

Cellular architecture• Similar to mobile phone systems• Scale to large sites by adding more cells

© 2011 Ubisense

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RTLS installation procedure

Step 2: Design the layout of

the sensors to give the optimum

performance

Step 3: Install

cabling for sensor

network and

connection to

computer network

Step 4: Calibrate

the system using

survey equipme

nt

Step 5: Operate the system to

provide location, tracking, recording

Step 1: Site survey to assess

characteristics of the facility

© 2011 Ubisense

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HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE

3D visualization softwareSensor network is installed inside and outside of the buildings within the facilityA small tag is placed on the shoulder of the soldier or attached to an asset and associated with their IDData is displayed and recorded and stored in standard database format or can be exported in real-time to other display and AAR platforms

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UbisenseSensor

UbisenseTag

Ubisense3D Environment

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RTLS Applications and Case Studies

Research & OtherEvents & Entertainment

Agriculture

Manufacturing Process & Energy

Military

Public Transport Logistics

Bus tracking

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Metro Transit Bus Depots, Minneapolis, USA(Transit Yard Management)

Quick factsInstalled area: 62500m2

(across five garages)

Sensors: 450

Accuracy: <100cm in 2D

Reliability: 99.9%

System locates buses inside parking garages

RTLS updates scheduling tool automaticallySystem records time spent in maintenance

Departures scheduled according to locationReplaces manual system, saving money

http://flic.kr/p/4ZSNNS

Aerospace manufacturing

© 2011 Ubisense

2020

Multiple Airbus sites in Europe(Process Tracking)

Quick factsInstalled area: 18000m2 (per hangar)

Sensors: 38 (per hangar)

Accuracy: <100cm in 3D

Process monitoring across multiple factory sites in UK, France, Germany

Provides central overview of process stateAutomatically updates ERP system

Ensures correct pacing of component work items for final assembly

BMW Track cars and tools, 1000 cars per day1.7km of track, 320 sensors

© 2011 Ubisense

22 Case Study © by Ubisense 201122

BMW Car Plant Regensburg, Germany (Final Assembly Tool Assistance)

Installed area: 1.7 km assembly line | Sensors: 350 | Accuracy: 30 cm in 3D | Events/day: 150000 | Reliability: 99.99%

Production Management System

DC Tooling

Ubisense Tool Assistance

IBS Tool Controlle

r

Vehicle - Tool association

Manufacturing

ProblemDifferent models of car are produced on the same line necessitating loading a different tool program into the power tools based on the specific vehicle to be worked upon. Previously the identification of the vehicle occurred using a barcode scanner resulting in unproductive work (~6 seconds per tool op. at 150 tool stations on 1,000 cars per day).

The Ubisense solutionThe Ubisense system tracks both vehicles and tools detecting when a tool is brought close to the vehicle. The required tool program is obtained from the MES using the VIN and sent directly to the IBS Tool Controller to program & enable the tool. The system solution was jointly developed by Ubisense and IBS.

ResultCost and time reduction on the line and quality improvement by excluding human error and re-work. Unproductive time saved reduces costs by many $100,000‘s.

Video 3:50, 5:00

© 2011 Ubisense

23 Case Study © by Ubisense 201123

Aston Martin Car Plant Gaydon, UK (Finishing Process Tracking)

Installed area: 11700 m² | Sensors: 58 | Accuracy: 50 cm in 2D | Reliability: 99.9%

Enterprise Intranet

Ubisense Process Tracker

Vehicle - Bay /Area association &

process rules

Manufacturing

ProblemAs cars come off-line into the finishing area, they can miss process steps leading to rework or become ‘stuck’ in a step creating inventory build up.

The Ubisense solutionThe Ubisense system tracks the vehicles as they come ‘off-line’ and move through specific process stages (rolling road, wheel alignment, paint inspection, etc.). Defined rules specify the process order and dwell time thresholds (time spent in a step). Exceptions trigger alerts visible to shop-floor operators and reported on intranet.

ResultTime reduction and Work In Progress (WIP) throughput improvement as cars are always visible through the finish and rework process. Reduced rework and improved quality.

Cow tracking

© 2011 Ubisense

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Dairy Cow Stables, Denmark (Agriculture)

Ubisense partnered with Smarter FarmingAnimal Welfare System built on RTLS

Cows tracked around barnsMovement analyzed for health informationImproves animal health & farm productivity

Quick factsInstalled area: 1500m2 (per stable)

Sensors: 8

Accuracy: <30cm in 2D

http://flic.kr/p/7i3Fen

US Army training3 buildings inside and out

Up to 100 soldiers, 2 updates per second65 sensors

© 2011 Ubisense

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Multiple Army training sites, U.S.(Military Training)

Quick factsInstalled area: 17 buildings (at one site)

Sensors: 320 (at one site)

Accuracy: <30cm in 3D

System tracks participants in exercisesWorks inside and around buildings, taking over from GPS in ‘urban canyon’

Trainers have real-time visibility of exerciseAfter-Action Review enhances trainingCan model weapons like IEDs, grenades

Plant safety

flickr.com/photos/libelul60/2409079398/

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Posco Finex Plant, Pohang, Korea(Personnel Safety)

Tracking workers at a blast furnaceMust cover multiple floorsMetallic, highly-obstructed environment

Automatic check-in and check-outLast known position assists rescue teams

Quick factsInstalled area: 12000m2

(on 12 floors)

Sensors: 80

Accuracy: <100cm in 2D

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University of Florida dementiaLocation based artSantander visitor center (38s)

Links to videos are at http://www.ubisense.net/en/resources/videos.html

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Other applications