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Army Total Asset Visibility with Enhanced RFID Tracking November 15, 2010 Recorded Demonstration

Army Total Asset Visibility with Enhanced RFID Tracking

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Army Total Asset Visibility with Enhanced RFID Tracking . November 15, 2010 Recorded Demonstration. System Overview. Data Storage. Online, remote tracking. Server Stores data, allows remote retrieval Ruggedized iPhone In-the field tracking Asset - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Army Total Asset Visibility Enhanced RFID Tracking

Army Total Asset Visibility with Enhanced RFID Tracking November 15, 2010Recorded Demonstration

This is a recording of a demonstration of the first prototype of the Army Total Asset Visibility with Enhanced RFID Tracking Capability being developed by MIS 2000. This recording will alternate between slides that describe the design and direction of the project with video-taped demonstrations of key aspects of the initial prototype. 1System OverviewServerStores data, allows remote retrievalRuggedized iPhoneIn-the field trackingAssetBarcode for manual logging of informationZigbee for automated location logging and monitoring of asset (humidity, tilt, unauthorized movement)NetworkConnect reader to serverConnect remote stations to serverStatus: Currently under development

IP-Cloud

Online, remote trackingData StorageIn-the-field trackingAssetZigbee RFID for logging location automatically, ensuring proper storage

Bar code for manual location logging

Total Asset Visibility refers to capability to track and monitor assets throughout their lifecycle. The system we are developing focuses particularly on the reader used in the field and sensors and communications that will be added to high-value assets.

The system being developed consists of four types of components. A server which stores and maintains information about the assets. The assets themselves with barcodes for legacy support and ZigBee based sensors for continual monitoring of the assets. Ruggedized iPhones for in-the-field management of assets. And a wireless communications network that can be either a civilian or government network to connect the iPhone with the data storage. Additionally, traditional workstation based management of assets is enabled in this design.2Value-added of MIS/2000 iPhone Tracking SolutionATAV Objective:Maintain asset visibility as it moves around the worldTrack who handled assetWhere it will be nextManage asset statusFind asset on siteIntegrated communications for anywhere connectivityIn-the field visibility of asset locationCOTSCheap, easily replacedLeverage existing map & GPS capabilitiesFamiliar intuitive interface for untrained usersExtensible solution to incorporate later applicationsSupport multiple servers / data formats with a common readerImprovements with Zigbee add-onAuto-monitor health of asset with extensible sensorsAuto-locate even between manual check-insPlug in HW to extend connectivity to: SRW, ZigBee

User locationDesired Asset

Beyond maintaining asset visibility as it moves from location to location, the joint iPhone / ZigBee solution being developed in this project provides several advantages. This includes auto-location of the assets between manual check-ins, real-time automated monitoring of the asset health over the ZigBee wireless sensor networks, the advantages provided by virtue of being a commercial-off-the-shelf solution e.g., lower cost, easier replacement, and perhaps most importantly, the open platform makes this solution highly extensible so that third parties can easily add applications to this product over its life-cycle.3CR + iPhone (MIS/2000)COTS for coordinating disaster response with non first-responders (SAHANA)Communicate over civilian infrastructure when available, set up TVWS network when not available

In same vein as Mitola / Fette Radar OReilly on your phoneOther apps:Logistics management w/ interface to ZigbeeMaintenance and Intel appsMore info: Bob Wiebe: [email protected]

Plug in HW supports ad-hoc TVWS network

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This is part of a larger development effort where we are integrating smart phones with other wireless hardware to provide novel applications. For instance, a similar design is being pursued to integrate an iPhone with chipsets for unlicensed operation in the TV White Space network and open-source disaster management software so that untrained users can assist in a disaster response when infrastructure availability is uncertain.4Envisioned System ComponentsGameKit APIsSecondary Network LayerOur Layer (HW)Our AppZigbeeAsset AppWWAN / WLANMapKitVoice / Video / PictureIP BackboneConfig DiscoveryZigbeeHFAsset RFIDAsset Reader(iPhone)RFID ServerHFIP GatewayZigbeeTier 1

This shows the primary system components for the final design a server, an asset reader, an RFID for the asset, and a Tier 1 device. The Tier 1 device is intended to provide long-distance backhaul communications when civilian networks, such as cellular and WiFi, are not available. Currently the Tier 1 backhaul communications is envisioned as being performed over an HF communications link, but could also be performed over existing networks such as via WAVE RELAY nodes.

