Asset Tracking Using Wireless HART in Industrial Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current asset tracking methods in industrial environments suffer from poor location accuracy and high infrastructure costs, particularly in harsh environments with interference from metal and other technologies.
Innovation Solution
An asset tracking system using an industrial automation protocol, such as wireless HART, where asset tracking devices generate and transmit positioning data as part of industrial automation protocol messages over a communication network, allowing accurate location tracking without the need for extensive additional infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current asset tracking techniques are used in industrial environments, then infrastructure costs are reduced, but location accuracy deteriorates due to interference from metal and other technologies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the tracking system by using industrial automation protocols (HART, Fieldbus, 4-20mA) that are specifically designed to operate reliably in harsh industrial environments with metal interference. This protocol selection resolves the contradiction by maintaining measurement precision despite the presence of harmful electromagnetic interference from industrial equipment and metal structures.
2Measurement precision
If dedicated asset tracking infrastructure is deployed, then location accuracy improves, but infrastructure costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the industrial automation protocol serve multiple functions: it simultaneously transmits process control data and asset location information. By embedding location data within existing automation protocol messages, the system achieves accurate tracking without requiring separate dedicated tracking infrastructure, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges asset tracking functionality with existing industrial automation communication infrastructure. Location tracking messages are combined with process control messages using the same communication network and protocol, eliminating the need for separate tracking infrastructure while maintaining location accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
An asset tracking system for use in a process control environment may include one or more asset tracking devices and an asset tracking host. The asset tracking device may receive signals corresponding to a position or location of an asset to be tracked, and may communicate, using an industrial automation protocol such as wireless HART, an indication of the position to the asset tracking host. The signals may be GPS signals that are re-radiated into the process control environment. Other information, such as environmental data, may be communicated in conjunction with the position of the asset. The asset tracking host may store and/or display the data or information included in the message, and may send a different message to the asset tracking device. An asset tracking device may be included in a field device, a network device, or a portable communications device used in the process control environment.