JP2008504185A - Maritime Asset Security and Tracking (MAST) System - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for maritime asset security and tracking (MAST) is described. The method includes transmitting identification data, location data, and environmental condition sensor data from the radio frequency tag. The device includes a radio frequency tag that transmits identification data, location data, and environmental condition sensor data. Another method involves transmitting identification data and location data from a radio frequency tag using hybrid spread spectrum modulation. Another apparatus includes a radio frequency tag that transmits both identification data and location data using hybrid spread spectrum modulation.

Description

(Statement of rights to inventions under federal-funded research and development)
The present invention is described in UT-Battere, L.D. by the Department of Energy. L. C. Under the prime contract number DE-AC05-00OR22725, which was assessed against the United States government. The United States government has certain rights in the invention.

(Technical field)
Embodiments of the present invention primarily relate to the fields of security and tracking. Embodiments of the present invention relate more specifically to maritime asset security and tracking (MAST).

  A global maritime freight infrastructure called the Maritime Transport System (MTS) is a terrorism, outdated technology, environmental constraints, just-in-time manufacturing process, state / country / local jurisdiction duplication, and basic Affected by multiple issues, including a lack of technical infrastructure. Attacks by terrorists may focus on economic terrorism that affects the changes in the world today. In order to find a simple, effective and efficient means of doing massive economic damage, it is sufficient to focus on the open movement of container cargo. (RFID Journal, 2003). The disruption or cessation of flow in some major ports can cause economic damage and paralyze the country's function in a few weeks (Flynn, 2003). This requires the development and deployment of container-level tracking and monitoring technologies that contribute to maintaining the security of global supply chains and critical port facilities that serve the economic well-being of their own and other countries (Gills and McHugh, 2002, Bonner, 2002, Verton, 2002).

  A port is a collection of many facilities, organizations and functions. This includes national administration agencies (eg, US Customs, Coast Guard, DOD, TSA, FB1, etc.), state government agencies (eg, Port Administration, state legal agencies, emergency response agencies, etc.). ), And local government agencies (eg, local legal agencies, local fire departments, port safety departments, private terminal operators, trade unions, etc.). Developing additional facilities that network critical operational components at each port to enable port security / management and ship / cargo security / tracking / management will help the efficient use and security of each port. . Ultimately, these local port facilities will need to be linked to regional and / or national centers that may expand internationally. To that end, it is important to enhance the management and security of geographic information systems (GIS), international satellite communications, the Internet, and today's supply chain by an open system architecture that allows multiple public and private organizations to participate. It is necessary to adopt technologies such as wireless monitoring / tracking / security infrastructure.

  Transportation by maritime transport system (MTS) is $ 480 billion in freight, accounting for $ 750 billion of US gross domestic product in 1999. Also, current domestic maritime transport is expected to double in the next 20 years (USDOT, 1999). International maritime transport is expected to triple in the same period (Prince, 2001). However, many port facilities have established outdated technologies, environmental constraints, just-in-time manufacturing processes, duplication of national / state / provincial jurisdiction, and basics in building a safe and efficient container management system. Has been economically impacted by some of the issues mentioned above, such as a lack of technical technology infrastructure. In addition, land shortages and environmental regulations limit the geographical expansion of most current port facilities. Information systems that perform container management still rely largely on manual data entry. Thus, automated technology solutions are needed to improve port facility efficiency and security (Gills and McHugh, 2002, Verton, 2002, Gillis, 2002).

  In addition to the MTS economic inefficiency issues, MTS is now placing an unprecedented weight on land security. In 2001, 5.7 million containers were landed in the United States by MTS (Gills and McHugh, 2002). Less than 2 percent of these containers are actually manually inspected by US customs and rely on information to “profile” the containers. The Coast Guard and U.S. Customs do not have the necessary personnel or resources to manually explore each container landed in the U.S., and the supply chain is disrupted if they are searched Ceased to stop functioning (Loy, 2002). Advanced freight and container profiling is critical to ensuring global supply chain security and conducting legitimate commercial activities. Tracking and monitoring provides better data for building advanced profiles. Therefore, investment in appropriate tracking and monitoring technology is required as a key to improving safety and economic efficiency (Flynn, 2003).

  The main concern regarding container freight transportation is that it is relatively easy to smuggle thermonuclear reactors or radioactive materials for “dirty bombs” in the shipping container to the destination country. An important specific issue for national defense is the possibility that radioactive material for "radioactive bombs" will be transported to the United States in shipping containers. Standard maritime shipping containers have become the primary method for importing and exporting goods worldwide. The number of containers that arrive and depart daily in US ports is so large that only a small portion of them are inspected. Since only a few containers can be inspected, it is necessary to employ several methods for “flagging” the containers to be inspected. The installation of sensor portals that each container must pass through at each port facility is considered impractical. These bottlenecks can generate billions of dollars in the US economy every day. One way to flag containers is to employ radiation sensors inside, on top of, or near the cargo container to detect high levels of radiation.

  However, there are problems with existing radiation sensors that have been proposed for shipping containers. First, existing radiation sensors need to use power during dose integration (active sensing). Existing active radiation sensors are either less sensitive to take advantage of very short integration times, or use up available battery capacity long before the durable life of the container. Battery replacement requires maintenance personnel work time, coordination between maintenance schedule and physical location of the container, and logistics support. For this reason, there is a need for a radiation sensor with a longer service life that does not require battery replacement.

  Second, existing active radiation sensors cannot use dose integration data for safe and continuous monitoring of each container. Dose integration data readings must be done with individual sensors removed or at least individually, and costly maintenance personnel work time, data collection schedule and physical location adjustment of containers And the same problem of logistics support. Thus, there is a need for a radiation sensor that makes dose integration data available automatically and remotely for advanced profiling and analysis.

  Third, existing active radiation sensors are prone to false alarms. Because existing active radiation sensors cannot distinguish between different types of radiation, they can also be used from materials used for medical diagnosis and from harmless cargo such as bananas that naturally contain concentrations of ionizing radiation (eg potassium). An alarm may be mistakenly issued. That is, there is a need for a radiation sensor that is more sophisticated and has excellent discrimination power.

  To date, the requirement for container-level tracking and monitoring with long-lived sensors that automatically and remotely make important data for advanced profiling and analysis available and reduce false alarms has not been met. What is needed is a global container security and asset (ship and cargo) tracking system that meets these requirements (preferably all at the same time).

  There is a need for the following inventive embodiments. Of course, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

  According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method includes transmitting identification data, location data, and environmental condition sensor data from a radio frequency tag. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus comprises a radio frequency tag that transmits identification data, location data, and environmental condition sensor data.

  In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the method includes transmitting identification data and location data from the radio frequency tag using hybrid spread spectrum modulation. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus comprises a radio frequency tag that transmits both identification data and location data using hybrid spread spectrum modulation.

  In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method includes a set of passive integrated ionizing radiation sensors in situ including readout of dosimetry data from a first passive integrating ionizing radiation sensor and a second passive integrating ionizing radiation sensor. In-situ polling, the first passive integral ionizing radiation sensor and the second passive integral ionizing radiation sensor remain in a position where dosimetric data is integrated during readout. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus includes a first passive integrated ionizing radiation sensor, a second passive integrated ionizing radiation sensor connected to the first passive integrated ionizing radiation sensor, and a first passive integrated ionization. A communication circuit coupled to the radiation sensor and a second passive integrated ionizing radiation sensor, wherein the first passive integrated ionizing radiation sensor and the second passive integrated ionizing radiation sensor read dosimetry data into the communication circuit.

  In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method places a plurality of ionizing radiation sensors in a spatially distributed array and determines the relative position of each of the plurality of sensors to define a volume of interest. And collecting ionizing radiation data from at least a subset of the plurality of ionizing radiation sensors and triggering an alarm condition when the dose level of the ionizing radiation source is calculated to exceed a threshold. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus includes a plurality of ionizing radiation sensors disposed in a spatially distributed array in which the relative position of each of a plurality of sensor arrays is determined to define a volume of interest. A data acquisition circuit connected to the plurality of ionizing radiation sensors to collect ionizing radiation data from at least a subset of the plurality of ionizing radiation sensors; and i) calculating a dose level of the ionizing radiation source and determining the dose level and threshold A computer connected to the data acquisition circuit for comparison and ii) to trigger an alarm if the dose level is above a threshold.

  These and other inventive embodiments will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. However, while the following description illustrates various embodiments of the invention and many specific details thereof, it is to be understood that this is intended to be illustrative rather than limiting. Many alternatives, modifications, additions and / or reconfigurations may be made within the scope of the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, but the embodiments of the present invention are intended to cover all such alternatives, modifications, Including addition and / or reconfiguration.

  The accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, are included to illustrate certain embodiments of the invention. The clearer concepts of the embodiments of the present invention, of the components that can be combined with the embodiments of the present invention, and the operation of the system provided with the embodiments of the present invention are illustrative, i.e. It will become more readily apparent by reference to non-limiting embodiments. Embodiments of the present invention can be better understood with reference to one or more of these drawings in conjunction with the description herein. It should be noted that the features shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale.

  The details of the embodiments of the invention and its various features and advantages are more fully described with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of known starting materials, processing techniques, components and equipment have been omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the details of the embodiments of the present invention. However, while preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that the detailed description and specific examples are described by way of illustration and not limitation. Various alternatives, modifications, additions and / or rearrangements that do not depart from the spirit and / or scope of the underlying inventive concept will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

  The U.S. Patents referenced below, PCT Published Applications Designated in the U.S., and U.S. Patent Applications disclose embodiments that are useful for their intended purposes. The entire contents of US Pat. Nos. 6,603,818, 6,606,350, 6,625,229, 6,621,878, and 6,556,942 are for all purposes. For this purpose is expressly incorporated herein by reference. The entire contents of PCT Published Application Nos. WO02 / 27992, WO02 / 19550, WO02 / 19293, and WO02 / 23754 are expressly incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. ing. US serial number 09 / 671,636 filed September 27, 2000, 09 / 653,788 filed September 1, 2000, filed August 29, 2001 09 / 942,308, 09 / 660,743 filed on September 13, 2000, 10 / 726,446 filed on December 3, 2003, December 3, 2003 The entire contents of 10 / 726,475, filed on December 31, 2003, and 10 / 817,759, filed December 31, 2003, are expressly incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. It has been incorporated. The immediate application includes the co-pending US serial number (Attorney Docket No. UBAT1570) filed on May 6, 2004, including the disclosures currently pending. The contents are expressly incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

  Embodiments of the present invention can include methods and / or apparatus for status monitoring and location tracking of shipping container-borne ships at shipping terminals and during long-distance shipping (trucks and railroads). . That is, the present invention can include a true “intermodal” tracking and monitoring system. The method and / or apparatus can utilize hybrid spread spectrum (HSS) communication for stable bi-directional transmission of data to and from container-borne vessels, as well as at transport terminals. is there. As used herein, the term “hybrid spread spectrum (HSS)” refers to direct spread spectrum (DSSS), such as code division multiple access (CDMA), for example, PCT Publication No. WO 02/27992 and And / or frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiple access (TDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiple multiplexing OFDM and US serial number 10 / 817,759 filed December 31, 2003, and And / or at least one combination of space division multiple access (SDMA). Fast HSS is a particularly preferred embodiment in which distribution and hopping are performed in particular in bit time (ie, each bit is distributed and hopped individually). The present invention can utilize mobile and / or satellite data transmission for communications during long distance transportation. Sensors for container cargo status and condition monitoring can be included in the system. The container position can be determined using a global positioning system (GPS) during long-distance transport and using more localized radio detection techniques that utilize RF signals of HSS communications. Container location and status is relayed to the National Operations Center, thus integrating this data into a physical inventory database manifest and monitoring, tracking, managing and displaying container information.

  Embodiments of the present invention enable stable long-range RFID technology through a global satellite communications network to create a truly global asset management and cargo tracking / visibility system utilizing an open system architecture. Maritime asset security and tracking (MAST) systems linked to the tracking infrastructure can be included. The MAST system aims to enable real-time vessel / vehicle / railway container and cargo tracking in an open system architecture for port and supply chain security needs. With this tracking technology, on-shore security, supply chain management, port automation, insurance applications, and possible lost and off-direction cargo recovery operations to fund system expansion and adoption / Many commercial opportunities are created, including rescue operations. The MAST system approach also helps develop new standards and “optimal management” practices for container cargo and asset tracking and safety monitoring.

  The present invention can be designed to provide real-time asset, container, and cargo tracking for port security / management needs and improve human life and cargo safety in intermodal transportation networks. The ability to track containers globally in real time with internal condition monitoring is important for supply chain and port system security. A suitable HSS, two-way, low power wireless communication is effective at ship and / or terminal communication distances (eg, in the range of 300 to 500 meters) at approximately 10 mW of power.

  The problem of RF propagation in and around tightly stacked steel transport containers is a very stable data to successfully transmit telemetry signals from individual container RF tags to the ship receiver (reader). Affects the use of communication technologies (eg, advanced spread spectrum modulation and diversity reception systems). The very accurate radio wave detection target of such large, tightly packed, stacked containers, especially in ship holds, is that many receivers (readers) are not distributed across the yard facility and each ship's deck and hold. Difficult to achieve. If loss of position resolution is allowed in normal operation, often use carefully designed container RF tags and infrastructure components that are intended to be used in a specific environment (ie, yard or ship) Effective telemetry of container ID and status data (eg door safety, temperature), and reasonably accurate container location information in most cases of a particular environment (ie within a stacking location) ) Is obtained.

  A suitable MAST system implementation can utilize the 2450-2483.5 MHz ISM band to comply with international regulations, especially for ships loaded at foreign ports. In addition, overseas port facilities will always make use of some sort of RF telemetry for container tracking. If the MAST system protocol conforms to the international allocation range in the 2.45 GHz ISM band, this is the world for tracking shipping containers, initially at ports and eventually at other locations such as railroads, airplanes and trucks. Will be adopted. In the case of narrowband system alert signals, beacons, etc., other possible ISM bands are 13.56 and 433 MHz, and the 868 MHz (Europe) and 915 MHz (North America) bands are of higher rate and spread spectrum utilization. This results in a wider bandwidth. The data protocol of the commercial embodiment of the present invention uses a fairly wide bandwidth (> 1 MHz), long code length (> for improved process gain and jamming resistance and time slot control for lower collision rates. For example, it may be a hybrid with ≧ 63) or a direct spread spectrum signal.

