Accel Automation, Inc.

The Active RFID Locating System Project

Accel Automation played a key role in developing a next-generation version of an active RFID locating system. Working in conjunction with an electronic product developer, Accel Automation provided Mechanical Design, Engineering Analysis, Software Development, Web Development, and Rapid Prototyping services to help create the new system.

Project Overview

The active RFID locating system consists of numerous transmitter tags which affix to objects that are to be located, and which transmit their unique code to numerous strategically placed receivers. The receivers are all connected by Ethernet on a local area network which is connected to a Windows server. The server runs the software to collect and store information from the receivers, and serves the user's web interface.

Mechanical Design

Accel Automation provided the Mechanical Design services required to create:

The Tag Enclosure, used to house the transmitter electronics. (...more)
The Tag Attachment Accessory, a device which attaches to the tag to facilitate attaching the tag to objects of interest. (...more)
The Tag Holder, a device into which a tag is inserted, and which facilitates attaching the tag to objects of interest. (...more)
The Tag Programmer which mates with a tag to facilitate tag programming, and which houses the electronic components (not developed by Accel Automation) which interact with a PC to control the programming of the tag. (...more)
The Bare Board Adapter, which allows bare tag transmitter circuit boards to be programmed and tested prior to their assembly into a tag enclosure. (...more)
The Prototype Receiver Enclosure, to house the receiver electronics (not developed by Accel Automation) which connect through the local area network to the Windows server. (...more)
The Receiver Enclosure, to house the receiver electronics (not developed by Accel Automation) which connect through the local area network to the Windows server. (...more)

Engineering Analysis

Accel Automation provided the Engineering Analysis services required to validate the design of:

The Tag Attachment Accessory (...more)
The Tag Holder (...more)

Software Development

All of the server software for this system was written by Accel Automation, and consists of the following components:

The Data Collection & Notification Service, a Windows service running on the server to acquire information from the receivers and store it in an MS SQL database. This service also monitors system operations and notifies users of events via automatic email and text messaging. (...more)
The Remote Tag Programmer Interface, a Windows application which can be downloaded from the server and installed on any PC on the network to facilitate communications between and instance of the web interface and a custom tag programming device connected to any PC\92s com port. (...more)
The System Emulator, a Windows application which emulates a system of tags and receivers to assist with system debugging and testing. (...more)

Web Development

The Active RFID Locating System provides a web interface for users consisting of:

The User Interface, an ASPX application running on the server which interacts with the Windows service and with the SQL Database to provide a web interface for the user. (...more)

Rapid Prototyping

In conjunction with the mechanical design services provided, Accel Automation used its 3D Printer to manufacture functional prototypes for:

The Tag Attachment Accessory (...more)
The Bare Board Adapter & Retainer (...more)

Additionally, Accel Automation leveraged its 3D Printing capability to create a mold which was in turn, used to manufacture prototype tag holders out of an elastic polymer material. (...more)

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