The next industrial revolution relies on wireless connectivity
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Real-time locating systems (RTLS) are key to achieving this functionality. According to MarketsandMarkets, the real-time locating system (RTLS) market is expected to grow from US$3.4 billion in 2020 to US$10.3 billion in 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 24.8%.
Geoplan, a global company that provides ultra-wideband (UWB) positioning networks and services for tracking vehicles, people and indoor assets, is pioneering RTLS technology to help organizations migrate to Industry 4.0. The company’s tracking systems are used by some of the world’s leading manufacturers, including Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor.
Geoplan has partnered with Qorvo, a global leader in RF innovation, to address the challenges customers face in implementing precision, low-power tracking solutions. Qorvo is a leading supplier of UWB and low-power IoT communication system-on-chips (SoCs), and also provides support for its unique ConcurrentConnect technology. ConcurrentConnect enables devices to virtually listen to multiple protocols simultaneously, including Bluetooth Low Energy and IEEE 802.15.4-based protocols, without noticeable latency.
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challenge
To realize the full benefits of Industry 4.0, numerous challenges need to be overcome. The first is to obtain ultra-precise location data (micro-location) for hundreds of assets. This is difficult because much of the existing manufacturing equipment was not built with real-time tracking and IoT technology in mind.
In addition, real-time tracking of hundreds of objects must be synchronized and, in harsh industrial environments, highly reliable and durable. Low power consumption is required to ensure that the batteries used by the tags and the entire tracking network have a long service life. Furthermore, customers must be able to quickly access updated location information displays, such as operating instructions for a workstation on an assembly line.
Solution
Geoplan uses Qorvo's advanced multi-protocol and power-efficient ICs to integrate over-the-air display update capabilities and asset tracking functions into a single device.
The new solution, called G-Pixel, is an end-to-end RTLS that integrates anchors, “G-pixel” Electronic Shelf Label (ESL) tags, advanced positioning algorithms and APIs to enable seamless integration with other systems. By creating an ultra-wideband (UWB) positioning network, it can track objects with an accuracy of 5-30 cm through obstacles in non-line-of-sight conditions. In this way, a variety of new use cases can be realized, providing real-time data insights that were previously unattainable in manufacturing, logistics and retail environments.
G-Pixel is also unique in that it integrates the first Qorvo RTLS full-featured product, including the Qorvo DW3000 UWB transceiver and the Qorvo QPG6100 IoT SoC.
Geoplan selected Qorvo UWB transceivers as the preferred positioning technology for G-pixel tags because they meet the system's micro-positioning requirements even in the presence of obstacles and non-line-of-sight conditions. Geoplan also leverages Qorvo's antenna diversity capabilities to double the range of reliable IEEE802.15.4-based communications in indoor environments or environments susceptible to wireless interference. This helps improve system reliability and reduces the number of repeated attempts to send messages.
Another major issue Geoplan faced when developing the G-pixel tag was how to extend battery life. G-pixel tags integrate multiple RF connection technologies, as well as displays and LEDs, so uninterrupted power supply is essential. Based on this consideration, Geoplan chose to use Qorvo's latest multi-standard IoT communication controller QPG6100, which can provide 2.4 GHz IoT connectivity with low power consumption and achieve longer battery life.
Qorvo QPG6100 uses ConcurrentConnect technology to support the simultaneous operation of Bluetooth Low Energy and IEEE 802.15.4-based protocols in a single chip, which can enhance functionality and reduce overall size. Qorvo also provides a flexible SDK that enables customers to build custom IoT applications based on their own protocols, as well as standards such as Zigbee and Thread.
Click here to see how a factory is using Qorvo's communications controllers for IoT end devices and UWB transceivers.
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