Product Information

The BlackFIR 2.4 development kit includes the following components:

BlackFIR 2.4-Receiver

The BlackFIR 2.4 development kit includes a receiver unit. Based on angle-of-arrival measurement and time-of-flight measurement the receiver unit collects the data necessary to locate the position of the transmitters and can be used indoors as well as outdoors. The highly innovative receiver unit is designed as single point locator. Additional receiver units other than the BlackFIR 2.4 are not required to determine position data, reducing the installation costs to a minimum. To enlarge the location area, additional BlackFIR 2.4 receivers can be employed.

Technical data

• Accuracy: typically 30 cm – 100 cm
• Dimensions: w x h x d = 535 x 165 x 110 mm
• Weight: 7.02 kg (without bracket)
• Update rate: 10 Hz
• Area: typically 1,000 m2 (indoor) – 10,000 m2 (outdoor) (circle segment 120°)
• Maximum number of transmitters, the receiver can receive simultaneously: 5
• Protection class: IP67
• Application area: indoor/outdoor
• Technologies: Angle of Arrival (AoA) measurement   / Time of Flight (ToF)
• Expandable by adding sensors (temperature, gas, inertial sensor technology etc.) and actuators

BlackFIR 2.4-Transmitter

The BlackFIR 2.4 development kit includes four active transmitters. They are mounted on the object of interest that is to be located and transmit the position-indicating radio signals to the BlackFIR 2.4 receiver. Additional transmitters to track multiple objects are available upon request.

Technical data

• Power supply: internal/inductive
• Battery life: 2.5 hours
• Sensors: Acceleration
• Protection class: IP54
• Application: indoor/outdoor
• Dimensions: w x h x d = 60 x 38 x 10 mm
• Weight: approx. 60g
• Frequency: 2.4GHz (ISM Band)
• Expandable with sensors
• Performance: 0 dBm (1mW)

Demo Applications

Tracking

Knowing where your mobile assets are is possible with the demo “Tracking”. A BlackFIR 2.4 transmitter is attached to the target object to be located enabling continuous position tracking. The user can at any given time visually follow the whereabouts of the target object on the map of the target area. With the “Tracking” demo, the manual search for target objects is no longer required, which greatly diminishes costs and time.

„Heatmap“

The heat map demo generates a visual map of the predominant locations of a tag. It displays and highlights the area where the tracked object fixates within the target area. The visualization results from the juxtaposition of high-contrast warm and cold colors, allowing to visually understand movement activity and to improve existing processes.

Accessories

Accessories included in the delivery:

• Accessories BlackFIR 2.4 receiver:
  o 1 power unit, cable, waterproof
  o LAN cable, 10 m, coaxial
  o 1 bracket + screws o 1 LAN switch
•  Accessories BlackFIR 2.4 transmitters + 4 charging units
• 1 USB stick (bootable), incl. system software, demos, assembly instructions, operating manual

Application

Real-time positioning systems are emerging as a source of nearly unlimited opportunities for ever new fields of application. Seamless positioning of objects and people with high spatial resolution ensures maximum transparency and with it, great market potential for the most diverse industry sectors. May it be navigation, minimized search times or increased human safety – The BlackFIR technology is the starting point for many possible scenarios:

Production

The many emerging applications for the precise positioning and tracking of goods are of great importance to e. g. the auto industry. Real-time positioning of industrial tools at the production line has become key to efficient operations, maximizing transparency at the production line and minimizing manual search times.

Logistics

In logistics processes (e. g. the physical movement of goods) real-time locating systems help to efficiently coordinate crossing streams of goods. The seamless tracking of pallets, containers and / or fork lifts avoids wrong deliveries, reduces throughput times and visualizes movement activity.

Safety

Real-time locating systems can support rescue team operations. Unlike conventional systems, real-time locating systems (RTLS) are not limited to single zones or sectors, but offer seamless and continuous detection and tracking of all subjects.

Health

Rationalization in hospitals must not by any means jeopardize the mandate to provide care or impair the quality of medical care. This is why cost cuts can almost only be implemented through process optimization and resource efficiency. Using RTLS in hospitals assures the prompt availability of medical equipment and high quality patient care.

Sports

Real-time location systems bring about sweeping changes in sports, ranging from game analyses for training purposes to real-time services for the media and audiences.

Traffic and Automotive

Not only driver support but also pedestrian protection play an important role in the traffic and automotive area. RTLS introduces life-saving applications when school children hidden by parked vehicles or busses become visible to motorists.

Information and Entertainment

Real-time location systems can be used to improve guiding systems in museums and exhibitions and also the much valued customer experience. Visitors can have themselves guided to the exhibit of choice or be given location-specific information.

Offer

The BlackFIR 2.4 Development-Kit is aviable from the company PPS:

www.pps-projects.de

Downloads

Documents:

• BlackFIR Product Flyer (german) [ PDF 2.7MB ]
• Im Blickpunkt 03 / 2011 (german) [ PDF 373KB ]