Comments on: Cleaning up the distance signal http://groklab.org/handhygiene/2009/10/05/cleaning-up-the-distance-signal/ Just another Groklab.org weblog Mon, 28 Nov 2011 02:43:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ted Herman http://groklab.org/handhygiene/2009/10/05/cleaning-up-the-distance-signal/comment-page-1/#comment-31 Ted Herman Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:49:10 +0000 http://groklab.org/handhygiene/2009/10/05/cleaning-up-the-distance-signal/#comment-31 We are still a few years, at best, from the ultimate RF-only solution: UWB ranging. For example, 802.15.4a UWB based localization 10cm $2 for radio in high volume (ad) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEpNbdzWmWU Turns out to be just hot air, not a real product. But the idea, time-of-flight in the RF domain entirely, seems quite attractive. I wonder if it's robust to reflections and passing through clothing, bodies, etc, but it does sound like a great thing. But for us, we need something soon that's at least somewhat better than what we have for the handcleaner situations. We are still a few years, at best, from the ultimate RF-only solution: UWB ranging. For example,

802.15.4a
UWB based localization
10cm
$2 for radio in high volume (ad)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEpNbdzWmWU

Turns out to be just hot air, not a real product. But the idea, time-of-flight in the RF domain entirely, seems quite attractive. I wonder if it’s robust to reflections and passing through clothing, bodies, etc, but it does sound like a great thing.

But for us, we need something soon that’s at least somewhat better than what we have for the handcleaner situations.

]]> By: gthomas http://groklab.org/handhygiene/2009/10/05/cleaning-up-the-distance-signal/comment-page-1/#comment-30 gthomas Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:11:22 +0000 http://groklab.org/handhygiene/2009/10/05/cleaning-up-the-distance-signal/#comment-30 Good comments, Ted. I was thinking that the sonar would only activate when the dispenser was engaged and the badges were looking for a signal. Once the radio signal was established we could move onto the detailed position estimate. Good comments, Ted. I was thinking that the sonar would only activate when the dispenser was engaged and the badges were looking for a signal. Once the radio signal was established we could move onto the detailed position estimate.

]]> By: Ted Herman http://groklab.org/handhygiene/2009/10/05/cleaning-up-the-distance-signal/comment-page-1/#comment-29 Ted Herman Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:06:02 +0000 http://groklab.org/handhygiene/2009/10/05/cleaning-up-the-distance-signal/#comment-29 Another thought - really short term - we could associate two motes with each dispenser. For the puck, it would mean stacking two motes maybe, or having another mote (very) nearby. This would be easier actually than say making two antennas selectable by the software (set a pin high for antenna 1) and sending on both. Another thought – really short term – we could associate two motes with each dispenser. For the puck, it would mean stacking two motes maybe, or having another mote (very) nearby. This would be easier actually than say making two antennas selectable by the software (set a pin high for antenna 1) and sending on both.

]]> By: Ted Herman http://groklab.org/handhygiene/2009/10/05/cleaning-up-the-distance-signal/comment-page-1/#comment-28 Ted Herman Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:01:28 +0000 http://groklab.org/handhygiene/2009/10/05/cleaning-up-the-distance-signal/#comment-28 I'm worried about cost for a really great solution. Cost of extra sensor (takes up space, uses battery) if it's acoustic. Similarly, for having many radio transmissions, there is a cost of perhaps being awake longer on the badge. But this may turn out OK, depending on the numbers. I’m worried about cost for a really great solution. Cost of extra sensor (takes up space, uses battery) if it’s acoustic. Similarly, for having many radio transmissions, there is a cost of perhaps being awake longer on the badge. But this may turn out OK, depending on the numbers.

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