Real-time Location System Research Articles

On the application of radio planning tools in open environments for the improvement of autoguidance systems used in precision agriculture

Real Time Kinematic (RTK) systems, together with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) networks, are real-time location systems that are widely used in precision agriculture for autoguidance systems in farm vehicles. The RTK uses a reference signal from a base station, and the accuracy of the autoguidance system depends strongly on the signal quality arriving at the receiver that is installed in the vehicle or rover. In this paper, the relationship between the accuracy of the autoguidance systems and the propagation losses between the vehicle and the reference station is studied. The Covermap software tool, which was developed by the authors and validated with measurements, is used to determine the propagation losses. The advantage of this tool is that it allows analyzing any environment because it uses real geographical terrain data obtained from OpenStreetMap. In addition, the results are obtained instantaneously. A study was performed to analyze if the use of the Covermap tool in open environments improves the accuracy of guidance systems. In the study, an agricultural vehicle was connected to different reference stations, also called CORS (Continuously Operating Reference Stations), near the work location. The relationship between the propagation losses predicted by Covermap and the vehicle’s drift when connecting to each of these stations was determined. The stations that presented lower propagation losses resulted in less drift. This kind of software tools are very useful for determining the best reference station to which the rover should connect at any moment not according to the criterion of proximity but rather according to propagation losses.

Use Cases of Real-Time Locating Systems for Factory Planning and Production Monitoring

Production companies operate in an increasingly dynamic and unpredictable market environment. The ever shorter innovation cycles and the associated decreasing product life cycles require production systems and processes to change continuously. Furthermore, rising complexity in market enfactories through product variety leads to an increased coordination effort in factory operations. To stay competitive, decision making in factory planning as well as production planning and control (PPC) must be done target-oriented and in the shortest time possible. A fundamental basis in this respect is a reliable and consistent database, needed for the overall and holistic improvement of the logistics performance of a company’s internal supply chain. However, the collection and preparation of data is associated with a high expenditure of time and thus represents a great challenge. Additionally, required data in practice is often inhomogeneous or inconsistent, which makes it difficult to track ongoing processes precisely. Due to the continuous availability of exact positions at any time, Real-Time Locating Systems (RTLS) offer the potential to provide movement data of essential elements of the production system such as material supply, resources and workforce with comparatively little effort. To demonstrate the resulting potentials for factory planning and PPC, use cases for RTLS have been identified and implemented in the Learning Factory of the Institute for Production Systems and Logistics (IFA). After a short introduction of the IFA Learning Factory and the principle of Real-Time Locating Systems, the use cases in factory planning, factory operation and production monitoring are described. Having summarized the achieved benefits provided for the training participants in the IFA Learning Factory a summarizing conclusion is given, underlining the great possibilities of real-time localization in production environments and providing an outlook on further research activities.

Improving Documentation Using a Real-Time Location System in a Pediatric Emergency Department.

Appropriate documentation of critical care services, including key time-based parameters, is critical to accurate severity of illness metrics and proper reimbursement. Documentation of time-based elements for critical care services performed in emergency departments (ED) remains inconsistent. We integrated electronic medical record and real-time location system (RTLS)-derived data to augment quality improvement methodology. We aimed to increase the proportion of patient encounters with critical care services performed at a pediatric ED that had appropriate documentation from a baseline of 76 to 90% within 6 weeks. The team formulated a framework of improvement and performed multiple plan-do-study-act cycles focused on key drivers. We integrated the capabilities of an RTLS for precise location tracking to identify patient encounters in which critical care services were performed and to minimize unnecessary audits and feedback. We developed an intervention using iterative revisions to address key drivers and improve documentation. The primary outcome was the proportion of patient encounters for which critical care services were performed for which a time-based attestation was documented in the medical record. We analyzed 92 encounters between March 2020 and April 2020. While the proportion of eligible patient encounters with critical care documentation improved from 76 to 85%, this change was unable to be directly attributed to improvement efforts. Patients with respiratory complaints encompassed the majority of eligible encounters without appropriate documentation. Utilizing improvement methodology and a novel application of RTLS, we successfully identified the co-location of physicians with patients receiving critical care services and designed interventions to improve documentation of critical care services provided in a pediatric ED. While changes were not able to be attributed to improvement efforts in this project, this project demonstrates the utility of RTLS to augment and inform systematic improvement efforts.

