Innovative Tracking System for Monitoring of Stacked Cargo Containers

Present-day transponders require a clear line-of-sight with the sky, both to track their position with GPS and to relay status information to an uplink. This requirement precludes the ability to track asset tags whose containers are deeply stacked on or below deck. SARA is pleased to offer an innovative solution to overcome the line-of-sight requirement by developing an asset-tag-tracking system based on SARA-proprietary broadcasting methodologies that are resistant to the signal-degrading effects common in RF- and IR-based systems (such as multi-path reflections and attenuation through metal). The proposed system will be able to monitor simultaneously hundreds to thousands of tags in near-real-time, pinpoint any tag¿s position to within one meter (without a technician needing to walk on-deck and ¿triangulate¿ with a hand-held unit), and perform these functions securely and reliably no matter how deeply stacked the container might be. In Phase I of this proposal, SARA will design the architecture of the system and demonstrate the salient features of the broadcast technology. The results of the design and demonstration will clear a low-risk path to a fully-functional system demonstration in Phase II.