  To deploy a MAST system in a maritime (yard / ship) environment, it is necessary to incorporate several functional areas into the system. The first functional group is the basic architecture for maritime based systems: (1) communication links (2) antennas (3) electronics, (4) container unit power sources, (5) ship to land System interface (eg satellite link), (6) container telemetry system integration, (7) container location GPS enhanced optimally by local RF triangulation, (8) sensors, (9) central monitoring unit of the system And (10) a container database interface. The second functional group is functionally similar to onboard setup, except that it requires additional system logic to manage the tracking system handoff between the ship and yard system. Includes container yard system.

(1. Overview)
Referring to FIG. 1, one or more radio frequency identification tags 101 connected to a container 105 perform bi-directional radio frequency communication by a reading device 107 of a ship 110. The ship 110 further includes a site server (not shown in FIG. 1), but performs two-way radio frequency communication with the low earth orbit satellite 120. The low earth orbit satellite 120 performs two-way radio frequency communication with the ground station 125.

  At the same time, another radio frequency identification tag 102 and intermodal container 106 (held by the track chassis) are also in contact with the low earth orbit satellite 120. It is important to note that the radio frequency identification tag 102 can also communicate with the cell tower 130 (or / and at the same time). Although the radio frequency identification tag 102 is shown in direct communication with the low earth orbiting satellite 120 and / or cell tower 130, the radio frequency identification tag 102 is provided by a reader and / or site server located in the truck chassis. It is important to note that relaying is possible.

  Network operation center 140 performs two-way communication with both ground station 125 and cell tower 130. In contrast, the Network Operations Center (NOC), in this embodiment, has multiple recipients including Customs, Ministry of Defense, National Traffic Safety Agency, Land Safety Bureau, US Coast Guard, National Research Agency and Commercial Organization. Downloading data.

  The maritime asset security and tracking (MAST) system shown in FIG. 1 is a standard shipping container of about 6.9 meters and about 13.9 meters in the shipping industry for loading, unloading and transfer operations at dockside dock facilities. Furthermore, a wireless (RF) based communication and sensing / telemetry system for tracking and monitoring of onboard vessels during overseas shipping of containers. This system is used in ships, railroads, airplanes, long haul trucks and related terminal facilities that utilize both local terminal communication systems including satellites and / or mobile / PCS and other wide area commercial communication systems. An operational, true intermodal tracking and monitoring system can be realized. This RFID tagging system includes an RFID tag attached to each shipping container, a local site reader located on the ship and in the shipping terminal, a central site server on each ship or in each terminal, and all data It can include a network operations center (NOC) that can be collected, aggregated, stored, analyzed and disassembled. The shipping container can be both a refrigerated cargo shipping container (reefer) and a dry cargo shipping container (dry box). In addition to identifying and tracking the location of one of the containers or other equipment mounted on one of the RFID tags, each tag has a wide range of RFID tags for monitoring the status of the container cargo or other tagged equipment. It is possible to equip a sensor interface (eg IEEE 1451) and an optional additional serial interface to allow sensor connections. Sensors that can be connected to the RFID tag include (but are not limited to) temperature, pressure, relative humidity, accelerometer, radiation, and GPS (global positioning system). Additional sensors can be included for status monitoring of equipment such as refrigerated compressors or reading from diagnostic data ports in some refrigerated cargo containers.

  The MAST system has three main operation modes. That is, the first mode is when the RFID tag is on the ship, the second mode is when the RFID tag is at the terminal, and the third mode is when the RFID tag is on long-distance transportation or rail ( Includes all cases where the RFID tag is not on the ship or terminal). A terminal is considered to be a local area operated by an RF communication system. RFID-tagged systems include: a) a network operations center (NOC) that includes the status and data of all RFID tags and their associated cargo containers (or other assets) and can provide this information to users; b) Local site server (one for each ship or terminal) that can manage local area communication (ie each ship or terminal) and relay RFID tag data to a central system server, c) Communicate from RFID tags in the local area And an RFID tag reader that can relay it to a local site receiver, and d) an RFID tag.

  With reference to FIG. 2, the flexibility of communication on the land side and / or ship side of the present invention will be described. The first radio frequency identification tag 201 connected to the first container 211 is communicably connected to a plurality of radio frequency identification tag reading devices 221, 222, 223, and 224 arranged on the ship 230. The plurality of radio frequency identification tag readers 221, 222, 223, and 224 are communicably connected to a site server 235 arranged in the ship 230. The site server 235 is communicably connected to a satellite (not shown in FIG. 2), but is also communicably connected to a network operation center.

  The second radio frequency identification tag 202 connected to the second container 212 is communicatively connected to a plurality of radio frequency identification tag readers 221, 222, 223, and 224, and at the same time, in or near the terminal A plurality of site radio frequency identification tag readers 241 and 242 located on a lamppost or tower are also communicably connected. The plurality of site radio frequency identification tag readers 241 and 242 are communicably connected to a site server 250 associated with the terminal. Site server 250 is communicatively connected to a network operations center via a satellite data link or other communication circuit (eg, a wired internet connection).

  The third radio frequency identification tag 203 connected to the third container 213 is communicably connected to the plurality of site radio frequency identification tag reading devices 241 and 242. The third radio frequency identification tag 203 is not shown to communicate with a plurality of radio frequency identification tag readers 221, 222, 223, 224, but the location of the third container 213 is physically located on the ship 230. It is important to understand that communication is possible when approaching.

  With continued reference to FIG. 2, the onboard or terminal communication RFID tag can utilize RF communication to communicate with the RFID tag reader. The preferred RF communication is a hybrid spread spectrum (HSS) RF data link that runs in the 2.45 GHZ band. Radio wave detection or triangulation of the RF signal from each tag can be used to determine the position of each RFID tag.

  Referring to FIG. 3, the network operation center 310 is bidirectionally connected to the land-side site server 320 via an Ethernet (registered trademark) or a satellite data link. At the same time, the network operation center 310 is bidirectionally connected to the onboard site server 330 via a satellite data link.

  The land-side site server 320 is bidirectionally connected to the first radio frequency identification tag reader 340, the second radio frequency identification tag reader 350 and the third radio frequency identification tag reader 360. In this embodiment, the communication coupling between the site server 320 and the three tag readers 340, 350, 360 may be one or more of radio frequency wireless, power line, Ethernet, or optional data link. It is important to note that you can. The plurality of radio frequency identification tags located in the terminal 345 are connected to at least one of the three tag readers 340, 350, 360 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication.

  The shipboard site server 330 is connected to the fourth radio frequency identification tag reading device 370, the fifth radio frequency identification tag reading device 380, and the sixth radio frequency identification tag reading device 390 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. It is important to note that the onboard site server 330 is connected to the three tag readers 370, 380, 390 by one or more power lines, radio frequency wireless or Ethernet data links. The plurality of radio frequency identification tags arranged on the ship 375 perform two-way communication with at least one of the three tag reading devices 370, 380, and 390.

  As shown in FIG. 3, RFID tag communication can be detected by an RFID tag reader, and can be relayed to a local site server by one or more of the following methods. a) RF data link, b) Ethernet, c) Power line data link, d) Optical communication and / or e) Other. Once the tag data is relayed to the local site server, the data can be uploaded to the NOC by either a satellite-based data link or other Internet service provider link (eg, Ethernet). . The local site server can also generate reports that can be used by local personnel, such as a ship engineer. Once the data is uploaded to the NOC, the NOC can again communicate with tag instructions, verifications and / or queries. Data for any particular container can be made available to users around the world with Internet access and appropriate security verifiers.

  Referring to FIG. 4, the network operations center 410 is connected to a first mobile or satellite system 420, a second mobile or satellite system 430 and a third satellite or mobile system 440. The two-way communication coupling between the network operations center 410 and the systems 420, 430, 440 can be a telephone line or base station connection. Each of the three systems 420, 430, 440 is associated with a subset of a plurality of radio frequency identification tags outside the local area (RF coverage) zone 450. Bi-directional communication coupling between the three systems 420, 430, 440 with each subset of RFID tags outside the local area zone 450 can be performed by mobile or satellite data links.

  For long distance and rail communications, as shown in FIG. 4, the RFID tag can communicate with the NOC via a mobile or satellite data link. The preferred method is direct satellite communication, since mobiles do not cover their scope worldwide. The satellite or mobile system can relay the RFID tag data to the NOC by a base station (satellite) connected to the NOC or a modem bank (mobile) connected to the NOC. Long-haul transportation operations can include all operations where the RFID tag is not onboard or at the terminal (local area where the RF communication system is operating). Each tag's GPS receiver can be used during long-distance transportation to track container movement and position. It is also preferred that the containers are not stacked during long distance transportation operations. The satellite or mobile modem data link and GPS system may not work if another container is stacked on top of the tagged container, as is possible with rail trains. It is possible for another tagged container on the top of the stack to be the repeater or relay (extender) of the first container. More specifically, the first container can use HSSRF communication if other methods do not work. The second container can receive such communications through its HSSRF receiver and can then relay to the NOC using its satellite or mobile modem data link.

(2. Explanation of RFID tag)
Each RFID tag can include four functional blocks: (1) a microprocessor control subsystem, (2) a sensor subsystem, (3) a communication subsystem, and (4) a power supply subsystem. FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of the RFID tag.

  Referring to FIG. 5, the radio frequency identification tag 500 includes a microprocessor control subsystem 510, a power supply subsystem 520, a sensor subsystem 530, and a communication subsystem 540. The microprocessor control subsystem 510 includes an input / output interface circuit 511. The microprocessor circuit 512 is connected to the input / output interface circuit 511. The flash memory circuit 513 is connected to the microprocessor circuit 512. A random access memory circuit 514 is also connected to the microprocessor circuit 512. Microprocessor circuit 512 is connected to power supply subsystem 520 by power line 515.

  The power supply subsystem 520 includes a power management module circuit 521.

  The AC to DC power circuit 522 is connected to the power management module 521. A battery 523 (eg, lithium ion) is connected to the power management module 521. The alternative power source 524 is connected to the power management module 521. The power supply subsystem 520 supplies power to the sensor subsystem 530 through a set of power lines 525. The power supply subsystem 520 supplies power to the communication subsystem 540 through a set of power lines 526.

  Sensor subsystem 530 includes a serial interface 531 that is connected by line 532 to input / output interface circuit 511 of microprocessor control subsystem 510. The temperature sensor 533 is connected to the serial interface 531. The relative humidity sensor 534 is connected to the serial interface 531. The door opening sensor 535 is connected to the serial interface 531. Other sensors 536 (eg, ionizing radiation sensors) are connected to the serial interface 531. The sensor subsystem 530 includes a GPS module 537 that is connected to the input / output interface circuit 511 of the microprocessor control subsystem 510. The sensor subsystem 530 includes a reference unit data port 538 that is connected to the input / output interface circuit 511 of the microprocessor control subsystem 510 by an interface converter circuit 539.

  The communication subsystem 540 is connected to the input / output interface circuit 511 of the microprocessor control subsystem 510, all by line 545, and includes a local / serial communication circuit 541, a mobile modem module 542, a hybrid spread spectrum radio frequency module 543, and A satellite module 544 is included. One or more antennas 546 are connected to the mobile modem module 542, the hybrid spread spectrum radio frequency module 543, and / or the satellite module 544.

  Microprocessor control subsystem: The microprocessor control subsystem can operate as a controller for the RFID tag. Interfaces with communication modules, sensor modules, and power modules are possible. The microprocessor can use both non-volatile and volatile memory to store system software, system commands, and sensor data.

  Sensor subsystem: The sensor subsystem can use an IEEE 1451 compliant protocol for communication with one or more sensor modules. Accordingly, any sensor can be added in the future on the condition that it conforms to the 1451 protocol. Some basic sensors, such as GPS and reefer data port readers, can use a serial communication port in a microprocessor. The types of sensors that can be part of an RFID tag include temperature, relative humidity, radiation, biological, scientific, accelerometer, door switch, intrusion, and the like.

  Communication subsystem: The communication subsystem can incorporate several different types of communication links into the tag platform. These can be connected by, for example, a serial port or an Ethernet (registered trademark) port.

  The basic communication mode will be described below.

  RF communication—RF communication can be in the form of any number of available wireless communication protocols. However, the preferred method is a hybrid spread spectrum protocol. This protocol provides higher reliability, lower power consumption, and stable communication than other wireless technologies. RF communication can be preferentially used when the tag is on a ship or in a terminal (local area communication).

  Mobile / PCS communications—Standard commercial mobile analog or digital modems such as CDM or GSM are available via tags for long distance (truck or rail) communications. However, standard mobile infrastructure is not in place worldwide. As such, each tag may need to allow several different protocols to operate outside of the restricted market area. Furthermore, the tag may be moved to an area that is not the target range of the moving object.

  Satellite communications—Use satellite-based communications networks to provide long-distance transport communications links that can be used anywhere in the world. This makes it possible to use a simpler, more stable and even safer communication system as an alternative to or in addition to a mobile system. The preferred embodiment can utilize a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite network system.

  Local communications-Each tag may have a serial port that is utilized for development, troubleshooting, and / or initial setup. The serial port can be, for example, in the form of RS232, USB or IrDA (infrared).

  Power supply subsystem: The power supply subsystem can supply power to all other subsystems. Available power sources include batteries, AC power (eg, from a reefer refrigerated power supply), and photovoltaic cells, vibration transducers, charging chargers, radio frequency power rectifiers, thermoelectric generators and / or radioisotope decay energy. Other power scavenging and / or power generation devices such as recovery devices are included. For RFID tags placed on assets other than containers, DC power from the asset power system can also be used. The power supply subsystem can convert the voltage of the power source into a voltage required by each subsystem. In addition, a power management function can be implemented to monitor battery status and power source utilization.

(3. RFID tag reader)
The RFID tag reader relays RFID tag communication to (and from) the site server. The RFID tag reader can be similar to the RFID tag, but can use a different communication module and can have no sensor. The RFID tag reader can communicate with the RFID tag by a local RF communication module (preferably using the HSS protocol). RFID tag readers are one of several possible technologies: wireless RF communications (preferably HSS communications at frequencies other than RFID tag communications such as 5.8 GHz), (power line communications, Ethernet). ) Or serial communication (such as serial) and / or optical communication (such as fiber optic or line-of-sight laser communication).