BLE Localization With Polarization Sensitive Array

This letter presents a design and implementation of a bluetooth low energy (BLE) localization scheme using polarization sensitive arrays, where both the direction and polarization information is explored for high-accuracy positioning. The signal frequency offset and channel mismatch error are mitigated by the proposed frequency compensation and array calibration algorithm, respectively. Moreover, we develop an alternate search algorithm for angle estimation and derive the Cramer-Rao lower bound for performance evaluation. Finally, we design a real-time single-anchor BLE localization system using angular information, which is demonstrated to achieve a median localization accuracy of 30 cm in experiments.

Research on Ultrasonic Transducers to Accurately Determine Distances in a Coal Mine Conditions

Determining the location of objects, for example roadheader in a hard coal mine, is a task that should be automated in the conditions of state-of-the-art mining. Current solutions do not meet the user’s expectations due to the lack of the possibility of automation, maladjustment to the environment of a hard coal mine or not meeting the legal requirements. The article describes the initial stage of work on an automatic system for determining the position of machines in difficult underground conditions, including the analysis of requirements and constraints, an overview of available solutions, technologies and algorithms, as a result of which devices were selected for further tests. To determine the location, it is necessary to take distance measurements with high accuracy, despite the disturbances resulting from the working environment. Ultrasonic devices were selected and then tested under various operating conditions, including different distances between the transmitter and receiver as well as different directions and intensities of air movement that could distort the measurement results. During tests, sufficient accuracy, as well as other parameters, of the ultrasonic transducers were confirmed, allowing for distance measurements in the required range, suitable for use in the real-time locating system (RTLS) being developed.

Contact Tracing in Healthcare Settings During the COVID-19 Pandemic Using Bluetooth Low Energy and Artificial Intelligence-A Viewpoint.

The COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted great damage with effects that will likely linger for a long time. This crisis has highlighted the importance of contact tracing in healthcare settings because hospitalized patients are among the high risk for complications and death. Moreover, effective contact tracing schemes are not yet available in healthcare settings. A good contact tracing technology in healthcare settings should be equipped with six features: promptness, simplicity, high precision, integration, minimized privacy concerns, and social fairness. One potential solution that addresses all of these elements leverages an indoor real-time location system based on Bluetooth Low Energy and artificial intelligence.

Dilution of precision for time difference of arrival with station deployment

The paper aims to reveal the relationship between the performance of moving object tracking algorithms and the tracking anchors (station) deployment. The Dilution of Precision (DoP) for Time difference of arrival (TDoA) technique with respect to anchor deployment is studied. Linear estimator and non-linear estimator are used for TDoA algorithms. The research findings are: for the linear estimator, the DoP attain a lower value when other anchors are scattered around a central anchor; for the nonlinear estimator, the DoP is optimal when the anchors are scattered around the target tag. Experiments on both of the algorithms are conducted, targeting the location precision related to the anchors' deployment, with practical situations for tracking moving objects integrated with a Kalman Filter (KF) in an Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) based real-time localization system. The work provides a guideline for deploying anchors in UWB-based tracking systems.

Reducing search times and entropy in hospital emergency departments with real-time location systems

Although the consequences of hospital ED crowding have been studied extensively, the causes of crowding are still not well understood. Throughput factors in ED crowding models are difficult to study in a controlled fashion in a dynamic environment where healthcare demand changes rapidly, and physical and human resources suddenly become limited. Opportunities for automated, simultaneous, and low-cost observation of the location and movement of multiple units, patients and staff have recently arisen with the introduction of small, non-intrusive real-time location systems (RTLS). One such RTLS deployment reported here has initiated renewed consideration of quality and industrial statistics as applied to healthcare operations management. Novel metrics for essential constructs of throughput factors in ED crowding such as efficiency and effectiveness are proposed. In particular, causality is explained in terms of understanding of each construct, modeled in terms of entropy, information, and order. Experimental demonstration is given of how labor reduction and the probability of patients, personnel and equipment meeting in terms of less uncertainty can be explained. These novel metrics are expected to facilitate monitoring of how an ED reacts to different levels of crowding, provide insight into crowding dynamics, help evaluate interventions to decrease crowding, and ultimately improve care.

