Shanghai Xihua Communication provides Ekahau assets and personnel real-time location management system
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1. Demand profile
In the dynamic working environment of a hospital, real-time precise positioning of important assets and medical equipment plays a very important and critical role in diagnosis and treatment services.
As a hospital equipment use and supply management department, the following problems are encountered in daily work:
●Where is the nearest device I need?
●Where can I find the device?
●Where was the device used last time? Usage record? Usage?
●When was the last equipment maintenance? Where can I find it?
● Which types of equipment are not there? Where are they?
● What assets does a building have?
●Do we have everything we need in the operating room?
In actual work, in the event of emergency rescue and diagnosis and treatment, it is necessary to quickly know where to find available wheelchair beds, surgical kits, infusion pumps, retractors and other medical instruments and equipment. In order to be able to find suitable equipment quickly, the hospital reserves too many similar materials or temporarily leases additional equipment, most of which are either idle or inefficient. At the same time, due to misplacement, theft and other reasons, the loss of mobile medical equipment is serious every year. The “low visibility” of these important assets often leads to a serious waste of time and resources, and even causes irreparable consequences.
2. System overview
Ekahau’s real-time location system (RTLS) based on wireless network WiFi is the industry’s most accurate, easiest, feasible, and most cost-effective WiFi asset and personnel tracking system solution. Patients, etc. have better positioning and tracking effects.
Ekahau RTLS enables asset management departments to quickly find medical equipment in hospitals and improve service efficiency, enabling managers to reduce the time wasted by finding medical equipment. Provide quick positioning and search for medical equipment that must be regularly maintained for preventive maintenance to improve service response. It can also locate and track special patients, such as patients with infectious diseases and mental patients, so as to quickly find targets in any corner of the hospital to prevent infection The spread of disease and the occurrence of accidents.
In an emergency, persons carrying Ekahau WiFi tags can press the alarm button to send a signal to the monitoring department for help. This can reduce the time to search for the target person and get a faster response. When an unauthorized person with an Ekahau WiFi tag enters the restricted area, the system will send a message to the monitoring department to warn, which can effectively prevent unnecessary accidents and enhance the level of safety management.
Real-time positioning and tracking of the location of assets and personnel can provide managers with relevant information of significant value, which can benefit all kinds of hospitals that are committed to improving response speed, management level and efficiency.
3. The working principle of the system
Ekahau’s WiFi-based patented positioning technology is completely based on software, which can continuously monitor assets and personnel in the WiFi coverage area of the hospital’s wireless network in real time, and achieve precise positioning and tracking. Users can receive the information transmitted by the RTLS system in real time through application software or application program interfaces on the hospital network, and perform real-time positioning and tracking management of personnel to improve safety and work flow; at the same time, it can conduct equipment between facilities Precise and effective positioning, management and redeployment optimize the visibility of assets and achieve maximum utilization and return on investment.
Working principle: wireless signal strength (RSSI) method. The wireless signal near the device is recorded. There is a prototype of the wireless signal in the Ekahau positioning engine. The positioning engine recognizes the RSSI value and calculates the two-dimensional coordinates in the map. The client program sends the RSSI to the positioning engine, and the positioning engine calculates the client program and sends it Positioning information to the application.
(The working principle is shown in the figure)
Four, system characteristics
1. 100% based on the 802.11b/g standard, suitable for any existing wireless network facilities of any brand of any generation, only need to use the existing wireless network WiFi network equipment (AP), no need to add any additional hardware facilities (such as reading Card device, antenna, etc.);
2. The software based on patented high-precision algorithm is calculated by the positioning engine, and the positioning accuracy is about 3 meters;
3. A single positioning engine EPE running on a standard enterprise-level server supports the deployment of up to 20,000 tracked objects and six hundred objects per second at the same time in the park or enterprise range;
4. Open architecture design, the positioning engine EPE can be seamlessly integrated into the existing middleware, database, ERP system, workflow and other systems, and can automatically monitor and report;
5. Through the HTTP/XML application programming interface and SDK (software development kit), it can speed up the development and integration of application software using third-party systems;
6. The hospital can complete real-time positioning of personnel or assets and location history through any Internet. The positioning accuracy can be controlled at three levels: building, floor or room; the real-time positioning information provided by the location map interface includes asset location and last location Information time record, location movement record and event management, etc.;
7. Unique two-way communication function, visual and alarm and SMS prompt;
8. The installation and implementation are flexible, convenient and quick, reducing costs.
5. System architecture: Ekahau system is mainly composed of positioning engine (EPE), site survey (Site Survey), application software (including Tracker, Finder, Ekahau Vision) and WIFI positioning tags.
