2. Overview Environments Use cases Technology challenges and approaches All images are from public Internet sites and are intended to be general indications of typical aerospace environments: they are not showing or implying any specific projects or customers.
13. Tool configuration Configure tool settings based on location Confirm operations carried out Image showing Atlas Copco tools from directindustry.com
14. FOD detection Foreign Object Debris / DamageInside wings or other assemblies Photo provided by Boeing, via blog.seattlepi.com
16. Indoor location - RFID Suitable for some use cases Entrance and exit of assets
17. Indoor location - RFID Suitable for some use cases Entrance and exit of assets Applies to some process flows, but some limitations Less applicable to tool tracking
18. Indoor Location - RTLS Continuous location tracking Sparse infrastructure Very flexible Common infrastructure for multiple applications Ultra Wideband (UWB) most common approach
19. UWB considerations TDOA versus AOA Communications channel Tag density, range, update rate Tag form factors, battery life Intrinsic safety Presence GPS integration Software platform and applications
20. Indoor location - presence Low infrastructure, low location accuracy Fixed or mobile receivers FOD within wings etc Storage containers
21. Outdoor location Previous options applicable GPS a useful addition Need last known location More costly, power hungry Intrinsic safety
22. Multi-mode solutions Common tag with UWB, presence, GPS Common infrastructure / software platform Control channel important for switching modes
23. Summary Environments Applications Technology Indoor Outdoor Storage Transit Assets Tools Process Visibility RFID UWB Presence GPS Photo by jeffmcneill - http://flic.kr/p/6Fw3cd
Editor's Notes
Final assembly
Wing manufacturing
May or may not have good infrastructure (power and network) in all locations
Tools often expensiveLast known location often good enoughBasic requirement is to find a toolSets of tools may need to be kept togetherAlso requirements that certain tools should be restricted to/from certain areas (e.g. right wing)Potentially indoor, outdoor, storage containers, in transit
Often location implies stage in processWant ability to define areas with entry and exit eventsAction may depend on more than just location (could pass through same location multiple times, action depends on previous steps)Sometimes track associated paperworkPotentially indoor, outdoor, in transit
Major value in this in coordinating distributing manufacturingVisibility across multiple plantsProduction integration“VIP” – visible industrial process (do we use this term?)
Automated setting of tool configuration (e.g. torque settings) based on location of tool and assemblyConfirmation that correct tool operations carried outMore common in auto but applicable to aero
Inside wings or other assembliesIn outdoor test areas – stray items likely to be stored in nearby containers
Less flexibility to change workflowsOften limitations on location of infrastructure on the building floorLess applicable to applications like tool tracking
Good balance of high accuracy with relatively low infrastructureVery flexible for granular workflow trackingSame infrastructure applicable for tool tracking, control, etcTypical accuracy ~1ft, depends on environment
TDOA only versus AOA optionSeparate communications channel (for tool control and feedback, varying tag update rates, etc)Characteristics of tags – form factor, battery life, etcIntrinsically safe required?Integration with other technologies – presence, GPS, etcSoftware platform and applications
Useful for areas where low precision location is acceptableGood for FOD within wings and other assemblies (other RF e.g. 2.4GHz better than UWB for penetration through metal)Good for storage containers
All options already discussed apply in various casesGPS is a useful addition for some use cases, especially for larger areas (don’t need infrastructure)Need last known location for GPS (aircraft shadow, metal containers etc)
Common tag with UWB, presence, GPS very useful for full cycle of applicationsCommon infrastructure / software platformControl channel important for switching modes