Real-Time Location Service

What Does Real-Time Location Service Mean?

Real-time location service (RTLS) is a service that uses electronic systems to locate people or things by means of small electronic devices installed on, implanted in or carried by people or objects. This is done in an attempt to determine the real-time identity and/or location of a person or object, either continually or when the tracking device is interrogated.

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Techopedia Explains Real-Time Location Service

The most frequent uses of RTLS are in health care, manufacturing, postal/courier services, the military and research and development.

RTLS software applications include:

    • Tracking fleets of trucks and other vehicles
    • Complex navigation services
    • Tracking assets and inventory throughout large organizations
    • Personnel tracking, both on-site and in the field
    • Assuring network security by only allowing network connection by users within specific geographical boundaries

    Location software monitors tracking devices using radio-frequency fingerprinting. The process detects radio frequency reflection, attenuation and multipath, while monitoring the signal strength of wireless devices. This is done because of how radio waves interact with the environment, including propagation through building materials, walls, doors and furniture.

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    Margaret Rouse

    Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…