By implementing the asset reader on an iPhone, we are able to leverage Apples significant investment into developing capabilities to communicate over cellular, WiFi, and Bluetooth networksTake and manage photos and record video and voiceMake use of an intuitive user touch-screen interfaceProvide GPS-enabled device location and to manage information displayed on maps

Further, because of the open interfaces provided by Apple, we will be able to rapidly extend our design to incorporate new capabilities as needed by evolving user needs.

Another key component is the RFID which will be implemented using ZigBee wireless sensor networks. By adding custom application software, we will be able to continuously monitor the health of assets in the field. To communicate with the asset, we place the custom hardware behind existing APIs for Bluetooth communications so that later applications can be easily integrated with the custom wireless hardware. In addition to supporting ZigBee communications, we also plan to support HF communications for when long data needs to be transmitted over long distances and no other infrastructure is available. However, when no connection is possible, the Reader stores information locally until it comes back in contact with the network so that data can be synchronized with the server.5Conceptual PrototypeFeatured capabilitiesReport locationDetect, report movementStore asset information both locally and at serverCapture, store, retrieve pictures of assets?Want to be able to pull up a picture of what the asset looked like when originally scannedRemotely monitor

IP BackboneGameKit APIsBuilt-in BluetoothOur AppWWAN / WLANMapKitVoice / Video / PictureConfig DiscoveryAsset Reader(iPhone)GameKit APIsBuilt-in BluetoothOur AppAsset RFIDMockup

Today, we are at the first development milestone of the design where we have implemented a proof-of-concept prototype of the design. This prototype can track asset locations, detect and report movement, and store and manage asset information as well as other capabilities we will highlight later in this presentation.

This prototype has a functional server accessible over the Internet that maintains a limited set of information about assets and a functional asset reader implemented on an iPhone. For now, however, the asset RFID is a mockup on another iPhone using the limited sensors already available on the iPhone and communicating via the iPhones built-in Bluetooth communications link.6Functional PrototypeAddsZigbee devices as RFIDBreadboarded HW moduleScalable real-time sensor monitoring

IP BackboneGameKit APIsOur AppWWAN / WLANMapKitVoice / Video / PictureConfig DiscoveryAsset Reader(iPhone)

Custom Zigbee Sublayer

In the Spring, we will replace the mockup RFID with a breadboarded ZigBee wireless sensor network that allows for integration of more sensors. Additionally, by using ZigBee instead of the iPhone, the RFID will have a battery life of years instead of days and should cost a dollar or less instead of the hundreds of dollars for an iPhone.7

User LoginControls access to readerDifferent levels of access given to different user classesUser data stored on server

With the design overview complete, we begin the demonstration portion of this presentation.

When a user first starts the new application, he is presented with a user login screen that requires he input his credentials. Based on his credentials, the reader will grant the user different levels of access.

[SHOW LOGIN DEMO]8

Main ViewFive primary menusUser InformationAsset location, movement historyGeneral asset managementManagement of local assetsWarnings of critical events

Manage user login, wireless connectionsView location of assets Movement history(Default view)Manage assets not immediately accessible (search) Local asset managementAsset warnings that need immediate user attentionWireless Network Availability

After successfully logging in on the reader, the user is taken to the main view. From here, the user has five primary options on the bottom menu bar. He can update the configuration of the reader, e.g., to disable certain wireless networks or to log out.He can view the location of assets and their movement history on a map.He can manage assets not immediately accessible and search for assets based on key words and other identifiers.He can directly interface and manage assets within his communication range over the RFID link.He can manage alerts or warnings generated by assets.

The bottom menu bar is dynamic and will highlight the RFID and Alert fields when they are present and indicate the number of RFIDs within range as well as the number of alerts that need his immediate attention.

Finally, the built-in capability of the iPhone allows the user to monitor his connection to the backhaul netework.

[SHOW LOGIN DEMO]

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AlertsEvents that need immediate user attentionGenerally from sensor informationExamplesPallet is tilting beyond boundsExcess temperatureUnauthorized movement

Alerts from RFIDs in area

The system will continually monitor the health of the asset and issue alerts when immediate attention is needed. The sensors and conditions to generate these alerts will be configurable on an asset-by-asset basis. For the purpose of this demonstration we are limited to the sensors available on the iPhone, which report shaking, tilt, and position. In the Spring a fuller complement of sensors will be incorporated into the functional prototype.

