This document summarizes an indoor real-time location system (RTLS) using ultrawideband (UWB) technology. It can track tags with 15cm accuracy. The system uses sensors to detect time-of-arrival of UWB signals from tags to determine precise 3D locations. Example applications discussed include tracking assets in manufacturing plants and ports with accuracy better than WiFi and RFID. The system has also been used to track soldiers in military training exercises, track vehicles and tools at BMW, and monitor dairy cows on farms.

1. Precision (indoor) Real Time Location SystemsPeter Batty

2. Precision Location TrackingSensorsTagsReal time 3D location model

3. Location Tracking IndoorsA surprisingly hard problemDirect signalMultipath signal

4. Technology ApproachesActiveRFIDPassiveUWBRFIDWiFiAccuracyPresence~ 3-4m~ 15-30cmUWB = ultrawideband

5. Positioning technologies comparedELECTRO-MAGNETICLASERIDEALULTRASOUNDPASSIVERFIDUWB0.31ACCURACY (m)CONVENTIONALRF TIMING3IR PROXIMITYWLAN RSSI10GPSPointRoomBuildingFactoryCitySCALE

6. Why is UWB best?Normal signals Reflections & direct signal interfereSignal strengthReceiverTimereflectedsignal10-15ns = 3~5m errorUWBCan distinguish direct signal & reflectionsdirectsignal pathreflectedsignalSignal strengthTimeTransmitter500ps = 0.15m error

7. Ubisense UWB RTLS key factsSENSORSENSORTagTAGSensorSensing Method Time-difference-of-arrival + Angle-of-ArrivalAccuracyUp to 15cm in 3DRange Up to 160mCoverage area UnlimitedTag count UnlimitedUpdate rate Variable, 10 updates/sec to 1 update/hourTag battery lifetime Several years, depending on usage profile

8. Ubisense UWB RTLS tagsDifferent tags for different applicationsAsset tagwith small form factorOmnidirectionalantenna5 year battery life (typical)Personnel tagwith additional I/O featuresBuzzerLEDsButtonsIntrinsically safe versionFor use in oil/gas installationsIndustrial tagFor manufacturing, transportationLarger battery, more robustModular tag for direct integrationReceives power from hostCan transfer data from host to/from system

9. INTEGRATION WITH GPSGPS 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

10. SiRFstar GPS moduleThe Tri-Mode tag in detail…2.4 GHz moduleUltra Wideband module© by Ubisense 201010

11. Ubisense Module integrated with power tool

12. Ubisense UWB RTLS sensorsAngle-and-time-sensing receiversPlanar array of four UWB receivers per sensorAngular resolution ~ 1°Time resolution ~ 200ps (≡6cm distance)Sensors connect via Ethernet networkUse existing structured cablingPowered over EthernetOptional networking via WiFiCellular architectureSimilar to mobile phone systemsScale to large sites by adding more cells

13. RTLS installation procedureStep 1: Site survey to assess characteristics of the facilityStep 2: Design the layout of the sensors to give the optimum performanceStep 3: Install cabling for sensor network and connection to computer networkStep 4: Calibrate the system using survey equipment Step 5: Operate the system to provide location, tracking, recording

14. HARDWARE AND SOFTWAREUbisenseSensor3D 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 platformsUbisenseTagUbisense3D Environment© Ubisense, 2011. Company Confidential © www.ubisense.net14

15. RTLS Applications and Case StudiesLogisticsManufacturingProcess & EnergyPublic TransportEvents & EntertainmentAgricultureMilitaryResearch & Other

17. Bus tracking

18. Metro Transit Bus Depots, Minneapolis, USA(Transit Yard Management)System locates buses inside parking garagesRTLS updates scheduling tool automaticallySystem records time spent in maintenance Departures scheduled according to locationReplaces manual system, saving moneyQuick factsInstalled area: 62500m2 (across five garages)Sensors: 450Accuracy: <100cm in 2DReliability: 99.9%18

19. Aerospace manufacturinghttp://flic.kr/p/4ZSNNS

20. 20Multiple Airbus sites in Europe(Process Tracking)Process monitoring across multiple factory sites in UK, France, GermanyProvides central overview of process stateAutomatically updates ERP systemEnsures correct pacing of component work items for final assemblyQuick factsInstalled area: 18000m2 (per hangar)Sensors: 38 (per hangar)Accuracy: <100cm in 3D

21. BMWTrack cars and tools, 1000 cars per day1.7km of track, 320 sensors

22. BMW Car Plant Regensburg, Germany (Final Assembly Tool Assistance)Video 3:50, 5:00ManufacturingInstalled area: 1.7 km assembly line | Sensors: 350 | Accuracy: 30 cm in 3D | Events/day: 150000 | Reliability: 99.99%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.Production Management SystemUbisense Tool AssistanceIBS Tool ControllerVehicle - Tool associationDC ToolingCase Study © by Ubisense 201122

23. Aston Martin Car Plant Gaydon, UK (Finishing Process Tracking)ManufacturingInstalled area: 11700 m² | Sensors: 58 | Accuracy: 50 cm in 2D | Reliability: 99.9%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.Enterprise IntranetUbisense Process TrackerVehicle - Bay /Area association &process rulesCase Study © by Ubisense 201123

24. Cow tracking

25. 25Dairy Cow Stables, Denmark (Agriculture)Ubisense partnered with Smarter FarmingAnimal Welfare System built on RTLSCows tracked around barnsMovement analyzed for health informationImproves animal health & farm productivityQuick factsInstalled area: 1500m2 (per stable)Sensors: 8Accuracy: <30cm in 2D

26. US Army training3 buildings inside and outUp to 100 soldiers, 2 updates per second65 sensorshttp://flic.kr/p/7i3Fen

27. 27Multiple Army training sites, U.S.(Military Training)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, grenadesQuick factsInstalled area: 17 buildings (at one site)Sensors: 320 (at one site)Accuracy: <30cm in 3D

28. Plant safetyflickr.com/photos/libelul60/2409079398/

29. 29PoscoFinexPlant, Pohang, Korea(Personnel Safety)Tracking workers at a blast furnaceMust cover multiple floorsMetallic, highly-obstructed environmentAutomatic check-in and check-outLast known position assists rescue teamsQuick factsInstalled area: 12000m2 (on 12 floors)Sensors: 80Accuracy: <100cm in 2D

30. University of Florida dementiaLocation based artSantander visitor center (38s)Links to videos are at http://www.ubisense.net/en/resources/videos.html© Ubisense, 2011. Company Confidential © www.ubisense.net30Other applications