avitation lru tracking

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An ISO certified specialized technology services company Winfoware Technologies Ltd

“Simplifying Information

Delivery on Converged

Networks”


Program Objective

To deliver a robust solution to enable the tracking of Line Replacement Units (LRU) onboard Helicopters using RFID technology.


About Us

• ISO 9001 : 2000 certified, specialized technology services provider.

• With over 7 years experience in delivering projects to domestic and overseas clients.

• Over 9000 person months of quality work delivered to global clients.

• Globally respected Corporations as Customers.

• Quality certified delivery governance framework.

• Global presence in – India, UK, Europe, US.


“To emerge as the most preferred

specialized technology services

provider enabling Businesses to

respond in Realtime”

Corporate Mission


Enterprise IT

Converged Communications

Enterprise Services

Business Process Management, eCRM, RFID solutions, Mobility solutions, Web2.0, SoA

IP Telephony, IP TV, VoIP, Messaging, IVR, Handheld devices, Security tools, Appliances

Product Development, Application Development, Maintenance & Support, Managed Remote

Services

Core Areas of Expertise


Functional Business Application Expertise

• RFID/RTLS Asset Tracking Solutions

• Inventory, Warehouse & Distribution Solutions

• Asset Life Cycle & Collaborative Maintenance Management (CMMS)

• Enterprise Mobility Solutions

• Enterprise Content Management Solutions

• CRM

• Converged Surveillance/Security Solutions (Biometric, Camera, Perimeter Fencing)


Customers

http://www.motorola.com/seamless_mobility

http://www.philips.com/index.html

http://www.pg.com/en_US/index.jhtml


About our Partner CSL

• Convergence Systems Limited (CSL) is a leading design engineering company for RFID readers, antennas, RFID modules, and custom RFID tags

• Founded in 2000

• Offers a full line of active RTLS RFID products

• A member of EPCglobal

• Suppliers to UK & US MoD


Background

• Each helicopter has around 400 individually identifiable and traceable LRUs.

• Each LRU has an unique serial number based on : – Standard of Preparation – Flight hours carried out – Inspection details – Revision history

• LRUs pertain to the following systems – – Display – Navigation – Communication – Control – electronic & hydraulic – Data capture


LRU Distribution

Cockpit Area

Tail boom

Floor board

Avionics Bay

Central Console

Transmission Assembly


Present Methodology

• Presurvey activity involving removal of LRUs from helicopter

• Manual check and noting down the LRU serial number

• Secure LRUs back in their location

• Manually update the log card

• Stockpile the log card


• Highly time consuming process

• Damages to LRU cables, gaskets, facet

• LRU refitment inconsistencies

• Manual written errors while updating log card

• Pile of paper storage

• Difficulty to trace log card from stockpile

• Difficulty to trace LRU at stores

Difficulties in Present Methodology


Business Need

To put in place a robust tracking & monitoring system which enables –

1. Physical stock taking & audit of LRUs onboard helicopter without removing them from their locations

2. Inventory control

3. Configuration control

4. Life monitoring

5. Utilization monitoring

6. Track & trace at stores


Objective Simplified… How?

The answer is RFID. Principle :

• RFID – a unique identification technology using radio waves.

• RFID Systems consist of a transponder, also known as a tag, which is a microchip connected to an antenna.

• The tag is mounted to an asset, and a device called a reader communicates with the tag via radio waves.

• Depending on the type of tag used, the reader can receive data as simple as an identification number or even detailed information.


RFID in Aviation Industry Facts

1. Boeing selected RFID to track around 2,000 missioncritical parts on each of its 787 jetliners

2. Airbus A380 is outfitted with over 10,000 parts tagged with RFID chips

3. Airbus is using passive RFID labels on passenger seats and life vests in A380.

4. Airbus is looking to RFIDtag removable/critical parts like plane brakes etc, which must be overhauled after every 1000 landings


RFID Tag Customization for LRU design

Photo of prototype custom RFID tag developed for LRU

Photo showing the typical application of prototype custom

RFID tag on LRU Photo showing the

reading of custom RFID tag on LRU using mobile

RFID readers


RFID Tag Specifications

1. Suitability : For metal surfaces 2. Material : Blended Polyurethane 3. Weight per tag : Max 11 gm 4. Mode of Operation : Passive 5. Protocol : ISO 180006C, EPC UHF Class 1 Gen 2 6. Read range : 1 meter 7. Operating temperature : 40deg C to +71deg C (+125deg C for MGB accessories) 8. Storage temperature : 40deg C to +85deg C 9. Humidity : 0% to 100% RH, condensing 10. Ingress Protection (IP) level : IP68 11. Standard : Mil Std 810 12. Vibration level : Frequency: 20Hz to 2000Hz(random), amplitude: 1.923mm,

Acceleration RMS:7.697377 gn 13. Drop resistance : 1.5 meter 14. Frequency range : 865868 MHz 15. Shape : Donut and Rectangle 16. Application on LRU : Using military grade adhesive tapes


1. RFID promises unattainable visibility and accuracy in tracking the a. Recognition b. Authenticity c. History / Genealogy d. Even performance of key components

2. Improve inventory accuracy

3. Increase visibility of parts/components

4. Improve and streamline maintenance functions

5. Reduce lost parts and time in locating lost parts

Business Benefits of RFID


Extended Business Value of RFID for Helicopter Business

• Onboard helicopter – for LRU inventory & audit

• At Stores – for trace & inventory check

• At Units – for audit, trace & replenishment


Helicopter Unit

• Equipment failures • System failures • # of landings • Helicopter running hours • Pilot reports • Asset health status • Snag details • Rotables tracking

Data collection Helicopter Unit – local server

Network to connect base station & units

• Local helicopter availability • Local stock management • Maintenance schedules • Trends in snag pattern • MTTR / MTBR • Repair / Overhaul status • Flying hours • AOG

KPI dashboard

Central base station server

• Helicopter availability • Inventory management • Components / parts tracking status

• Breakdown / Maintenance status

• Reasons / snag trends

• Spares provisioning (RFID)

• Cannibalization report

Base station dashboard

RFID based inventory mgmt, stock taking, tracking and spares provisioning at base station

Local spares stocking, mobilizing & replenishment


Challenges

1. RFID tag weight : This is proportional to read range.

2. RFID tag shape in line with LRU shape : Minimum standardization on tag shapes a. A concentric circle design (for all LRUs in cockpit area) b. A rectangle design (for all other remaining LRUs)


Summary

• RFID tag an integral part of LRU

• Does not hamper LRU handling

• LRU traceability ensured

• Total weight of tags less than 5kgs

• Passive gadget – no interference

• Conformity to Mil Std 810

• Operates on specific allotted frequency band