Tracking Innovations’ patented Real Time Tracking System (RTTS) employs advanced RFID technology to dramatically improve supply chain visibility for shippers and their partners. These state of the art systems place a real-time “intelligence grid” over existing physical transportation and supply chain processes. As a result, you can see exactly where your cargo is at any time of the day, no matter where it is.

This tracking system consists of Global Position System receivers (GPS), Wi-Fi transceivers, GPRS cellular transceivers and Iridium satellite transceivers. Each of these communications systems integrates with small active Radio Frequency Identification (aRFID) tags. All shipments are tracked with these tags and relay vital information such as location, temperature of shipment, humidity, shock, vibration and various other data points.

The battery powered aRFID tags are housed in materials approved by the FDA to comply with pharmaceutical and food shipment regulations. These aRFID tags have 512k of on-board memory used to store data readings between intervals of communication to the Master Unit.

The Master Unit is the brains of Tracking Innovations’ RFID supply chain solution. It contains a rechargeable battery and houses a single-board Atmel computer. The Master Unit communicates with the aRFID tags using a 2.4GHz wireless transceiver link. It monitors the associated tags to verify range distances and other data, ensuring reliable, timely tracking.

The sketch phase for the Master Unit of this project featured an array of shapes from blocky to round to abstract while maintaining functional requirements like external antennas, mounting solutions, and room for hardware ports. Durability, battery placement & accessibility were focal points for the RFID tag concepts, since they would experience more turbulence & handling.

Engineering a layout for the internal & external components that maintained excellent signal relay strength & style was the most interesting task. The Master Unit houses a single-board Atmel computer which hosts Windows Embedded Compact operating system 6.0, a GPS receiver, Carrier-independent cellular transceiver, Wi-Fi transceiver & an Iridium transceiver.

Tracking Innovations’ RFID supply chain solution is configured to handle complex tracking information in varying degrees of environmental conditions. The system utilizes powerful active RFID tags which have 512k of on-board memory used to store data readings between intervals of communication to the Master Unit. The tags are able to detect temp, humidity, shock, & vibration.