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.
See FCC registration label, located on the bottom of the equipment for the FCC, registration.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for Class A devices, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC
Rules.
This ISM device complies with Canadian ICES-001.
Cet appareil ISM est conforme à la norme NMB-001 du Canada.
Agency Approvals
Emission – FCC Part 15 Class A
Radio – FCC Part 15.247
IC RSS 210
EMC EN 301489-1/-17
Radio – EN 300328
Electrical Safety IEC 60950-1
Electrical Safety EN 60950-1
Note: IEEE 802.11 functionality will only support b/g (not “a” version).
RF Notice
Any changes or modifications to WhereNet Corp. equipment not expressly approved by WhereNet Corp. could void the
user’s authority to operate the equipment.
FCC Radiation Exposure Statement
This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This equipment
should be installed and operated with minimum distance 20cm between the radiator and your body. This transmitter must
not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.
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There are no user-serviceable parts inside. Do not attempt to open the unit for repair.
The WhereNet Real Time Locating System (RTLS) is designed to permit users to determine the position of tagged assets
in both indoor and outdoor facilities such as factories and freight yards. The system locates tagged assets by a process
involving redundant triangulation. Each tag autonomously emits a 2.4 GHz direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) radio
signal at predetermined blink rate. Each tag’s blink rate is randomized around its predetermined value to minimize the
number of collisions between transmissions made by different tags. The signal emitted by the tag is received by a
minimum of four Location Antennas. A typical transmission contains a preamble which is used to synchronize the
receiver, the tag’s serial number which identifies the tag, a status word which monitors various tag functions, data stored
in the tag’s memory and finally a CRC used to assure that the tag’s message is correct as received.
A WhereTrack or WNC unit may be utilized as part of the RTLS to locate yard vehicles, back haul GPS and telemetry
information from the CPE and also offers WiFi communication capability.
Figure 1: WhereNet Real Time Locating System Block Diagram
The WhereTrack is a custom WhereNet product that supports 802.11b/g WiFi, GPS, and the WhereNet Real Time
Locating System (RTLS). It is a medium sized device that can be attached to a variety of CPE such as UTRs, RTGs,
FELs, STs and SGs. A PACECO PTIU is generally, but not always, also installed on the CPE. If the CPE has a PTIU, the
WNC connects to the PTIU via EtherNet and forwards the PTIU telemetry information to the RTLS through tag
transmissions and provides WiFi back haul connectivity. Some CPEs, such as Quay Cranes, may not require a PTIU, but
may still require a WNC unit. In this case, the WNC provides the function of periodic GPS and RTLS location reporting.
The PTIU is a custom Paceco product that supports a number of digital and analog ports. The PTIU is installed on a
variety of CHE. It’s primary function is to detect the state of sensors, to determine container transition events, and to
report these to the WhereNet MTS SW stack. The PTIU generally connects to sensor signals already available on the
CHE as well as a variety of new sensors installed on the CHE. In some cases, the PTIU also connects to the CHE PLC in
order to obtain the sensor data it requires.
The WNC contains the functionality of 4 internal STHO WhereTags that can be set to "blink" an RF transmission at preprogrammed rates ranging from 0.5 seconds to one hour between blinks. The WhereNet RTLS infrastructure receives
these blinks and use sophisticated Differential Time of Arrival, (DTOA), algorithms to determine the location of the tag.
Accuracy of this determined location can be as low as 2 meters and is nominally within 3 meters in most installations.
The tag blink data field can also include the GPS locate information as well as other telemetry information that is
connected to the WNC from the CPE. The WNC is also assigned an individual MAC address.
The WhereTrack complies with the ISO 24730-2 RTLS standard and IEEE 802.11b/g standards. It operates in the globally
accepted 2.4GHz frequency band and transmits spread spectrum and WLAN signals in accordance with these standards.
The use of direct sequence spread spectrum technology provides extremely long range; in excess of 1,000 meter locate
range outdoors, and 300 meter locate range indoors.
The WhereTrack device is powered by a 12 to 24V DC input at 12W maximum via a customer supplied input cable (or
cables) which may also supply telemetry or programming information.
Designed to operate in a wide range of outdoor applications, the WNC is fully sealed and rated to IP67 to handle harsh
weather environments. The unit's construction is also resistant to oils, solvents and hydraulic fluids.
WhereLan Location Sensor (LOS) and Location Access Point (LAP)
The Location Sensor and Locating Access Point receive the tag transmissions and forwards the information to the
WhereNet Visibility Server Software which performs locations calculations, database functions and systems management.
The Location Sensors and Locating Access Points communicate with each other and the Visibility Server Software via
standard wired Ethernet cables or an 802.11b-compliant wireless LAN. Utilizing sophisticated DSP technology, the LOS
and LAP are able to track large populations of WhereTags including those from a WhereTrack unit simultaneously. They
can be installed in a grid configuration to provide ubiquitous coverage over large areas comprised of many cells. The
Locating Access Point combines multiple functions: an RTLS Location Sensor and a Wi-Fi certified access point for
wireless LAN clients and applications
Visibility Server Software (VSS)
WhereNet's Visibility Server Software (VSS) is an integrated software package that provides all the tools required to
effectively manage assets and resources as well as the WhereNet Real-Time Locating System (RTLS). Visibility provides
all core software components to allow efficient resource management. Key among those software components is
WhereSoft Locate, which is a distributed Windows Service. When WhereSoft Locate is combined with Visibility and any
of the many applications available from WhereNet, it is possible to locate assets, know their status, and react to any
number of user configurable alert conditions. Visibility also provides the tools required to control and monitor the RealTime Location System (RTLS). It includes configuration tools, diagnostics, system alerts, an interface manager and
installation tools.
Laptop Computer
A laptop computer can be used to monitor and configure the WNC settings. This can be accomplished with a serial
connection from a WNC data cable to the computer. A Hyper terminal session can be used to see that the WNC unit
boots correctly and to access the WNC main menu. From the main menu, configuration settings can be set, diagnostic
checks can be made, and internal tag commands can be utilized.