Gemstar Communications GSAMATB01 Users Manual
Technical Manual
Automated Inventory Control System
Gemstar Communications Inc.
760 Pacific Road, Unit 7, Oakville, Ontario L6L 6M5
Section i - Notice Gemstar Communications Inc.
Notice
Copyright © 1998 Gemstar Communications Inc. ("Gemstar").
The information herein is provided without liability to any user. While every effort
has been made to verify the accuracy and completeness of this information,
Gemstar makes no guarantee as to its accuracy or applicability for any particular
use. In every instance, it is the user's responsibility to determine the suitability of
this product for their application. Gemstar reserves the right to revise product
hardware, software, or documentation without obligation to notify any person or
organization. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as a recommendation
to use any product in violation of patents or other rights of third parties. The sale
of any Gemstar product is subject to all Gemstar Terms and Conditions of Sale
and Sale Policies, copies of which can be provided upon request.
This document contains proprietary information which is protected by copyright.
All rights are reserved. No part of this document may be copied or reproduced in
any form without the express written permission of Gemstar.
Trademarks
Product names mentioned in this manual may be trademarks, and they are used
for identification only.
User Comments
In order for us to maintain the quality of our publications, we invite our customers
to forward comments or suggestions to help us improve the effectiveness of this
manual.
Part Number 1020010, Revision 0
First Printing: August, 1998 Printed in Canada
Revision 0 11-Sep-98 Page i
Section ii - Table of Contents Gemstar Communications Inc.
Table of Contents
Notice.....................................................................................................................i
Table of Contents..................................................................................................ii
System Overview ................................................................................................. 1
System Description........................................................................................... 1
Technical Summary.......................................................................................... 2
Use and Purpose .......................................................................................... 2
Radio Frequencies........................................................................................ 2
RF Power Output and Field Strength............................................................ 2
Time Lines/Duty Cycle.................................................................................. 2
System Block Diagram ..................................................................................... 4
Regulatory Approval Label Diagram................................................................. 5
Component Description........................................................................................7
Asset Management Tag.................................................................................... 7
Tag Function................................................................................................. 7
Tag Model Numbers...................................................................................... 8
Tag Diagnostic Lights.................................................................................... 8
Tag Attachment and Test Procedure ............................................................ 8
Tag Schematic Diagram & Parts List ............................................................ 9
MicroCell......................................................................................................... 10
MicroCell Function ...................................................................................... 10
MicroCell Model Numbers........................................................................... 10
MicroCell Diagnostic Lights......................................................................... 11
MicroCell Schematic Diagram & Parts List.................................................. 11
On-Site Controller........................................................................................... 12
On-Site Controller Function......................................................................... 12
OSC Model Numbers.................................................................................. 12
OSC Diagnostic Lights................................................................................ 13
Maintenance Procedures ................................................................................... 14
Principles of Operation ................................................................................... 14
Installation Guide............................................................................................ 14
Installation Checklist ................................................................................... 14
Installation Procedures................................................................................ 16
Block Diagram of Tag RF and Modulating Circuitry........................................ 18
Block Diagram of MicroCell RF and Modulating Circuitry............................... 18
Block Diagram of On-Site Controller RF and Modulating Circuitry ................. 18
Performance Specifications............................................................................ 19
Tag .............................................................................................................. 19
MicroCell..................................................................................................... 19
On-Site Controller ....................................................................................... 19
Host Computer Requirements.....................................................................20
Revision 0 11-Sep-98 Page ii
Section ii - Table of Contents Gemstar Communications Inc.
Notice to Users............................................................................................... 20
Technical Support........................................................................................... 21
Service Standards.......................................................................................21
Troubleshooting.......................................................................................... 23
Index .................................................................................................................. 24
Appendix A........................................................................................................... 1
Block Diagrams of Asset Tag RF and Modulating Circuitry.............................. 1
Appendix B........................................................................................................... 1
Block Diagrams of MicroCell RF and Modulating Circuitry ............................... 3
Appendix C........................................................................................................... 1
Block Diagrams of On-Site Controller RF and Modulating Circuitry.................. 1
Revision 0 11-Sep-98 Page iii
Section 1 - System Overview Gemstar Communications Inc.
System Overview
System Description
The Gemstar Automated Inventory Control System (AICS) is a wireless
communications system that enables remote inventory tracking and asset
management. This technical manual
describes the system, its components and
other information necessary for its regulatory
approval, installation and operation. The
specifications contained in this document
pertain to the Gemstar GSAM Model AICS.
