Transparent flow of goods.

Efficient Detection of Packages and Load Carriers in Logistics

Pepperl+Fuchs is expanding its RFID portfolio with a new UHF reader, the IUR-F800-V1D-4A*, for connecting external antennas, especially for use in gate applications in logistics. The company has been providing reliable RFID systems for industrial applications for over three decades. In factory automation, these systems are primarily operated with PLCs to ensure safe processes and transparency in production.



This new IUR-F800-V1D-4A* UHF RFID read/write device extends the range of products offered by Pepperl+Fuchs to provide complete transparency in the logistics applications that follow production. Designed with proven and internationally standardized UHF technology (ISO 18000-63 or EPC Class 1 Gen 2), the IUR-F800-V1D-4A* enables cost-efficient construction of RFID gates thanks to the connection option for up to four external antennas.



These RFID gates enable quick, simultaneous detection of large quantities of tags during transit - for example, in the automated inspection of packages in incoming and outgoing goods, and during transport between storage and production areas. The information obtained can be seamlessly integrated into existing backend systems such as ERP and MES, therefore enabling maximum transparency along the entire value chain.



A variety of antenna types provide optimal adaptation to specific applications. The powerful UHF reader allows reading and writing over long distances. In addition, the reader has additional inputs and outputs, for example, for connecting sensors or external signal lights. Clearly visible LEDs provide additional information about the current operating state. Both the IUR-F800-V1D-4A* and the associated antennas are designed with rugged housings for demanding operational conditions.

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@PepperlFuchsUSA @mepaxIntPR #Tracking #PAuto

Where is it? Save time spent searching!

Electro Rent has launched a high-performance, easy-to-use IoT tracker, helping businesses track test and measurement assets across their field services. The new device is ideal for any company that currently finds itself spending too much time and money trying to find misplaced or stolen assets.

Part of their asset optimisation services, the tracker monitors the locations of assets and communicates back to Electro Rent’s market-leading LEO asset optimisation software (powered by Oracle Cloud). Users can see the real-time localisation of their T&M assets from anywhere in the world. The service, which uses state-of-the-art IoT technology, is available now to all Electro Rent customers, with a growing number of telecoms operators/subcontractors, power installers and industrial subcontractors among the early adopters.

Notably, integrated device communication facilitates data transmission over the phone network. Electro Rent’s IoT tracker quickly reads the location of any lost or stolen assets via three different methods, selecting the best approach based on the user’s location. The device reads the location of test and measurement assets by using: GPS satellites with 5 to 10m accuracy; the location associated with any nearby Wi-Fi HubSpot or Wi-Fi router with 5 to 20m accuracy; or the mobile phone network within 100m accuracy.

Thanks to an integral accelerometer, a trigger alarm feature on the IoT tracker allows easy monitoring following any movement events. Users can view and track asset movement trails on a map with their cloud-based LEO online account. The technology also permits users to zero-in on assets with filters by depot, category, model and date.

Aside from asset location and tracking, Electro Rent’s IoT tracker provides many additional benefits, not least the potential to optimise the valuable time of field service engineers. Furthermore, businesses can use the device to identify both in-demand and underused assets, improving utilisation or prompting investment/disposal opportunities at the right time. It can also assist in insurance claims when assets are lost.

The IoT data is accessible via their software as a service (SaaS) from anywhere in the world via the user’s cloud-based LEO online account. There is no requirement for local software installation, or for readers in depots or vans. The SaaS embeds the latest OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project) cybersecurity standards via a web browser, removing the need for internal integration or IT costs.

This ultra-portable, compact device has a dimensional envelope of just 79 x 79 x 26mm and features a rugged, IP67-rated design to withstand harsh working environments. Various power options are offered including 3xAA alkaline batteries, Li rechargeable battery offering up to four years of service between charges or Li rechargeable battery with optional solar panel for potentially unlimited battery life.

As a final point, there are no hidden costs whatsoever: the price includes hosting and global data roaming. Electro Rent’s bespoke ERP integration service with internal IT systems is available on request.

@ElectroRentEMEA @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #IoT #AssetManagement

Optical tracking.

High-speed camera for integration into optical tracking system.

Thanks to the FLIR RS8500 superior resolution and measurement accuracy, the Italian system integrator can offer test range customers a solution to identify and track targets with the highest accuracy

Based in Sardinia (I), Nurjana Technologies provides mission-critical engineering services and system integration for the aerospace industries etc. The company has been successful in offering unique electro-optical systems for government test labs and test range applications.

Automatic target identification and tracking
The latest addition to the company’s product portfolio is the NEOS (Nurjana Electro-Optical System), a complete hardware- and software-based system for realtime optical tracking in long-range, high-precision measurement applications. The system was designed to fuse data from multiple sensors, including optical payload, telemetry, radar, and ranging measurement data. The optical payload is customized and composed of a visible-light tracking camera, a radiometric thermal imaging camera, a visible-light measurement camera, and a high-speed camera. Near-realtime data fusion and computer vision are leveraged for detecting and tracking targets in the most demanding scenarios.

“A high-resolution thermal camera was essential for this type of application,” says Davide Piras, System Engineer at Nurjana Technologies. “A thermal camera does not only allow us to see targets in dark or adverse weather conditions, like cloudy weather or rain, but we were also looking for a high-speed, high-resolution thermal imaging solution that enabled us to see smaller objects at very long range.”

