Zebra Technologies WTK 5000 00AA Users Guide

WhereTrack - WNC

User’s Guide

Document Number D1312r01 Preliminary, August 2007

Model Number: WTK-5000-00AA

WhereNet Corp. 2858 De La Cruz Blvd. Santa Clara, CA 95050 408-845-8500

WWW.WhereNet.COM

©WhereNet Corp. August 2007D1312r01 WhereTrack Users Guide 28September07.doc Page 1

FCC Requirements

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 side of the equipment for the FCC, registration.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for both Class A and Class B devices, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.

Radio Equipment Authorization: FCC ID: NSQWTK-5000 IC: 3586B-WTK5000

This ISM device complies with Canadian ICES-001. Cet appareil ISM est conforme à la norme NMB-001 du Canada.

Note: IEEE 802.11 functionality will only support b/g (not “a” version).

RF Notice

This device must be installed by professional installers.

The antenna(s) used for this transmitter must be installed to provide a separation distance of at least 20 cm from all persons and must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.

Any changes or modifications to WhereNet Corporation equipment not expressly approved by WhereNet Corporation could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

________

There are no user-serviceable parts inside. Do not attempt to open the unit for repair.

©WhereNet Corp. June 2003 D1312r01 WhereTrack Users Guide 28September07.doc Page 2

Contents

Introduction........................................................................................................................4

Installation and Operation ................................................................................................7

WNC Mounting Options....................................................................................................7

Specifications ......................................................................................................................8

©WhereNet Corp. June 2003 D1312r01 WhereTrack Users Guide 28September07.doc Page 3

Introduction

System overview

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

WhereLan

Wired

Ethernet or

Wireless

802.11 Link

WhereLan

CPE Ethernet + DC Power

WherePort

III

1-Way 2.4 GHz DS S S or 802.11b

(Range = 1000 ft indoors or 3000 ft

1-Way 115 kHz FSK

(Range = 25 ft)

outdoors)

WhereTag IV

WhereTrack

WNC

Corporate LAN

VSS Server

2.4 GHz OOK

(Range = 3 ft)

115 kHz

FSK

GPS

VSS

Database

WhereLan

1-Way

2.4 GHz DSSS

WhereWand

Hand-held Computer with Laser Barcode

Reader

Wired

Ethernet or

Wireless

802.11 Link

WhereLan

1-Way 2.4 GHz DSSS or 2 way

802.11b/g

(Range = 1000 ft outdoors)

WhereTrack WNC Unit

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.

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