Manufacturing companies are already using active RFID and Real Time Locating Systems (RTLS) in their businesses - thus providing the ultimate supply chain and the ideal control of parts, materials, work in progress and finished goods, and then ultimately sensing too.

These are a form of active RFID and there are various types available from Ultra Wide Band (UWB):

One form radio fingerprints existing WiFi emissions and another measures Time Delay of Arrival (TDOA) of several emitted beams. The WiFi approach usually calls for more nodes to be installed but infrastructure is usually still low in system cost.

G2 Microsystems has provided the most advanced chip for these tags, gaining considerable improvements in cost and power economy. For 3D location of staff and valuable assets in oil refineries, supply depots etc., BP finds RTLS from companies such as Time Domain and Ubisense to be best.

Ubisense is delivering value in automotive manufacturing as well with its unusually accurate UWB RTLS.

Different companies have different preferences, for example:

Belgian startup Green Peak favours active RFID on 2.45 GHz ZigBee protocols in indoor locations whereas Axcess International has an alternative approach. Ford has widely used RTLS in manufacturing, including the location and stocktaking of finished vehicles in huge yards, where long range is needed. Indeed, PINC Solutions has an impressive RTLS offering specifically for yard management.

UK startup RFTRAQ has established a commanding position in paper production and newsprint by tagging the huge paper reels with UHF active RFID. The RFTRAQ systems have unusually large two way range of up to 400 meters and the tags can be remotely reconfigured.

Boeing is looking at a variety of approaches, one of which involves a 64 kilobit active tag, an unusually large amount of memory for a disposable tag in manufacturing, the extra capacity is needed to enable considerable rewritability for recording status etc. on very high value and mission critical items.

Identec Solutions has had remarkable success in installing the latest active RFID systems in manufacturing, logistics and allied applications, usually achieving ranges up to 100 meters with UHF. Increasing worker safety has been one objective. Another aspect is the use of active RFID in manufacturing automation and here Pepperl + Fuchs is a respected leader.

Find more details from the IDTechEx Analyst Article: Active RFID and RTLS in Manufacturing.

This post is sponsored by IDTechEx.