Regulatory approaches: Global medical device tracking advancement in USA, EU and India

Advancement in science & technology of medical industry is coming up with innovations. Medical devices play a vital role. Real Time Location System (RTLS) which includes Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device, Wi-Fi technology that helps to look after adverse events and recall products when required, thereby, prevent theft by keeping regular check on their movement with location sensors. In 19th century two products of United States faced product withdrawal. After that, US felt the need to develop system for product record management and tracking. In 2004, FDA introduced Unique Device Identifier (UDI) for medical device tracking. With time, GHTF came up with UDI working groups and in 2013, new version of UDI guidelines for globally harmonized use was generated. In this article study about various countries has been done. It was found that countries like United States and Europe have introduced medical device tracking system and by 2022 this will be implemented in India.

Vision and RTLS Safety Implementation in an Experimental Human-Robot Collaboration Scenario.

Human–robot collaboration is becoming ever more widespread in industry because of its adaptability. Conventional safety elements are used when converting a workplace into a collaborative one, although new technologies are becoming more widespread. This work proposes a safe robotic workplace that can adapt its operation and speed depending on the surrounding stimuli. The benefit lies in its use of promising technologies that combine safety and collaboration. Using a depth camera operating on the passive stereo principle, safety zones are created around the robotic workplace, while objects moving around the workplace are identified, including their distance from the robotic system. Passive stereo employs two colour streams that enable distance computation based on pixel shift. The colour stream is also used in the human identification process. Human identification is achieved using the Histogram of Oriented Gradients, pre-learned precisely for this purpose. The workplace also features autonomous trolleys for material supply. Unequivocal trolley identification is achieved using a real-time location system through tags placed on each trolley. The robotic workplace’s speed and the halting of its work depend on the positions of objects within safety zones. The entry of a trolley with an exception to a safety zone does not affect the workplace speed. This work simulates individual scenarios that may occur at a robotic workplace with an emphasis on compliance with safety measures. The novelty lies in the integration of a real-time location system into a vision-based safety system, which are not new technologies by themselves, but their interconnection to achieve exception handling in order to reduce downtimes in the collaborative robotic system is innovative.

Real-time high-precision location and mapping system based on NDT of the large scene

The traditional lidar registration algorithm has good stability and high precision when carrying out large-scale simultaneous localization and mapping. However, in complex and changeable environments such as outdoor, severe occlusion, or electronic interference, the signal is easily affected, and the positioning accuracy cannot be guaranteed. To solve the above problems, a high-precision localization method based on laser-point cloud NDT (Normal Distributions Transform) is proposed in this paper, which makes full use of the mean and variance characteristics of NDT registration of the midpoint cloud, and the proposed method is added into the complete framework of SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping). The algorithm proposed in this paper was verified on the “Wuling Electric Vehicle“ platform. The experimental results were showed that the proposed algorithm could effectively avoid the influence caused by signal weakening, which improved the positioning accuracy. It also had stronger robustness and better tracking performance.

Implementation of a Multimedia Computing Healthcare Service Using a Voice Signal-Analysis Module and IR-UWB

As the population ages and the number of people with chronic diseases increases, society is changing from the existing diagnostic- and treatment-oriented medical services to preventive- and management-oriented medical services. This paradigm is named Ubiquitous Smart Healthcare. Various multimedia-based healthcare services are becoming especially key to health management in the smart age. In other words, technology, research, and integration of multimedia healthcare services, such as video data, voice data, IoT networks, and the like, are proceeding. Due to well-being trends and lifestyles of the aging society, medical services are rapidly becoming ubiquitous, in which the individual and the medical professional cooperate closely in hospital-centered treatment services to provide health management and promotion, and prevention of diseases. To realize this, various bio-signal measurement techniques based on multimedia are being studied and applied. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a remote voice signal-measurement system that combines two Impulse Radio Ultra Wide Band (IR-UWB) systems to provide a capable IR real-time location service, and we design and implement them. Also, we can reduce the complexity of existing voice signal–measurement algorithms, and we optimize the system by proposing a filter suitable for voice signal–measurement algorithms. As a result, we confirm that the voice signal can be measured by extending the measurement distance (based on wireless communications) by only about 3 m to 10 m. By applying the measurement and analysis method for voice-signal data in the wireless communication system environment, a healthcare service with improved reliability can be applied. In particular, it is possible to provide a multimedia healthcare computing environment in which new diagnostic data can be found and utilized in the field of multimedia-based healthcare service technology.

