Analysis of the applicability of RFID & wireless sensors to manufacturing and distribution lines trough a testing multi-platform

Abstract

The increasing number of product references involved in production and distribution lines, implies an added complexity for the management and control systems of companies. Moreover, customers are increasingly in favour of the use of new technology when placing their orders, such as on-line booking and purchasing, and their requirements are increasingly greater. Customers, as well as companies, are demanding updated information on the condition and location of their ordered products during fabrication and transportation phases. This paper proposes an analysis of the applicability of accessing information in real-time related to a product's condition along the manufacturing and supply chain, by means of the integration of RFID systems with sensors and wireless networks. To achieve this purpose a multi-service controller board has been designed into which specific operation modules are plugged. The modules are active or passive RFID readers, modules with sensors or actuators, or modules for data storage. Furthermore, some other communication modules have also been developed offering WLAN, ZigBee or GPRS networks. Using these solutions, companies will have a more reliable and faster access to information in different areas of manufacturing and logistics. Their ease of implantation and reliability makes the use of the systems analysed here, an ideal solution for companies who wish to monitor over their manufacturing and distribution lines more easily. In addition, when all this technology works together, new functions and applications appear with interesting results for the different case studies.

Monitorización de la Condición Física de Personas en Espacios Confinados Mediante Etiquetas RFID con Sensores y Redes Inalámbricas Eficientes

“…En el sistema diseñado conviven RFID y WSN, de forma que la información se recoge a través de lectores y etiquetas activas y estos son además nodos de una red a gran escala como ocurría en (G. -Escribano, García, et al, 2009). El sistema propuesto en (G. -Escribano, García, et al, 2008) fue depurado y rediseñado teniendo en cuenta las exigencias que se tenían en la aplicación de la manipulación de los recursos de un aeropuerto y se conectó a una herramienta de visualización en (García, De las Morenas, et al, 2010).…”

Localizing with Passive UHF RFID Tags Using Wideband Signals

“…Due to constantly falling prices of UHF RFID tags [6] additional applications arose beside the traditional concept of radio frequency identification (RFID). Major applications include supply chain technologies [7] and logistics [8], from container level tagging even down to item level tagging [9]. Regarding the Internet of Things [10], UHF RFID has some advantages over other RFID technologies, i.e., LF and HF: UHF RFID tags are small, do not require a battery, allow high data rates and high reading ranges, whereas LF and HF cannot serve with these issues at the same time [10].…”

Analysis and Design of a Long Range PTFE Substrate UHF RFID Tag for Cargo Container Identification

“…Many identification systems for transportation and distribution networks were proposed in the last years, combining RFID technology with GPS (global positioning system), IoT (internet of things) and other systems for an efficient and accurate localization and inventory process [5][6][7][8][9].…”