  Referring to FIG. 6, a plurality of intermodal shipping containers 610 are stacked in a two stage height array. Each of the intermodal shipping containers 610 includes a radio frequency identification tag 620. A plurality of tag readers 630 are located at the end of the open path defined by the two stage height array.

  Another feature of the optical communication of the MAST system is the use of a “handheld reader for reading RFID tag data and manifests directly from the container”. Handheld readers can be used by customs, coast guards, sailors, or other authorized groups that check container contents and their cargo status (sensor data, movement history, etc.). The handheld reading device can be installed and operated near the container. An appropriate identification code (or bar code) can be entered into the handheld reader and then RF communication can be used in the handheld reader to communicate with the RFID tag. It is preferable that the RF communication can use HSS communication used for local terminal and ship communication. The RFID tag then downloads to the handheld reader a container manifest (from the inventory stored or downloaded on the RFID tag, or from the NOC by an uplink request from the RFID tag) and the container sensor itinerary log. . This itinerary log can include all sensors, sensor alarms (including container intrusions, temperature range deviations, etc.), and history reports for the history of a particular geographical route of the container.

  Handheld readers are also available for uploading container manifests (this can also be done using a portal). Once the container is loaded, a barcode or other type of packaging type RFID tag can be read into the handheld reader. From a handheld reader (or other type of RFID reader), the cargo ID can be loaded into the container inventory of the container's RFID tag and then uploaded to the NOC.

  An alternative approach is used to utilize IrDA (infrared) data ports in the container. The handheld reader is then directed to the lrDA port and the established communication. Data download is similar to the above.

(4. Site server)
The site server can receive RFID tag data from the RFID tag reader. The site server can send RFID tag data to the NOC. The site server can perform local analysis of RFID tag data and manage the multi-access aspect of the present invention that allows tens of thousands of tags to be installed on terminals or ships. The site server includes three main subsystems: (1) a computer-based server and a system controller, and (2) an RFID tag reader communication subsystem that includes the same communication module as the RFID tag reader for communication with the RFID tag reader [ That is, wireless RF communication (preferably HS communication at a frequency other than RFID tag communication such as 5.8 GHz), wired communication (such as power line communication, Ethernet or serial), or optical fiber or viewing direction laser Can include optical communications (such as communications), and (3) a NOC communications subsystem that can utilize wired, mobile, optical communications or satellite communications modules.

(5. Network Operation Center)
The Network Operations Center (NOC) can be an information center for a global maritime transport control system. All RFID tag data from all RFID tags installed around the world can be relayed to the NOC by local site servers or direct mobile or satellite communications. The NOC collects, stores, and disassembles RFID tag data including location, sensor data, and RFID tag status.

  The present invention may include integration of technologies in the central operations center architecture. This technology includes private sector asset and cargo owners, relevant state and national government agencies (such as Coast Guard, TSA, Customs, NTSB, and DoD), and local primary response agencies (legal agencies, fire departments). Global positioning system to provide robust continuous data flow to local governments, asset and cargo container tracking systems based on radio frequency identification (RFID), globally available commercial satellite and internet communication systems, Includes geographic information systems (GIS) and real-time logistics analysis functions, fault tolerant systems, and existing national systems and commercial programs for asset and cargo tracking.

  Use of Geographic Information System (GIS) in NOC to analyze and display asset location in various formats from simple web browser based latitude / longitude reporting to map based city / state / zip code / country information Is possible. The system can monitor and profile assets in real time based on specific criteria, including geographic patterns. This approach can also incorporate real-time logistics analysis of asset movements. The long-term goal of GIS development is to create an information infrastructure that can analyze the movement of goods and assets in the supply chain, and to perform advanced profiling of containers including geographic patterns.

  RFID tag data can be integrated into a centralized GIS-based tracking infrastructure by a global satellite communications network to create a MAST system. Preferred inventive embodiments of the MAST system include one or more global satellite networks.

  The satellite network will not only track and monitor assets globally and in real time, but will also be able to effectively concentrate all information in one location. This provides the advantages of security, fault tolerance, data backup / archive, and maintenance. NOC integrates Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, satellite communications, global positioning systems, RFID (electronic stamps, etc.), and the Internet to create real-time tracking and asset management systems in an open system architecture. Can do. NOC uses a web-based tracking system that allows individuals or organizations to manage assets in real time via the Internet with strict information protection protocols (eg, login and / or encryption) for global management of mobile assets A single location for real-time logistics support. Information is delivered to relevant parties as needed via secure transactions, thus making it impossible for the system to be used for asset theft.

  The NOC can have one or more of the following operational functions. This means 1) real-time global vessel position tracking with detailed navigation history, 2) container position and condition tracking with theft notification and internal environment and radiation status, and 3) possible threats, risks and responsibilities. Identifying early warnings / threats of ship and container arrivals in US waters and ports through identifying audit trails, 4) Detecting and monitoring suspicious transport activity (such as entering unscheduled ports) and ship and container level Identifying long-term activity patterns in both 5) Ministry of Defense, US Coast Guard, US Customs, Ministry of Homeland Defense, and “Immediate Response” Act on Local Government Mainland Defense, Port Security, Smuggling and Theft Issues Data in communication with public institutions, 6) as needed Securing data between crew and ports to plan and manage cargo arrival and distribution, 7) System for comprehensive port, vessel, and container management and Fast for customs inspection Truck "protocol, 8) Real-time monitoring capabilities for refrigerated cargo, critical cargo, and HAZMAT cargo, 9) Efficiency and contact information for critical information (eg rules, regulations, weather information, crew notices, etc.) Remote control tower for shipping to maximize centralization of operations, 10) Intermodal warehouse storage, port, ship, road and rail supply chain management and integration of safety applications on a global scale.

(6. Multiple access)
A terminal or vessel located in an environment that may include more than 90,000 additional RFID tags (possible interference sources) installed in a nearby terminal or vessel by the multiple access approach described herein. A multiple access network capable of operably accommodating about 10,000 RFID tags distributed in the network is realized. In this multiple access design, one or more of CDMA, FDMA, TDMA and / or SDMA (spatial division multiple access) can be utilized to achieve these requirements. RFID tags report electronic identification codes, sensor data, and location information to an array of RFID tag readers that form either a boundary around the terminal or ship, or a grid in the terminal or ship, respectively. Is possible. In some cases, an existing infrastructure called a streetlight tower currently in the yard is used at the position of the RFID tag reader. Such RFID tag readers can coordinate data from the tag and report all useful data to a nearby site server. The site server can then relay important events and sensor data to the NOC. In the following, terminal / marine area communication focused on the reader link from RFID tag to RFID tag will be described.

(General strategy)
In the following, the elements of a suitable overall communication strategy are described. Embodiments of the present invention include code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA) and space division multiple access (DCM) that utilize both direct spread spectrum spread (DSSS) and frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS). SDMA) combinations can be included and used for links from tags to readers. Embodiments of the present invention can include links from readers to servers that utilize different frequency bands (eg, 5 GHz). Embodiments of the invention can include bi-directional communication that allows power control to be employed for optimization of CDMA and SDMA methods. Embodiments of the present invention can include independent terminals (yards) that are in close proximity that can identify spreading code groups from yards that are in close proximity. Embodiments of the invention can include an option to subdivide the yard into small cells.

  In the following, the main performance parameters of the preferred overall communication strategy described above are described. The site server receives updates from 10,000 approximate tags at least once every 100 seconds with a 99.99% success rate. A network that includes a site server can "ignore" up to 90,000 semi-approximate tags. High priority messages from tags can be sent within a delay of one second.

(Implementation)
The following implementation analysis assumes the following conditions: One thousand bits from each node are used once every 100 seconds. It uses an offset quadrature phase shift key (OQPSK) modulation with a bandwidth of 5 MHz and an almost constant envelope signal. 16 or more non-overlapping hop frequencies with overlapping rate controlled. Use a 63 spreading code for the direct spreading type.

Based on the above explicit assumption, a packet of 1,000 bits (125 bytes) is transmitted once every 100 seconds from each 10,000 node at a bit rate of 80 kbps and a chipping length of 63. For this reason, the chipping rate of the embodiment of the present invention is about 2.5 Mbps which is converted into a spectral bandwidth of about 5 MHz by OQPSK modulation. Assume that the RFID tag reader needs to communicate with each RFID tag about once every 100 seconds. Therefore, 10,000 RFID tags convert to an average of 20,000 packets every 100 seconds. These 20,000 packets are multiplexed into 4,000 time slots (25 ms long) and 32 CDMA users (combination of 63 length codes and 16 hops, the maximum number of simultaneous users is Suppose approximately the square of the chip length times the square of the hops.)
The peripheral RFID tag reading device can use a directional antenna arranged between container rows for RFID tag communication. Directional antennas operating in different frequency bands (eg 5 GHz) [or power line communication] can also be used for tower to tower / server communication. Depending on the yard size and other environmental parameters, a tower may also be required for relay communication.

  As the main function of the RFID tag reader, it is possible to capture information from all RFID tags and then relay this information to the site server. This functionality can be coordinated with each other to optimize multiple access plans for tags of 10K and above, or only communicate directly to the site server. For example, if several readers capture data from a single RFID tag, the reader can cooperatively determine the minimum power level at which at least one reader can reliably communicate with the RFID tag. .

(Power control)
As explained above, power control can be used to optimize network communications. Of course, power control is most preferred when using DS-CDMA. This multiple access approach can include network detection protocols, power backoff, and interference mitigation techniques, all of which are involved in controlling transmit power from RFID tags.

(Retransmission redundancy)
In the above analysis, assume that the system needs to listen to each RFID tag once every 100 seconds, and a message of about 1,000 bits is sufficient. This includes a conservative estimate of the interpacket guard time at 100% packet length. In the above example, the packet is approximately 12.5 ms long and the average guard time is also approximately 12.5 ms. This guard time is a very conservative estimate and can drop by over 90%, possibly further doubling throughput or redundancy. The subdivision of the guard time is used for “emergency” events by the CSMA method. In addition, because most applications do not require a 100 second update rate, a continuous time slot during the next 100 second cycle can be used for retransmission of bad packets. For example, an update rate of once every hour, one second or three hours is sufficient in most cases.

  In order to perform power control as described above and perform the typical duty of channel allocation and network optimization, strict flow control needs to be established in the startup sequence of all nodes. The following description, described with reference to FIGS. 7-8 (flowcharts), describes an example process design.

(Detection process)
As shown in FIG. 7, the node boots on the system control (default) RF channel. The node periodically repeats a small “pilot” channel set until it establishes a link with one of the RFID tag readers. This loop will inevitably occur until normal communication is established or not established by the reader (or another tag if an alternative tag-to-tag approach is available in a given system). Endless. Embodiments of the invention can include increasing power and / or this process.

  Referring to FIG. 7, an exemplary tag activation sequence can begin by turning on the tag at step 710. In step 720, the tag sets a default receiver code. In step 730, the tag listens for a pilot transmission signal from the tower. In step 740, if a signal from the tower is identified, the tag proceeds to communication 750 for transmission to the network. If the tower is not identified, the tag determines in step 760 whether a timeout period has elapsed. If the timeout period has not elapsed, the tag will continue to attempt to identify the tower. If the timeout period has elapsed, the tag proceeds to step 770 which includes setting an alternative receiver frequency code. After setting the alternative receiver frequency code, the tag proceeds to step 730 and again hears the pilot transmission from the tower.

  During the discovery process, it may be preferable to minimize the number of tags transmitted at a given time. This can be done by having the reader node control the discovery process. The reader transmits an ID request that prompts all tags within that range to be transmitted in a predetermined order and in a predetermined temporary code (see network ID transmission order below). The reader then starts receiving and processing messages from the tag. Upon completion of the first node identification cycle, the reader sends a message to the tag that authenticates receipt and specifies both the tag's network ID and time slot assignment. The cycle is repeated, provided that not all tags with a network ID assignment (associated with the reader ID) approve the ID request message. The present invention can include protocols for conflict resolution and the like.

(Network ID transmission order)
A reader can request that all tags that can decode the ID request (and not previously logged by the reader) send 10 ms after receiving a 5 ms message xx request. (X is the three least significant digits of the tag UUID). (For example, a tag with a UUID of 12345678 will wait 6,780 ms before sending it to the reader.) In addition, the tag will have 2 immediately above it to select a combination of FH and DS codes. Digits (45 in this example) can be used. For this reason, the reader needs to be able to reliably process 100,000 tags.

  When the RFID tag and RFID tag reader establish a link, the reader assigns the RFID tag to a code and frequency combination that becomes part of the optimized network. This process is illustrated in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 8, upon transmission from communication detection 810, the tag obtains or adopts a default transmission frequency code at step 820. In step 830, the tag transmits a default transmission frequency code to the tower. In step 840, if the tower authenticates the default transmission frequency code, the site server assigns tags to code frequencies and time slots in step 850. If the tower does not authenticate at step 840, the tag proceeds to step 860 which determines whether the timeout period has elapsed. When the timeout period elapses, the tag returns to step 840 and continues to wait for authentication from the tower. If the timeout period elapses in step 860, the tag proceeds to step 870 where an alternative transmission frequency code is obtained or adopted. The tag returns to step 830.

(Packet structure)
This section describes the packet parts dedicated to stable communication such as preamble and error correction / detection coding. The payload of the packet can be any convenient payload (eg, identification, location, dosimetry, etc.).

  Since the preferred waveform utilizes direct spreading spectrum with frequency hopping, the preamble can utilize two parts. That is, a 64-bit constant frequency DSSS portion and a 63-bit hybrid FH / DSSS portion. The receiver correction device can retrieve the start of the transmission waveform at the peak of automatic correction at a known frequency. Once the receiver has obtained the (temporal) position of the “bit” edge, it can start hopping its carrier frequency. At the start of the second part of the preamble that acts as a data delimiter character, the transmission waveform can begin hopping. The receiver can reestablish synchronization with the hopping sequence at the beginning of this second (63-bit) sequence. As a result, the receiver can not only ignore a sequence of 5 bits or more, but can also normally detect the start of the data payload. A 32-bit long CRC word completes the packet and can be used to compensate for the integrity of the actual data payload.

(Direct diffusion spectrum)
DSSS assignments can be selected from a Kasami code generator that generates approximately 520 codes of length 63. Only about 32 codes can be used in a given cell within a given time slot. However, using this maximum code set simplifies the management of the code assignment process.

