User Manual

PLUS System Manual Overview 11
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1.1 Manual Contents
The sections of this document are organized to allow system installers, programmers, and users to
easily find the information they need.
Section 1 provides an introduction to the PLUS system, with a summary of the PLUS products and
peripherals. All users should start with this introduction to familiarize themselves with the system.
Section 2 is the System Installation reference for the system. It contains a comprehensive set of
instructions for installing, configuring, and maintaining a PLUS system. The information in this
section will enable demonstration kit users to quickly set up their system. It also serves as a reference
for certified PLUS installers working on larger scale installations.
Section 3 describes the data interface to the PLUS Reader. It is intended for programmers who will
develop their own RFID or multilateration software using PLUS hardware components. The structure
of the Reader output data stream is documented in this section.
Section 4 describes the PLUS Location Software Library, which serves as the application interface
(API) for the system. This section enables middleware or application programmers to configure the
PLUS Location Engine and capture location data.
Section 5 is the reference manual for the PLUS Visualizer application. The Visualizer is a software
tool that enables users to set up, demonstrate, troubleshoot, and maintain a PLUS installation.
1.2 PLUS System Products
1.2.1 Synchronization Distribution Panel
A typical PLUS System includes at least one Synchronization
Distribution Panel (SDP) acting as a bridge between the
Location Engine server and the Reader units. The SDP serves
three functions in a tracking system: 1) Power delivery to
Readers (up to three per Sync Out port); 2) Synchronization of
Readers (up to six per Sync Out port); and 3) Pass-through of Ethernet
data within each paired set of LAN In and Sync Out ports. The SDP will
typically be connected to an Ethernet switch to aggregate data before
passing it to the Location Engine server. There are two versions of the
SDP: a 24-port version and a 6-port version.
1.2.2 Reader
The PLUS Reader performs the functions of receiving the PLUS
Tag transmissions, decoding Tag data, measuring signal strength,
and generating a Time of Arrival (TOA) timestamp. A typical
tracking system deployment consists of multiple Readers powered
from and synchronized to an SDP. It is also possible to use
individual Readers in RFID proximity detect mode. Each Reader
passes Tag data and TOA results to the Location Engine server through a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet link
using UDP/IP packets. The Reader interface also provides network configuration options, alert
conditions, and Reader diagnostics. Details on Reader configuration options and packet definitions
are provided in Section 3 PLUS Reader Data Interface of this manual.