In our fast-paced world, where time is a valuable asset, having real-time knowledge of asset location can be revolutionary. So, what is RTLS and how can it revolutionize the way businesses track assets, manage operations, and optimize efficiency? Let’s explore how RTLS functions, its advantages, and why you should invest in RTLS solutions for your enterprise.
What is RTLS
RTLS (Real Time Location System) is a technology used to automatically identify and track the location of objects or people in real time. It provides instant visibility into the position of assets, inventory, or personnel, typically using a combination of IoT sensors, tags, and software.
How Does RTLS Work?
The core function of Real Time Location System is based on tracking objects through tags, which can be placed on equipment, vehicles, or even people. When an object with a tag starts to move, the tag transmits signals that are picked up by receivers, readers, or gateways installed throughout the area. These devices collect the data, which is then processed by specialized software using algorithms to determine the object’s location. Once the location is calculated, this information is sent to a connected platform, such as a smartphone or computer, where users can view the data to manage assets and personnel.
The Methods of RTLS Position Calculation
RSSI
RSSI is one of the most common and preferred methods for determining position in Real Time Location System. It involves measuring the strength of the signal received from a device, such as a tag or sensor, at a given location. The basic idea is that the stronger the signal, the closer the object is to the receiver, and the weaker the signal, the farther away it is.
How It Works:
- A beacon or tag transmits its signal to nearby receivers.
- The receivers measure the signal strength.
- The system uses these measurements to calculate the distance from the tag or beacon to the receivers.
Although RSSI is inexpensive, easy to implement, and economical in terms of usage, it can be less accurate in environments with significant interference, such as metallic surfaces or walls that distort signals.
AOA
AOA is an advanced method where the receiver determines the position of an object from the angle at which its signal comes to that receiver. In this method, by using multiple antennas or receivers at different positions, the system can calculate the angle of the incoming signal and determine the position of the tag.
How it works:
- The tag emits a signal.
- The signal is detected by several receivers, each with their antenna at a different angle.
- The angle difference between the multiple antennas is used to calculate the position of the tag.
AOA is also more accurate than RSSI, as the angle can usually mitigate interference effects rather than the strength with which the signal arrives. But it is costly because it needs more advanced hardware.
TDOA
TDOA is a highly accurate mechanism based on the time difference of arrival of a signal from a tag to multiple receivers placed at known locations. By measuring the time it takes for the signal to reach each receiver, the system can pinpoint the tag’s location very accurately.
How it works:
- A tag transmits a signal at a specific time.
- Multiple receivers pick the signal at slightly different times.
- The calculated time difference is used to locate the tag’s position.
The major advantage of TDOA is its high accuracy, which is the primary reason it should be preferred in large spaces or environments with critical locating needs. However, it requires synchronized clocks across the receivers, which can complicate implementation.
Channel Sounding
Bluetooth Channel Sounding is a new feature added in Bluetooth Core Specification Bluetooth 6.0, enabling secure fine ranging between two Bluetooth devices with high security. Bluetooth Channel Sounding offers two key benefits for Bluetooth positioning: improved accuracy and enhanced security. Bluetooth channel sounding utilizes PBR (Phase-Based Ranging) and RTT (Round-Trip Time) to determine the distances between Bluetooth-connected devices with high centimeter-level accuracy. Combining the use of PBR and RTT enhances security by cross-checking.
The Advantages of RTLS
Businesses are transforming their approach to asset tracking, workflow management, and more with RTLS solutions. Let’s take a look at some of the top benefits of implementing RTLS into your operations:
Improved Asset Utilization
Asset tracking provides the exact location of your assets, so you know they’re being used to their potential. This allows you to maximize asset availability and productivity by reducing the time spent searching for or unable to locate equipment.
Improved Accuracyand Efficiency
Using RTLS tracking, the days of manual tracking errors are gone. Your team is able to pinpoint assets in real time without any wasted time, resulting in faster decision-making and reduced downtime.
Increased Security
RTLS also lets you create geo-fences around critical assets, so you’re notified if they get moved beyond certain areas. With this added layer of security, you can ensure that your valuables are well protected.
Optimized Workflows
Real-time location solutions will also streamline workflows by giving you real-time visibility of where your assets or personnel are at any given moment. It will help you plan more effectively, allocate your resources more efficiently, and make things run more smoothly.
Cost Savings
It saves businesses time that would be spent searching for lost or misplaced assets, thus enabling them to cut costs related to manual inventory checks, utilize available assets effectively, and eliminate unnecessary purchases.
The Shortages of RTLS
In healthcare, the use of RTLS technologies like RFID, Wi-Fi, and UWB faces challenges, particularly interference with sensitive medical equipment. Some argue that placing RFID systems at a safe distance from equipment could mitigate this issue, but the effectiveness of this approach remains uncertain. The correct choice of RTLS technology is crucial, as poor design decisions early on can lead to costly failures.