(Frequency hopping spread spectrum)
Some channel orthogonality can be achieved by frequency hopping assignment at a given packet slot. Assuming that the RF tag spectrum is about 5 MHz and the 2.45 GHz industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band is 80 MHz, so only 16 hopping center frequencies are used in this example. Hybrid spread spectrum is most desirable to improve the stability of individual links in harsh multipath environments, but it can also be used to increase the number of concurrent users present in a time slot There is an advantage that you can. Since the timing synchronization of this system in certain embodiments is not sufficient to support fast hopping schemes, only DSSS spread spectrum can be used to distinguish multiple simultaneous users.

(7. Observation and analysis of offshore systems)
The size of the ship terminal facility greatly affects the setting of the landside RF system (i.e., the number and distribution of receivers) required to track containers in the expansion of this facility. The terminal street light is the preferred location for the facility's receiver and transmitter (or transceiver).

  An onboard RF container monitoring receiver may be located on the mast of the ship's bow. It is important to note that the containers are not always stacked on the deck at a uniform height or in a very consistent arrangement. RF transmission (steel hatch) to and from the hold in the scope can be essentially zero, so an RF system receiver is installed in the hold to help monitor the container there. There is a need.

  In ships loaded with cargo, containers are often stacked on the deck to the end of the hull. Bridge wings and MAST are available for mounting RF infrastructure components for the MAST system. The gap between each row and container stack allows the RF signal of the appropriate wavelength to bounce around before reaching the end of the ship. In order to achieve a consistent coverage of all containers on the deck, it is desirable to place a system antenna at each end of this space along the periphery of the vessel.

  Containers are typically closely stacked in the hold. The container slides down a vertical fixed rail installed in the ship structure. The metal bulkhead effectively subdivides the area around the edge of the container and further interferes with RF propagation from the container in the hold. When a hatch is installed in the hold, a very good Faraday cage is formed and it is almost impossible for RF to pass through here. Therefore, if near real-time (eg, daily) telemetry is required from containers stacked in the hold, it may be necessary to install some in-hold RF infrastructure (ie, receive And the associated data link returns to the central monitoring station on the ship's bridge). The container locking mechanism provides a gap of about 5 centimeters to about 7.6 centimeters between the top and bottom of the stacked containers. This approximately 5 centimeters to about 7.6 centimeters of space between the top and bottom of the container is sufficient to provide an RF path (of a suitable frequency) between the containers. The corresponding space between the sides of the container is typically about 1.3 centimeters to about 5 centimeters. With this configuration, it is possible to create radio frequency ohmic (irreversible) and / or capacitive connections between containers, which may somewhat impair signal propagation from the stack.

  Referring to FIG. 9, a plurality of intermodal shipping containers 910 are arranged in an orthogonal array. A radio frequency identification tag 920 is shown on top of one of the intermodal shipping containers 910. A plurality of readers 930 are disposed at the end of the passage formed by a plurality of various shipping containers 910.

  FIG. 9 shows a top view of a closely stacked container group (nominally about 1219 meters) when the container group is placed on the ground in a ship deck or terminal yard. A single RF emitter (indicated by a radiating red dot in the figure) can be mounted near the top center of the container. Because the container legs and upper rails tend to extend in the longitudinal direction of the signal, most of the RF energy leaks from the two ends of the container into adjacent passages in both directions (up and down in the figure). These signals bounce between the ends of the container that determines the boundary of the passage until they appear at the edge of the array, which has the disadvantage of moderate loss and greatly distorted waveforms. A fairly wideband (several MHz) spread spectrum signal with high immunity to spread and multipath type distortion is considered best received. Of course, the present invention is not limited to a particular situation configuration.

  Possible RF receive and / or transmit locations are indicated in FIG. 9 by the end points of the path. Each point can represent a separate antenna, but in a more practical and robust configuration, a small “leaky coaxial” cable is used to connect the paths and a standard low loss coaxial is used. It may be adopted during that time. For better physical protection, it is possible to accommodate a “leaky” cable in the cross section of a thick PVC pipe, which is relatively low loss at frequencies up to several GHz. Indicates. Because conventional coaxial cables are fully shielded, standard cables can be run through PVC or metallic conduits to achieve the highest crash resistance. Such reception and / or transmission location systems can also be (semi) permanently installed around the ship, on the deck level, near the deck level, and on handrails or other convenient structures. There is typically a crew passage between rows of containers on each side of the cargo hold. An RF system antenna for a container telemetry link can be installed at an appropriate spot in the aisle structure.

  The exact location and mode for installing such antenna components depends considerably on the detailed specifications of the individual ship structure. In the case of a container in one of the ship's holds, the leaky coaxial cable can be installed along the side wall on the same vertical plane as the container guide rail. In either case, the leaky coaxial cable orientation must be maintained to provide the most efficient energy transfer for antenna deflection and orientation on the container. For example, in the case of a horizontal container RF launcher, the cable must be routed approximately horizontally (in the horizontal direction) to maintain a relatively low coupling loss in the RF link from the container to the local receiver. Assuming the container antenna is deflected).

  Another major system design problem is the selection of an appropriate RF operating frequency. Legal and licensing constraints include current industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) bands of 13.56, 27.55, 433, 902-928, 2450-2483.5, and 5725-5825 MHz, And the so-called unlicensed national information infrastructure (U-NII) band of 5150-5250 and 5250-5350 MHz [and / or similar allocation in other parts of the world] in the United States and other North American continental regions Use of a license-free bandwidth is preferable. The bandwidth of the first three segments is narrow (less than 1 MHz), while the last five segments are for various forms of spread spectrum signaling.

  Narrowbands may support very low rate data transmissions, but the capabilities for radio detection and very stable links are clearly limited. On the other hand, the spread spectrum band allows for fairly high RF power levels and supports much more flexible modulation techniques. Overall, the 902-928 MHz band provides the greatest range, but the 2450-2483.5 MHZ band is basically universal and available (at least in part) worldwide. Several new RF standards have been established in the general field of radio detection and telemetry. Current US Communications Commission rules already explicitly make the HSS protocol available in the ISM and U-NII bands.

  The disadvantages of tag cost, power efficiency, and complexity can be very serious, but the flexibility of multi-band and / or multi-protocol devices for container tracking is also available in the present invention It is. The present invention can utilize highly integrated multi-band RF devices (including transmitter and receiver electronics, filter structures, and antennas) suitable for the global MAST system concept.

  A further problem is the specific type of RF system architecture needed to achieve the desired level of functionality. Bi-directional data-telemetry system solves accurate RF-signal power control, remote reprogramming capability, individual tag (addressable) queries, multi-tag relay capability, RF path blocking and low battery status nodes Allows ad-hoc dynamic tag-to-tag data routing and more advanced tag-device feature sets, including networking tasks such as periodic security codes, remote software changes / updates over the network, and node-status queries become. Since overall node power efficiency and energy utilization are usually optimal in a bi-directional protocol, the battery life time is the longest and the node-alarm reporting and diagnostic functions are the most timely. Of course, the disadvantages of this type of RFID tag node are further complications and increased costs due to the presence of an on-board RF receiver, but the additional acquisition cost is greater than the difference due to increased battery life, so Maintenance work by other maintenance / service personnel can be saved.

  In contrast, a basic unidirectional network typically includes autonomous tags that operate in a “dumb chiper” mode. In this mode, the tag only sends data to the system infrastructure receiver at predetermined intervals. Such transmission intervals can be regular, irregular, irregular using slots, or varied depending on the nature of the tag data. For example, a highly preferred embodiment is a “high performance” tag that omits sending duplicate data instead of sending only new, modified readings. A small modification to this protocol includes some basic status information to recalculate the true data value (if you didn't accidentally notice the change) and verify that the node is functioning properly. Includes direct insertion of several additional transmissions at selected intervals to communicate.

  A third type of telemetry system architecture supports a strategic (or non-strategic) combination of bidirectional and unidirectional tags, as described in the specific implementation scenario. This format places some burden on overall RF system performance and generally reduces tag battery life, but makes tag type selection more flexible. The above description is nominally based on a single-band network setup, but with greater cost penalty (especially at the total price of all tags), but more flexibility and higher performance in multi-band systems. Is obtained. In all these examples, the use of HSS technology is better than bit error rate, packet loss, collision rate, RF power efficiency, and other facilities that share obvious interference levels to the RF system of the facility, especially those that share the same general bandwidth. It is advantageous. Embodiments of the present invention can include a combination of “dumb chiper” tags and bidirectional relay tags in one system.

  A refrigerated container ("Reefer") typically includes a three-stage power cable that plugs into the outlet of the deck that is powered from the ship's power distribution system. In general, the application of reefer monitoring is particularly important because refrigerated cargo (eg, pharmaceuticals, fresh food, and medical supplies) is of high value. What is happening now is that ship personnel manually monitor and record a single internal temperature (ie, with a pencil and clipboard) periodically while sailing, and the values are within range. Any excess will be reported to the ship's crew. In addition to internal temperature (at some spots), additional data such as relative humidity, compressor pressure, coolant flow, supply voltage / current, and container integrity (door breakage), automatic monitoring and alarm remote It can be obtained by measurement. This information provides significant economic value to embodiments of the present invention by early warning of refrigeration function failure, so that immediate repairs can be made to avoid costly cargo degradation. This telemetry can be handled by stable data transmission via RF technology or the ship's AC power system as previously described. More sophisticated methods, such as electronic signature analysis, can more accurately assess the operational status of compressors, fans, pumps, valves, and other electric and solenoid driven loads, and high-level real-time status of critical onboard equipment Monitoring can be performed.

(8. Analysis of communication requirements of RFID tagging system)
Perhaps the most technical problem in developing a viable RF-based tagging system protocol is the very reliable, especially between the sensors / ID tags onboard containers and facilities and the onboard receiver infrastructure. There would be a need for high, stable, low power RF communication links. Significantly improve RF tag performance (in terms of data and location accuracy) using hybrid (direct / frequency hopping) spread spectrum transmission technology and reduce RF interference generation and sensitivity for other tag and facility RF systems It is desirable to use a telemetry approach. As explained above, phase hybrid spread spectrum (HSS) as used herein is, for example, direct spread spectrum (DSSS) such as code division multiple access (CDMA), and PCT published application number, for example. Frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiple access (TDMA), orthogonal, as described in WO 02/27992 and / or US serial number 10 / 817,759 filed December 31, 2003 It can be defined as at least one combination of frequency division multiplexing OFDM and / or space division multiple access (SDMA). Another advantage of this technology is in the field of power utilization. The HSS protocol limits the number of RF transmissions from each tag while minimizing collisions with other tags dynamically, thus minimizing tag data message requirements (eg, retransmissions) (absolutely). Incorporating functions that help save power by reducing Another major system operational issue is the internal power management issue of the tag subsystem (ie logic, RF circuitry, and sensors).

  To maintain a convenient battery recharge interval, the power consumption level of the receiving system is not much lower than the transmitter level, so both RFID tag command reception and data transmission functions are performed at very low duty cycles Is possible. In addition, all data from high performance tag sensors can be processed together to eliminate redundant transmissions. Finally, facilities to ensure low battery capacity warnings (embedded in tag data transmissions) are needed to ensure proper tag operability (ie, data access and tag location), preferably at all times. Can be sent to other receivers. Alternative tag energy supply options include local passive power supply via interrogator wands, onboard photovoltaic cells or other power supply sources. Some of the system protocols described above are premised on bi-directional transmission to the container tag, but for some system embodiments that do not require on-demand tag interrogation functionality, The “chiper” tag can be considered.

  Appropriate port (landside) facility system design issues include the placement of distributed transceiver / radio location devices and internal infrastructure signaling options to provide adequate and consistent spatial RF coverage within the facility , And the use of RF repeaters. The basic infrastructure can utilize twisted pair wiring, coaxial cable, power line RF transmission technology, or wireless RF transceivers for facility transceivers and data transfer between central container monitoring and control points. Although such an arrangement is highly dependent on the specific setup of the terminal, yard RF transceivers are most often mounted on existing structures. Corresponding onboard RF infrastructure is more constrained by the limited layout of the ship and the opportunity to place the RF equipment in the optimal location for optimal coverage. Since fixed RF equipment must be operated by ship power and may need to be mounted out of normal ship operation and maintenance activities, many compromises are acceptable. For this reason, it is highly desirable to handle RF infrastructure data communication with the ship's AC power distribution system, which allows the path to be physically protected and implements embodiments of the system of the present invention on the ship. In this case, it is not necessary to arrange a further cable on the ship.

(9. Container monitoring and sensor requirements)
Compared to rail and trucking, in ship shipping, container position tracking may require different solutions. On the ship, if the triangulation function is not incorporated, it may not be possible to execute only GPS-based tags. More specifically, GPS is a line-of-sight position system in which the receiver must be able to “see” more than two satellite sources. Containers stacked on the deck or in the ship's hold cannot get the gaze direction signal needed to utilize the GPS satellite source and solve this problem by adding a local GPS repeater on the ship I can't do it. Even when receiving and repeating a GPS signal of adequate strength, high levels of local RF multipath reflections in the stack can cause significant uncertainty in position accuracy, making the results generally unacceptable. Sometimes. In addition, the very low tag operating power requirement almost certainly eliminates individual GPS receivers even though proper satellite reception is possible. A suitable onboard solution includes the use of a local triangulation system. By using a local triangulation system tailored to the local shipboard environment, the best container position performance is obtained. Due to severe multipath reflections and tag transmission time limitations (which are constrained by power), such systems cannot provide accurate container location in all cases, but with an error of approximately one container (up / It is possible to provide a position for one container (bottom, forward / stern, and port / starboard). In most cases, this level of accuracy is quite appropriate.

  Onboard triangulation may require multiple receivers. When there is no line-of-sight propagation from a predetermined container to a fixed central receiver, a receiver set is required for localization of container transmission positions of containers stacked on the deck. Furthermore, it is more difficult to localize the containers in the hold than to identify which hold has the container. Due to the overwhelming level of multipath and RF signal path obstacles, each hold holds a per-container mounted on the bulkhead near the edge of each container to accurately localize the container position within that hold. May require up to one receiver and antenna. This is probably more than acceptable with a cost-effective solution using current technology. Furthermore, since there is no practical way to access most containers once they have been stacked in the hold, the increment value for knowing the exact location of each container in the hold is not likely to be large. In any case, the priority of searching for a specific container in the hold is definitely lower than what is accurately tracked by loading and unloading, so that the overall freight transport and transfer process (in time) Because of this, it has a significant economic impact.