[SHOW ALERT DEMO]11

ServerRole:Master data repository for asset informationSupport searches / queries for assets from readerMerge routine written for later integration with ATAVAuthenticate users / rolesDesign notes:MySQL for DBMS same as internal database in iPhoneNative support for OpenGIS (geographic info)Supports web access of informationAllows easy access for apps developed by 3rd partiesJSON used for data transferLike XML, but more compactLocal and remote access to server

Database Design

Information about each asset is maintained in an online server. Access to the server via a secure web-interface to provide an open interface to allow appropriate users in the field or in the office to access information on the server. When the network is available, the field-reader synchronizes the information from the server with the information on the local memory of the RFID tag. When the network is temporarily unavailable, this information is stored locally on the reader and synchronized after re-establishing a network connection.13

Individual Asset View / ManagementFetches information from server and RFID to ensure harmonizedExtensible fieldsUser editableSelect from Set of assets either from list returned from search or from RFIDs in area

After fetching the relevant information from the server, each assets data can be viewed individually. For now, we only have dummied-up data so please overlook the content in the fields for the moment. When viewing an individual asset, the user has several options including updating the status of the asset which allows the user to add comments about the status of the asset, to manually take a new photo if the asset has been damaged, or to pull up help about the asset. Because of the extensive amount of information that may be associated with each asset, the information list for each asset is scrollable.

We envision this information eventually being processed on the server to detect anomalies and to further automate many asset management features. We now illustrate a few of the capabilities enabled from this view.

[SHOW INDIVIDUAL ASSET INFO DEMO]14

Online Maintenance HelpEach asset has a field that provides a URL for maintenance / help information on that assetPossibly a NULL fieldDouble-clicking URL spawns iPhone Browser to start help located at URLEnvisioned as webpage with step-by-step descriptions of how to repair / maintain assetPossible tie-in to maintenance history

Demonstrating the extensibility of the solution, we leveraged the existing network and browser support on the iPhone to allow users to pull up online information about assets. While we show only a dummy webpage for proof-of-concept, this could be readily applied to a maintenance program or just to provide users critical information in the field about their equipment.

[SHOW Maintenance DEMO]

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Map ViewsAllows viewing of own location and desired assetView lists of assets from:Search resultsRFIDs in the areaView movement history of single device

User locationRelated Asset

Again, by leveraging the existing capabilities of the iPhone, we extended the basic application to help users more quickly find desired assets. Selectable for an individual asset or for lists of assets, the mapping feature allows a user to see his own location as well as the location of the assets he is looking for. Additionally, the map views can be applied to a single assets event history to view its movement history.

[SHOW MAP VIEW DEMO]

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Edit InterfaceAllows the field user to update information about the assetUpdate descriptionsDunnage infoUpdate photoNote damage

As noted previously, the user can update information about each asset by clicking on the edit button in the Asset view.

[SHOW EDIT ASSET INFO DEMO]

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Asset Manager ViewProvides mechanism for manually creating / deleting / combining assets in the fieldAccessibility limited by user permissions

The Asset Manager view allows for in-the-field management of assets for functions beyond monitoring and tracking, such as associating an RFID with a new asset to track, combining assets, or removing assets from local management. A history of all of these transactions will be maintained on the server and different transactions are made available for for different user classes.

[SHOW ASSET MANAGER VIEW DEMO]22

Device Configuration ViewProvides a means to configure user options and allowable wireless links

Finally, each device will eventually allow user preferences to be configured stored and reused whenever a user logs-in. For now, this is limited to configuring which networks the reader is allowed to transmit data over.

[SHOW DEVICE CONFIGURATION DEMO]

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Project StatusConceptual PrototypeOperational server, reader, conceptual RFID (iPhone)To be demonstrated in Hawthorne in December to refine operationFunctional PrototypeDevelopment to begin in DecemberInterface with ZigBee developers kitScalable sensors More information:Bob Wiebe [email protected]

NEXT: Functional Prototype

This concludes the demonstration of the conceptual prototype of the Army Total Asset Visibility with Enhanced RFID Tracking Capability being developed by MIS 2000. Work is now beginning on a functional prototype that will combine ZigBee sensor hardware with the iPhone to allow scalable sensor monitoring of targeted assets.

[PAN OVER ZIGBEE ASSETS]26

Project StatusConceptual PrototypeOperational server, reader, conceptual RFID (iPhone)To be demonstrated in Hawthorne in December to refine operationFunctional PrototypeDevelopment to begin in DecemberInterface with ZigBee developers kitScalable sensors More information:Bob Wiebe [email protected]

NEXT: Functional Prototype

For more information about this project, please contact Bob Wiebe @ bob-DOT-wiebe AT G-E-L-T-D DOT- NET

[END DEMO]28