(1) Ekahau positioning engine EPE (Ekahau Positioning Engine)
Ekahau Positioning Engine (EPE) is an enterprise-level real-time positioning software, which is the core of the real-time positioning system (RTLS). EPE can use the existing 802.11 wireless networks of enterprises of any standard and any brand, through innovative patented algorithms, accurately calculate the wireless signal strength RSSI value, and provide real-time and accurate Wi-Fi tags and other Wi-Fi compatible devices (if Wi-Fi functions are available) The location, existence and status information of laptops, PDAs, mobile phones, barcode scanners, etc.). It provides the following functional elements:
* Positioning engine: RSSI measurement of received signal strength, through comparison
Existing measurement reference data, calculate the accurate position;
*Event management: Receive event information, such as tag call button emergency alarm or tamper switch alarm, and arrange it to a designated application;
*System and device management: through a web-based user interface,
Automatically manage tasks and monitor the system;
*The API of the open application is for the integration of third-party systems;
*Ekahau’s location measurement: in the deployment phase, report the reference data of the survey records.
(2) Ekahau Site Survey (ESS) location measurement + survey
As a tool for Wi-Fi network planning verification and optimization, Ekahau Site Survey combines simple network planning, accurate site measurement information with easy-to-understand visualization and reports, thereby saving time in network planning and development at various stages.
Ekahau Site Survey can provide a new way for 802.11a/b/g network design, construction and verification, and realize the visualization of radio frequency coverage based on actual radio frequency performance data. Unlike other tools that rely solely on inaccurate theoretical models, the time taken to quickly measure an entire facility using ESS is only a small part of the time spent using traditional measurement methods. Before the network is built, ESS can accurately predict and simulate Wi-Fi performance on the computer screen, and provide network planners and managers with expected network planning and performance. The drag-and-drop user interface allows customizing the floor plan of the facility and understanding some parameters, such as: wall material and location, access point antenna options, and transmission power. The key parameters collected, analyzed, and displayed by EES include: RSSI (wireless signal strength), interference, SNR (signal-to-noise ratio), strongest access point, total access point number, channel signal and data rate, etc. ESS can also automatically generate comprehensive reports.
(3) Application software (including Tracker and Finder parts and Vision visual interface software)
Ekahau application software is a comprehensive asset and business management platform with a highly customizable user interface.
1. Ekahau Vision
Ekahau Vision software is developed based on Rich Internet Applications (RIA-Internet multi-function applications) technology. It integrates monitoring, inquiries, and location information collection. It has functions similar to a dedicated map for users and a convenient interactive visualization interface.
Ekahau Vision allows companies using the Ekahau real-time positioning system to automatically monitor the real-time location of tagged assets or personnel, which can significantly reduce the time required to determine the location of important assets and personnel.
(1) Ekahau Vision software is a tool that can finally convert the’x’ and’y’ positioning coordinates into the benefits and return on investment of the enterprise. Enterprises can complete real-time positioning of personnel or assets and historical positioning records through any Internet. The positioning accuracy can be controlled at three levels: building, floor or room. Ekahau Vision has a location map interface that provides real-time location information such as asset location, time record of the last location information, location movement record and event management, such as the confirmation of all equipment that requires regular maintenance. Ekahau Vision also supports editing the homepage, displaying information that users care about, such as the location information of employees and assets, in accordance with the display format of the dashboard.
(2) Ekahau Vision is unique in that it adopts RIA technology, allowing users to work like a desktop without adding any software. It is precisely because of the use of RIA that Ekahau can develop visual tracking software. Compared with other web-based tracking systems (mainly using static HTML technology), its functions are more and more intuitive. Because the application is convenient and does not require more technical training to operate Ekahau Vision, more corporate personnel can participate in the operation, and more users can benefit from the real-time positioning system.
(3) Ekahau Vision also uses Ekahau’s unique “zone” technology. Unlike other real-time positioning systems, it does not require an additional gate reader to remind people or items to enter and exit. Ekahau Vision has a built-in zone function, so system users can do it themselves Set up virtual checkpoints in buildings or parks, which function as if there are readers.
2. Ekahau Tracker
Ekahau Tracker is a customer application for real-time tracking, dispatching and managing alarms, and analyzing and locating assets and personnel.
By tracking assets and personnel, the location data is converted into actionable information; Ekahau Tracker can simplify many business operations, such as repairing medical equipment, and alerting that someone or high-value equipment items have entered a prohibited location. To the security guards.
Ekahau Tracker can form a record of the course of action and historical location of each tracked object, and can form statistics and graph reports that can be used to check execution tasks or analyze operational efficiency.