Contact tracing of staff in the emergency department during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Contact tracing of staff in the emergency department during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Real-time locating systems to improve healthcare delivery: A systematic review.

Modern health care requires patients, staff, and equipment to navigate complex environments to deliver quality care efficiently. Real-time locating systems (RTLS) are local tracking systems that identify the physical locations of personnel and equipment in real time. Applications and analytic strategies to utilize RTLS-produced data are still under development. The objectives of this systematic review were to describe and analyze the key features of RTLS applications and demonstrate their potential to improve care delivery. We searched MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and IEEE following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Inclusion criteria were articles that utilize RTLS to evaluate or influence workflow in a healthcare setting. We summarized aspects of relevant articles, identified key themes in the challenges of applying RTLS to workflow improvement, and thematically reviewed the state of quantitative analytic methodologies. We included 42 articles in the final qualitative synthesis. The most frequent study design was observational (n = 24), followed by descriptive (n = 12) and experimental (n = 6). The most common clinical environment for study was the emergency department (n = 12), followed by entire hospital (n = 7) and surgical ward (n = 6). The focus of studies changed over time from early experience to optimization to evaluation of an established system. Common narrative themes highlighted lessons learned regarding evaluation, implementation, and information visibility. Few studies have developed quantitative techniques to effectively analyze RTLS data. RTLS is a useful and effective adjunct methodology in process and quality improvement, workflow analysis, and patient safety. Future directions should focus on developing enhanced analysis to meaningfully interpret RTLS data.

A Distributed Real-Time Location System for Automobile Whistle Adaptive to Moving Sound Source

A Distributed Real-Time Location System for Automobile Whistle Adaptive to Moving Sound Source

Single-Satellite Integrated Navigation Algorithm Based on Broadband LEO Constellation Communication Links

With the rapid development of satellite technology and the need to satisfy the increasing demand for location-based services, in challenging environments such as indoors, forests, and canyons, there is an urgent need to improve the position accuracy in these environments. However, traditional algorithms obtain the position solution through time redundancy in exchange for spatial redundancy, and they require continuous observations that cannot satisfy the real-time location services. In addition, they must also consider the clock bias between the satellite and receiver. Therefore, in this paper, we provide a single-satellite integrated navigation algorithm based on the elimination of clock bias for broadband low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication links. First, we derive the principle of LEO satellite communication link clock bias elimination; then, we give the principle and process of the algorithm. Next, we model and analyze the error of the system. Subsequently, based on the unscented Kalman filter (UKF), we model the state vector and observation vector of our algorithm and give the state and observation equations. Finally, for different scenarios, we conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis through simulations, and the results show that, whether in an altimeter scenario or non-altimeter scenario, the performance indicators of our algorithm are significantly better than the inertial navigation system (INS), which can effectively overcome the divergence problem of INS; compared with the medium earth orbit (MEO) constellation, the navigation trajectory under the LEO constellation is closer to the real trajectory of the aircraft; and compared with the traditional algorithm, the accuracy of each item is improved by more than 95%. These results show that our algorithm not only significantly improves the position error, but also effectively suppresses the divergence of INS. The algorithm is more robust and can satisfy the requirements of cm-level real-time location services in challenging environments.

A Survey About Real-Time Location Systems in Healthcare Environments.

Every year healthcare organizations suffer from several issues, such as unapropriated workflow, thousands of deaths caused by medical errors, counterfeit drugs, and increasing costs. To offer better patient care and increase profit, hospitals could adopt solutions that help remedy these problems. Real-Time Location Systems have the potential to deal with many of these issues, as well as offering means for developing new and intelligent solutions. This kind of system enables tracking assets and people, allowing several improvements. Even though the benefits of such solutions are well known and desired by healthcare providers, their large scale adoption is still distant. In this article, we surveyed Real-Time Location Systems usage in hospitals. While developing this survey, we observed a need for organizing important aspects of healthcare-oriented Real-Time Location Systems. Therefore, we analyzed challenges regarding this topic and a taxonomy proposed. This survey offers researchers and developers ways to comprehend the challenges surrounding this area while proposing a classification of aspects that a Real-Time Location System for healthcare environments must assess for it to be successful.

