SAO The EDGE

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• SAO The EDGE
• By Ben Berry, CIO

RFID Asset Locator
Oregon Department of Transportation
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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
  802.11b/g to locate any device tagged with RFID
  to 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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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 LED - regardless of tag orientation.
• 360 degree pick-to-light provides visibility of
  the tag regardless of tag orientation.
• Proof of Concept Phase. Used to streamline IT
  Asset Management operations
• 2nd Phase. Examine applicability for ODOT
  physical assets such as trucks, cars, etc. while
  delivering a return on investment (ROI).

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RFID Asset LocatorData connectivity

• RFID readers will connect to the existing
  Wireless LAN network using its Wireless LAN
  access point ports.
• RFID data will use this wireless LAN network to
  connect to the Remedy database
• Designing the complete system includes the sensor
  location layout map, planned number of readers
  access point antennas, placement of active or
  passive RFID Tags on the assets.
• User interface displays IT assets geographically
  distributed via GPS location.

RFID
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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