How to Transform Industrial Automation Using Real-Time Locating Systems (RTLS)
Industry 4.0 logistics and production process automation and optimization depend heavily on the tracking of both mobile and fixed assets, including manufactured goods, transport vehicles, machinery, equipment, and containers. The location and status of all connected objects must be continuously monitored in order to reliably orchestrate complicated processes in industrial contexts. Automated and continuous monitoring is made possible by Real-Time Locating Systems (RTLS), which are comprised of sensors, receivers, networks, and control systems.
What is a Real-Time Locating System (RTLS)?
A crucial piece of technology for the automatic localization and tracking of things in real time, typically inside a particular business sector like an industrial production or warehouse, is Real-Time Locating Systems (RTLS). With the help of RTLS, which combines wireless communication, localization algorithms, and centralized monitoring, organizations can efficiently track and manage their assets and operations by receiving accurate real-time data on the whereabouts of tagged objects. Because of this, RTLS is a crucial requirement for automation and industrial process improvement.
How does RTLS work?
RTLS typically uses radio frequency signals such as BLE, GPS, RFID, UWB or WiFi technology to locate assets in a defined area. Each asset to be tracked is equipped with a sensor that emits radio signals. These signals are collected by a series of receivers located throughout the monitoring area. The receivers triangulate incoming signals to determine the exact location of each object using localization algorithms. Depending on business requirements, the position of each tagged object can be precisely calculated.
RTLS Tracking: Bluetooth/BLE, GPS, RFID, UWB, WiFi
Depending on the needs of the application, a number of technologies are available to support hardware and software components in industrial object tracking systems to enable successful communication. The suitability of a technology for a given application mostly depends on a few factors, including the need for automated tracking, the frequency of object tracking, and the required level of localization accuracy.
Common tracking technologies in a nutshell
As the need for precise, extensive, and instantaneous data continues to rise, organizations are increasingly implementing Real-Time Locating Systems (RTLS) to enhance or substitute their RFID systems. Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology is acknowledged as the most precise, dependable, and adaptable locating solution, establishing it as the benchmark for ultra-accurate RTLS. The subsequent comparison delineates the distinctions between RFID and UWB.
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What Is the Difference between RFID and UWB RTLS?
RFID has served as a fundamental technology for the wireless identification of objects in industrial settings for many years. As the volume of industrial assets and personnel navigating through factories and warehouses continues to rise, UWB-based real-time localization has emerged as a more effective alternative to RFID. The primary distinction between passive RFID and UWB RTLS lies in the type of localization data they produce: RFID offers selective point-to-point information, whereas UWB is engineered to provide continuous and uninterrupted real-time data throughout a specified area.
Principal advantages of UWB technology include:
Precision: advanced localization with high accuracy
Timeliness: capability for real-time operations
Reliability: operates without interference from commonly utilized WiFi or BLE technologies Versatility: accommodates multiple applications within a single infrastructure Durability: designed for extended use without the need for maintenance.
RTLS Hardware: Tags and Anchors
Tags and Anchors The hardware elements of an industrial Real-Time Location System (RTLS) consist of tags and anchors. Tags are mobile devices affixed to the assets that require tracking, transmitting signals, while anchors are static devices that receive these signals, enabling the determination of asset locations in real time and facilitating their processing.
RTLS Tags:
These are mobile sensors attached to the items being monitored. Tags send out signals that are captured by the anchors. Various types of tags exist, including active tags, which possess their own power source, such as a battery, allowing them to transmit signals over extended distances, and passive tags, which depend on an external power source, like a reader. Additionally, tags may feature a user interface, such as a small display to show the current status of the asset, or may lack such an interface.
RTLS Anchors:
These are fixed receivers strategically positioned throughout the industrial setting to capture signals from the tags. The anchors gather data regarding the signal's arrival time, strength, and angle, subsequently relaying this information to the RTLS software for centralized analysis and management. Typically, RTLS anchors are equipped with their own power supply, which may be integrated into a Power-over-Ethernet (POE) system or connected to the conventional power grid.
Industrial Applications for RTLS
Industrial Applications of RTLS Real-Time Locating Systems (RTLS) are revolutionizing industrial operations by offering organizations enhanced visibility and management of their systems and processes, thereby facilitating significant automation opportunities. RTLS supports various functions, including tracking industrial assets and production orders, as well as managing assembly line operations. This technology empowers businesses to boost efficiency, productivity, and safety while simultaneously lowering operational expenses. As industries advance in their digital transformation journeys, the integration of RTLS will be essential for ensuring a company's long-term success.