Introduction
PinPoint is a superior Real Time Location technology that provides highly accurate location determination using Radio Frequency(RF) propagation delay (Distance Time of arrival(DTOA)) without the complexity and cost requirement of requiring synchronized clocks among the operating sites.
Location accuracies of three to five feet (and better) are easily achieved in devices licensing the PinPoint technology. Because of the low cost requirements of PinPoint devices, its scalability, ease of deployment and accuracy, it represents a unique cost effective platform for a gamut of mission critical RTLS applications, devices and solutions.
A patent (7,224,984) for the PinPoint technology was awarded May 29, 2007. AlphaTrek is the exclusive commercial licensee for the patent and is actively marketing its use to businesses, agencies and institutions who want the most accurate and cost effective means for enabling RTLS applications. Click here to download the PinPoint patent.
Benefits
Utilizing PinPoint as a RTLS platform provides the following significant benefits:
- No time or clock synchronization is required for PinPoint based applications which reduces component and deployment costs.
- PinPoint devices can utilizingexpensive and standards based components including clock and timing subsystems for reducedcost of goods in tags, receivers and location devices.
- Accurate indoor and outdoor operation is easily facilitated as no line of sight to a satellites required.Selecting the appropriate RF frequencies lets accuratemeasurements be madethrough floors, walls and other obstructions providing numerous application opportunities.
- PinPoint provides modes of operation which allow massive scalability through distributed processing among devices without the need for large central server implementations.
- Interoperability with GPS, RFID or legacy systems are possible with PinPoint which can be used to as a fallback or as a complement to exiting installations .Smoothtransition of accurate location detection to areas not covered with GPS are easily implemented.
- PinPoint has low computational requirements which can be translated into low power applications and long battery operation up-time. The algorithm used is based on simple algebraic operations.
- PinPoint is independent of the communication technology used it can be used with the narrow-band RF, spread spectrum, or ultra wide band technologies.
- PinPoint does not require any infrastructure support or pre-planning for the area of deployment. This ability makes it perfectly suited for emergence deployments.