  A solution to this problem is the deployment of advanced antenna structures (ie, multiple interconnected and horizontally deflected wiring types, all connected to a common cable by a remotely controlled RF PIN-diode switch) Dipole antenna attached to the wall of the hold). This setup effectively implements a group of scan antenna arrays in the hold so that the containers loaded in the hold can be identified and assigned their position at the time of loading. The specific hold placement function is based on the local container-tag RF interrogation signal (ie 13.56 MHz or other Can be triggered by a burst of encoded RF energy at a convenient frequency. A container thus interrogated whose code matches the alert signal (eg, the last few digits of the container serial ID number) then responds to the HSS transmission signal in a pseudo-random time manner. The hold receiving subsystem captures these signals and relays the results to the main shipboard system for correlation with the full serial number in the ship's container inventory database.

  Another key function of the MAST system is to track the position of the container in the loading dock or container yard. If there are a large number of containers moving in and out of these facilities, a tracking system that can notify the facility operator of the location of a particular container can save a lot of time. Within the yard, a local spread spectrum RF triangulation system can be used for container position tracking. By strategically placing four or more receivers near the yard (or larger for large facilities), container location can be dynamically tracked. Additional receiving units are typically placed at the entrance and exit of the terminal so that container entry and exit from the facility can be recorded. A typical direct line-of-sight communication distance in an open yard is from 300 m to approximately 500 m at a tag RF transmit power level of 10 mW. In addition, a 100 mW tag can be easily extended to about 1 km. The accuracy of radio detection can be less than 1 m in typical (short) tag reading average time. Furthermore, better location solutions can be obtained when using long averaging times. Typically, a set of radio wave detector receivers equipped with adaptive beam steering antennas is used for each loading crane to obtain complete telemetry and position data for each container at short distances as it is transferred to or from the vessel. Installed. This data set is the most reliable verification method for tracking database systems where specific containers actually move from yard to ship or vice versa. The optical functionality that can be incorporated into the container-position monitoring software is a motion detection function that ensures security whenever the container position changes by more than an accidental amount (that is, by more than specifying the system position uncertainty). A routine can be run, thus comparing the ID against the active transport manifest and tracking the movement of the container. Can be misplaced or stolen automatically for yard personnel if the container travels a large distance but is not scheduled to be transported (usually beyond normal yard untracking / retracking operations) Automatically alert you that there is

  In general, GPS container position tracking is theoretically applicable to containers with a clear line-of-sight direction with respect to GPS satellites, but for the reasons previously described for containers on ships, it is particularly stacked in the terminal yard. May not be practical (reception in sufficient gaze direction). The same logic applies to containers transported by rail or truck.

  The present invention further monitors or senses the status of container cargo, including a wide range of sensor devices capable of detecting interference from container cargo, container temperature, mechanical shock, radiation, stowaway, or chemical / biological agents. Optical techniques can be included. Some of these sensors (eg temperature sensors, door switches, accelerometers, beaded impact sensors) are basically commercially available, although a little engineering work is required for incorporation into the container monitoring system. Device.

  Door integrity monitoring uses sensors to indicate when a container door is open or removed. The sensor is often a mechanical or magnetic switch, but other means such as an optical, capacitive, or reluctance measurement device may be employed. All these items are commercially available and should be able to be placed at low cost.

  Radiation monitoring can be performed using a sensor that records the interaction between radiation and matter, such as a standard thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) of the type used for general employee dosimetry monitoring. It is possible to detect very low levels of radiation by analyzing changes in radiation-induced substances over several days. This sensor only requires battery power to intermittently measure changes in medium detection, not power from a continuous battery. The TLD is a commercial product, and an inexpensive automatic reading device is commercially available. However, in the application to a container, an instruction for moderate optimization engineering work is given. To perform continuous in-container radiation sensing, depending on whether alpha, beta, gamma, x-ray, and / or neutron radiation measurements are desirable and at what sensitivity level, many A method is available. In large scale applications, the present invention is an inexpensive multilayer capable of handling small radiant fluxes with low level photocurrent that can be read by a low power CMOS electrometer circuit (similar to an inexpensive household smoke detector). A structure detector material can be included. Radiation monitoring can also be performed using a passive integral ionizing radiation sensor, described in detail below.

  An alternative strategy for high-speed, wide-range radiation screening of containers would be best performed by a high-precision multi-detector array mounted on a loading crane or in a land facility. However, due to the very economic time pressure in the loading / unloading operations, such container scans can be performed on-the-fly before (or immediately after) the crane transfer operation to avoid impacting the overall container throughput rate or Must be done offline.

  Monitoring of stowaways in a container can be performed by several types of sensors. The present invention can include the use of a heart rate detector known as an enclosed space detection system. This sensor system, which includes a vibrating probe (eg, accelerometer) and detection and recognition electronics, periodically records minute vibrations in the container and is time / frequency characteristic of a human (or animal) heartbeat This can be analyzed by the wavelet transform method of the signal signature. This system is most effective for monitoring a single isolated container (eg, in a dock-yard) but is also applicable for use on a ship. Other possible methods of detecting stowaways or unauthorized items in a container include devices that generate specific electromagnetic field pulses within (or into) the container. Detect, telemeter, and record weld levels at two or more locations. Retransmission of periodic electromagnetic field pulses and comparison of new and original responses shows a large change in the magnetic field pattern exhibited by the placement of the material in the container. This indicates the movement of the material in the container, either due to the misalignment of the cargo or the presence of a human (or animal). The technology is commercially available, but the more conventional (and probably cheaper) approach to this problem is similar in function to a commercial intrusion alarm that is simpler but less sensitive, It may include steady state or pulsed ultrasound and / or RF (electromagnetic) systems. The techniques described below are basically commercially available, but may be blocked or obstructed by cargo stacked in front of the sensor.

  Chemical / biological drugs are difficult to detect and costly, mainly because very small amounts of these drugs must be detected with high accuracy (minus or plus are not at a low level) Must not). The present invention can include chemical or biochemical “lab-on-a-chip” detectors. A relatively inexpensive container chemical / biological detection system can be equipped with a detector on or near a transfer crane, where the container can pass through a “sniffer tunnel” for short on-line testing. In addition, individual chemical / biological detectors can be mounted in and / or on the container.

  Sensitive cargo impact and / or acceleration sensing can be performed with MEMS / electronic devices (similar to automotive airbag sensors), glass beads or grains (for impact or tilt limit sensing), piezoelectric devices (eg, conventional This can be achieved by one of several techniques including accelerometers), microcantilevers and inductive sensors (eg receivers). The main limitation is generally the limitation of available power, and most of these devices require too much power and cannot be treated with small batteries for long periods of time (eg, monthly). However, the use of continuously time sampled acceleration profiles can be very helpful in determining sensitive cargo tracking and when too rough handling of containers during transport has occurred. Most of these types of sensors are currently on the market and their proper packaging and interface to container telemetry systems is short and simple.

  The components of the refrigerated container system, particularly the compressor and cooling system, are ideally monitored utilizing the techniques previously described for the reefer. Cooling system technology including this compressor and electronic signature analysis component is already commercially available and could be implemented immediately in the transportation environment.

  A typical container tag-a simple long-range ID device or more complex data acquisition / telemetry device for detailed monitoring of container safety and internal conditions (temperature, humidity, shock), preferably a battery Is supplied with power. For this reason, careful design of the unit and system will also be widely accepted in the transportation industry, as it is preferable to ensure proper automatic operation in the long term. The tag preferably has a period that can be used without maintenance for at least about one year. Most carriers approximate the low-capacity life of lithium batteries for cameras, the highest energy density format currently on the market for readily available commercial products, and optimally between 3 and 5 years It is said. Lithium ion batteries typically have a shelf life of approximately 10 years, so a sealed container tag that is stored without power for many years before use is typically operated for 3-5 years. Indicates the lifetime target. The proposed tag query interval in most possible cases is from one to four times a day, which is the type of container, the relative fragility or sensitivity of the cargo, and the safety, the price of the cargo , Depending on other factors such as the possibility of theft and traumatic events (eg outboard containers). Some of the factors described below will understand why an emergency transmitter or beacon is placed in the container to help immediate response to such an emergency. Assuming a typical battery capacity of 1400 mAh (3-VA size), the operating battery life will be 5 years or more due to a fixed query (consuming an average of 10 m per 10 seconds) once per hour. When performing recharging, this interval easily exceeds 20 years, which is likely to be close to the expected lifetime of the electronics package. Solar cell recharging is the preferred recharging mechanism to use, but includes micro fuel cells, dynamic generators (eg, fine pendulum or MEMS types), thermocouple arrays (temperature differences), and RF energy scavenging Other power mechanisms are possible.

  Embodiments of the invention can include embedding RFID tags in a container structure. Embodiments of the invention can include providing multiple RFID tags to a container for duplication or as a (non) functional decoy.

Space charge dosimeters for very low power measurements of radiation in transport containers Electronic dosimeter devices can measure doses in containers, but they need to be powered during the integration time (active) . Therefore, it is necessary to integrate in a short period in order to maintain the remaining battery level (thus reducing sensitivity). Utilization of large or large capacity batteries and battery replacement during container life (typical shipping container life is 5 to 7 years) is not economically suitable.

  What is needed is a low cost, low power device that can be installed in each shipping container to integrate radiation doses simply, stably and passively. This device can integrate the radiation dose over a very long period in order to measure the radiation dose in the container during transportation very accurately. Even with a well-shielded radioactive material, the background radiation level in the container is slightly improved. What is further needed is a device that can reduce the incidence of false positives.

  Space potential dosimeters (SCD) can continuously and passively integrate radiation dose and require power only for readout or recharging of the device. Such devices operate by charging or generating a starting potential between the anode and the cathode. The dielectric medium is located between the cathode and the anode. This potential generates an electric field in the dielectric medium. As radiation passes through the dielectric material, dielectric ionization occurs. The electric field then sweeps away the ions or charges the dielectric to the carrier, causing the potential between the anode and cathode to drop. The measurement of degraded charge during the irradiation period is a measurement of integrated ionization during the measurement period. The charge (or some physical aspect of the device controlled by the charge) is read before and after irradiation to obtain the dose rate.

  When various substances are used as filters around the SCD, it is possible to determine the type of radiation that is sensed and to determine the energy range of the radiation. A set of such low-cost sensors for each container with a different filter around each SCD shows not only high background radiation, but also radiation type and energy level. This helps identify possible types of radioactive material in the container, for example, whether the high radiation level in the container is due to banana (potassium 40) rather than cobalt 60 in a lead shield box. .

  Embodiments of the present invention can solve the radiation measurement problem in shipping containers where the radiation sensor must be low cost and battery powered, but the battery will last for years. Embodiments of the present invention include very low cost space potential dosimeters (SCD) such as electret ionization chambers (EICs), IGFETs (insulated gate field effect transistors), MOSFETs (metals) to passively integrate radiation dose. An oxide semiconductor field effect transistor) and / or a field effect transistor (FET) such as a microcantilever can be used. In such devices, radiation (the air chamber or dielectric layer of the FET and microcantilever EIC) that passes through the sensitive volume of the dosimeter ionizes the gas or dielectric (ie, creates charge pairs). Such radiation induced charges in turn change the potential or electric field of the device. This change in potential or electric field is proportional to the amount of radiation received.

  Embodiments of the invention can include an active radiation detection amount of a material that is an insulator. If radiation affects this quantity, a charge is generated and trapped within this quantity. This trapped charge changes the electric field distribution. Embodiments of the invention can then sense changes in this electric field by placing electrodes on either side of this quantity. It is important to note that these electrodes respond to this electric field. When such electrodes are, for example, gates and IGFET transistor bodies, embodiments of the present invention can indirectly measure welding changes by monitoring transistor channel conduction without disturbing the trapped charge. . Alternatively, if an embodiment of the present invention includes a detected amount of generated charge directed to an insulated electrode, such as, for example, a microcantilever, embodiments of the present invention may read the cantilever deflection and obtain the same result. Is possible.

  By reading the voltage or potential of the SCD dosimeter intermittently, a reading proportional to the radiation dose received by the device is obtained. One or more SCDs can be mounted in a shipping container or in a radio frequency identification tag. During container transport (such as a ship or railroad), the SCD integrates the received radiation dose. For example, the voltage potential of each SCD can be read after a time interval such as every 24 hours. The change in potential due to each reading is proportional to the radiation dose.

  Multiple SCDs with various filter types can be used to distinguish radiation types such as gamma, x-rays, neutrons or beta, and to differentiate the energy levels of such particles or photons. It is possible to subtract ambient or background radiation using an SCD placed outside the container or an SCD shielded inside the container.

  Data from such radiation sensors can then be relayed to the RFID tag of the container. The RFID tag can collect data from radiation sensors, other sensors (eg, temperature, sound, etc.), and location information (eg, from GPS or triangulation), and through all this wireless communication (eg, HSS) Can be sent to receivers connected to a central database. In the central database, radiation dose readings can be analyzed to look for what indicates that the container has a higher field than normal. Since higher radiation levels than normal may indicate that dangerous (radioactive material) cargo is contained in the container, that particular container needs to be flagged for further inspection.

  Embodiments of the invention can include a system that utilizes a space potential dosimeter (SCD). The SCD includes a semiconductor device such as an electret ionization chamber (EIC) and an insulated gate field effect transistor (1GFET) and / or a microcantilever. The SCD can be used to continuously monitor the radiation level of the shipping container. Such radiation sensors can be combined with communication and tracking systems located in each container to allow real-time global monitoring of radiation levels and container position within the container. A radiation level in the container that is unexplained or higher than expected, and will be examined more closely upon the next entry into the US port or preferably before arriving at the US port deck. Can be used to flag containers for

  As stated above, the basic principle of operation of an SCD is the interaction of ionizing radiation with a material (such as air or dielectric) to generate charge pairs (ionization). These charge pairs then move between materials due to the presence of an electric field. Due to the movement and collection of the charge carriers, the voltage potential in the device is then lowered. When the SCD is charged, the potential decreases due to ionization of the active region. Charging the device requires a very small amount of power. When charged, the device continuously integrates this received dose, measured as a potential drop. Thus, the dose received from this potential reading before and after irradiation is shown. Importantly, the SCD does not require power during the dose integration period. Electric power is required when charging the device or reading the potential. As noted above, the three possible SCDs that can passively integrate dose include electret ionization chamber (EIC) dosimeters, insulated gate field effect transistor (lGFET) dosimeters, and microcantilever dosimeters. is there.

