Special Science Report

February 5, 2008

Arthur Guest


Project:
MDRS Smart Small Logistics Container Research Project


Personnel:
Arthur Guest & Phillip Cunio (off-site)


Operations Data Collected:
RFID tags were attached to 12 items that are to be placed in the
container. This process was completed by placing each item in an
appropriately sized Zip-lock bag and attaching the RFID tag to the
Zip-lock bag. Some tags were stuck directly to the bags using their
adhesive backing while others were placed between 1 cm of foam on
either side before being attached to the bags.
Once the items were tagged, the database for the RAILS software was
updated via the Internet. Each item was named and classified by its
relevant supply class. This process was difficult due to the Internet
difficulties experienced at the Hab.


Technical/Equipment Issues:
The main issue today was the lack of a stable internet connection. Data
could be accessed but only with difficult and a large time delay. The
process of entering items into the central database was extremely time
consuming due to these issues. This delay has postponed the operational
status of this project until tomorrow.


Discussion:
Additional RFID tags arrived today, but with the slow internet
connection, it appears that using them is not the best course of action
at the moment. Tomorrow will be used to begin the operational phase of
this project after some thought has been put into creating a revised
operational plan.
For operation, the main cache of supplies will not be kept in the
container and tagged, but instead stored separately out of crew
circulation. Several instances of each item will be kept in the
container and as the crew needs the item, it will be removed from the
case by the crew (which will be updated on the server). The Zip lok bag
will then be refilled and put back into the container. therefore, each
instance of an item disappearing from the case can be thought of as a
usage and each new apparition of an item can be thought of as a
replenishment from the central cache.
The only exception to this is during testing periods when I will take
items into and out of the box and when the system fails to register an
item which I will track.

The status of the items and the Smart Small Logistics Container can be
seen by following the directions below.
1. Enter the URL :
http://projects.payload.com:4500/RailsV2/faces/index.xhtml
2. Click on the “Facilities” button near the top of the page.
3. Click on the “Browse” button to bring up the list of facilities
(including containers) on the left of the page.
4. Click on “MDRS Smart Small Logistics Container” and a picture
and some information of the container should appear in the middle of
the page as well as a list of items currently in the container at the
bottom of the page.
5. Click on any item listed to bring up information about that
item.
6. Click on the “Location History” tab to view when the item was
placed into and taken out of the container.


Questions for RST:
None at this time