Technologies
17 Oct 2024 8 min

Published:

Last update 17 OCT 2024

The Ultimate Guide to Navigine's Industrial Tracking UWB Kit: Setup, Usage, and Best Practices

Technologies
Navigine - The Ultimate Guide to Navigine's Industrial Tracking UWB Kit: Setup, Usage, and Best Practices
17 Oct 2024 8 min

Published:

Last update 17 OCT 2024

The Industrial Tracking UWB Kit by Navigine is an efficient and cost-effective UWB tracking system for tracking assets in industrial environments. This system accurately pinpoints the location of assets, monitors their movements in real time, and automatically alerts users of their location. The kit significantly enhances staff safety and facilitates the swift location of valuable equipment within the production area.

The Industrial Tracking UWB Kit is the initial step toward implementing a comprehensive ultra wideband tracking system within your facility. It is highly customizable and can be seamlessly integrated within existing systems. The platform, which comes with the kit, is ideal for companies that require precise positioning and object tracking, particularly in industries such as chemical processing, mining, or oil and gas production. By utilizing this UWB tracking system, these industries can manage route movements, monitor the location of workers in confined spaces in case of emergency, and conduct environmental monitoring.

The system is powered by UWB technology, which allows for location determination with an accuracy of up to 30 centimeters. Ultra-wideband tracking transmits high-frequency signals over short distances and is known for its resilience against interference.

The UWB tracking system operates on the principle of utilizing unique tags equipped with built-in batteries. These tags can process billions of signals transmitted across a wide frequency range. Receiving devices (antennas) capture these radio impulses and convert them into data, enabling precise determination of the tracked object's location.

Key Components of the Industrial Tracking UWB Kit

The central component of the Industrial Tracking UWB Kit is the Navigine Tracking software, designed to effectively address indoor positioning and industrial asset tracking challenges. Utilizing UWB technology, the system monitors objects in real-time and provides detailed movement analytics to optimize operational workflows.

The primary function of Navigine Tracking is to process data from assets within an industrial environment. When integrated into a facility's infrastructure, the Industrial Tracking UWB Kit performs the following tasks:

Indoor Object Positioning. The software precisely determines the location of any object, whether it's staff, equipment, or vehicles. This positioning is carried out in real-time.

Indoor Object Positioning

Zone Monitoring (Geofencing). The platform enables the creation of defined zones within the space and monitors objects' crossing of these geofences. Relevant information is transmitted to the responsible staff's smartphones or computers.

Zone Monitoring

Heat Maps. The platform generates heat maps of indoor areas within the facility to identify traffic levels and pinpoint problem areas. This allows for more effective management of employee work time and enhances safety across the production environment.

Heat Maps

Analytical Reports Based on Location Data. All movement data is collected and transmitted to the platform for further optimization.

Analytical Reports Based on Location Data

Push-Notifications. The system automatically sends alerts in the event of unforeseen situations, such as accidents or increased hazardous substance levels within the facility.

Push-Notifications

In addition to Navigine Tracking, the kit includes five Noccela Beacon 3 devices. These beacons are compact, feature an easy to install design, and operate within a wide range (up to 75 meters). The positioning accuracy of these sensors reaches centimeter-level precision. Once installed, they assist in accurately determining the location of objects, making them ideal for monitoring staff.

Noccela Beacon 3

Another essential component of the kit is the Noccela ID Badge. Ten of these wearable devices, designed to be attached to employees' clothing, are included. They are powered by 550 mAh lithium-polymer batteries, which provide a battery life of up to six months.

Noccela ID Badge

Key Use Cases for the Industrial Tracking UWB Kit

Industrial Asset Tracking

The system identifies assets in real-time and displays their location on a digital map. This functionality allows for the quick retrieval of lost assets, prevents theft, and optimizes routes within the facility. Continuous monitoring also enables the identification of non-operational equipment, helping to avoid downtime-related costs. The high precision of asset tracking provided by UWB technology facilitates production process monitoring, allowing management to oversee operations effectively and even track small parts on conveyor lines.

Ensuring Staff Safety

The platform's critical feature is its ability to enhance staff safety in industrial settings. By monitoring workers' locations, the system helps prevent collisions with machinery, tracks the presence of individuals in hazardous areas, and instantly sends evacuation alerts in case of emergencies. Additionally, security teams can quickly locate employees in danger zones and take necessary actions to assist them.

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Step 1: Place Assessment and Installation of Beacon 3 Gateways

  • First, an audit of the area where the tracking system will be operating will be conducted. There are specific requirements for equipment installation. For instance, UWB gateways (Beacon 3) must be positioned at least 1 meter away from walls or ceilings, meaning they should be placed at a slight distance from the walls along the XYZ axes, not directly against them.
  • Second, ensure unobstructed placement, with no barriers like walls within a 1-meter range. This is a key factor for the efficient operation of the equipment, particularly in terms of radio wave propagation. To address this, a unique 1-meter pin is often used to install the Beacon 3, which is screwed into the ceiling to prevent potential issues with radio signal distribution.
  • Third, ensure there are no large metal structures or radio-impermeable objects (including those covered with plastic) near the Beacon 3 installation points. Small metal plates, however, will not affect radio signal performance.

Beacon 3 installation points

  • Fourth, in most cases, an Ethernet cable (twisted pair RJ45) will need to be routed to the installation location.
  • The equipment must have open access to the internet without additional firewalls or similar barriers.

Step 2: Creating Locations in the Noccela and Navigine Web Interfaces

*This setup phase will be completed in collaboration with Navigine experts during a 2-hour support session.

  • Beacon 3 gateways must be connected to the cable and mounted so that their domes, where the LED indicator is located, are hanging downward.
  • After installation, log into the web interface provided by the hardware supplier, Noccela, and create a location for your place. The gateways should be placed on the map in the same way they are positioned on-site. Beacon 3 will automatically measure the distances between the gateways, and this data will be used to minimize discrepancies between the estimated and actual distances.
  • Next, create a location on the Navigine Locations platform. The map in Navigine must be the same size as the one created in Noccela.

Our product will help enhance staff safety, improve time management, and streamline workforce operations at your facility. Order the kit or contact us through the feedback form to receive a free consultation from our manager.

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F.A.Q

Yes, the kit includes a user-friendly control panel that allows seamless integration of the tracking system with your existing infrastructure.

The badges and beacons operate effectively within a temperature range of 0 to 50°C. However, performance may slightly decrease when used in subzero temperatures.

Additional beacons or badges can be purchased and integrated into the system as needed to accommodate larger areas.

The Industrial Tracking UWB Kit has a setup guide and a 2-hour support session with Navigine specialists.

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