First Combined Wi-Fi / Ultra Wideband Tracking System

AeroScout, Inc. today announced its new Ultra-Wi-Fi line of products that enable asset tracking using both Wi-Fi and Ultra Wideband (UWB). The system, developed with partner Time Domain, features the industry's only dual-mode tag that can be tracked with a standard Wi-Fi network across the enterprise while also adding the high precision and inches-level accuracy of UWB where it is required.The Ultra-Wi-Fi solution utilizes a single, integrated tag to roam seamlessly between a standard Wi-Fi network and an Ultra Wideband reader network. The tag's low-impact beaconing message can be received by both Wi-Fi access points and the Ultra-Wi-Fi UWB receivers. The AeroScout Engine software determines location over both frequencies, and AeroScout MobileView software applies a consistent set of rules to all location data.

"Wi-Fi-based tracking systems have come to lead the market due to cost-effectiveness, while UWB systems have also met application needs through very high accuracy in needed areas. Customers who required both technologies, though, have historically needed two separate solutions," said Gabi Daniely, VP of marketing and product strategy at AeroScout. "AeroScout's and Time Domain's innovative converged product line meets a real need among our global customer base for solutions that combine the scalability and ubiquity of Wi-Fi with the extreme accuracy of UWB."

Through the Ultra-Wi-Fi solution, customers can track assets across a large facility or enterprise while meeting specific application needs that call for very high accuracy in certain areas. As an example, a manufacturing facility can use their Wi-Fi network to track tagged parts as they move throughout the entire facility. When those parts enter an area of densely located workcells, Ultra-Wi-Fi receivers can track to within 12 inches to precisely log the parts' workflow. Because the same tags and software are utilized, customers can maintain the low cost and scalability of Wi-Fi-based tracking while adding the high accuracy of UWB in areas where it is required.

"Our jointly developed product gives customers a single RTLS choice that allows them to incorporate the precision location of UWB while leveraging their investment in Wi-Fi," said Greg Clawson, vice president of sales and marketing, Time Domain. "Early in the development of our PLUS product line, we identified AeroScout as the company with the vision to work with us to create a dual-mode RTLS system the market is seeking."

The solution includes Ultra-Wi-Fi dual mode tags, Ultra-Wi-Fi readers for areas where UWB tracking is desired, AeroScout Engine software for dual-mode location determination, and AeroScout MobileView software for management, alerting and visualization of tracked assets and people. All of the leading features of AeroScout's Wi-Fi-based Active RFID technology, such as integrated sensors and telemetry, Exciters for choke-point data, and real-time rules-based alerting, are enabled through the Ultra-Wi-Fi solution as well.