A Real-Time UWB Multi-Channel Indoor Positioning System for Industrial Scenarios

Tracking products, machines and important objects in factories is a key task for future efficient manufacturing processes. Providing workers and robots with accurate and reliable location information is the foundation for this innovation. In industrial facilities, the environment is more complex compared to consumer indoor positioning scenarios. Heavy machinery often blocks the line of sight path. Metal walls and surfaces increase reflections and multi-path effects. An ultra-wideband based time-difference-of-arrival positioning system is investigated. All base stations use four transceivers instead of one to increase the system robustness. Multi-path and non-line of sight situations are evaluated with respect to the channel effects and the influence on the position accuracy.