  A preferred operation method of the radiation sensor in the present invention is as follows. Cargo is loaded into a container that is then loaded with one or more radiation sensors and RFID communication systems. The container is then transported to the transport terminal. The container is then loaded onto a ship for transport to the United States or other exporting country. During the voyage, a signal is sent to the RFID system to activate the radiation sensor (reading the sensor to take a baseline reading or charging the sensor and then taking the baseline reading). The radiation sensor passively integrates the received radiation dose until the RFID system directs the sensor to another reading or until a preset time has passed. The radiation sensor then powers up, reads the voltage level, and sends the reading to the RFID system. This reading is then relayed to the surrounding RFID system for collection at one or more central locations and analyses. The dose integration time (interval) can be set as desired from minutes to days. Because the voyage can last for days, very accurate measurement dose integration can take several days.

  The central RFID system can send a message to each container to take a baseline reading when the vessel departs. The central system then uses the RFID tag directly to read the radiation sensor periodically during the voyage (eg every 12 hours or 24 hours). Sensor readings can be passed to the RFID central system by RFID tags, tag readers, site servers, etc. as soon as the received dose is collected and analyzed. While the ship is sailing (ie, at sea), the assumed background level radiation dose reading is flagged and notified to the appropriate agency. This makes it possible to stop the ship or inspect the container before it arrives at the US port (or other importing country).

(Electret ionization chamber (EIC) dosimeter)
The EIC is composed of a charged polymer (e.g., Teflon (registered trademark)) filament or desk called an electret disposed in a conductive plastic sealed space containing a known amount of air. The electret functions as a high voltage (anode) power source necessary for the sealed space to operate as an ionization chamber. It also functions as a sensor for measuring the ionization of the air chamber. Negative ions generated by radiation dielectric ionization of air within the sensitive volume of the enclosed space are collected by electrets that cause a reduction in charge. The measurement of the reduced charge during the irradiation period is a measurement of integrated ionization during the measurement period. The electret charge can be read after irradiation or in a known schedule using a non-contact electret voltage reader.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electret charge reading voltmeter can be a very small low cost electronics circuit or an ASIC chip that not only reads the electret charge but also recharges the electret as needed. The circuit or chip may further include sufficient data to convert the measured voltage into a radiation dose and transmit this data to a sensor bus (eg, IEEE 1451 compliant).

  As a further optical feature of the present invention, each EIC is placed around the EIC to increase sensitivity to different radiation types (eg, neutrons, gamma or X-rays) or energy (hard X-rays, soft X-rays, etc.). Sometimes it incorporates a radiation filter material or converter. By measuring not only the presence or quality or the quality of the radiation level, but also the qualitative characteristics of the radiation, it helps to distinguish harmless cargo (bananas, some pottery, etc.) with higher radiation levels than normal. In addition, one EIC sensor can be mounted and shielded to measure background radiation for background subtraction from sensor measurements in the container.

  EIC devices are sensitive to impacts and may discharge partially, especially when subjected to vibrations or when dropped. In order to prevent false positive radiation measurements for rough handling that occur in shipping containers, the present invention can incorporate active and passive prevention measures. First, because the RFID tag on each container can communicate with each sensor, the radiation sensor can integrate the dose, and then a known time period that is considered to have low impact, such as during sea transport. Reading inside becomes possible. Reading can be done when the ship leaves the port and during the voyage. Second, the accelerometer can be installed with a sensor to identify impact events large enough to generate an EIC discharge. After such an event, the EIC can read out and resume the dose integration time.

(Field effect transistor dosimeter)
The operation of an FET dosimeter is based on the generation of hole pairs in an oxide (or other insulator material with very low hole mobility) by ionizing radiation (eg, IGFET) structure (oxidation gate). The energy for generating one hole pair of silicon oxide is about 18 eV. Electron mobility is such that electrons collect at the gate of the transistor (assuming an n-channel device), but hole mobility is much lower. The holes are thus effectively fixed in the oxide between the gate and the body. This causes a change in the electric field between the gate and channel of the transistor that changes the current containing function of the channel. This change can be read at any time without affecting the dosimetrically changing electric field. As such, the gate bias voltage is a direct measurement of the absorbed radiation dose. This technique is applicable to both FETs or field-oxidized FETs (parasitic FETs, IGFETs) intentionally manufactured in a given CMOS process. Of these, the latter is more sensitive because the oxide is thicker.

(Micro cantilever dosimeter)
Microcantilever dosimeters are made by using microcantilevers as electrodes separated from the ground by an insulator. The micro cantilever is charged. This charge does not change until the radiation creates a hole pair in the insulator. For this reason, the absorbed radiation dose is integrated continuously and passively. To read the radiation dose, the change in the voltage potential of the microcantilever is measured. This potential or potential change is determined by measuring the deflection of the microcantilever.

Filters and converters for distinguishing between radiation types or energy levels The present invention utilizes different types and thicknesses of materials to accurately detect radiation sensors for specific types of radiation or different energy levels. Can be included.

  The present invention can include the use of multiple (eg, array) low cost detectors in a shipping container, each having a different filter. The types of SCD radiation detectors described above can be mass produced at a very low cost, so that the detector array can be placed throughout the container. Filters made of metals of different densities such as lead, tin, and aluminum can be used to roughly determine the impact gamma or x-ray energy. Radiation converters such as boron or lithium 6 can be used to react the device to thermal neutrons with high performance. Teflon or high hydrogen content plastics can be used to increase sensitivity to moderate energy neutrons. By utilizing an array of detectors located inside the container and utilizing different filters and converters, the radiation detected in the container can be radiated in energy bands (eg, low, medium, and high) and radiation types (beta, X Line, gamma).

(RFID communication system)
The present invention provides a radiation sensor for a communication and tracking system that relays sensor data and container location to a centralized database that can analyze radiation data from each container for flagging containers that require further inspection. Can be integrated. The overall RFID system is referred to as a “Marine Asset Security and Tracking (MAST) System”. The MAST system is preferably wireless (RF) -based communication for tracking and monitoring at port dock facilities during loading, landing and transfer operations, and on-board vessels during overseas shipping of containers, preferably in the shipping industry. And a sensing / telemetry system. The system further utilizes both local terminal communication systems and other wide area commercial communication systems, including satellites and / or mobile / PCS, on ships, railroads, long haul trucks and in their associated terminal facilities. Realize a true intermodal tracking and monitoring system that can be operated with. This RFID tagging system collects, consolidates, stores and analyzes each shipping container, local site reader located in the ship and in the shipping terminal, central site server on each ship or in each terminal, and all data And may include RFID tags installed at the disassembled National Operations Center (NOC). The shipping container can be both a refrigerated cargo shipping container (reefer) and a dry cargo shipping container (dry box). In addition, for identification and tracking of the location of a container or other device mounted on one of the RFID tags, each tag has a wide range for monitoring the status of container cargo or other tagged devices. For example, an IEEE 1451 sensor interface and an additional serial interface are provided to allow connection of the sensor to the RFID tag. Other sensors that can be connected to the RFID tag include (but are not limited to) temperature, pressure, relative humidity, accelerometer, radiation, door seals, and GPS (global positioning system). Additional sensors can be included for condition monitoring of equipment such as refrigerated compressors or for reading diagnostic data ports on some refrigerated cargo containers.

  The present invention can include an implementation of a radiation sensor system for an RFID tag of a MAST system. The problem of not using power in dose integration time is solved by using a passively integrating radiation sensor set, and the MAST system addresses the problem of integrating data from container installations into overall monitoring, tracking or communication systems. Provide a solution. Embodiments of the present invention integrate radiation dose continuously and passively, send data to the RFID tag of the container via the IEEE 1451 sensor interface, and this data with location and other sensor data is sent to the National Operations Center of the MAST system. It is possible to include the dosimeter grade of the radiation transmitted to the (NOC). In the NOC, all sensor data, container inventory, container route and other information are analyzed and used to identify the container for detailed inspection upon arrival at the port.

  The present invention uses only power for received dose readout, but can include passive integrated radiation doses over time. The present invention provides a radiation sensor connection to an RFID system that communicates sensor data in near real-time to a central database capable of performing sensor data analysis to identify and flag containers with abnormal radiation dose readings. Can be included.

  The present invention includes an in-situ polling group of passive integrated ionizing radiation sensors including readout of dosimetric data from a first passive integrated ionizing radiation sensor and a second passive integrated ionizing radiation sensor, The radiation sensor and the second passive integral ionizing radiation sensor remain in a position where the dosimetry data is integrated when reading the dosimetry data, and the first passive integral radiation sensor and the second integral radiation sensor are integrated. Passive integration mode and active readout, allowing continuous integration of ionizing radiation to the maximum of the first passive integrating ionizing radiation sensor and the second passive integrating ionizing radiation sensor without destroying the measured dosimetry data Very high impedance in mode It is connected to be read circuit. Upon sensing the implementation of the maximum integration limit, the readout circuit can reset the passive integrating radiation sensor and accumulate the number of sensor reset cycles non-volatilely.

  The present invention relates to a readout circuit, readout circuit connected to both a first passive integration ionization radiation sensor, a second passive integration ionization radiation sensor, a first passive integration ionization radiation sensor and a second passive integration ionization radiation sensor. Readout circuit showing very high impedance to both the first passive integration ionization radiation sensor and the second passive integration ionization radiation sensor both in the passive integration mode and when the readout circuit is in the active readout mode And readout of dosimetry data from both the first passive integration radiation sensor and the second passive integration radiation sensor is shown in the communication circuit.

One or both of the first passive integrated ionizing radiation sensor and the second passive integrating ionizing radiation sensor can include an insulated gate field effect transistor space potential dosimeter. The readout circuit can exhibit an impedance of about 10 ¹¹ ohms to about 10 ¹⁵ ohms, preferably about 10 ¹² ohms to about 10 ¹⁴ ohms, and most preferably about 10 ¹³ ohms.

As explained above, the present invention can include a thick film oxide dosimeter (TOD). In such a TOD, the FET can be organized to connect to more than one level of metal or polysilicon. This increases the active capacity of SiO ₂ that interacts with ionizing radiation. Such devices have the important optical advantage of being able to compensate for temperature and process by reading the voltage across the drain, assuming the power supplies are connected to a common potential. The gate and drain of a given IGFET can be connected together.

  This technology can be expanded by adding FETs and stacking metal layers on top of each other to the limit of the semiconductor manufacturing process being used. The advantage of this is that while the active volume of oxide used for detection is increased, the electric field generated by the trapped charge between the two plates is reduced by an increase in the distance between the plates. The same number of plates as the manufacturing process can be used to obtain the maximum electric field for a given ionizing radiation event to maximize the possibility of detection.

  10-11 illustrate two IGFET examples of the present invention. The use of the terms “first”, “second” and “third” in the description of the elements shown in these figures is merely for the purpose of distinguishing similar elements, and the assignment of such terms is optional. is there.

  Referring to FIG. 10, the set of passive integrated ionizing radiation sensors includes a first sensor 1010 that is shielded by a first filter 1011. This set of passive integrated ionizing radiation sensors further includes a second sensor 1020 that is shielded by a second filter 1021. Both the first sensor 1010 and the second sensor 1020 are connected to the communication circuit 1030. The temperature correction circuit 1040 is connected to the communication circuit 1030. Calibration circuit 1050 is also connected to communication circuit 1030. Each of the sensors 1010, 1020 is based on a pair of insulated gate field effect transistors.

The present invention includes an apparatus including a thick film oxide dosimeter and a readout circuit connected to the thick film oxide dosimeter. Both the thick film oxide dosimeter and the readout circuit are designed on one high impedance and low leakage substrate. The thick film oxide dosimeter can include a thick film oxide insulated gate field effect transistor space potential dosimeter. One high impedance and low leakage substrate can include silicon on sapphire, silicon on insulator and / or deformed high resistance silicon. The substrate can have an impedance of about 10 ¹¹ ohms to about 10 ¹⁵ ohms, preferably about 10 ¹² ohms to about 10 ¹⁴ ohms, and most preferably about 10 ¹³ ohms.

  Referring to FIG. 11, the passive integrated ionizing radiation sensor 1100 includes a first active area (region) 1110 and a second active area (region) 1120. The second active area 1110 is disposed between the common conductor 1130 and the first active area conductor 1140. The second active area 1120 is disposed between the common conductor 1130 and the second active area conductor 1150. The first active area conductor 1140 is connected to the gate of the first insulated gate field effect transistor 1160. The second active area conductor 1150 is connected to the gate of the second insulated gate welding effect transistor 1170. The sources of both the first insulated gate field effect transistor 1160 and the second insulated gate field effect transistor 1170 are connected together and connected to a common conductor 1130. The third insulated gate field effect transistor 1180 provides an integrated temperature correction function.

  During the passive mode dosimetry operation of the example shown in FIG. 11, ionizing radiation passes through the active area and generates a total charge trapped in the oxide. This charge creates an electric field between adjacent conductors, thus producing the total change in resistance seen between the power supply and the gate of the FET hitting its active area. In the read operation of the example shown in FIG. 11, the resistance between the power supply and each drain is read. The total radiation dose is proportional to the resistance change. Apply temperature correction by tracking changes in the third IGFET with much less radiation sensitivity than others.

  The present invention includes a first insulated gate field effect transistor including a first power source, a first drain and a first insulated gate, a second insulated gate welding effect transistor including a second source, a second drain and From a second insulated gate, a second power source connected to the first power source, a first conductor connected to the second gate, a first active region connected to the first conductor, from incident ionizing radiation A first active area for storing dosimetry data, a second conductor connected to the first active area, a second active area connected to the second conductor, for dosimetry from incident ionizing radiation A second active region for storing data, and a third conductor connected between the second active region and the first gate, Restrictor is connected to both the first power supply and the second power supply. A third insulated gate field effect transistor can provide temperature correction data.

  The present invention can include the setting of alarm conditions based on the placement of multiple sensors in a spatially distributed (eg, array) configuration and readings on multiple sensors.

