Zebra Technologies TFF-1015-0001 WhereTag II HO User Manual TFF 1015 0001 UserMan 2 25 03
Zebra Technologies Corporation WhereTag II HO TFF 1015 0001 UserMan 2 25 03
users manual
WhereNet Corp. January 2003 Page 1
WhereTag II HO
User’s Guide
Revision B, January 2003
Model Number: TFF-1015
WhereNet Corp.
2858 De La Cruz Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95050
408-845-8500
WWW.WhereNet.COM
WhereNet Corp. January 2003 Page 2
FCC Requirements
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device
may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that
may cause undesired operation.
This ISM device complies with Canadian ICES-001.
Cet appareil ISM est conforme à la norme NMB-001 du Canada.
Radio Equipment Authorization: FCC ID: NSQTFF-1015-0001
IC: 3586B-TFF1015
FCC RF Exposure Requirements
The internal antenna used for this transmitter must be installed to provide a separation distance of at least 20 cm from all
persons and must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.
Any changes or modifications to WhereNet Corp. equipment not expressly approved by WhereNet Corp. could void the
user’s authority to operate the equipment.
There are no user-serviceable parts inside. Do not attempt to open the unit to change batteries.
____________
_______________
WhereNet Corp. January 2003 Page 3
Contents
Introduction ...............................................................................................................4
Installation and Activation.........................................................................................7
Tag Mounting Options...............................................................................................7
Specifications..............................................................................................................8
WhereNet Corp. January 2003 Page 4
Introduction
System overview
The WhereNet Real Time Locating System (RTLS) is designed to permit users to determine the position of tagged assets
in both indoor and outdoor facilities such as factories and freight yards. The system locates tagged assets by a process
involving redundant triangulation. Each tag autonomously emits a 2.4 GHz direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) radio
signal at predetermined blink rate. Each tag’s blink rate is randomized around its predetermined value to minimize the
number of collisions between transmissions made by different tags. The signal emitted by the tag is received by a
minimum of four Location Antennas. A typical transmission contains a preamble which is used to synchronize the
receiver, the tag’s serial number which identifies the tag, a status word which monitors various tag functions, data stored
in the tag’s memory and finally a CRC used to assure that the tag’s message is correct as received.
The principal components of WhereNet’s RTLS are shown in Figure 1.
WhereTag II HO Device
The WhereTag II HO is the same as the existing WhereTag II with the exception that it has a 200 mW RF power amplifier added to
boost the RF ASIC’s power output from 2 mW to 60mW. The WhereTag II HO is the first level component of the WhereNet
Real Time Locating System (RTLS). It is a low-cost wireless device that attaches to a resource (such as an asset, pallet,
container, vehicle, etc.) and periodically broadcasts, via radio, it’s unique identification number. WhereNet’s RTLS
infrastructure detects that signal and precisely locates the tag and it’s associated resource.
Powered by a long-life internal battery, the WhereTag II HO’s beacon signal can be configured to “blink” from every half
second to once an hour. This allows some resources to be tracked second to second while others that are less mobile can
be tracked less frequently. At a typical blink rate of four minutes, the tag’s battery can last six years.
When excited by a WhereNet WherePort, a WhereTag II HO can alter its blink rate (typically faster) to enable more
timely location updates for critical threshold zones such as shipping/receiving docks and other portals.
Each WhereTag II HO has a unique identification number that is transmitted via radio during each blink. When it’s
battery is running low, the tag alerts the WhereNet RTLS infrastructure so that the tag can be proactively replaced.
WhereTag II HOs can be pre-programmed with 12 bytes of supplementary data (such as an asset or serial number) that
can be included with each blink. WhereTag II HOs are configured with WhereNet’s WhereWand.
The number is also printed as a Code 128 bar code on the tag. The bar code enables seamless integration with existing
inventory systems and delivers a cost effective total resource visibility solution that extends beyond the range of the
WhereNet Location Antennas.
WhereTags are extremely durable and can be used both indoors and outdoors. The tag’s case is resistant to oils, solvents
and hydraulic fluids.
WhereNet Location Antenna
This device is an active antenna that mounts remotely and is connected to the Location Processor. Its function is to
receive spread spectrum radio signals from the WhereTag II devices. It converts the radio frequency signal to a lower
intermediate frequency and transfers those signals to the reader processor cards in the Location Processor.