Applications of RTLS
RTLS in Healthcare
Real Time Location System in healthcare takes care of patient and real-time equipment tracking. RTLS in hospitals enables fast localization of medical devices such as wheelchairs or infusion pumps, ensuring they are always within reach when needed. Besides, it can also track the movements of patients within the institution to facilitate care delivery, hence improving patient outcomes. It improves operational efficiency and reduces asset misplacement.
RTLS in Manufacturing
Real Time Location System is vital in the manufacturing sector as far as tool, machine, and inventory tracking are concerned. Manufacturers can optimally use their space in the workplace and ensure that the tools and raw materials are always present and easily accessible, reducing equipment downtime and wasting productive time when searching for it. Furthermore, it enables better workflow optimization through visibility of the movement of goods along the production line, thus improving overall productivity and leading to better quality of work.
RTLS in Hospitality
With RTLS in the hospitality sector, both guest experience and back-end operations are enhanced. For instance, the hotels will use RTLS to track guests’ locations in order to offer personalized services that guide them to where they might find activities or amenities. Meanwhile, staff will also have real-time tracking of equipment such as room keys or cleaning carts to ensure smooth operations. Such responses are usually delivered more quickly, resulting in higher customer satisfaction.
RTLS for Enhanced Workplace Safety
For industries like construction or warehousing, RTLS can help prevent accidents by providing real-time location data. For a quick response by an emergency team, an accurate location of workers at any given critical moment is valuable in most hazardous settings. It can send worker alerts if entering restricted or dangerous areas.
RTLS for Indoor Tracking
RTLS technology is ideal for indoor spaces such as airports, large offices, and shopping malls, as it accurately tracks real-time assets and provides navigation. Visitors can easily find their way to destinations like gates, stores, or restrooms. Their items, along with assets, can also be tracked in large indoor spaces, greatly improving efficiency and minimizing the risk of lost items. RTLS also allows for personalized client experiences, such as location-based promotions.
Types of technologies used RTLS
Bluetooth LE
Bluetooth low energy technology is commonly used for region tracking and location solutions due to its economical features, such as relatively low power consumption. Tracking is achieved with Bluetooth-based tags and sensors that communicate with receivers or gateways placed nearby. This approach is suitable for office, warehouse, and healthcare environments, emphasizing battery life and affordability.
Wi-Fi
Another common RTLS technology nowadays is Wi-Fi, especially in settings where a Wi-Fi network is already operational. Wi-Fi uses access points that measure the strength of the Wi-Fi signal to locate tags or devices in the RTLS environment. Installation is quite easy in very large places such as hospitals, schools, or offices, where most functions are already supported by the existing Wi–Fi infrastructure.
RFID
The most popular technology is RFID, which manages assets through the RTLS tracking system. An RFID tag affixed to an asset communicates with readers to determine its location. In this case, RFID may be passive (no battery) or active (with a battery to extend its range). Warehouses, logistics, and retail are the ideal environments for real-time inventory or asset tracking.
UWB
UWB is one of the most accurate positioning technologies for RTLS due to its high precision. It works by sending signals over a broad frequency range, allowing for very precise time-of-flight measurements that determine where an object is located. UWB is generally used in manufacturing, healthcare, and environments where accuracy to within a few centimeters is required.
Infrared
Infrared is an inexpensive and relatively uncomplicated RTLS technology that relies on infrared light emitted to track objects. Typically, the working principle involves an infrared emitter on the tag with fixed-in-space infrared sensors. Infrared is mainly used for short-distance tracking within constrained buildings, such as offices or meeting rooms, where items are usually very close.
GPS
GPS is often used in RTLS for asset tracking and vehicular location purposes in outdoor environments. The theory is that since satellites are used to find the accurate location of the tag, GPS-based RTLS will be effective in tracking mobile assets, such as vehicles, containers, or even outdoor equipment. A problem with GPS is that it is nearly useless indoors, but it works well for large-scale outdoor environments.
What Is the Difference Between RTLS and GPS?
Coverage
RTLS focuses on localized tracking in confined spaces like buildings, warehouses, and healthcare facilities. GPS provides global coverage but struggles with indoor environments because its signals cannot penetrate most construction materials.
Accuracy
RTLS offers high precision, often accurate to within a foot, making it ideal for detailed, real-time location tracking in smaller areas. GPS lacks fine-grained accuracy, often not suitable for precise indoor tracking.
Power Consumption
RTLS uses minimal power, with tags often lasting up to multiple years, making them more energy-efficient for long-term use. GPS consumes more power and requires more complex and expensive receivers.
Application
RTLS is preferred for use in indoor or confined-area tracking, such as asset management within buildings, hospitals, or warehouses. GPS is best suited for outdoor and large-scale tracking, such as for vehicles, containers, or global asset tracking.
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