  The present invention can include pattern recognition. For example, the method can include placement of multiple passive integrated ionizing radiation sensors in a spatially dispersed array, determination of the relative position of each of the multiple passive integrated ionizing radiation sensors to define a desired volume, multiple passive integrated ionization Collecting ionizing radiation data from at least a subset of radiation sensors and triggering an alarm condition when the collected ionizing radiation data from a plurality of subsets of passively integrated ionizing radiation sensors meet predetermined spatial pattern criteria Is possible. The predetermined spatial pattern criterion can include a plurality of alternative patterns. The predetermined spatial pattern criteria may include a dosimetric data pattern defined by a function that includes a cube root of the radius from the approximate location of the ionizing radiation source.

  Embodiments of the invention can be cost effective and advantageous for at least the following reasons. Embodiments of the present invention can provide global asset and / or cargo tracking, monitoring and security. Embodiments of the present invention can include the integration of RFID tag data in a GIS based system for asset tracking, management, and visualization. Embodiments of the present invention may include RFID tag communication that utilizes hybrid spread spectrum signaling. Embodiments of the present invention can include multi-access technology that allows communication with over 10,000 RFID tags, ignoring up to 90,000 tags in the same RFID tag reader zone. is there. Embodiments of the present invention improve quality and / or reduce costs compared to previous approaches.

  As used herein, phase hybrid spread spectrum (HSS) includes direct spread spectrum (DSSS) such as code division multiple access (CDMA), and frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiple access (TDMA), Defined by at least one combination of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing OFDM and / or Space Division Multiple Access (SDMA). As used herein, the term “a” or “an” is defined as one or more. As used herein, the term “plurality” is defined as two or more. As used herein, the term “another” is defined as at least a second or more. As used herein, “comprising”, “including” and / or “having” are defined as open languages (ie require further description) The inclusion of unspecified procedures, structures and / or components is open, even in large quantities.As used herein, “consisting” and / or “constructing” “Composing” is intended to limit the described method, apparatus or configuration to the inclusion of procedures, structures and / or components, excluding the accessories, appendages and / or contaminants normally associated therewith. “Basically (with the terms“ consisting ”or“ composing ”) The term "sently)" is a described method, apparatus, and / or configuration that is open for the inclusion of unspecified procedures, structures, and / or components that do not substantially affect the fundamental novel features of the configuration. As used herein, the term “coupled” is defined as “connected,” although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. The term “any” as used is defined as part of all applicable sets or at least a subset of all applicable set members. The term “appropriately” means at least a predetermined value (eg, preferably within 10%, more preferably 1% thereof). And, most preferably, within 0.1% of that), the term “substantially” as used herein is the majority of what is specified. As used herein, the term “generally” is defined as at least close to a predetermined state. The term “developing” is defined as design, construction, transportation, installation and / or operation.The term “means” as used herein is the hardest to achieve results. Software, firmware and / or software, as used herein, a program or phase computer program The term ram is defined as a sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system. A program or computer program can be a subroutine, function, procedure, object method, object execution, executable application, applet, servlet, source code, object code, shared library / dynamic load library and / or other computer or computer system It is possible to include a sequence of instructions intended for execution. As used herein, the term “proximate” is defined as adjacent and / or close to coincident, and is a space where a specified function and / or result can be performed and / or achieved. Includes situations. The phase radio frequency used herein is defined as including infrared, frequencies below about 300 GHz.

  All disclosed embodiments disclosed herein can be made and used without undue experimentation in light of the disclosure. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the assumptions described herein. Although the best mode for carrying out the embodiment of the present invention intended by the inventor is disclosed, the execution of the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. Thus, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced unless specifically described herein.

  It will be apparent that various substitutions, modifications, additions and / or rearrangements of the features of the embodiments of the invention may be made within the spirit and / or scope of the underlying inventive concept. The spirit and / or scope of the underlying inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents is considered to encompass all such alternatives, modifications, additions and / or rearrangements.

  All disclosed elements and features of each disclosed embodiment are integrated with or alternative to the disclosed elements and features of each other disclosed embodiment, unless such elements or features contradict each other. Is possible. The steps or sequence of steps defining the method described in the present invention can be modified.

  It will be apparent that while sensors with or without the filters described herein can be separate modules, the sensors can be integrated into the system with which they are associated. Individual components need not be formed into the disclosed shape or coupled to the disclosed configuration, but can be provided in any shape and / or can be coupled in any configuration. Individual components need not be made of the disclosed materials, but can be made of any suitable material.

  The appended claims are intended to limit the means and functionality of such claims unless such limitations are expressly stated in certain claims that use the phrases “means of” and / or “step of”. Should not be interpreted as including. Dependent embodiments of the present invention are defined by the appended dependent claims and their equivalents. Particular embodiments of the present invention are distinguished from the attached independent claims and their equivalents.

1 illustrates an overall perspective view of a maritime asset security and tracking (MAST) system that represents one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. In one embodiment of the present invention, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that can be simultaneously communicated with both land-based and ship-based receivers for the operation of a radio frequency RF data link utilized both on board and in a terminal. A schematic diagram is shown. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, by a land or ship side site server when the tag is utilizing RF for local area communication (eg, ship base and terminal local area (land side) operations) 1 shows a schematic diagram of communication between an RFID tag and a network operations center (NOC). 1 shows a schematic diagram of two-way communication between an RFID tag and a network operations center (NOC) when utilizing mobile or satellite communications during long-distance or rail transport, illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. . FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram including functional components including an RFID tag illustrating one embodiment of the present invention. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a reader and RFID tag in a stacked array of containers, illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. 6 shows a flowchart of an RFID tag activation sequence including a node detection sequence mode executable by a computer program, showing an embodiment of the present invention. 6 shows a flowchart of an RFID tag activation sequence mode executable by a computer program according to an embodiment of the present invention. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, on a ship deck or in a terminal yard, tightly stacked with a single RF emitter (a point with radial lines) located near the top center of the host container Shows a schematic plan view of a group of containers (typically about 13.9 meters). An arrow originates from the end of the container to the adjacent passage and indicates the RF energy reflected along the passage, with the possible RF receiving positions being indicated by points located at the end of the passage. FIG. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of an in-situ polling group of sensors, wherein each sensor has a different filter, illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an in-situ polling sensor incorporating temperature correction, illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (149)

