Antenna technology for reliable wireless tracking and monitoring, even in challenging environments

Robust wireless connections are critical for accurate, real-time monitoring of workers for safety and security - including precise location tracking, health status and vital signs monitoring, and alert systems. However, proximity to the body of the wearable, congested RF environments, and challenging industrial locations such as underground or metal-rich environments compromise wireless performance.

For personnel monitoring and tracking systems, addressing the challenges of body blocking and detuning, and delivering 10-20dB increased link budget in non-line of sight conditions, achieves:

• Reliable location tracking, indoors, outdoors, or underground
• Improved signal level, extended range and signal quality, ease of deployment
• Reduced infrastructure costs as fewer receivers required
• More efficient power consumption

The ability to reliably track in real-time to sub-meter accuracy opens up use cases such as driverless vehicles, safety and security uses, in addition to precise, scalable resource optimisation and operational efficiency. However, dynamic movement and placement on metal platforms will compromise the wireless link.

AntennaWare's antenna technology is specifically designed to address the challenges of detuning and signal blocking. For real-time asset tracking in industrial environments this results in:

• Extended signal range leading to reduced infrastructure costs
• Robust and reliable wireless link for critical applications such as health and safety
• Efficient power consumption extends battery life
• Environmental resilience to the placement of tags and receivers

Smart sensors rely on robust wireless connectivity to ensure critical machine health information is captured and analysed in real-time, preventing downtime, optimising maintenance schedules leading to cost and time efficiencies.

However, placement on metal can significantly compromise wireless performance. Workarounds include restricted placement of sensors and use of fragile monopole antennas. With a lower-profile, more mechanically robust solution, AntennaWare's antenna technology offers:

• Omni-directional signal
• Flexible sensor positioning
• Flat antenna design, less prone to breakages

Realising the potential ROI from Smart Factories and Industry 4.0 investments relies on real-time, accurate collection and analysis of large volumes of data from machines, systems, and personnel. Consistent, reliable data flow is essential for real-time decision-making, process optimisation, and adaptive manufacturing.

In these challenging environments, the additional non-line of sight link budget, radiation efficiency and increased detuning immunity of AntennaWare's antenna technology delivers:

• Robust links with body-worn devices despite dynamic movement
• Flexible placement of sensors and devices
• Reduced infrastructure costs due to signal strength
• Reduced power consumption
• Omnidirectional signal without the maintenance associated with monopole antennas