Project: Trace & Locate Anywhere

Background_x000D__x000D_There are a number of different RTLS technologies that provide the ability to track objects and people, but each one has its drawbacks and limitations._x000D_GPS (combined with a wireless data link using GPRS or a WLAN technology) provides reasonable accuracy (5m) coverage outdoors when there is good visibility of the sky, but performs poorly or not at all in indoor and cluttered outdoor areas._x000D_Wi-Fi provides reasonable accuracy (5m) indoors provided that there is sufficient coverage using multiple Access Points and that the area has previously been accurately surveyed(finger printed.)_x000D_Specialist technologies like UWB (ultrawideband) provide high accuracy (0.3m) indoors and outdoors over areas of 100m or so, and the Omnisense SWB (Sparse Wideband) system provides good accuracy (0.5m to 1m) indoors and outdoors over areas up to several kilometres, but both require the installation of an infrastructure around the area of interest, and this can be expensive._x000D__x000D_Next Generation – ubiquitous tracking_x000D__x000D_Omnisense is developing its Cluster-SWB concept (patent applied for) which is a relative positioning system in which devices are able to determine their positions in relation to other similar devices, without the need for expensive fixed infrastructure. In order to work optimally this technology requires a population of devices in an area, some of which would be associated with specific geographic locations. At the centre is the Omnisense Location Engine which is able to combine various kinds of location measurements including those from SWB as well as inertial and GPS measurements._x000D_This project proposes to bring together the capabilities of SWB and the Omnisense Location Engine (including inertial and GPS capability where appropriate) with state-of-the-art Wi-Fi location techniques and apply them, Sensing & Control, to a flexible web based tracking and customisable front end application SW platform. Although fully flexible in nature, the initial application to be developed would be that of tracking equipment and people around airports, for the purposes of enhancing security, health and safety of all staff as well as to improve operational efficiency._x000D_The project will target the airports application and Aertec, a company that has been providing airport infrastructure and systems for more than 10 years with annual turnover in excess of 9 M€ whilst not a listed participant in this call with a budgeted proposal, will support the project in an advisory role. This advice will include market analysis, advice on application presentation and support with a pilot trial in the airport environment._x000D__x000D_Project Consortium_x000D__x000D_Omnisense is a specialist RTLS (Real-Time Location System) company which has a strong foundation of IPR, mostly centred around its proprietary SWB (Sparse Wideband) technology, although its capabilities are much broader than this and it also has experience with GPS, ZigBee, optical and inertial technologies. Omnisense provides products as well as system design services to customers across a range of application areas. Omnisense prefers to work with applications developers who understand the target application and who can provide expertise specific to the sector along with tailored application software and systems that may be required._x000D_Omnisense is a young company that was formed at the beginning of 2009 around the acquisition of core IPR, technology and know-how in SWB. Two of the founders have worked with SWB for many years: David Bartlett being the original inventor, and Andy Thurman being the technical director at TurfTrax who first exploited the technology for tracking horses during horse races._x000D__x000D_Sensing&Control is a telecom company offering development and integration of cutting edge solutions in different application fields, where remote monitoring and automation is required. The CO technologies that Sensing&Control develops and supplies to its clients are wireless sensor networks. S&C has specialised for several years in WSN technology, growing a solid "know-how" on products, technologies and solutions._x000D_The activities of S&C are:_x000D_· Project design and development of customised solutions: software, hardware and firmware._x000D_· Integration of products and technology._x000D_· Distribution of off-the-shelf products, technologies and high add-value solutions._x000D_· Product launch, Installation and COtenance._x000D_· Market and Product studies._x000D_The management team is composed of senior engineers and business administrators with Msc and BEng degrees. The team has has years of experience across broad and complimentary company activities covering: management, marketing, sales, R&D and product development. Moreover, this experience is at an international level gained at embedded system world leading companies such as Nokia and Seiko Epson Corporation.

Acronym	TLA (Reference Number: 5282)
Duration	14/05/2010 - 14/05/2012
Project Topic	The Project aims to build a system that will be able to locate tags in wide open outdoor/indoor areas as well as inside constricted spaces such as buildings. Key targets are high precision and zero to minimal system/infrastructure cost
Project Results (after finalisation)	An indoor/outdoor positioning system with near real time positioning, alerting and information management displayed and edited on standard internet browsers. Specific adaptations have been created for the airport environment, particularily with regards to airport handling.
Network	Eurostars
Call	Eurostars Cut-Off 3

Project partner

Number	Name	Role	Country
2	Omnisense Limited	Partner	United Kingdom
2	Sensing & Control Systems S.L.	Coordinator	Spain