Clearest target 
The company was already familiar with Teledyne FLIR thermal imaging cameras and based on the team’s previous experiences on test ranges all over the world, it was a natural decision to involve FLIR in the development of the NEOS product as well. The FLIR RS8500 high-speed MWIR camera proved to be the best solution for the application.

“We looked extensively at different camera types, but the image quality, high-speed features, and many different integration and connection options of the FLIR RS8500 made it the ideal solution to improve target visibility within NEOS,” Piras explains.

Nurjana Technologies demonstrated the NEOS system and FLIR RS8500 at select firing test range facilities and centers of excellence for experimentation in the NATO domain. The demonstrations not only showed the FLIR camera’s impressive clarity and image quality but also its superiority to visual cameras in cloudy conditions.

“Thanks to the FLIR camera, we were able to overcome adverse weather conditions, improve target visibility with a clear identification of the target’s thermal signature, and see the target in almost any weather condition,” says Piras. “We are glad to have the chance to integrate such an extremely powerful camera into our solution.”

Test range applications
Nurjana Technologies also valued the straightforward integration using a GenICam protocol, which makes it easier for integrators and end customers to control the camera system over Linux. The NEOS system with the integrated FLIR camera is customizable and available for a wide range of automatic detection, recognition, identification and tracking applications, including bomb scoring, splash detection, impact point prediction, and accurate missile, projectile and rocket tracking. A downsized version of NEOS is available for civilian applications within the domains of critical infrastructure protection and monitoring.

Since the unit is a radiometric infrared camera and the continuous metric zoom lens provides instantaneous focal length and position information on every frame, the system can also be used to capture target data, including signature and apparent temperature measurements.

@Flir @NurjanaTechnol1 @mepaxIntPR #Camera, #Aerospace

Perception asset tracker.

The Neoception Asset Tracker offers cloud-based monitoring of production equipment. RFID readers from the Pepperl+Fuchs IDENTControl System use a tag to identify assets, whose object-specific information is sent via a gateway to the Neoception Cloud, where the data can be viewed at any time. This leads to a more detailed overview and makes it easier to plan production processes.

The number of cycles of certain components during production are determined via RFID, thus creating a more precise overview of the current plant utilization. The generic, cloud-based RFID solution makes it possible to monitor a wide range of production equipment that requires maintenance. In addition to high levels of reliability and self-sufficiency, it offers a number of other advantages.

RFID readers from the Pepperl+Fuchs IDENTControl System use a tag to identify assets, whose object-specific information is sent via a gateway to the Neoception Cloud. Users of the service can view the data in the cloud at any time and from anywhere. Different settings can be adjusted on the intuitive user interface to configure the assets and manage notifications.

The system is highly customizable, meaning that it can be perfectly tailored to the requirements of individual production plants. For example, it is possible to define a threshold for the number of cycles that assets can complete before a service notification is generated. This makes it easier to plan device maintenance and prevents failures. It is also possible to integrate multiple production lines into the system. The user can make status requests and couple or decouple tags to or from objects in the user dashboard of the Neoception cloud.

@PepperlFuchs #PAuto

Tracking modules!

Vehicle tracking modules deliver high application performance and reliability plus direct manufacturer support for best cost-of-ownership

Astra Telematics has launched its latest generation of modules, using state-of-the-art GPS and processing technologies to support cutting-edge capabilities and benchmark power efficiency.

AT110

AT240

The AT240 and AT110 modules combine the highly accurate and sensitive SiRFStar IV GPS module with a high-performance low-power ARM® Cortex™-M3 processor and the Telit GE865 GSM/GPRS modem. Ultra-efficient power management, designed in-house by Astra, enables the modules to remain awake continuously without imposing excessive drain on the vehicle battery.

“Our new modules provide up to the minute features and are designed, built and directly supported by Astra allowing customers to achieve outstanding performance, reliability and competitive cost of ownership,” said Phil Vella, managing director, Astra Telematics.

The modules support a wide variety of telematics functions. External interfaces include CAN2.0B plus digital and analogue I/Os for connecting devices such as temperature sensors. The CANBus interface supports FMS2.0 which provides a variety of useful data such as fuel consumption, and OBD2, which is mainly for vehicle service/diagnostics information. An embedded MEMS accelerometer to allow monitoring of driver behaviour (acceleration, braking, cornering), collision detection, tow alarm and “wake on motion” power management. Users can also optimise settings such as SMS limits, GSM roaming and reporting intervals, and set device-based geo-fencing for applications such as tracking high-value goods. The modules also support convenient iButton operator authentication, and offer schedule based immobilisation, based on a 7 day hourly schedule. The unit features five digital outputs or external load switches.

The AT240 is a self-contained module featuring an integrated antenna and a moulded IP67-sealed enclosure designed for easy mounting in automotive applications. The AT110 is a miniaturised module for use with external GSM and GPS antennas, housed in a sturdy aluminium enclosure and ideal for use as part of a larger in-vehicle system. The modules are supplied with full documentation and backed by manufacturer support, enabling Application Service Providers (ASPs) and system integrators to deliver turnkey solutions quickly and ensure low cost of ownership for end users.