December 1, 2010 - R. STAHL announces ISwireless for real-time people and asset tracking via radio signals. The system, which is based on RFID transponders, provides increased safety and ensures better productivity in hazardous areas: in case of accidents, personnel can be located and receive care faster, the location of visitors or external service providers can continuously monitored, and vehicles, portable measuring devices and tools are easy to find at any time thanks to RFID tags. According to the principle of zone-based localisation, users can determine the location of active transponder tags by means of several controllers which are installed in fixed positions. The optional “Advanced Localization” software package allows users to determine locations with a ±5 m accuracy.
The RFID tags broadcast their identification in the license-free ISM band (2.4 GHz) at intervals that can be set between 1 and 60 seconds. The broadcast function can be switched off if required. Moreover, 112 Bytes of additional user data can be stored in each transponder.
A combination of energy-efficient electronics and a powerful battery ensures a service life of up to ten years for the flat units, which are less than 0.8 inches / 2 cm high.The controllers allow for position monitoring of up to 100 RFID tags per second and more than 1,000 tags on devices or persons in total. They can communicate with higher-level IT systems via Fast Ethernet or via a WLAN interface (IEEE 802.11 b/g).
A middleware allows for the integration of position data into ERP and MES environments. The IP67-protected RFID tags are optimally suited for outdoor applications and can be installed in zone 0, 1, 2 and 20 hazardous areas. The IP66-protected controllers are suitable for installation in Ex zones 1, 2, 21 and 22. The units, which can be used in rugged environments, withstand extreme temperatures between -40 to +50 °C (transponders) and -20 to +60 °C (controllers).