Manufacturers seek benefits of open, real-time location services
An interoperable standard for a real-time location system (RTLS) is helping industry benefit from open interfaces and ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless technologies for asset tracking indoors and outdoors, according to an Oct. 20 Virtual Training Week training session from CFE Media and Technology.
Learning Objectives
- Learn benefits of using an interoperable standard for a real-time location system (RTLS) in manufacturing industries.
- Examine how RTLS works in conjunction with open interfaces and ultra-wideband (UWB) technology.
- Review industrial applications for an RTLS.
Production control systems, goods tracking, autonomous mobile robots and other manufacturing and facility applications benefit from wireless, open, real-time location services (RTLS). Industry is realizing benefits from using an RTLS, in conjunction with open interfaces and ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, according to Michael Bowne, executive director, PI North America and deputy chairman for Profibus & Profinet International (PI). The Oct. 20 course, “How Open, Real-Time Location Services Help Manufacturers,” includes the opportunity to earn a professional development hour (PDH), and it’s archived for 1 year.
Indoor and outdoor location tracking, wireless, easy integration
Benefits include seamless tracking indoors and outdoors and ability to use existing products and integrate with other wireless technologies without difficult and continuing system integration concerns, Bowne suggested. The course also covers the steps in applying an RTLS to fit and expand industrial and facility applications.
The omlox RTLS architecture from PI North America can work with in conjunction with open interfaces and ultra-wideband (UWB) technology. RTLS can integrate other existing locating technologies such as radio-frequency identification (RFID), 5G, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and global position system (GPS), Bowne said.
A major advantage of an open-system real-time location system is that omlox easily integrates multiple hardware vendors from multiple applications, including analytics, autonomous guided vehicle navigation, order tracking, tool tracking, drone navigation, and asset control, according to Michael Bowne, executive director, PI North America, during a Virtual Training Week course, “How Open, Real-Time Location Services Help Manufacturers,” available one year starting on Oct. 20. Courtesy: Virtual Training Week, CFE Media and Technology, PI North America
Location data helps manufacturers with flexible production and transparent and resilient supply chains, remote maintenance, paperless production, asset utilization and autonomous transport, Bowne said. At present, these functions often are served by various locating technologies and vendors, he added.
First productive omlox deployments are underway, Bowne said; omlox won the Hannover Fair Hermes Award in 2020.
Two detailed application examples are provided, one on indoor tracking for outbound warehouse logistics, and the other is outdoor tracking for outbound logistics.
Mark T. Hoske is content manager, Control Engineering, CFE Media and Technology, mhoske@cfemedia.com.
KEYWORDS: Real-time location services (RTLS), industrial wireless, asset management
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