| Radio
Frequency Identification (RFID) Protected Asset Tracking System (PATS)
Deployment
 |
L-R:
Jim Younkin, Brigham Thomas, Chris Pickett, Nuclear Science and
Technology Division; Brad Stinson, Analog and Digital
Systems Group |
Introduction
The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has developed the RFID-based
Protected Asset Tracking System (PATS). The deployment of this system
will represent the first time a technology of this type has been installed
at a National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) site. This system
was specially designed to provide a robust tracking solution for the unique
requirements associated with protected assets at DOE and NNSA sites.
The deployment of PATS will
significantly improve the situational awareness associated with a site’s
protective asset inventory. Currently, sites utilize systems that require
significant people resources to determine when protected assets are missing.
Using this traditional approach, the detection of missing assets are not
as timely as desired and represent a substantial labor investment by the
site. By utilizing PATS, the site will be able to detect and respond in
a more timely fashion to any missing asset, which will provide faster
event reconciliation at much lower cost.
Objectives
The primary objective of this project is to improve a site’s overall
situational awareness associated with the inventory of certain protected
assets. A special area at the NNSA site was identified as an ideal location
for an evaluation deployment. A basic system consisting of a server and
a single Portal System will soon be installed and used to track assets
that enter and leave this area. In order to successfully apply RFID tags,
ORNL has worked with site experts to determine the most appropriate attachment
schemes with regards to tag read performance, while ensuring the asset
is not made unusable or cumbersome because of the tag placement.
Once in the post-deployment
stage, the collected system data and end-user feedback will be used to
improve the system for potential site-wide implementation. It is anticipated
that the initial deployment will be expanded to additional areas within
the site, eventually covering all areas where protected asset are used.
RFID Tags
Ultra High Frequency (UHF) RFID tags operating at 915 MHz are used for
this application. Various RFID tags are compatible with the system, including
those manufactured by Symbol Inc., Alien Technologies and Avery Dennison.
Five different tag types have been specified for this deployment, with
each type catering to requirements based on asset size, attachment method
and construction material. The tags used range in size from 3.89”x1.3”
to 4”x4” and vary in thickness from 0.01” to 0.3”.
Examples of various RFID tag inlays are shown in Figure 1.
|
Figure
1. 915 MHz RFID Tags |
Portal System
The Portal System consists of a lightweight aluminum structure that is
both movable and resizable to accommodate varied location and size requirements
in a site’s operational area. The portal's wiring and power distribution
is self-contained, requiring only a single network and power connection.
Up to three antennas can be mounted to the portal for comprehensive coverage.
A touch screen display is conveniently mounted on the side of the structure
as shown in Figure 2.
System Architecture
The PATS architecture is based on a single-server, multi-client network
model. A single server is typically used per site, with Portal System
“clients” distributed at key points throughout the site. Each
Portal System is assigned a unique identifier so the system can designate
location as tagged items pass through the portal.
The communication
structure is based on Web services; a software system designed for interoperable
machine-to-machine communications over existing Ethernet networks. Common
open standard protocols are employed to ensure interoperability and ease
future product integration.
|
Figure
3. System Architecture is based
on existing Ethernet Infrastructure. |
Web-based client software
allows the user to query data in several different ways. The user can
view items by location (e.g. room number); by ID (e.g. asset number);
and by virtual toolbox (e.g. previously-defined list of assets required
to complete a task). The virtual toolbox mode has the added benefit of
identifying items that are missing and identifying items that are in surplus
compared to what the toolbox says is needed.
The client software is entirely
Web-based, and uses the latest in dynamic content updating techniques
(often called AJAX) similar to those used by Google Maps and Google Gmail.
This format provides the user with a responsive, data-rich display without
the need for manual page refreshes.
Submitted by: Brad Stinson,
Analog and Digital Systems Group
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