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Aviant builds wireless RFID solution for RecycleBank

Aviant builds wireless RFID  solution for RecycleBank

Aviant Systems, Inc, an RFID systems integrator, recently introduced an open-standard wireless solution in partnership with RecycleBank. Recycling collection trucks in Burlington, New Jersey will be the first to use the on-board RFID system, which automatically records and transmits customer pick-up information over a cellular network connection.


Aviant built the on-board solution to collect data using RFID at each pick-up location and to transmit the information to a data processing centre at regular intervals throughout the day. It is now possible to know the exact day and time a customer’s recycling was collected, and trucks can be located at any time using their GPS coordinates.


“RecycleBank motivates people to engage in greener behaviours, like recycling, by rewarding them,” said Scott Lamb, COO of RecycleBank. “RecycleBank expects this solution to better fit into the budgetary constraints of our municipalities, while improving collection and routing efficiencies.”
Each on-board system incorporates a Low Frequency (LF) reader, an antenna from Texas Instruments and an Ultra High Frequency (UHF) reader and antenna from Feig. Data is transmitted using GPRS over the T-Mobile network. The solution also utilizes the Web-based Wyless Management Platform, Porthos, to provide visibility and control over GPRS connectivity at any time.
“We experimented with several different frequencies and RFID components to build a solution for RecycleBank that is rugged enough to handle various weather conditions,” said Henry Bonnell, President, Aviant Systems, Inc. “The end result is a flexible and robust system that offers a significant amount of processing power on each vehicle.”


When one of the Burlington recycle trucks is started, the on-board wireless solution powers up. An automated arm on the truck lifts and empties recycling containers, and the arm is equipped with a sensor that detects movement, which activates the RFID reader to read the tag on the container and record the data to the on-board database. This includes the truck, date, time, RFID number and GPS coordinates of the pick-up location. The information is then sent to a data processing centre.


If an error occurs with the on-board solution, Aviant can send a new application and/or initialization file directly to the remote unit. If the system needs to be rebooted, the driver can simply turn the truck off and restart it. Plus, there is no keyboard, mouse or monitor on-board that could complicate the diagnostic process.
The solution is currently a non-weighing solution, but according to Bonnell, developments are under way to integrate weight scales with the system. Aviant also plans to add the ability to read bar code tags. Both capabilities, he says, are expected by the third quarter of 2010.
 

Company info

255 E 49th Street, 20th Floor
New York, NY
US, 10017

Website:
aviantsystems.com

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