Test Protocol For Comparing Two-Dimensional Bar Code Hand-Held Reader Technologies

Current advances in reader technology offer users of two-dimensional bar codes many choices in selecting a hand-held reader for their particular application. Specifications exist that describe required functionality for various scanning technologies, but little work has been done in the published literature with respect to assessing the relative performances of these technologies when actually incorporated into a hand-held unit. In this paper, a suite of standard tests is presented to measure the decode time of hand-held readers. These tests were applied to a PDF417 two-dimensional bar code symbol and used to compare the performance of five newly developed hand-held readers over four different reader technologies. The technologies included laser scanning, linear CCD, area CCD, and CMOS technology. The tests focused on the following factors that typically affect decode time: lighting conditions, reading distance, orientation angles of the reader, and use of the readers in a typical freehand application. Results show the tests to be a valid means for comparing performance of differing hand-held reader technologies typically used for two-dimensional symbologies

Optimization Of Indoor Wireless Communication Network Layouts

Radio Frequency Data Communications (RFDC)technology is rapidly becoming a critical component of many traditional industrial engineering functions including materials tracking, inventory control, warehousing, order processing, shipping and database management. As a means of moving information, RFDC has many attractive features, such as speed, accuracy, reliability, convenience and low operating costs. When implementing RFDC systems a major problem is to quickly and efficiently determine the locations where transceivers should be placed so that effective radio communication can take place. The research described in this paper addresses this issue by developing a computerized layout simulation system that incorporates heuristic optimization methods to solve the placement problem. The effectiveness of this unique automated layout methodology is demonstrated by comparing it with the current method of utilizing manual site surveys, as well as with other placement methods. The methodology and solutions are validated by field-testing at actual facilities. © 2002, IIE

Optimization Of Indoor Wireless Communication Network Layouts

Radio Frequency Data Communications (RFDC) technology is rapidly becoming a critical component of many traditional industrial engineering functions including materials tracking, inventory control, warehousing, order processing, shipping and database management. As a means of moving information, RFDC has many attractive features, such as speed, accuracy, reliability, convenience and low operating costs. When implementing RFDC systems a major problem is to quickly and efficiently determine the locations where transceivers should be placed so that effective radio communication can take place. The research described in this paper addresses this issue by developing a computerized layout simulation system that incorporates heuristic optimization methods to solve the placement problem. The effectiveness of this unique automated layout methodology is demonstrated by comparing it with the current method of utilizing manual site surveys, as well as with other placement methods. The methodology and solutions are validated by field-testing at actual facilities

Optimization Of Indoor Wireless Communication Network Layouts

Radio Frequency Data Communications (RFDC) technology is a critical component of many automated applications for which industrial engineers are typically responsible. For example, in warehouse management systems, RFDC is often used to track product inventory levels through the Receiving, Put-Away, Picking, and Shipping operations. The current rapid growth in RFDC devices and applications has given rise to a number of challenging implementation issues. A predominant problem in successful implementation of these applications is the quick and efficient determination of transceiver placement such that effective radio communication can take place. This research addresses this problem through the development of a computerized layout simulation system incorporating heuristic optimization methods as the placement engine for transceivers. This method is effective for producing good transceiver placements. The effectiveness of this unique automated layout methodology is demonstrated by comparing..

Evaluation of options for disposition of dispersible material in B-Cell

The radioactive contaminants in the dispersible material in B-cell of the 324 Building Radiochemical Energy (RE) hot-cell complex at the Hanford Site in southeastern Washington exceed the allowable level. In 1986, there was a spill of 1.3 million curies of concentrated cesium and strontium in B-cell. Cleanup is required, and candidate technologies for cleaning up or otherwise addressing problems associated with the dispersible material are being evaluated by Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL). The RE hot-cell complex in 324 Building was constructed in the late 1950s. From the early 1960s until today the complex has been the site of numerous research, development, and demonstration programs using radioactive and hazardous materials. In mid-FY 1988, a program to clean B-cell was initiated. At present, dispersible material has been collected from 45% of the cell floor area, and 64% of the equipment and support racks have been removed from the cell. The evaluation of decontamination procedures are described