Series 500 does not require fixed readers

All nodes communicate with one another

Position calculation can be distributed

Mobile and fixed nodes are the same

System can be dynamically reconfigured

Fully meshed, including all nodes

Entire system is wireless

Principle

Relative positioning, also called collaborative positioning or cluster positioning is a novel technique in which all nodes in a wireless sensor network are capable of communicating with any neighbours within radio range.

Each device in the network periodically broadcasts a positioning message to all neighbours within range, and also receives and measures messages transmitted by neighbours. By using payload information contained in neighbour broadcasts along with accurately measured TOA (time-of-arrival) for the signal the device computes its position relative to its neighbours in the network.

Uniquely Flexible Solution

The S500 system can be operated in a completely relative mode, in which case the output positions are not absolute. However, it is more usual to add context of the environment in which the system is operating by associating some of the nodes with features of the environment itself. For example, some of the nodes might be attached to the physical buildings making up the region into which the system is deployed.

These “fixed” nodes are no different from normal mobile ones, the difference is achieved by assigning each node a “personality” which in the case of fixed ones might be a known position.

Further flexibility is achieved by nodes adapting when and how often they transmit or listen to signals from neighbours. In this was they can fulfil different roles in the network, optimised to the individual requirements of the moment.