ZigBee™-BASED PERSONNEL TRACING SYSTEM CONTINUOUSLY TRACKS & MAINTAINS CONTACT WITH PERSONNEL WORKING IN REMOTE LOCATIONS.
IDCs Simplitrak™ Personnel Tracking System enables companies to continuously track and maintain contact with personnel working in remote single or multiple locations. The Web-based system comprises ZigBee™ wireless personnel tracking devices and fixed access points with a variety of options for remote monitoring using web servers. It is designed for a variety of applications on land or offshore including wind turbines, remote substations, transportation and marine “man down” alerts.
Simplitrak™ caters for applications across a broad range from single sites to multi-site locations, such as utilities and large industrial organisations employing enterprise- wide client/ server architectures. The system uses the latest ZigBee™ technology, a licence- free globally available IEEE 802.15.4 2.4 GHz. Personal Area Network standard, and employs the latest microprocessor- based hardware in a conveniently sized pendant with lone worker call button and internal buzzer. It offers bi-directional message routing between remote access points and centalised IT facilities, and is designed to operate in electrically noisy industrial environments using low cost, low power robust networks.
Designed on standard server /client architecture, Simplitrak™ provides a data base, graphical user interface and remote access via web portal using a standard internet connection, which is password protected. The database holds a history of all tracker activity in real time; this can be queried to provide current or historical log data, statistics or management reports. Data can also be exported to other IT systems using standard formats including ODBC, XML or flat files. IDC have extensive project experience in providing client/server systems for large corporate organisations, providing multiple client workstations and Oracle/SQL databases at multinational sites.
SIMPLITRAK SYSTEM CONFIGURATION
The system can be configured via password protection, by entering details of each site location, user details and tracker details. Each tracker user is assigned the unique tracker serial number, which is electronically embedded within each tracking device.
The unique number, together with contact details, is entered on the Personnel page of the Simplitrak software on a centralised PC. This page also provides details of current location and personnel activity history. Users can be added or deleted from the system or reassigned new trackers
The hardware specification of the system comprises wireless access points fitted at strategic positions. These automatically detect the presence of anyone carrying a Simplitrak mobile tracker, up to 100 metres away. Once in a zone, two-way communications are established within a few seconds enabling the tracker to be interrogated to determine its unique identity, operational data, tracker temperature and received signal strength.
For accurate position location within two or three metres, several fixed access points are placed at known co- ordinates within a building or vessel structure. A Location Detection Engine embedded within each tracker uses between three and eight access points to calculate its position. The time to estimate node location is less than 40 microseconds.
The trackers are programmable and provided with power management modes, enabling the units to lie dormant to conserve energy until in the vicinity of an access point. In an active state the message transmission intervals are variable in hours, minutes, or continuous for critical applications.
The access points should preferably be mains powered for continuous operation; however, solar power and battery back- up are options for remote applications. Access points can also be provided with local control to accept external connections from door switches, PIR detectors and other devices, to automatically trigger local alarms or turn on security lighting.
A master access point provides a gateway for connection to other IT systems, using Ethernet or serial RS232 connectivity. For applications where fixed connections are not available, options are provided for satellite or mobile cellular communications
The flexibility of the Simplitrak™ system means that system hardware and software can be customised for different applications using a tracker fitted with up to five buttons. The operation of a tracker call button flashes red the appropriate location panel on the activity screen of a centralised PC, and generates an alarm on the screen to alert the operator that assistance may be required. As with every tracker ball action, this is time stamped and logged. If the control centre is unmanned, the system can be configured to automatically send emails and SMS text messages to mobile phones, PDA’s and other devices.
In the case of emergencies, operation of an emergency call button will generate an immediate alarm. The operator may cancel the alarm or the system can be configured for the operator to issue an emergency confirm signal, which sounds the internal buzzer on the tracker. The tracker can be fitted with an additional button for emergency confirmation if required
For mobile applications, as in marine or vehicle logistics operations, and in locations where a fixed line modem or LAN is prohibited, options are available for mobile or satellite communications. In addition to tracker details, GPS and GPRS interfaces also provide map co-ordinates to automatically display the position of each mobile access point, which is represented by an icon on the location map.
The map provides worldwide coverage on land or sea with pan and zoom capabilities to quickly identify the position and status of each tracker. The system can be configured to automatically report position and status at specified times or intervals, and operators can also poll specific vehicles or vessels, or entire fleets, for the same information.
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For further information contact: Peter Hadley, IDC Ltd, Keynes House, Chester Park, Alfreton Road, Derby. DE21 4AS. Tel: +44 (0) 1332 604 030 Fax: +44 (0) 1332 604 031. E-mail: sales@idc.gb.com Website: www.idc.gb.com