Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS
Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS
Test- und Anwendungszentrum L.I.N.K. des Fraunhoferinstitut Integrierte Schaltungen , Erlangen (FhG IIS) im Nordostpark / Nuernberg Foto bei Kurt Fuchs / © copyright by Kurt Fuchs, Tel. 09131-777740 Am Wei chselgar ten 23, 91058 Erl angen www.fuchs-foto.de -

SELECT

© FraunhoferIIS/Kurt Fuchs

SELECT

Tracking and Identification combined

SELECT - Combining Positioning and Identification
© iStock.com/ pixdeluxe
SELECT - Combining Positioning and Identification

The EU-sponsored project SELECT is a joint effort between Fraunhofer IIS and seven partners from industry, which aims to create a tracking system that combines positioning and identification technologies. The underlying goal is to develop a cost-effective and intelligent radio network. SELECT will enable the identification, localization and tracking of various objects, which led to the name and corresponding acronym: Smart and Efficient Location, idEntification and Cooperation Techniques. Fraunhofer IIS is focusing on the development of the system architecture, in particular the reader hardware and firmware.

Motivation: Extremely accurate and easy to install

The motivation behind this project is the development of a UWB-based localization platform compatible with conventional identification technologies and the creation of a cost-effective alternative that is easy to install and extremely accurate. This large-scale EU project also offers the institute an excellent opportunity to showcase its know-how in this field.

Technology: Tracking from semi-passive tags with signal delay

SELECT operates not only with conventional ultra high frequency (UHF) radio technology, but also with the new ultra wideband technology (UWB). The system participants — objects or people — are equipped with semi-passive tags whose position is determined based on the signal delay.

Fraunhofer IIS was involved in SELECT from the start, beginning with a user study to determine the existing framework. The system architecture was then developed to correspond to the desired requirements. Fraunhofer IIS focused its contribution on the hardware platform for the reader and the associated firmware. The institute was additionally involved in the design of the reader and the infrastructure and will also carry out a validation and analysis of the results.

 

UWB signals feature short pulses that facilitate precise ranging of the incoming signal and allow the signal delay to be determined. The returning UWB signal is modulated in the tag using a special technique. This allows the system to isolate it from the reflections and clearly identify it. . The semi-passive tag is activated by means of a UHF signal. Now active, the tag can receive the UWB signal, modulate it and send it back. Fraunhofer IIS and its partners are actively pursuing innovative detection methods that can be used to optimize the positioning accuracy of localization systems.

Application: Configurable Solutions for Tracking

Although the project currently centers around logistics solutions, the system is suitable for a wide range of other applications given its capability to track, localize and identify. The knowledge acquired through the SELECT project will also allow Fraunhofer IIS to design other accurate, application-specific localization solutions in the future.

Our Offer: Accurate System of Tracking

Fraunhofer IIS boasts the full range of expertise needed for developing complete, customer-specific localization and navigation solutions. One particular focus involves the area of fast and robust signal processing for carrying out real-time localization and identification. Our system can be scaled to fit the application at hand so that customer-specific modifications can be readily implemented.

With SELECT, Fraunhofer IIS offers a system for identifying and tracking the location of objects with pinpoint accuracy. Further information about the development of the SELECT technology in other areas is available through our institute and our project partners. Our specialists can also design a custom solution for your application based on a contract research agreement. Utilizing our extensive knowledge of the market, we can recommend other solutions and put you in touch with other specialists within our broad network.