Primary Secondary Asset Tracking System Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high initial start-up cost of wireless asset tracking systems makes 100% deployment cost-prohibitive, especially with the need for multiple tracking devices, which is a challenge in industries like freight delivery where real-time asset tracking is critical for efficient operations.
Innovation Solution
A wireless RF tracking system utilizing a combination of primary and secondary tracking devices, where primary devices act as coordinators and secondary devices communicate only with them, reducing overall system costs by employing ZigBee/BLE and cellular communication modules, and optimizing power management to extend battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple active tracking devices are deployed to achieve 100% asset tracking coverage, then tracking reliability is improved, but system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking system is segmented into two types of devices: primary active tracking devices and secondary passive tracking devices. Primary devices perform comprehensive tracking functions independently, while secondary devices rely on primary devices for communication and power. This segmentation allows 100% deployment without requiring every asset to have a fully functional active device, thereby reducing overall system cost while maintaining tracking reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Primary tracking devices act as intermediaries between secondary tracking devices and the central server. Secondary devices communicate their location data through primary devices, which then transmit to the server. This intermediary approach allows passive secondary devices to participate in the network without requiring direct server connectivity, reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining system functionality.
2Device complexity
If passive tracking devices are used to reduce cost, then device complexity is reduced, but transmission range is limited to less than 1-2 meters
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges primary active devices and secondary passive devices into a unified tracking network. Primary devices provide long-range communication capability, while secondary devices provide cost-effective tracking at close range. Together, they create a hierarchical network where primary devices relay signals for secondary devices, extending the effective transmission range beyond the limitations of passive devices alone while maintaining cost reduction benefits.
3Length of stationary object
If active tracking devices with batteries are deployed, then transmission range is extended, but battery life limits operational duration
Solution Approach 1:
Not all tracking devices require full active functionality with batteries. The system applies partial action by using passive secondary devices that consume no power, relying instead on the battery-powered primary devices to perform the energy-intensive communication and positioning functions. This allows the system to achieve extended transmission range where needed while avoiding the battery life limitation across all devices.
4Reliability
If 100% deployment of tracking devices is achieved, then tracking completeness is improved, but initial start-up cost becomes cost-prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses passive secondary tracking devices as simplified copies of the full active tracking system. These secondary devices replicate the basic tracking functionality without requiring expensive active components, batteries, or complex communication modules. By deploying these cost-effective copies throughout the asset fleet, the system achieves 100% deployment coverage while keeping initial start-up costs manageable.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration achieves a lower cost system with a high deployment rate while maintaining accurate asset tracking, reducing power consumption and extending battery life, thus making 100% deployment feasible and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
radio frequency identification (RF or RFID) systems have been developed in which tracking or transmitting devices, often referred to as 'tags,' wirelessly communicate with readers
Implementation Method 2
cellular (e.g., CDMA/GSM) communication module for communication with the receiver and with the at least one secondary tracking device
Data Source
AI summary
An asset tracking system that utilizes a wireless network system and which includes primary (active) and secondary (passive) tracking devices. The primary tracking device acts as a coordinator and the secondary devices surrounding the coordinator act as end-devices. Each secondary device can communicate only with the primary device. The primary device passes messages (data) from the secondary devices to the remote host transparently. Each secondary device only sends its data when it triggered by a ‘ping’ from the primary device. When a ping event occurs, the primary device broadcasts a main data packet, in some embodiments followed by two additional data packets. Within this time span of the primary data packet, the secondary devices send their data packets to the primary device, in some embodiments, as two small data packets.