Using GPS to Locate Materials March 25, 2004
Companies Participating
• KBR • Trimble Technologies – GPS equipment/ software • Data Scan – wireless network, software • University of Texas – support and reporting – Dr. Carlos Caldas, David Rau, James Lo, Johan Teizer
• FIATECH Smart Chips
Pilot Participants March 15, 2001
KBR, Data-Scan, Trimble, U of Texas, FIATECH
How GPS Works - Trimble • Signal from at least four satellites for a 3D position • One satellite provides a time reference • Distance to three remaining satellites is determined by observing the GPS signal travel time from satellite to receiver • With three known points, and distances to each, we can determine the GPS receiver’s position (trilateration)
GPS Equipment
Backpack version is being used for pilot – handheld version is also available.
GPS Equipment
The Handheld- Items selected from menu. Location on map w/bearing & distance
Material Locating with GPS • Is GPS a practical technology for locating materials in laydown? • Will it improve work process/results? – Reduced time to locate/issue material? – Fewer misplaced/lost materials?
• Other issues- economics, global application
GPS- Pilot Process • Crew identify spools for 1 week issue to craft – Locate spools with traditional methods – Record GPS location for each (don’t flag)
• New crew locates same spools with GPS – Mark for craft pick-up
• Record time and % found w/each method – Compare average times, numbers found – Note other issues • Errors, moved spools…
GPS- Pilot Plan • • • • • •
Suppliers identified (Trimble, Data Scan) Support (UT Austin), approvals (KBR) Plan agreed, report outlined March 15 – preliminary trials at KBR April 6- May 6 – Target for pilot in field June 1 – Target for finished report