Low-Cost Real-Time Locating System Solution Development and Implementation in Manufacturing Industry

Abstract

The present work originates from a previous study in which a low-cost Real-Time Locating System (RTLS) based on Ultra-Wideband signals was developed and tested both in a laboratory and in a real industrial environment for assessing its performance and determining the best configuration, according to some selected KPIs. Starting from the future research directions depicted, the evolution herein presented is twofold. First, tests performed in the laboratory are refined and deepened in terms of (i) different anchors’ arrangements and orientation; (ii) the increased number of tested tags; and (iii) the tags’ battery capacity test. Second, the development and deployment of the industrial solution as well is improved by means of a case for hosting tags to be positioned on the asset to be tracked, realized through 3D printing, in line with the industrial context requirements. Finally, an economic analysis is performed so as to demonstrate the convenience of the investment and the feasibility of the solution. Results are positive and promising in terms of both economic sustainability and implementation of the system in a real industrial environment and may constitute guidelines for practitioners and managers.

Keywords

• real-time locating system
• ultra-wideband
• sensors network
• assets tracking
• warehouse management
• 3D printing