Transmitting the identification data, the position data, and the environmental condition sensor from the radio frequency tag. The method of claim 1, further comprising representing a location of the radio frequency tag using a geographic information system. The method of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency tag adjusts a set point for the environmental state sensor data to reduce power consumption. The method of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency tag can be switched to a transceiver mode capable of inter-tag communication. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein transceiver mode comprises the radio frequency tag transmitting during a randomly extracted transmission interval and then receiving and buffering. The method of claim 4, wherein the radio frequency tag is switched to the transceiver mode if an alarm condition is enabled. The radio frequency tag is at least one current selected from the group consisting of a photovoltaic cell, a vibration transducer, a charging charger, a radio frequency power rectifier, a thermoelectric generator, and a radioisotope decay energy recovery device. The method of claim 1, comprising a power source including an energy storage device that is recharged by a source. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving identification data, location data, and environmental condition sensor data from the radio frequency tag at a reader. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the radio frequency tag can be switched to a transceiver mode capable of inter-tag communication. The method of claim 9, wherein transceiver mode comprises the radio frequency tag transmitting during a randomly extracted transmission interval and then receiving and buffering. The method of claim 9, wherein if the radio frequency tag does not receive a response from the reader, the radio frequency tag is switched to an inter-tag mode. The method of claim 9, wherein the radio frequency tag is switched to the transceiver mode if an alarm condition is enabled. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising representing the location of the radio frequency tag using a geographic information system. The method of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency tag includes a sensor. The sensor is characterized by at least one selected from the group consisting of ionizing radiation, chemical components, biological species, acoustic radiation, mechanical vibration, and chemically active radiation. The method according to claim 14. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the sensor is at least one selected from the group consisting of electromagnetic radiation, humidity, temperature, vibration, acceleration, and mechanical interlock. . The method of claim 16, wherein the radio frequency tag adjusts a setpoint for the sensor to reduce power consumption. The method of claim 1, further comprising a sensor connected to the radio frequency tag. The sensor is characterized by at least one selected from the group consisting of ionizing radiation, chemical components, biological species, acoustic radiation, mechanical vibration, and chemically active radiation. The method of claim 18. The method of claim 18, wherein the sensor is at least one selected from the group consisting of electromagnetic radiation, humidity, temperature, vibration, acceleration, and mechanical interlock. . The method of claim 18, wherein the radio frequency tag adjusts a setpoint for the sensor to reduce power consumption. The method of claim 18, wherein the sensor includes a power source that the tag does not require to transmit identification data and location data. The power source is by at least one current source selected from the group consisting of a photovoltaic cell, a vibration transducer, a charging charger, a radio frequency power rectifier, a thermoelectric generator, and a radioisotope decay energy recovery device. 23. The method of claim 22, comprising an energy storage device that is recharged. The sensor is configured to be wireless by at least one selected from the group consisting of hybrid spread spectrum, direct spread spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing, and infrared. The method of claim 18, wherein the method is wirelessly connected to the frequency tag. Identification data, position data, and environmental condition sensor data from the radio frequency tag are transmitted in a first frequency band, and the sensor is wireless in a second frequency band that does not overlap with the first frequency band. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the method is connected to the radio frequency tag. Receiving identification data, position data, and environmental condition sensor data from the radio frequency tag in a reader; and a site server that performs data accumulation and analysis of the identification data, position data, and environmental condition sensor data from the reader The method of claim 1, further comprising: retransmitting to. 27. The method of claim 26, further comprising representing the location of the radio frequency tag using a geographic information system. Transmission of identification data, position data, and environmental condition sensor data from the radio frequency tag is performed within a first frequency band, and identification data, position data, and environmental condition sensor data from the reader to the site server. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein retransmission of is performed in a second frequency band that does not overlap with the first frequency band. Retransmission of identification data, position data, and environmental condition sensor data from the reader to the site server includes hybrid spread spectrum, direct spread spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing. 27. The method of claim 26, comprising wireless transmission with a scheme and at least two alternatives selected from the group consisting of infrared schemes. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein retransmitting identification data, location data, and environmental condition sensor data from the reader to the site server includes transmission on a reader power line. Retransmission of identification data, position data, and environmental condition sensor data from the reader to the site server includes hybrid spread spectrum, direct spread spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing. 32. The method of claim 30, comprising transmission by at least one selected from the group consisting of a scheme and an infrared scheme. The retransmission of identification data, location data, and environmental condition sensor data from the reader to the site server is a frequency selected from the group consisting of about 50 Hz and about 60 Hz, and substantially all their harmonics. 32. The method of claim 30, comprising noise rejection and decentralization. Retransmission of identification data, position data, and environmental condition sensor data from the reader to the site server includes hybrid spread spectrum, direct spread spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing. 27. The method of claim 26, comprising wireless transmission with at least one selected from the group consisting of a scheme and an infrared scheme. 34. Wireless transmission with hybrid spread spectrum modulation includes rejection of noise at a frequency selected from the group consisting of about 50 Hz and about 60 Hz, and substantially all their harmonics, and dispersion. The method described in 1. Receiving identification data, position data, and environmental condition sensor data from the reader of the site server; and analyzing, comparing, and tracking identification data, position data, and environmental condition sensor data from the site server The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of retransmitting to at least one server of the database. 36. The method of claim 35, further comprising representing the location of the radio frequency tag using a geographic information system. 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the common database defines a global database. Retransmission of identification data, position data, and environmental condition sensor data from the site server to the common database includes satellite, mobile phone, sound, power line, telephone line, coaxial line, optical fiber, 36. The method of claim 35, comprising transmission by at least two alternatives selected from the group consisting of an optical cable. 36. The method of claim 35, wherein retransmitting identification data, location data, and environmental condition sensor data from the site server to the common database includes transmission over the Internet. An apparatus comprising a radio frequency tag that transmits identification data, location data, and environmental condition sensors. The radio frequency tag is at least one current selected from the group consisting of a photovoltaic cell, a vibration transducer, a charging charger, a radio frequency power rectifier, a thermoelectric generator, and a radioisotope decay energy recovery device. 41. The apparatus of claim 40, comprising a power source including an energy storage device that is recharged by a source. 41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the radio frequency tag includes a sensor. The sensor is characterized by at least one selected from the group consisting of ionizing radiation, chemical components, biological species, acoustic radiation, mechanical vibration, and chemically active radiation. 43. The apparatus of claim 42. 43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the sensor is characterized by at least one selected from the group consisting of electromagnetic radiation, humidity, temperature, vibration, acceleration, and mechanical interlock. . 41. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising a sensor connected to the radio frequency tag. The sensor is characterized by at least one selected from the group consisting of ionizing radiation, chemical components, biological species, acoustic radiation, mechanical vibration, and chemically active radiation. 46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein: 46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the sensor is at least one selected from the group consisting of electromagnetic radiation, humidity, temperature, vibration, acceleration, and mechanical interlock. . 46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the sensor includes a power source that the tag does not require to transmit identification data, location data, and environmental status data. The power source is by at least one current source selected from the group consisting of a photovoltaic cell, a vibration transducer, a charging charger, a radio frequency power rectifier, a thermoelectric generator, and a radioisotope decay energy recovery device. 49. The device of claim 48, comprising an energy storage device that is recharged. The sensor is configured to be wireless by at least one selected from the group consisting of hybrid spread spectrum, direct spread spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing, and infrared. 46. The apparatus of claim 45, wirelessly connected to a frequency tag. Identification data from the radio frequency tag, position data, and environmental state sensor data are transmitted in a first frequency band, and the sensor is in a second frequency band that does not overlap with the first frequency band. 51. The apparatus of claim 50, connected wirelessly to the radio frequency tag. 41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the radio frequency tag is connected to a shipping container. 53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein environmental condition sensor data includes an environmental condition within the shipping container. 53. The apparatus of claim 52, further comprising an antenna connected to the shipping container. 53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the shipping container includes a shipping container power source and the radio frequency tag is connectable to the shipping container power source. 56. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the shipping container includes at least one selected from the group consisting of a dry box and a reefer. A reader connected wirelessly to the radio frequency tag, the reader receiving identification data, position data, and environmental condition sensor data from the radio frequency tag, and identifying data, position data, and environmental condition sensor 41. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising a reader that retransmits data from the reader to a site server that performs data storage and analysis. Transmission of identification data, position data, and environmental condition sensor data from the radio frequency tag is performed within a first frequency band, and identification data, position data, and environmental condition sensor data from the reader to the site server. 58. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein re-transmission of is performed in a second frequency band that does not overlap the first frequency band. Retransmission of identification data, position data, and environmental condition sensor data from the reader to the site server includes hybrid spread spectrum, direct spread spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing. 59. The apparatus of claim 58, comprising wireless transmission with a scheme and at least two alternatives selected from the group consisting of infrared schemes. The reader is electrically connected to the site server via a reader power line, and retransmission of identification data, location data, and environmental condition sensor data from the reader to the site server is the read server. 58. The device of claim 57, comprising transmission on the power line of the device. Retransmission of identification data, position data, and environmental condition sensor data from the reader to the site server includes hybrid spread spectrum, direct spread spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing. 61. The apparatus of claim 60, comprising transmission by at least one selected from the group consisting of a scheme and an infrared scheme. The retransmission of identification data, location data, and environmental condition sensor data from the reader to the site server is a frequency selected from the group consisting of about 50 Hz and about 60 Hz, and substantially all their harmonics. 61. The apparatus of claim 60, comprising: noise rejection and decentralization. Retransmission of identification data, position data, and environmental condition sensor data from the reader to the site server includes hybrid spread spectrum, direct spread spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing. 58. The apparatus of claim 57, comprising wireless transmission by a scheme and at least one selected from the group consisting of infrared schemes. 64. Wireless transmission with hybrid spread spectrum modulation includes rejection and dispersion of noise at a frequency selected from the group consisting of about 50 Hz and about 60 Hz, and substantially all their harmonics. The device described in 1. A site server wirelessly connected to the reader, wherein the site server receives identification data, position data, and environmental condition sensor data from the reader, and receives the identification data, position data, and environmental condition sensor data. 58. The apparatus of claim 57, further comprising a site server that retransmits from the site server to at least one server of a common database that performs analysis, comparison, and tracking. 66. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the common database defines a global database. Retransmission of identification data, position data, and environmental condition sensor data from the site server to the common database includes satellites, mobile phones, sound, power lines, telephone lines, coaxial lines, optical fibers, 66. The apparatus of claim 65, comprising transmission by at least two alternatives selected from the group consisting of: an optical cable. 66. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein retransmission of identification data, location data, and environmental condition sensor data from the site server to the common database includes transmission over the Internet. 41. A vehicle comprising the apparatus of claim 40. 41. A harbor area network comprising the device of claim 40. 41. A rural area network comprising the apparatus of claim 40. 41. A domestic area network comprising the apparatus of claim 40. 41. A global area network comprising the apparatus of claim 40. Transmitting the identification data and location data from the radio frequency tag utilizing hybrid spread spectrum modulation. 75. The method of claim 74, further comprising representing a location of the radio frequency tag using a geographic information system. 75. The method of claim 74, further comprising transmitting environmental condition sensor data from the radio frequency tag utilizing hybrid spread spectrum modulation. 77. The method of claim 76, wherein the radio frequency tag adjusts a setpoint for the environmental condition sensor data to reduce power consumption. 75. The method of claim 74, wherein the radio frequency tag can be switched to a transceiver mode capable of inter-tag communication. 79. The method of claim 78, wherein transceiver mode comprises the radio frequency tag transmitting during a randomly extracted transmission interval and then receiving and buffering. 79. The method of claim 78, wherein the radio frequency tag is switched to the transceiver mode if an alarm condition is enabled. The radio frequency tag is at least one current selected from the group consisting of a photovoltaic cell, a vibration transducer, a charging charger, a radio frequency power rectifier, a thermoelectric generator, and a radioisotope decay energy recovery device. 81. The method of claim 80, comprising a power source including an energy storage device recharged by the source. 75. The method of claim 74, further comprising receiving identification data and location data from the radio frequency tag at a reader. 83. The method of claim 82, wherein the radio frequency tag can be switched to a transceiver mode capable of inter-tag communication. 84. The method of claim 83, wherein transceiver mode comprises the radio frequency tag transmitting during a randomly extracted transmission interval and then receiving and buffering. 84. The method of claim 83, wherein if the radio frequency tag does not receive a response from a reader, the radio frequency tag is switched to inter-tag mode. 84. The method of claim 83, wherein the radio frequency tag is switched to the transceiver mode if an alarm condition is enabled. 75. The method of claim 74, further comprising representing a location of the radio frequency tag using a geographic information system. 75. The method of claim 74, wherein the radio frequency tag includes a sensor. The sensor is characterized by at least one selected from the group consisting of ionizing radiation, chemical components, biological species, acoustic radiation, mechanical vibration, and chemically active radiation. 90. The method of claim 88. 90. The method of claim 88, wherein the sensor is at least one selected from the group consisting of electromagnetic radiation, humidity, temperature, vibration, acceleration, and mechanical interlock. . 94. The method of claim 90, wherein the radio frequency tag adjusts a setpoint for the sensor to reduce power consumption. 75. The method of claim 74, further comprising a sensor connected to the radio frequency tag. The sensor is characterized by at least one selected from the group consisting of ionizing radiation, chemical components, biological species, acoustic radiation, mechanical vibration, and chemically active radiation. 94. The method of claim 92, wherein: 94. The method of claim 92, wherein the sensor is at least one selected from the group consisting of electromagnetic radiation, humidity, temperature, vibration, acceleration, and mechanical interlock. . 94. The method of claim 92, wherein the radio frequency tag adjusts a setpoint for the sensor to reduce power consumption. 94. The method of claim 92, wherein the sensor includes a power source that a tag does not require to transmit identification data and location data. The power source is by at least one current source selected from the group consisting of a photovoltaic cell, a vibration transducer, a charging charger, a radio frequency power rectifier, a thermoelectric generator, and a radioisotope decay energy recovery device. 99. The method of claim 96, comprising an energy storage device that is recharged. The sensor is configured to be wireless by at least one selected from the group consisting of hybrid spread spectrum, direct spread spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing, and infrared. 94. The method of claim 92, wherein the method is wirelessly connected to the frequency tag. Identification data and position data from the radio frequency tag are transmitted in a first frequency band, and the sensor is wirelessly connected to the radio frequency tag in a second frequency band that does not overlap with the first frequency band. 99. The method of claim 98, wherein: Further comprising receiving identification data and location data from the radio frequency tag at a reader and retransmitting the identification data and location data from the reader to a site server that performs data storage and analysis. Item 75. The method according to Item 74. 101. The method of claim 100, further comprising representing the location of the radio frequency tag using a geographic information system. Transmission of identification data and position data from the radio frequency tag is performed within a first frequency band, and retransmission of identification data and position data from the reader to the site server overlaps with the first frequency band. 101. The method of claim 100, wherein the method is performed in a second frequency band that is not. Retransmission of identification data and location data from the reader to the site server is from hybrid spread spectrum, direct spread spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing, and infrared. 101. The method of claim 100, which can include wireless transmission with at least two alternatives selected from a configured group. 101. The method of claim 100, wherein retransmitting identification data and location data from the reader to the site server includes transmission on a power line of the reader. Retransmission of identification data and position data from the reader to the site server is from hybrid spread spectrum, direct spread spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing, and infrared. 105. The method of claim 104, comprising transmission by at least one selected from a configured group. Retransmission of identification and location data from the reader to the site server includes rejecting noise at a frequency selected from the group consisting of about 50 Hz and about 60 Hz, and substantially all their harmonics, 105. The method of claim 104, comprising decentralization. Retransmission of identification data, position data, and environmental condition sensor data from the reader to the site server includes hybrid spread spectrum, direct spread spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing. 101. The method of claim 100, comprising wireless transmission by a scheme and at least one selected from the group consisting of infrared schemes. 108. Wireless transmission with hybrid spread spectrum modulation includes rejection of noise at a frequency selected from the group consisting of about 50 Hz and about 60 Hz, and substantially all their harmonics, and dispersion. The method described in 1. Receiving identification data and position data from the reader of the site server; retransmitting the identification data and position data from the site server to at least one server of a common database for analysis, comparison and tracking; 101. The method of claim 100, further comprising: 110. The method of claim 109, further comprising representing the location of the radio frequency tag using a geographic information system. 110. The method of claim 109, wherein the common database defines a global database. The re-transmission of identification data and position data from the site server to the common database consists of satellites, mobile phones, sound, power lines, telephone lines, coaxial lines, optical fibers, and optical cables. 110. The method of claim 109, which can include transmission by at least two alternatives selected from a group. 110. The method of claim 109, wherein retransmission of identification data, location data, and environmental condition sensor data from the site server to the common database comprises transmission over the Internet. An apparatus comprising a radio frequency tag that transmits both identification data and position data using hybrid spread spectrum modulation. The radio frequency tag is at least one current selected from the group consisting of a photovoltaic cell, a vibration transducer, a charging charger, a radio frequency power rectifier, a thermoelectric generator, and a radioisotope decay energy recovery device. 115. The apparatus of claim 114, comprising a power source including an energy storage device that is recharged by a source. 115. The method of claim 114, wherein the radio frequency tag transmits environmental state data using hybrid spread spectrum modulation. 117. The apparatus of claim 116, wherein the radio frequency tag includes a sensor. The sensor is characterized by at least one selected from the group consisting of ionizing radiation, chemical components, biological species, acoustic radiation, mechanical vibration, and chemically active radiation. 118. The apparatus of claim 117. 118. The apparatus of claim 117, wherein the sensor is at least one selected from the group consisting of electromagnetic radiation, humidity, temperature, vibration, acceleration, and mechanical interlock. . 117. The apparatus of claim 116, further comprising a sensor connected to the radio frequency tag. The sensor is characterized by at least one selected from the group consisting of ionizing radiation, chemical components, biological species, acoustic radiation, mechanical vibration, and chemically active radiation. 121. The apparatus of claim 120. 121. The apparatus of claim 120, wherein the sensor is at least one selected from the group consisting of electromagnetic radiation, humidity, temperature, vibration, acceleration, and mechanical interlock. . 121. The apparatus of claim 120, wherein the sensor includes a power source that a tag does not require to transmit identification data and location data. The power source is by at least one current source selected from the group consisting of a photovoltaic cell, a vibration transducer, a charging charger, a radio frequency power rectifier, a thermoelectric generator, and a radioisotope decay energy recovery device. 124. The device of claim 123, comprising an energy storage device that is recharged. The sensor is configured to be wireless by at least one selected from the group consisting of hybrid spread spectrum, direct spread spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing, and infrared. 121. The apparatus of claim 120, connected wirelessly to a frequency tag. Identification data and position data from the radio frequency tag are transmitted in a first frequency band, and the sensor is wirelessly connected to the radio frequency tag in a second frequency band that does not overlap with the first frequency band. 126. The apparatus of claim 125, wherein: 115. The apparatus of claim 114, wherein the radio frequency tag is connected to a shipping container. 128. The apparatus of claim 127, wherein the radio frequency tag transmits environmental state data using hybrid spread spectrum modulation. 129. The apparatus of claim 128, wherein environmental condition sensor data includes an environmental condition within the shipping container. 128. The apparatus of claim 127, further comprising an antenna connected to the shipping container. 128. The apparatus of claim 127, wherein the shipping container includes a shipping container power source and the radio frequency tag is connectable to the shipping container power source. 132. The apparatus of claim 131, wherein the shipping container includes at least one selected from the group consisting of a dry box and a reefer. A reader connected wirelessly to the radio frequency tag, the reader receiving identification data and position data from the radio frequency tag, and storing and analyzing the identification data and position data from the reader 115. The apparatus of claim 114, further comprising a reader that retransmits to a running site server. Transmission of identification data and position data from the radio frequency tag is performed within a first frequency band, and retransmission of identification data and position data from the reader to the site server overlaps with the first frequency band. 134. The apparatus of claim 133, wherein the apparatus is performed in a second frequency band that is not. Retransmission of identification data and location data from the reader to the site server is from hybrid spread spectrum, direct spread spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing, and infrared. 143. The apparatus of claim 134, which can include wireless transmission with at least two alternatives selected from a configured group. The reader is electrically connected to the site server via a reader power line, and retransmission of identification data, location data, and environmental condition sensor data from the reader to the site server is the read server. 143. The device of claim 133, comprising transmission on the device power line. Retransmission of identification data and location data from the reader to the site server is from hybrid spread spectrum, direct spread spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing, and infrared. 138. The apparatus of claim 136, comprising transmission by at least one selected from the group that is configured. Retransmission of identification and location data from the reader to the site server includes rejecting noise at a frequency selected from the group consisting of about 50 Hz and about 60 Hz, and substantially all their harmonics, 137. The apparatus of claim 136, comprising decentralization. Retransmission of identification data, position data, and environmental condition sensor data from the reader to the site server includes hybrid spread spectrum, direct spread spectrum, frequency hopping, time hopping, time division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing. 134. The apparatus of claim 133, comprising wireless transmission by at least one selected from a group consisting of a scheme and an infrared scheme. 140. Wireless transmission with hybrid spread spectrum modulation includes noise rejection and dispersion at a frequency selected from the group consisting of about 50 Hz and about 60 Hz, and substantially all their harmonics. The device described in 1. A site server wirelessly connected to the reader, wherein the site server receives identification data and location data from the reader and analyzes the identification data, location data, and environmental condition sensor data from the site server 134. The apparatus of claim 133, further comprising a site server that retransmits to at least one server of the common database that performs the comparison and tracking. 142. The apparatus of claim 141, wherein the common database defines a global database. The re-transmission of identification data and position data from the site server to the common database consists of satellites, mobile phones, sound, power lines, telephone lines, coaxial lines, optical fibers, and optical cables. 142. The apparatus of claim 141, comprising transmission by at least two alternatives selected from a group. 142. The apparatus of claim 141, wherein retransmitting identification data, location data, and environmental condition sensor data from the site server to the common database includes transmission over the Internet. 115. A vehicle comprising the device of claim 114. 115. A harbor area network comprising the device of claim 114. 115. A rural area network comprising the apparatus of claim 114. 115. A domestic area network comprising the apparatus of claim 114. 119. A global area network comprising the apparatus of claim 114.

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