The key to the system is a small electronic
device known as a “Tag”which is attached to
each finished product at the manufacturing
facility. The Tag remains attached to the
piece as it travels from the manufacturing
facility to the distribution depot to the dealer
site.
Asset Tag
Monitoring units called “MicroCells” detect signals
from these Tags when they are on-site. Typically
there are three or more MicroCells at each site to
ensure complete coverage of the area.
When a MicroCell detects a tag, it stores this data
and reports to the site’s On-Site Controller (OSC)
on demand. The On-Site Controller is connected by
dedicated telephone line to the company’s host
computer, the Server, typically located at the Head
Office.
MicroCell
Head Office as it moves from site to site until
the equipment is sold and the tag is
removed, transmitting an appropriate signal
to the system.
Inventory can therefore
be tracked from the
On-Site Controller
Revision 0 11-Sep-98 Page 1
Section 1 - System Overview Gemstar Communications Inc.
Technical Summary
Use and Purpose
The Automated Inventory Control System (AICS) allows the user to obtain
inventory data remotely from dealerships equipped with the system. The
user can Poll the Server to download current data providing the following
timely data of inventory equipped with Gemstar’s Tags:
• inventory currently at the dealer
• inventory that has been transferred to another dealer
• missing inventory
• sold inventory-
Gemstar’s MicroCell network, installed at the dealerships, monitors the
tagged inventory and reports the data to a storage device or On-Site
Controller (OSC). This data is accumulated and held at the OSC until the
main server polls and uploads the data into its main database. The data
can then be accessed by the Host user to generate the required reports.
Radio Frequencies
Data to be provided by UltraTech
RF Power Output and Field Strength
Data to be provided by UltraTech
Time Lines/Duty Cycle
Transmission Characteristics
Asset Management Tags transmits every 15 minutes when the strap is
closed for a period of 8.6 milliseconds and every 6 minutes with the strap
open. Based on a maximum duty cycle of 100 milli seconds, the duty
cycle for the tag is 8.71 %
Power transmission on the fundamental frequency of 904.512 MHz has
been measured at a peak level of 87.63 dBlV/m.
Revision 0 11-Sep-98 Page 2
Section 1 - System Overview Gemstar Communications Inc.
Connection Mode
When the Tag Strap is first connected, the Tag will transmit a signal every
two seconds for a total of twenty seconds.
Normal Mode
Tags transmit four times per hour on the quarter-hour plus or minus 2
minutes during normal operation. The exact timing of the transmission
within those parameters is randomly generated by computer algorithm.
Sold/Disconnect Mode
When the Tag Strap is removed (normally upon the sale of the
equipment), the Tag transmits ten times per hour for twenty-four hours.
Reconnection of the Tag Strap during this time period will have no effect
on the transmissions. At the end of the twenty-four-hour period, the
Connection Mode is enabled should the Tag Strap be reattached.
Revision 0 11-Sep-98 Page 3
Section 1 - System Overview Gemstar Communications Inc.
System Block Diagram
Revision 0 11-Sep-98 Page 4
Section 1 - System Overview Gemstar Communications Inc.
2½” (64mm)
Regulatory Approval Label Diagram
The following notice label is typical of the type that must be attached to
each component of the AICS:
1½” (38mm)
AICS Tag
Model No. GSAM-ATB-01
FCCID: ????
IC Certification No. ??????
This device complies with Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. Operation is subject
to the following two conditions: (1)
this device may not cause harmful
interference and (2) this device must
accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
Revision 0 11-Sep-98 Page 5
Section 1 - System Overview Gemstar Communications Inc.
The following illustrations show where on the equipment the labels are to
be attached:
The tag notice
label is affixed
on the
embossed area
on the side
opposite the
Gemstar logo.
The Microcell
notice label is
affixed on the
lower rear section
of the case
opposite the side
with the Gemstar
logo.
Revision 0 11-Sep-98 Page 6
Section 2 - Component Description Gemstar Communications Inc.
Component Description
Asset Management Tag
Tag Function
A microprocessor-based Radio Frequency (RF) transmitting device
attached onto new vehicles during the manufacturing process. The tag is
programmed to transmit a unique code, which is associated with the serial
number of the inventory item in the Host computer. The attachment of the
Tag is made using an integrated strap, which also provides the “status” of
the Tag as well as acting as the antenna. The tag transmits its code
randomly 4 times per hour under normal conditions. Once the strap is
disconnected, the Tag then begins transmitting a “sold” status 10 times
per hour for 24 hours and then resets itself.
Revision 0 11-Sep-98 Page 7
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