Real time glossary
By Bob Trebilcock, Editor at Large -- Modern Materials Handling, 7/1/2005
A real-time glossary
Real time has its own language. Below are some of the most commonly used terms and what they mean according to www.aimglobal.org; www.techinterview.com; www.epcglobalinc.org; www.webopedia.com, and www.arcweb.com.
Actuator: An actuator is a device that acts based on information it receives from a sensor.
Automatic identification and data collection: AIDC describes the direct entry of data into a computer system, programmable logic controller (PLC) or other microprocessor-controlled device without using a keyboard. In the supply chain, the most common data collection technologies are bar codes, voice technology, radio frequency identification (RFID) and sensors. Since it is possible to encode a wide range of information, from basic item identification to comprehensive details about that item, AIDC technologies provide a reliable means not only to identify but also to track items. 802.11/Wifi: 802.11 is the radio frequency standard used to wirelessly transmit data inside a warehouse or manufacturing plant. The 802.11 standard is ideal for transactional type processing, like order picking and is good in an area where there may be interference with the radio signal. Devices built to the 802.11 B "wifi" standard, or wireless fidelity, are truly interoperable out of the box. That allows one vendor's hand-held device to work with another vendor's truck-mounted unit in the same facility. Electronic data interchange: Before there was the Internet, there was EDI, a technology that enables the direct transfer of structured business data, like advance shipment notifications, between computers by electronic means. EDI is still widely used for shipment notifications and inter-enterprise transactions. Ethernet: The Ethernet is the hardwired communications infrastructure in a warehouse, manufacturing plant or corporate location. It is also the most widely installed LAN technology. Devices typically connect to the Ethernet through coaxial cable or special grades of twisted pair wires. Global positioning system: GPS is very useful for tracking vehicles as they move across the globe. While GPS is not appropriate technology for tracking hundreds or thousands of tags in a fixed space, these systems are used to track the location of rail cars and trucks over a cellular network. Local area network: A local area network, or LAN, allows the sharing of data within a defined geographic area such as a warehouse or manufacturing plant. Logistics visibility and control: Also known as supply chain visibility and event management, these applications monitor the supply chain for events that are important to the end users. Logistics visibility and control solutions combine alerts with escalation rules to report those events to decision makers who can act on them before they mushroom into problems. Materials handling control system: An MHCS, also known as an automation control system or a warehouse control system, is an execution system that sits between the WMS and machine level devices to manage automated materials handling and process systems. Mesh network: New technologies to enable real-time communications continue to emerge. Mesh networking is a new development to improve the performance of wireless LANs. In a typical RF application, each device on the network talks to a radio at an access point, which in turn communicates to a base station and the Ethernet. A mesh network, on the other hand, is a loose grid that can relay data from one radio to the next. The radios locate each other and determine the best way to route a packet of data back to the Ethernet. A mesh network, in theory, would allow a user to extend the LAN network into areas like a yard. Microprocessor: A microprocessor is a single-chip, program-controlled device which retrieves instructions from a materials handling control system and executes the instructions.Mobile resource management: These systems combine global positioning, RFID and other wireless technologies to track the movement and location of mobile assets such as trucks and returnable containers in near real-time. PC-based control: A PC-based control is a computer programmed to control automated materials handling and control systems. Personal area network: A personal area network, or PAN, is a short-range communications network enabled by Bluetooth technology. A PAN typically covers only a few feet and allows a wireless scanning device to communicate with a mobile computer or printer.
Programmable logic controller: PLCs, also known as process automation controls, are programmable computer-like devices that receive instructions from materials handling control systems and use that information to operate automated materials handling and process equipment. A PLC also captures and communicates information about the processes and equipment it controls. RFID - It stands for radio frequency identification, a technology that uses radio waves to automatically identify unique items with little human intervention. Unlike bar codes, which use lasers, no line of sight is necessary to use RFID.
RFID reader - A reader is really a radio wave transmitter/receiver. It transmits a radio signal that powers passive RFID tags. The reader receives information back from passive and from active tags, which broadcast on their own. The reader then converts those radio waves into data than can be used by a computer system.
RFID tag - An RFID tag consists of a microchip, which holds information, and an antenna that sends and receives radio signals. For supply chain applications, many companies will use "smart labels," which combine an RFID tag with a traditional bar code label.
An active tag has a battery that transmits signals on its own. Passive tags have no battery and are dormant until they receive a signal from a reader. Active tags have read ranges of up to 100 feet, while passive tags have read ranges of less than 10 feet.
Radio frequency data communication: RFDC technologies enable readers to wirelessly transmit real-time information to a host system. Information is communicated from a mobile computer to a radio transceiver, which acts as a base station. The receiver, in turn, routes messages to a network controller, which acts as an interface between a host system and the radio network.
Real time: Real time is the capture and communication of information about events as they occur.
Real time locating system: RTLS describes any wireless technology that can be used to continuously determine and track the real-time location of assets and personnel, inside and outside of a facility. In a typical solution, assets are tagged with an RFID tag that periodically communicates locating system readers that confirm and estimate the tag locations. SCADA: SCADA is an acronym that stands for real-time supervisory control and data acquisition. SCADA typically describes the information highway that routes information from the corporate level enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to supply chain execution and materials handling control software, and finally terminating at the device level networks of machines, sensors and controls. The tools described below all go into creating a SCADA network.
Sensor: A sensor is a device that responds to a physical stimulus and produces an electronic signal that is communicated to another device. In the real-time world of manufacturing and distribution, sensors are used to monitor and report on changes in temperature, motion or position, or other important conditions.
Supply chain execution software: SCE applications are software programs that receive order information from an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system or order management system (OMS) and then execute those orders. The most common are warehouse management systems (WMS) that direct the receipt, putaway, pick, pack and shipment of orders, and transportation management systems (TMS) which contract with carriers and schedule the pickup and delivery of product.
Voice-recognition system: Voice recognition technology converts human speech into electrical signals. Operators wear a microphone/speaker headset connected to a mobile computer that communicates with a host computer system. Voice technology allows operators to execute instruction and collect and communicate data in a hands-free environment.
Wide area network: A wide area network, or WAN, enables communication in a wider area beyond the four walls of a facility.
Zigbee: Zigbee is a technology similar to a mesh network, but developed for short range power, like a Bluetooth-enabled personal area network. A Zigbee network, for instance, might route information between RFID readers on shelves in a warehouse.
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