RTLS in Aerospace Manufacturing

Peter Batty and Russ Chandler

Overview

• Environments• Use cases• Technology challenges and approaches

All images are from public Internet sites and are intended to be general indications of typical aerospace environments: they are not showing or

implying any specific projects or customers.

Environments

Photo by jeffmcneill - http://flic.kr/p/6Fw3cd

Manufacturing / Assembly

Manufacturing / Assembly

Photo provided by Boeing, via blog.seattlepi.com

Outdoors

Image from Bing Maps

Storage containers

In transit

Photo by yui.kubo - http://flic.kr/p/DkT7w

Use cases

Tracking tools

Find toolsKeep sets together

Restrict to areas

Photo provided by Boeing, via blog.seattlepi.com

Tracking assemblies / components

Photo provided by Boeing, via blog.seattlepi.com

Location often implies process stageTrack assets or paperwork

Tracking across multiple locationsDistributed manufacturing

Process visibility

Tool configurationConfigure tool settings based on location

Confirm operations carried out

Image showing Atlas Copco tools from directindustry.com

FOD detectionForeign Object Debris / Damage

Inside wings or other assemblies

Photo provided by Boeing, via blog.seattlepi.com

Technology challenges and approaches

Indoor location - RFID

Suitable for some use casesEntrance and exit of assets

Indoor location - RFID

Suitable for some use casesEntrance and exit of assets

Applies to some process flows, but some limitationsLess applicable to tool tracking

Indoor Location - RTLS

Continuous location trackingSparse infrastructure

Very flexibleCommon infrastructure for multiple applicationsUltra Wideband (UWB) most common approach

UWB considerations

TDOA versus AOACommunications channel

Tag density, range, update rateTag form factors, battery life

Intrinsic safetyPresence

GPS integrationSoftware platform and applications

Indoor location - presence

Low infrastructure, low location accuracyFixed or mobile receivers

FOD within wings etcStorage containers

Outdoor locationPrevious options applicable

GPS a useful additionNeed last known location

More costly, power hungryIntrinsic safety

Multi-mode solutionsCommon tag with UWB, presence, GPS

Common infrastructure / software platformControl channel important for switching modes

Photo by jeffmcneill - http://flic.kr/p/6Fw3cd

Summary

Environments Applications Technology

IndoorOutdoorStorageTransit

AssetsTools

ProcessVisibility

RFIDUWB

PresenceGPS