Psychosocial determinants of healthcare personnel's willingness to carry real-time locating system tags during daily inpatient care in hospital managing COVID-19 patients: insights from a mixed-methods analysis.

ObjectiveReal-time locating systems (RTLS) enable contact tracing and hand hygiene reminders, to improve hospital safety. Successful implementation requires healthcare personnel (HCP) to carry RTLS tags continuously. We assessed for determinants of HCP’s willingness to use RTLS tags during routine inpatient care, and evaluated concerns using mixed-methods analysis.Materials and MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in the 330-bed purpose-built National Centre for Infectious Diseases in Singapore, from January 15 through February 4, 2020. The anonymous survey comprised 24 questions based on constructs from behavioral models and an open-ended question. Principal component analysis was performed to derive the latent factor structure applied in the multivariable logistic regression analysis. Concerns were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsOf 260 HCP (nurses [40.8%], ancillary and administrative staff [23.1%], allied health professionals [18.5%], and physicians [17.7%]), 75% were willing to use the RTLS tag. After adjusting for age, gender, healthcare professional group, and duration of practice, the acceptance of the use of the RTLS tag (adjusted OR 11.28 [95% CI 4.39–29.00], P < .001) was highly associated with the willingness to use the RTLS tag. HCP who perceived the tag to be easy to use (adjusted OR 2.80 [95% CI 1.37–5.72], P = .005), were also more willing to use the tag. HCP were willing to carry the RTLS tag for the purpose of contact tracing despite privacy concerns.ConclusionMore communications on the intentions and data protection standards of the RTLS, and accessory enhancements for HCP’s convenient and sustained use of the RTLS tag are crucial, to optimize RTLS’s usefulness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Factors Affecting the Implementation, Use, and Adoption of Real-Time Location System Technology for Persons Living With Cognitive Disabilities in Long-term Care Homes: Systematic Review.

BackgroundAs the aging population continues to grow, the number of adults living with dementia or other cognitive disabilities in residential long-term care homes is expected to increase. Technologies such as real-time locating systems (RTLS) are being investigated for their potential to improve the health and safety of residents and the quality of care and efficiency of long-term care facilities.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to identify factors that affect the implementation, adoption, and use of RTLS for use with persons living with dementia or other cognitive disabilities in long-term care homes.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review of the peer-reviewed English language literature indexed in MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL from inception up to and including May 5, 2020. Search strategies included keywords and subject headings related to cognitive disability, residential long-term care settings, and RTLS. Study characteristics, methodologies, and data were extracted and analyzed using constant comparative techniques.ResultsA total of 12 publications were included in the review. Most studies were conducted in the Netherlands (7/12, 58%) and used a descriptive qualitative study design. We identified 3 themes from our analysis of the studies: barriers to implementation, enablers of implementation, and agency and context. Barriers to implementation included lack of motivation for engagement; technology ecosystem and infrastructure challenges; and myths, stories, and shared understanding. Enablers of implementation included understanding local workflows, policies, and technologies; usability and user-centered design; communication with providers; and establishing policies, frameworks, governance, and evaluation. Agency and context were examined from the perspective of residents, family members, care providers, and the long-term care organizations.ConclusionsThere is a striking lack of evidence to justify the use of RTLS to improve the lives of residents and care providers in long-term care settings. More research related to RTLS use with cognitively impaired residents is required; this research should include longitudinal evaluation of end-to-end implementations that are developed using scientific theory and rigorous analysis of the functionality, efficiency, and effectiveness of these systems. Future research is required on the ethics of monitoring residents using RTLS and its impact on the privacy of residents and health care workers.

Real-time locating systems (RTLS) in future factories: technology review, morphology and application potentials

Real-time location systems (RTLS) allow a spatial and time related tracking of objects in their environment. An increasing number of technologies and providers are available nowadays. Besides applications in e.g. healthcare and general logistics, RTLS bear also interesting potentials in context of factories. Some manufacturing related use cases can already be found in research and industrial practice. While overcoming an isolated perspective on single solutions, this paper aims at providing a structured overview and common understanding on technological potentials and challenges. Based on that, a systematic design of RTLS based solutions is enabled.