The Radio Frequency-In Transit Visibility (RF-ITV) Infrastructure is the worldwide network of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) read and write stations and associated computers, servers, software, and communications capabilities used for tracking of RFID tagged shipments in the US military supply chain. RFID sensor stations are typically found at supply and transportation nodes such as depots, terminals, ports, supply support activities, and even some manufacturing facilities. The RFID sensor stations collect RF-ITV data and forward it automatically to regional ITV servers. You can then log into this Web site and track one or more shipments.

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After logging into the RF-ITV Tracking Portal, try our Getting Started page accessible via the "Getting Started" link located in the footer.

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Users can log into the RF-ITV Tracking Portal using their CAC card and PIN. The initial login will prompt the user to enter their account profile information and to download, complete, and submit a 2875 form to the Global Army ITV/TC AIMS Service Desk. Once the account is enabled by the Service Desk, subsequent log-ins will take the user directly to the Tracking Portal home page.

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In the RF-ITV system the words Site and Location have special meaning:

Site -- represents the particular geographic point where an RFID sensor device is located. The hardware involved at a site is called an RFID Reader or Interrogator or a Tag Docking Station. These following names are either text or an ID that represent sites: Site Name, Interrogator ID, Interrogator Name, Interrogator Description, FDU (Field Data Unit), Read Station, Write Station. An example of a site name (or interrogator name) is "BRAGGR3". Note: Within the TIPS Read and TIPS Write software the terms "Device Name" and "Device Description" (a geographic description of what Device Name is) are used.

Location -- a geographic collection (or grouping) of Sites. Most of the time a Location is a military base, a port name, etc. An example of a name for a Location is "BRAGG". Note: Within the TIPS Read and TIPS Write software the term "Site/Post Location" is used.

For both of these terms, see the RF Device Registration Naming Convention document to use for registering FDUs.

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The RF Device Registration Naming Convention document contains all the instructions and information you need to name the devices appropriately. If you have any questions about the standards, the Global Army ITV/TC AIMS Service Desk will gladly answer them.

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First, you should download Google Earth. The toolbar menu "Tools and Support" contains the links to download Google Earth Web Plug-in and Google Earth Client. Once you download the application, you are able to launch many of the shipment tracks in Google Earth. Look for Google Earth icons next to shipments. If you see one, then you are able to view the shipment track in Google Earth.

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After logging into the RF-ITV Tracking Portal, see "Google Earth Downloads" for the explanation. It can be accessed via the menu bar by selecting "Tools and Support > Tools > Google Earth Downloads".

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To return to the Home Page or Login Page, click on the top banner (RF-ITV Tracking Portal section).

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To download the latest version of TIPS, you must contact the Global Army ITV/TC AIMS Service Desk for the web address (url). Click here to get the Global Army ITV/TC AIMS Service Desk contact info.

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All batteries depend on a chemical reaction to push electrons; most of these chemical reactions happen faster and freer at warm temperatures (perhaps between 60F and 100F) so a really cold battery cannot keep up with demand because electrons are moving much slower. Cold enough and it won't work at all. Usually it will be fine when thawed again.

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An "AA" battery distributes 1.6 volts while a RFID tag battery distributes 3.6 volts or more. That's twice the power.

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The new battery provides more battery mass and prevents pilferage.

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The vendor-specified shelf life of the battery is five years. When in use, it is estimated to last three years (at two reads per day or approximately 1500 total pings).

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When interrogating the tag, the interrogator measures the signal strength received from the tag. If that strength falls below a certain threshold the interrogator assumes the tag may have a low battery. Unless the readings are consistently low this is probably not the case. Environmental and physical factors at that particular site are most likely degrading the signal strength causing the interrogator to "assume" the tag has a low power battery.

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During the ISO migration of RFID tags, it is important to keep tags in the distribution pipeline in order to provide uninterrupted support to the Warfighter. Since the 400-series tags will still be usable for quite some time, return any unneeded or excess 400-series or 600-series tags to your Unit Movement Officer (UMO), Supply Support Activity (SSA), or return them to the following address:

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Contact the COR on the LIS website listed under the Contracts link.

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Contact the Global Army ITV/TC AIMS Service Desk to speak to a live person.

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