The Ubisense Presence Sensor is a rugged reader designed (when connected to a suitable external antenna, not supplied) to detect identification ‘chirps’ from Ubisense location tracking tags, allowing users to identify the presence of nearby tags.

The Ubisense Presence Sensor operates within an Ethernet environment, using standard network infrastructure, such as Ethernet switches, Wi-Fi access points and Cat5e structured network cabling for communication between the Presence Sensor and servers. Presence Sensors are powered over the network cabling using Power-over-Ethernet switches.

Presence detection

The Ubisense Presence Sensor receives identification ‘chirp’ transmissions from Ubisense location tags. Any Ubisense tag can be programmed to transmit chirp signals, at a fixed rate or at a variable rate (depending on tag movement). Reception of a chirp signal from a tag by a Presence Sensor means that the tag must be near to the reader, generating presence information for the tag at low infrastructure cost.

Software-adjustable thresholds

The sensitivity of the Ubisense Presence Sensor can be varied in software, allowing control of the range of the reader. At maximum sensitivity, tags can be detected at more than 50 meters when an omnidirectional antenna is used with the unit, whilst if sensitivity is reduced, the presence of a tag within a limited range of the Presence Sensor can be determined. Of course, more directional antennas can be used to extend the maximum detection range.

Antenna connectivity

The Ubisense Presence Sensor can be combined with different antenna types to facilitate different radio coverage requirements, including omnidirectional antennas for broad coverage around the Presence Sensor, or directional antennas for more focused coverage in a particular direction. Antennas can be connected directly to the Presence Sensor, or extended up to 30m from the device via a coaxial cable link.

Full integration with the Ubisense Location Platform

The Ubisense Presence Sensor connects automatically to the Ubisense Location Platform, making the data gathered by the Presence Sensor available to any application running on that platform, anywhere on the network. Furthermore, the standard Ubisense system configuration tools can be used to set up the Presence Sensor and configure how its readings are translated into location information.