WhereNet Corp January 2003 Page 5
WhereNet Location Processor
The WhereNet Location Processor is a processing unit that receives WhereTag II device signals through a set of
WhereNet Location Antenna and calculates location information using sophisticated digital signal processing. The
Location Processor is able to track a large number of WhereTag II devices simultaneously to assure location accuracy
over a large coverage area. The Location Processor forwards accurate location information, in real-time, to the WhereNet
server, where information can be graphically displayed, used for report generation or accessed through the Internet.
WhereNet Hand-Held Communicator or WhereWand
These devices allow the users to reconfigure the blink rate and 12 bytes of memory in a WhereTag II.
WhereNet Corp. January 2003 Page 6
Figure 1. WhereNet Real Time
Locating System Block Diagram
Location
Antenna
GUI
Client
GUI
Client
RF
Client
and
Server
Location
Processor
2-way
communi
cation
1-way spread
spectrum RF
1-way spread
spectrum RF for
sending tag ID
association with
bar code read
(Blink S/N &
telemetry) WhereTag II HO
WhereNet
Server
Indigenous
Network(s)
WhereNet
DBMS
Indigenous
MIS
DBMS
HPC
Bar
WhereWand
PCMCIA Scanner
Code
Laser bar code
scanner
WherePort
1-way FSK
Magnetic Field
Dimensions:
* Location Antenna – Location Antenna = 1000 ft indoor
* WhereTag II HO – Location Antenna = 1000 ft indoor
* WhereTag II HO - WhereWand = 1-2 ft
* WherePort- WhereTag II HO = 20 ft
Location
Antenna
Location
Antenna
Location
Ant
enna
WhereNet Corp January 2003 Page 7
Tag Installation and Activation
Tags are shipped with all radio emitters deactivated. Prior to installing a tag on an item to be tracked, the tag must be
activated. This is done using the WhereNet’s WhereWand. The WhereWand is used to configure and activate the tag, and
to confirm that the tag is properly configured and operational. The detailed procedure for tag activation is covered in
WhereWand User’s Manual.
Tag Mounting Options
Introduction
The WhereTag II device has a variety of ways to be mounted depending on the user’s needs. The following mounting
methods can be used:
Built-in mounting ears for screws, rivets (ears are removable).
Tie wrap
Poly-lock
Adhesive tape
Vehicle rearview mirror mount
Trailer and ISO container mounts
WhereNet Corp January 2003 Page 8
Specifications (Subject to change without notice)
WhereTag II HO (Model #: TFF-1015-00AA)
CAPABILITIES
Frequency Range ................................................2.4 to 2.483 GHz
Typical Read Range, Indoors ............................300 m (1000 ft)
Typical Read Range, Outdoors .........................900 m (3000 ft)
User Configurable Blink Rate ............................0.5 sec to 1 hr
WherePort Range................................................6 m (20 ft) (With WherePort set for maximum power and optimum orientation.)
TAG MOUNTING OPTONS
Built-in mounting ears for screws, rivets (ears are removable)
Tie wrap
Poly-lock
Adhesive tape
Vehicle rearview mirror mount
Trailer and ISO container mounts
ELECTRICAL
Power.....................................................................AA 3.6V Lithium Thionyl Chloride cell (The battery is not replaceable.)
Typical Battery Life.............................................6.5 years (dependent on blink rate and operating temperature)
ENVIRONMENTAL / PHYSICAL
Operating Temperature Range ..........................-40º C to +65º C (-40º F to +149º F)
Storage Temperature Range ..............................-40º C to +70º C (-40º F to +158º F)
Durability..............................................................1.8 m (6 ft) drop to concrete
Height....................................................................2.1 cm (0.9 in)
Length, without mounting tabs.........................6.6 cm (2.6 in)
Length, with mounting tabs...............................10.5 cm (4.1 in)
Width ....................................................................4.4 cm (1.7 in)
Weight ..................................................................53 g (1.9 oz)
Environmental Sealing........................................IP67 (dust tight, immersible)
Case Material.......................................................Molded Plastic (polyester)
REGULATORY APPROVALS
FCC Part 15 Class B, EN 55022 Class B, EN 55024, TUV GS per EN 60590, R&TTE Directive 99/5/EC.