The Intelligent InSites solution leverages several proven wireless technologies to provide its real-time location and communication capabilities. Following is a summary of the technologies.
Infrared (IR)
Infrared technology is one of two technologies that provide the system's room-level location-sensing capabilities. The technology has been in use for decades in several common devices, such as television remote controls. Key attributes of the technology:
- Requires line-of-sight
- Does not penetrate walls, which provides the room-level location accuracy
- Sensors range of approximately a 15-foot radius, but can be adjusted to be larger or narrower
Ultrasound
Ultrasound technology uses sound that is not audible to humans to communicate location. It can provide room level accuracy because the sound does not penetrate walls. Key attributes of the technology:
- Signals do not penetrate walls
- Does not require line of sight
- Ultrasound waves are immune to interference
Active RFID
Active RFID uses battery-powered tags/badges to communicate the tag's identification to the sensors. RFID signals have the ability to pass through walls, which makes it suitable for assistance requests from patients, residents, and staff which may not be in direct view of the reader. Key attributes of the technology:
- Signals pass through walls and floors
- Not suitable for room-level locating
- Sensor range of approximately a 50-foot radius
Passive RFID
Passive RFID technology uses very small tags without batteries, but function similarly to active RFID. Passive RFID tags receive their energy from their readers by absorbing the reader's energy and "reflecting" their identification back to the reader. Passive RFID is suitable for choke point tracking of people using disposable wristbands or for tracking inventory, controlled items (pharmaceuticals), or high value items (heart stents). Key attributes of the technology:
- No battery – requires special type of reader
- Appropriate choice in choke point locating, such as when the person or tracked item passes through a monitored doorway
- Tags are often disposable and inexpensive – as little as $0.25/tag or less
802.11 a/b/g (Wi-Fi)
Wi-Fi technology uses wireless access points distributed throughout the facility, which may be used for wireless network connectivity for laptops and PDAs, to determine the location of the Wi-Fi tagged asset. The technology's primary advantage is that the same wireless data infrastructure installed for network connectivity and voice-over-IP can be leveraged for locating assets as well. Because the technology has a lower room-level accuracy rate (typically 80-85%), it is more suitable for general asset locating and tracking than for locating people. Key attributes of the technology:
- Leverages common data network infrastructure
- Typical accuracy of 10-30 feet - not suitable for applications requiring room-level accuracy, but reasonable for enterprise asset locating
- Tags are a bit larger, but offer up to 5 years on a standard AA battery
|
|
 |
 |
 |
