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Boeing Tracks Assets at Kennedy Space Center
In 2007, Boeing reviewed bids from numerous RFID vendors before selecting RFID Global Solutions. RFIDGS, Lintereur says, was the only vendor that could deliver the frequency required—between 6 and 8 GHz—at an affordable cost, and with a proven track record.
The companies began installing the system later in 2007, which included RFID readers installed in Boeing vans for use at the launch pad. The system was fully functional by February 2008. However, Lintereur says, operation at the launch pad was delayed until April while Boeing awaited NASA approval for the RFID technology. Now, after an initial deployment of about 600 tags, the company plans to attach tags to 3,000 other tools and pieces of equipment, and is again using RFIDGS as the vendor.
The active RFID tags, manufactured by MSSI, are about the size of a quarter. Each comes with an embedded RFID chip with a unique ID number associated in a database to the serial number and description of the tool to which that tag is attached. It also comes with a battery that will last about five to seven years and an antenna. In addition, Rose says, each tag can be set to beacon at a predetermined rate. According to Rose, two-way communication between tag and interrogator, which would enable tags to remain dormant until readers interrogate them, is typically more expensive for both tags and readers, and consumes more battery life.
Boeing has installed 40 fixed readers, primarily on the ceilings and walls of facilities at the space center, such as the Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF). In the case of that building, Rose says, because the ceilings were 100 feet high, the MSSI readers were installed on the walls, allowing a longer read range for readers. Readers can capture the ID numbers of tags up to 160 feet away indoors, then forward that data to Boeing's back-end system, either by a cabled connection, or via the company's existing wireless system. RFIDGS' Global View software, integrated with Boeing's inventory management system, provides a user interface to allow for the commissioning of and searching for particular items, as well as the running of reports on Boeing's SQL database. The readers employ triangulation to pinpoint an asset's location within 3 cubic feet, Lintereur says.
During the next phase of the installation, Boeing plans to upgrade to RFIDGS' latest software suite, known as Visi-Trac Asset Tracking, as well as add additional readers to further tighten the locating capabilities.
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The companies began installing the system later in 2007, which included RFID readers installed in Boeing vans for use at the launch pad. The system was fully functional by February 2008. However, Lintereur says, operation at the launch pad was delayed until April while Boeing awaited NASA approval for the RFID technology. Now, after an initial deployment of about 600 tags, the company plans to attach tags to 3,000 other tools and pieces of equipment, and is again using RFIDGS as the vendor.
The active RFID tags, manufactured by MSSI, are about the size of a quarter. Each comes with an embedded RFID chip with a unique ID number associated in a database to the serial number and description of the tool to which that tag is attached. It also comes with a battery that will last about five to seven years and an antenna. In addition, Rose says, each tag can be set to beacon at a predetermined rate. According to Rose, two-way communication between tag and interrogator, which would enable tags to remain dormant until readers interrogate them, is typically more expensive for both tags and readers, and consumes more battery life.
Boeing has installed 40 fixed readers, primarily on the ceilings and walls of facilities at the space center, such as the Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF). In the case of that building, Rose says, because the ceilings were 100 feet high, the MSSI readers were installed on the walls, allowing a longer read range for readers. Readers can capture the ID numbers of tags up to 160 feet away indoors, then forward that data to Boeing's back-end system, either by a cabled connection, or via the company's existing wireless system. RFIDGS' Global View software, integrated with Boeing's inventory management system, provides a user interface to allow for the commissioning of and searching for particular items, as well as the running of reports on Boeing's SQL database. The readers employ triangulation to pinpoint an asset's location within 3 cubic feet, Lintereur says.
During the next phase of the installation, Boeing plans to upgrade to RFIDGS' latest software suite, known as Visi-Trac Asset Tracking, as well as add additional readers to further tighten the locating capabilities.
