SAO The EDGE

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• SAO The EDGE
• By Ben Berry, CIO
• benjamin.berry_at_odot.state.or.us

RFID Asset Locator
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RFID Scope ODOT is exploring the ability to
eliminate physical inventories of IT assets by
placing RFID tags on PCs, laptops and printers.
Once tagged, the wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) will
transmit the physical GPS location of each device.
RFID Asset Locator Overview

• The Goal
• Simplify logistics processes and bring
  transparency to asset base.
• Operation characteristics are -

• Organizational Controls
• There are products available in the market that
  provide asset visibility and solutions using
  standard Wi-Fi wireless networks as an
  infrastructure.
• Technologies to use the wireless infrastructure
  802.11g to locate any device tagged with RFID and
  immediately identify the assets equipment.

Frequency Details Reader to tag 433 MHz Tag to
reader 916 MHz Reader to host 2.4 GHz Read
range (Tag Reader) 30 meters Multi-tag read
yes Read / write capabilities - yes
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ODOT IT Infrastructure and Support
Flexibility to make changes as the business
changes.
Servers
Networks
Desktops
Support Ops
Network
Internet
CUSTOMER SUPPORT DESK
-
Unix Servers
-
Help Desk Calls Mo. (2,791)
(46)
-
Network Nodes/
-
Desktops/Lap. (5,809)
-
Avg. Hold Time (20 sec)
-
Win NT/2000/2003
IP Addresses class B
(16,000)
-
PC Images (1)
-
Call Abandon Rate (6.4)
Servers (272)
-
Cisco Switches Routers (660)
-
Laptop Images ( 1)
Storage Area
-
-
Trouble Tickets Mo. (2,511)
-
Network Data Circuits
(251)
-
Printers (2,127)
Network SAN (50TB)
-
1
Tier Resolution (84.8)
st
-
Telecom Voice Circuits (5,300)
-
ODOT Employ.(4,536)
-
Business Applications
-
User Security

• Firewalls (10)
• Virus Hits per Mo.
• (40,185)
• Email msgs. per day
• (95,000 100,000)
• Email attachments

Telephone Instruments (5,000)
Access Accounts (15,500)
TAD Transportation
(221)
-
Integrated Voice Response (2)
-
DMV
( 33)
of Unique Logins (8,500) Includes 3,500
external
Telecom Switches PBX/KEY (7)
MC Motor Carrier
( 26)
-
Telecom EPNs (6)
(5)
-
Interface
Progs
-
Internet Hits /Mo. (1.8 million)
-
Client/Server Databases
Intranet Hits /Mo. (125,702)
-
(4)
Oracle
per day (4.5 GBs)
SQL Server
(146)
(28)
Other
IT Communications
Tech Support
Support Services
Technology Mgt.
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The Typical RFID Label(Sample Only)
ODOT Region 2 555 NE 13 St. Salem, OR 97301-1466
Hewlett-Packard Laptop Division
Bar Codes
Embedded Chip and Antennae
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Types of RF Tags
Type
Data Capacity
Write/Read
Program by
Application
EAS
1 bit
read-only
user
Retail Security
SAW
4 to 16 bits
manufacturer
read-only
Proprietary Technology
Inductive
2 to 32 bytes
read-only
manufacturer
License Plate Ignition Key
32 to 2K bytes
user (tag ID may be by manufacturer)
Modulated Backscatter
write/read
Portable Data File
Active/ Modulated Backscatter
32 to 2K bytes
write/read
Portable Data File
user (tag ID may be by manufacturer)
2K bytes to 16 Mbytes
write/read interrogate/ modify/read
Dynamic Data File
user (tag ID may be by manufacturer)
Active
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Intelligent Labels
Embedded Chip and Antennae
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Requirements for Intelligent Long Range RFID

• Provide for Intelligent Long Range (ILR) active
  RFID System to identify, locate and track assets
  at a distance of up to 100m (300ft) to deliver
  superior real-time visibility in dynamic,
  demanding environments.
• Long-range (100m) RFID tag not only has a
  read/write capability, but 360 degree visibility
  of wireless Wi-Fi - regardless of tag
  orientation.
• Proof of Concept 1st Phase. Used to streamline
  IT Asset Physical Inventory operations (PCs,
  laptops printers,).
• 2nd Phase. Examine applicability for ODOT
  physical assets such as trackers, trucks, cars,
  etc. while delivering a return on investment
  (ROI).

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RFID Asset Locator Data Connectivity

• RFID readers will connect to the existing
  Wireless LAN network using its Wireless LAN
  access point ports.
• RFID data uses wireless Wi-Fi LAN network to
  connect to the Remedy database.
• System design to include -Sensor location
  layout map
  -Planned number of readers access point
  antennas -Placement of active RFID Tags on
  the assets.
• User interface screen displays IT assets
  geographically distributed via GPS coordinates.

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Typical Deployment Scenario
Tag-Reader Communications
Reader-Access Point Communications
Office Network
Wireless LAN Access Port 802.11
RFID Tag (Active)
RFID Reader
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RFID Pilot Criteria

• Determine if RFID meets the need and if
• Can it help improve efficiency
• Can it help improve productivity
• Can it reduce operating costs
• Can it reduce labor costs
• What is the infrastructure installation cost
• What are the recurring costs associated with the
  solution
• Do the investment and variable costs of the
  solution meet

implementation is economically viable
the customers business model
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Simplify Logistics Inventory Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID)
Ben Berry, CIO Oregon Department of Transportation