Tyco uses Wi-Fi and RFID technology to track trailers in distribution centers

Tyco Electronics, an electronics manufacturer, uses a Wi-Fi-based active RFID system to track truck trailers at the Greensboro distribution center. In the Greensboro distribution center, Tyco Electronics adopted OATSystems’ asset tracking solution, including Wi-Fi active tags and G2 Microsystems’ System on Chip (SoC) technology. The solution uses the existing Wi-Fi access points in the distribution center, so the company does not need to install additional RFID reader infrastructure.

Tyco Electronics’ products and product components involve multiple industries, including automotive, aerospace and consumer electronics. The Greensboro Distribution Center is responsible for sending raw materials to Tyco Electronics’ multiple manufacturing plants in North Carolina, and shipping finished products to customers around the world. “Our distribution center is similar to a hub, Tyco Electronics RFID supervisor and product line supervisor Kevin Anderson said, “A lot of materials are shipped in and out every day. “

Tyco Electronics uses Wi-Fi and RFID technology to track trailers in distribution centers

In order to track the delivered goods, Tyco Electronics employees often have to phone to confirm and visually read the truck trailer number to understand the arrival or departure of the goods and the specific time.

Tyco Electronics has been looking for a low-cost way to automate cargo tracking to improve work efficiency. In the fall of 2007, Tyco Electronics put active Wi-Fi 2.45 GHz tags on 20 tractor trailers. Each Wi-Fi tag is assigned a unique number, which can be identified by the OATSystems network server. The tag is powered by a battery and can continuously send a short signal containing the tag’s ID number.

When the truck is within 100 feet of the existing Wi-Fi access point, the system obtains the unique ID number of the tag. The access point then forwards the ID number to the OATSystems software running on the server, which corresponds the data to the location of the access point, and displays the truck’s arrival or departure information on the web page. Tyco Electronics can log in to this webpage directly through the network connection.

Paul Cataldo, deputy director of marketing at OATSystems, likened the system to an airport, where the server acts as an airport, showing the status of each cart, such as the time and place of arrival or departure. “One of the key points of this application is to use the existing Wi-Fi infrastructure to associate tags with access control points.” Anderson said.

“Because we did not install new reading equipment,” Anderson said, “the whole system is very cheap.”

Once the system is fully operational, Tyco Electronics estimates that the system can save $100,000 per year. “The return on investment is real and visible.” Anderson said.