3. Ekahau Finder
Ekahau Finder is a customer application for grouping personnel, finding and viewing assets and personnel locations in real time.
Ekahau Finder can instantly find the real-time location of assets and personnel by using any standard web browser. Perform user-defined search and remotely start the LED and buzzer of the location tag, you can immediately find the hospital equipment through the easy-to-use user interface, automatically and easily find the location of assets and personnel, which can reduce a lot of personnel work and search time. Thereby improving efficiency.
(4) Ekahau WIFI positioning tag TAG
The Ekahau location tag is an active 2.4G WIFI tag with two buttons. These two buttons can be configured to send out alarms or send other messages to related applications. Labels can also accept information such as text-based alerts (similar to pagers and text messages) and workflows. The tags have light-emitting diodes and buzzers. After these devices are activated, the tracked assets or individuals can be found visually or audibly.
The location tag has a unique two-way communication function for remote tag management, and the tag can be remotely managed from any location in the wireless coverage area. With this two-way communication capability, automatic wireless configuration of tag parameters can be performed, the buzzer and light-emitting diode of the tag can be activated, and the software can be upgraded. Since device management can be carried out remotely without additional hardware, this two-way communication capability reduces the customer’s total cost of ownership.
The positioning label battery can work for up to 5 years. When the battery is nearly used up, personnel will receive an automatic prompt through the Ekahau RTLS platform to facilitate charging or replacing the battery.
Location tags can use double-sided tape, wires, tapes or other methods (depending on the application)-temporarily or permanently attached to the tracked device, including small or odd-shaped devices. For people who need to be tracked, this tag can be carried on the pocket, on the wrist or hung on the chest.Waterproof and dustproof packaging makes this label can be used in various environments, including dusty or humid outdoor and indoor environments, such as factories or mines, etc.
(T301A) (T301B)
Six, installation and deployment
Three steps
1. The customer first installs the Ekahau Positioning Engine positioning engine and application software, and provides a flat map of the site;
2. The technical engineer will conduct Site Survey signal survey and measurement on the field site covered by the existing wireless network, re-adjust and configure the AP, optimize the wireless network, and design and generate asset equipment and employee walking route maps according to the actual situation and needs of customers ；
3. After the RTLS real-time positioning system is designed and installed, real-time positioning, tracking and management of assets and personnel can be carried out.
Seven, working mode
The Ekahau WIFI positioning tag is installed on the target object (asset or person) to be tracked. The positioning tag periodically sends out wireless signals. After the access point (AP) receives the signal, it transmits the signal to the positioning engine EPE, and the EPE receives the signal. The strength of the wireless signal is calculated to determine the location of the tag, and the specific location is displayed through the Ekahau Vision visualization interface to achieve real-time accurate positioning and tracking and management.
1. On-site positioning accuracy of assets and personnel can reach up to 1 meter, depending on the on-site environment, it can generally reach about 3 meters;
2. Each WIFI positioning tag has a globally unique code, which is linked to the information of the corresponding asset equipment and personnel, such as asset name, model, time, attribution, and personnel’s name, title, department and other information;
3. The WIFI positioning tag actively transmits signals to the AP at regular intervals, and the transmission period can be set by the user according to actual needs;
4. The WIFI positioning tag has two-way communication and alarm functions. If the tag bearer encounters an emergency, he can press the emergency call button to ask the management department for help; at the same time, once an emergency or work need is encountered, the management department can also The label sends text messages similar to BP and SMS to notify the label bearer in time;
5. The user can monitor the battery of the WIFI positioning tag in real time;
6. The user can monitor and manage positioning information in real time on the software interface, such as asset and personnel location, time record of the last location information, location movement record and event management, etc.;
7. The user can use the software to virtually set up different areas in the field, such as setting up “no entry zone”, “alarm zone” and dividing the space into a number of virtual grid-like rooms, etc.;
8. Through the real-time positioning system, users can simultaneously locate and track up to 20,000 objects to be tracked and six hundred objects per second.
Contact information:
Shanghai Sihua Communication Technology Co., Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hong Kong Communications Group HKC (stock code: 248), a Hong Kong listed company, dedicated to providing system solutions. Its business involves communications, computer networks, enterprise application software, and RFID. /AIDC and other fields. Hong Kong Communications Group HKC is Ekahau’s partner and agent in the Asia-Pacific region (Hong Kong, Singapore, Mainland China, etc.).
Shanghai Xihua is fully responsible for the promotion, sales and technical support services of the Ekahau real-time positioning system (RTLS) in China.
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