Abstract

Radio-frequency identification (RFID)

is an emerging technology, which promises to advance the modern industrial practices in object identification and tracking, asset management and inventory control. This technology is being evaluated and implemented successfully in many manufacturing and distribution environments, retail stores and defense installations.

The scope of RFID is rapidly shifting from tracking objects (present or absent) to monitoring the condition (where and how) of engineering systems. The integration of sensors with RF tags (Smart Sensors) enables RFID technology to gather and process sensor data in addition to identifying and tracking the object. The deeper ramification of such RFID systems for monitoring manufacturing systems remains largely unexplored and untapped.

The focus of the presentation will be to present the results of our in-depth review of the current and emerging technologies and applications based on RFID and Smart sensors for depot support and logistics environments and for machine condition monitoring.

R

adio-

F

requency

ID

entification (

RFID

)

 Radio-Frequency identification (RFID) is generic term for technologies which use RF waves to identify, track or categorize any object  RFID is fast, reliable, and does not require physical sight or contact between reader and the tagged object

RFID System Components



Tags (Transponders)

Attached to the object to be identified, stores information (unique code) about object and sends this information back to reader when receives appropriate frequency signals 

Reader/Interrogator

Reader sends signals of appropriate frequency and facilitates data transfer 

Antenna

Antenna radiates the RF signal to, and receives signal from the transponder 

Interface

This unit interfaces the reader to an intelligent device / controller 

Host/Controller (PC/Laptop)

Computer with suitable software controls RFID readers

How system works?

      Controller activates RFID reader to send RF signals Reader sends the signal of appropriate frequency (LF,HF,UHF,MW) Tag receives and modifies the signal Tag sends modified signals back through tag antenna Reader antenna receives the modified signal and reader decodes it Controller analyzes the results

RFID and Smart Sensors

 Sensors can be integrated with RF tags (Smart Sensors) and sensor data can be communicated using RF waves  This enables RFID systems to gather and process sensor data in addition to identifying and tracking object  Applications: Machine Health Monitoring, Fluid Composition Detection.

Applications in Depot Support Environment

Warehouse Vehicle Inspection Vehicle brought to maintenance shop

Benefits Automatic Operation Time Management Quality Management Poka - Yoke Material Management

Vehicle tag detected by readers mounted in the gates Vehicle history sheet retrieved Shop Vehicle sent to appropriate machines and database updated after each operation Appropriate technician informed as per schedule via mobile communication Material request sent to the warehouse and material retrieved as per history sheet ERP System Operation Sequencing and Scheduling done as per availability of machines

Applications in Logistics

Supplier Site Transit Parts properly tagged at supplier site and inventory database updated

Benefits Real Time Inventory Tracking Eliminating Inventory Shrinkage Cycle time Reduction Information Visibility Delay Reduction

Warehouse Mode of transit tracked at every designated halt by Through satellite communication Parts recognized and database updated at warehouse gate Readers mounted on forklift trace and track the parts out of the warehouse to appropriate shop Parts grouped and stored in the ASRS Request sent to ASRS ERP System

Applications in Monitoring Health of Machines

DEPARTMENT OF MACHINE MAINTENANCE Lubrication & Coolant Tribology Tool Engineering Metrology Benefits Reduction in response time Quality management Reduction of scrap Predictive maintenance MACHINE CONDITION MONITORING DATABASE

Lubricant level Bearing condition Tool wear Table alignment The database sorts data & sends to appropriate department RFID based Smart Sensors send critical information about machine parameters to the central database

Tag Selection Guide

Factors affecting Tag Selection

TAG / TRANSPONDER Application What is application?

Frequency Range LF 125,134 KHz HF 13.56 MHz UHF 902-928 MHz Microwave 2.45 GHz Read Range Short Range Long Range Functionality Passive Active Semi Passive Form Factor Environmental Conditions RF friendly Vicinity of Metals & Liquids Standard Compliance ISO/IEC EPC Gen 1, 2

Reader Selection Guide

Factors affecting Reader Selection

Reader/Interrogator Application What is application?

Frequency Range LF 125,134 KHz HF 13.56 MHz UHF 902-928 MHz Microwave 2.45 GHz Read Range Short Range Long Range Functionality Passive Active Semi Passive Form Factor Environmental Conditions RF friendly Vicinity of Metals & Liquids Standard Compliance ISO/IEC EPC Gen 1, 2

Coupling, field & applications based on frequency

Short Range Applications Powered by EM field Near Field Communication Induction Coupling LF 125-134 KHz HF 13.56 MHz Long Range Applications Powered by Radio-waves Far Field Communication Propagation or Backscatter Coupling UHF 902-928 MHz Micro-Wave 2.45

GHz

Frequency Allocation as per region

Region 3

Japan

13.56 MHz 125 – 134 KHz Region 2

US & Canada, Pacific East of international date line

125 – 134 KHz Region 1 13.56 MHz

Europe, Middle East, Africa, Former Soviet Union

125 – 134 KHz 13.56 MHz LF HF 950-956 MHz 902-928 MHz 868-870 MHz 2.4 – 2.48 GHz 2.4 – 2.48 GHz 2.4 – 2.48 GHz UHF Micro-Wave

Air Interface Protocols standards over frequency range

LF 125-134 KHz HF 13.56

MHz UHF 902-928 MHz Micro-wave 2.45

GHz

Max. Possible Read Range based on frequency range

Typical applications based on frequency range

Micro-Wave 2.45 GHz UHF 902-928 MHz HF 13.56 MHz LF 125-134 KHz

Long Range Applications Applications requiring large data transfer

Automatic Toll Collection Systems Supply Chain Applications

Long Range Systems: Range>1m

Dock Door Reading Asset management in Warehouse Overhead reading Smart Shelves Baggage Tracking

Short Range Systems: up to 1 m Applications in vicinity of metals and liquids

Animal Identification Item Level Tracking – Baggage handling Smart Shelves

Short Range Systems

Electronic Door Locking System Contact less Smart Card System POS applications Typical Applications