Health Care NEWS
Text size:
T
T
T
Hybrid Tag Includes Active RFID, GPS, Satellite and Sensors
The ST-694 includes an active Savi tag that complies with ISO 18000-7, the standard for real-time locating systems that employ active tags operating at 433 MHz. The ST-694 also includes the SX1, a tag unveiled one year ago by Orbit One, a division of Numerex. The SX1, which comes with a field-replaceable lithium battery, an internal motion sensor and an integrated GPS chipset, communicates with Globalstar's low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites (see Orbit One Launches Satellite-Based RFID Service).
The SX1 tag is programmed to activate several times per day, then send its GPS-determined location information (latitude and longitude) to the nearest LEO satellite. Whether operating as an active RFID tag or as a satellite tag, the ST-694 transmits its unique ID number. The active RFID tag serves as the master component in the ST-694, leveraging a set of algorithms developed by Savi that can intelligently determine whether to operate in active RFID or satellite communications mode.
"When the tag is in the supply chain where there are nearby RFID readers," Parent says, "the tag will automatically shut off the satellite controller. And the tag is smart enough to know, when a container leaves a depot and is not within range of an RFID reader, to automatically flip on the satellite controller." Each time the tag communicates with the Globalstar satellite system, however, a fee is charged.
Additionally, the ST-694 comes equipped with a motion sensor. In the event that motion is detected for at least a half-hour, the sensor will automatically instruct the tag to operate in satellite communications mode.
"The tag always wants to use the RFID system, if it is available, because the RFID readers are an already installed system, and there is no cost," Parent states. "If the tag has to use a satellite, of course, there are costs."
more Health Care articles
The SX1 tag is programmed to activate several times per day, then send its GPS-determined location information (latitude and longitude) to the nearest LEO satellite. Whether operating as an active RFID tag or as a satellite tag, the ST-694 transmits its unique ID number. The active RFID tag serves as the master component in the ST-694, leveraging a set of algorithms developed by Savi that can intelligently determine whether to operate in active RFID or satellite communications mode.
"When the tag is in the supply chain where there are nearby RFID readers," Parent says, "the tag will automatically shut off the satellite controller. And the tag is smart enough to know, when a container leaves a depot and is not within range of an RFID reader, to automatically flip on the satellite controller." Each time the tag communicates with the Globalstar satellite system, however, a fee is charged.
Additionally, the ST-694 comes equipped with a motion sensor. In the event that motion is detected for at least a half-hour, the sensor will automatically instruct the tag to operate in satellite communications mode.
"The tag always wants to use the RFID system, if it is available, because the RFID readers are an already installed system, and there is no cost," Parent states. "If the tag has to use a satellite, of course, there are costs."
