System Architecture Overview
This section provides a more detailed understanding of the LEAPS RTLS system and outlines its specific components, which are further elaborated in the following subsections.
LEAPS Ultra-Wideband Subsystem
The following image provides an overview of the main concepts of the LEAPS RTLS system. Further, detailed information about each concept will be provided in subsequent subsections.
The LEAPS RTLS Sub-system
LEAPS UWBS
LEAPS UWBS is a fully-embedded and advanced UWB Sub-System that covers a wide range of use cases. One UWB Sub-System is configurable in different modes and profiles. The UWBS can run as an Anchor, a Tag or a Gateway. The networking profiles are fully scalable with high capacity and low power.
Versatility makes it easy to balance the system requirements, costs, deployment time and maintenance complexity. Applications range from simple distance proximity to high-speed tracking or navigation of unlimited receivers.
It integrates a sophisticated UWBMAC that allows adaptive clustering of the infrastructure devices, air-time reuse, slot allocation, etc. A scalable, proven collision detection, collision avoidance, and collision resolution allow the system to function robustly in complex environments.
Supported measurement techniques include TWR, DL-TDoA and UL-TDoA. Integrated location engines allow the device to operate independently in the navigation mode using DL-TDoA or TWR.
Superior power management provides a long battery lifetime for TWR and TDoA modes.
LEAPS API
The LEAPS RTLS software stack provides a range of advanced and open APIs that allow easy configuration of the device to suit custom applications. It provides users with flexibility to tailor the system to their specific needs.
It utilizes the binary Type-Length-Value (TLV) frame format, making it easier for external devices via UART, USB, SPI and BLE interfaces. When data centralization is used, the communication via MQTT using JSON is available for the high-level applications.
A command line is supported through the UART, USB and BLE interfaces with more user-friendly and readable text.
LEAPS Manager
LEAPS Manager is an Android application that provides device discovery, device configuration, network configuration, network management and location visualization.
The Demo Wizard allows an easy and super fast way to configure predefined demo setups of the kit.
The Grid in 2D and 3D provides real-time position updates and visualization of the devices in the network.
The communication with the devices is done via the BLE with support for up to 6 concurrent connections to maintain connection reliability.
When data centralization is used, communication with the LEAPS Server via MQTT is available, allowing management and visualization of the devices for the whole network.
Other useful features include User Management, Firmware Update over BLE, Anchors Auto-Positioning, Position Logging and Debug Console.
LEAPS Gateway
LEAPS Gateway serves as a bridge between the UWB and the TCP/IP networks.
The LEAPS Gateway communicates on one side with the LEAPS UWBS via the generic LEAPS API, SPI or USB, and on the other side with the LEAPS Server via the TCP/IP.
Depending on the LEAPS UWB networking profile, it provides a medium for transferring uplink and downlink location and telemetry data of the Anchors and Tags to and from the MQTT Broker.
The interconnection with the UWBS is done via the SPI on a dedicated LEAPS Gateway embedded device. When the interconnection with the LEAPS UWBS is done via the USB, like in the case of the UDK1 devices, LEAPS Gateway runs on a Linux platform as a daemon service.
LEAPS Server
LEAPS Server is a central data hub for the UWB network. It interconnects all the LEAPS Gateway devices with the world via a MQTT Broker.
It functions as an uplink data concentrator, downlink data router, data processor, location engine, device management, device access control and quality of service.
It communicates with the world via the connectors. Currently, the supported connector is MQTT, which includes support for AWS.
The LEAPS Server runs as a daemon service on the Linux platform.
MQTT Broker
An MQTT broker is a server that receives all messages from the clients and then routes the messages to the appropriate destination clients. An MQTT client is any device (from a microcontroller up to a fully-fledged server) running an MQTT library and connecting to an MQTT broker over a network.
LEAPS Center
LEAPS Center is a web application that provides device management, network management and visualization of location and telemetry data for the whole network.
The Grid in 2D and 3D provides real-time position updates and visualization of the devices in the network.
Other useful features include User Management, Zone Management, Zone History, Floorplan Management, Position History and Position Heatmap.
The LEAPS Center interconnects with the LEAPS Server via the MQTT Broker. It runs as a service on Linux and Windows platforms.