ClearStream supports RTLS (Real-Time Location System) functionality with Any ClearStream Compatible Reader, not just the Zebra ATR7000. This allows you to build real-time tracking systems by defining zones that represent areas covered by your readers and antennas, and by connecting those readers to the PTS RTLS Cloud Portal for live tag visualization and tracking.
Requirements
- ClearStream 8.0 or greater installed on a Windows PC, click here to download.
- A trial subscription to the ClearStream portal. Request a trial here.
Hardware Installation
When using a Zebra ATR7000 device for an RTLS system, it is important that the readers are installed properly and that they are all aligned to a common North point. This point should generally be facing the top of the RTLS map that is configured in the steps below. The North point of the reader is identified by a notch on the top of the device as you can see in the image below:
The North point shown above can be found by looking at the top of the ATR7000. There is a notch in the middle circle that is 24 degrees off from the metal post that you can see from the top side of the ATR7000. Every reader that is installed at the location should be installed in the same orientation for accurate location results. If this is not the case the tags will show up in an incorrect location on the map.
ClearStream Device Setup
Add Your Readers
Open ClearStream and go to Configure ->Devices tab.
Click Add, then add Reader(s).
Click Add, then add Group.
Enter the reader’s IP address, If the connection is successful you will see the MAC address appear in the Device ID column.
Add Antennas to the configured reader(s) under the Antennas Tab.
Add configured devices to the group, select the created group, select Device tab, you can select each reader from the dropdown list.
Enable Generate RTLS Data.
Under the Data Settings Tab for the group, change Key Field to 'EPC'
Configuring the Destination
Next up is setting the Destination to the PTS RTLS cloud. This is where all of the location data will be reported and displayed on your maps. Select PTS RTLS Cloud from the Type drop down on the Destination tab.
To confirm your subscription status, click on the 'Check Subscription' button that appears under the Destination Type
Configuring the RTLS Cloud Portal
Setting up the RTLS Zones
Go to subscriptions.clearstreamrfid.com and log in using your ClearStream RTLS credentials.
Along the left column, go to RTLS -> Config.
Add a Map/Floor Plan of your facility.
Now that the map is created, drag and drop a Zone onto the map. A zone must be used for any device type that is not a Zebra ATR7000. The zone will represent the coverage area of a single antenna attached to the device.
Select the created zone, replace the Data Identifier with the name assigned in ClearStream followed by a (-) and antenna name, ex: FX9600-Antenna1.
After completing the configuration select the Save icon in the top right.
Viewing Tag Locations on the PTS RTLS Map
Starting up the Group
- After all the above steps are complete you are ready to start the readers, head into Start/Stop Tab, click on the configured group and select 'Start Selected'.
- Now in the PTS RTLS Portal hover over RTLS menu item, select Live View, and use the drop down to select the map that contains the RFID readers that you have configured within this article
Notes
- While the Zone will not show exact pin point locations, the user can see a number placed on the zone which correlates to how many items are in the zone.
- Any number of items greater than 9 in a zone is replaced by a (+) sign.
- Recommended Timeout on the group is 30s
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