Watch your steps!

Example locatornet application

Figure 13 illustrates a basic LocatorNet personnel tracking LBS application. This application was developed based on an Oracle Application Server and iSMART5 mapping server, together with some custom web pages. The Oracle Application Server and database maintains data integrity and security, allowing users access to only the data they need. Oracle Spatial database extensions were used to quickly provide spatial querying capabilities; users can ask questions such as “Who is near the intersection of Powers Blvd and 30th Street,” or “Where was User X at 2pm yesterday?” By making use of live WMS feeds such as Doppler radar users can even make queries such as “Was User X being rained on a 2 pm yesterday?”

The flexible LocatorNet LBS architecture allows additional mapping and feature content to be easily added for customized applications. Maps, images, and features from WMS, WFS, and WCS sources can easily be added into location based services. The open architecture also allows content to be shared through OpenLS standards.

Conclusion

The TIDGET/ZigBee tracking sensors have the following advantages over previous GPS tracking solutions.

• Ultra low-power design enabling operation for 30 days using a wristwatch size device and battery

• Wireless networked connectivity using low-cost COTS ZigBee devices

• Improved ZigBee data transfer reliability using an enhanced ZigBee transmission protocol The open architecture, standard-based design approach for the LocatorNet server has the following advantages for offering Location-based services

• Web-based access and display of the TIDGET/ZigBee tracking

results using only a thin client

• Powerful search and query engines using Oracle’s geospatial application server

• Rich feature content through integration with Open GIS web services

• Flexible web based user interface

Figure 8 TIDGET/ZigBee Data

Figure 9 City Streets overlay from local database

Figure 10 Combining a topographic map pulled over the internet from a USGS Web Map Service

Figure 11 High-resolution Aerial Imagery pulled over the internet from another USGS Web Map Service

Figure 12 Live Doppler radar pulled over the internet from a NOAA Web Map Service

design for rapid implementation and deployment of web based services

• Secure data management for maintaining privacy and managing access to TIDGET/ ZigBee tracking data

A variety of commercial and military applications exist for the TIDGET/ZigBee tracking unit and the LocatorNet Locationbased

services. The first TIDGET/ZigBee system is being developed for the U.S. Army TATRC for use in clinical trials. Its initial use is envisioned as a hospital type bracelet that will be used to collect the

location and time of treatment applied to trauma patients in support of clinical trials. Other applications for the TIDGET include embedding in other wireless devices which require low power operation and location operation, such as 3G cell phones, or for

geotagging sensor data or images, for example in digital cameras. NAVSYS is currently working with industry partners who are interested in producing and distributing the TIDGET devices for a

variety of commercial applications.

Figure 13 LocatorNet Application

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the support of Dr. Gary Gilbert and TATRC who have provided funding to support the development of this technology.

References

[1] A. Brown, “The TIDGET – A Low Cost GPS Sensor for Tracking Applications,” ION 5th International Technical Meeting,

Albuquerque, September 1992

[2] GPS tracking system, United States Patent 5,379,224 [3] A. Brown, M. May, B. Tanju, “Benefits of Software GPS Receivers for Enhanced Signal Processing,” GPS Solutions 4(1), Summer, 2000 pp 56-66

[4] ZigBee Specification v1.0, ZigBee Document 053473r00,

Version 1.00, ZigBee Alliance dated December 14, 2004.

[5] Open Geospatial Consortium, http://www.opengeospatial.org/

[6] Via http://terraserver-usa.com/

[7] Via http://terraserver-usa.com

[8] http://maps.customweather.com/

image?VERSION=1.1.1&REQUE

ST=GetCapabilities&Service=WMS