Product Series 3000: Third Generation Active RFID
With the Product Series 3000, Ambient reduces the Total Cost of Ownership for active RFID solutions by 75%. In contrast with other active RFID solutions, Ambient utilizes intelligent tags – SmartPoints – in combination with low-cost energy-efficient Dynamic Wireless Sensor Network technology. Ambient Product Series 3000 provides the opportunity to CHECK, TRACK, and TRACE physical objects with a single, integrated solution:
CHECK: Closely monitor objects with any sensor.
TRACK: Coarsely locate objects within an Ambient Network.
TRACE: Store historical sensor data and object data in the tag.
SmartPoints
SmartPoints are the ears and eyes in the wireless network. These mobile tags are attached to objects they closely need to monitor or guard, but can also be used for static monitoring purposes. Ambient has several SmartPoint flavors available e.g. SmartPoints that measure temperature or relative humidity. SmartPoints can be configured at any moment while in the Ambient network, to be tuned to your applications specific needs.
The SmartPoint enclosures have been designed to be robust against dust, moist and force, which they may endure during their typical application. SmartPoints typically operate several years on their (non-replaceable) batteries.
The SmartPoint platform is also available as module to integrate your own sensor type with.
MicroRouters
MicroRouters take care of establishing radio coverage via wireless mesh networking. The main purpose of these intelligent hubs is to deliver data reliably to where it is needed. These devices have extended radio range and are typically mounted within buildings or vehicles (e.g. trailers). For outdoor applications, Ambient has All-Wireless™ MicroRouters, which harvest energy from a small solar panel and are completely maintenance free.
Gateways & Connect Boxes
Each wireless network contains at least one Gateway, which ensures that data is communicated between the wireless network and corporate IT systems. To ease integration, Ambient introduced the ConnectBox, which “talks” XML over TCP/IP. Integration with Ambient’s standardized middleware interfaces is a matter of hours, instead of days.
Ambient Studio
Use AmbientStudio to visualize sensor data, to display device locations on a map or to configure your SmartPoints by setting rules for Dynamic Event Reporting™. This software product runs on a PC and can interface with ConnectBoxes or directly with Gateways. Various plug-ins are available for specific tasks.
Key Features
CHECK. TRACK. TRACE
Ambient's Product Series 3000 provides integrated possibilities to monitor assets (CHECK), locate people and goods (TRACK) and build a historical record of both (TRACE). Everything tagged with accurate timestamps.
Easy to Install, Easy to Integrate
Just attach SmartPoints to objects, install MicroRouters and Gateways and collect your data. Use AmbientStudio out-of-the-box to visualize your data or integrate with your own ERP or visualization tools within hours.
Robust and Resilient: Self-everything
Ambient’s mesh networking technology ensures that networks are self-everything: self-organizing, self-configuring and self-healing. On top of that Ambient operates a fault-tolerant Reliable Transport Protocol (RTP) which ensures that data always reaches its destination, even under the most difficult circumstances. If no wireless communication is available, your data will safely be stored and is transferred when SmartPoints are in communication range again.
Dynamic Event Reporting™
Applying rules enables users to operate the Dynamic Event Reporting™ feature. This feature is the new translation of “management by exception”. Dynamic Exception Reporting™ provides alarms when dynamically adjustable rules are exceeded. Or simply look at a device and it will indicate when it has an alert.
Shelf-Lifetime™
Are the SmartPoints monitoring perishable goods? Simply ask a SmartPoint what the remaining shelf-lifetime is of the goods. Self-Lifetime™ automatically calculates the remaining shelf-lifetime of perishable goods, using the storage temperature and decay parameters for the specific goods.
All-Wireless™
Most wireless networks are not truly wireless. Many need backhaul cabling, almost all need power cabling. Ambient Systems has developed an All-Wireless™ concept. To operate the network, backhaul cabling is not needed: no Cat5 cables, no other cables. All the data travels over a low-cost, reliable wireless network.
Security
Easily set security keys and limit devices that may connect with your network.
Built-In Localization
SmartPoints devices can provide an estimate of their own location, similar to GPS-devices, which can calculate their position by receiving a handful of beacons from satellites. A separate RTLS-server is not required. The location of each device is always available. With a simple location request, back office systems know where things are, which opens a wide range of applications.
Sleep Mode and Hibernation Mode
The Sleep and Hibernation Mode are introduced just to make sure that no energy is wasted from the SmartPoint battery. SmartPoints are usually active executing their Dynamic Event Reporting rules™ and wirelessly delivering alerts and/or sensor readings. However, in certain cases, a network may not be available, for example during long-haul transport. In those cases, SmartPoints switch to Sleep Mode. The sensor stays active, but the transceiver is not active. Your data will safely be stored and is transferred when SmartPoints are in communication range again. SmartPoints can also be put in Hibernation Mode when they are not used. In this mode, everything is deactivated and energy consumption is reduced to a minimum. The SmartPoints can easily be woken by a swipe across Ambient’s Magnetic Mat.