RFID for Logistics Elaine Cooney IUPUI

BENTONVILLE, AR. – May 1, 2007 – Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., (NYSE: WMT) continues to expand its RFID capability to additional facilities, enabling an additional 400 Wal-Mart stores by the end of this fiscal year, Wal-Mart Executive Vice President and CIO Rollin Ford said in a speech Monday. At the RFID Journal Live conference in Orlando, Fla., Ford also discussed the technology’s current and future benefits to both business and consumers including broad benefits for improving sustainability. Wal-Mart press release Wal-Mart Mandate

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From RFID Journal, January, 2007 German Meat-Tracking Project Focuses on Lasers and RFID A few months ago, Germans were horrified when government authorities announced they had uncovered 110 tons of rotten meat at several wholesale warehouses in Bavaria.... However, an RFID project funded by the federal government in Germany may help eliminate future abuses of this kind. Not long before the news erupted, five research institutes launched a project to develop an RFID-based system using laser beams to recognize and record meat freshness.

Animal ID

RFID Basics

Interrogator creates RF signal

RFID Basics Interrogator creates RF signal Antenna propagates RF signal

RFID Basics Interrogator creates RF signal Antenna propagates RF signal Tag receives RF signal power and uses it to power IC

RFID Basics Interrogator creates RF signal Antenna propagates RF signal Tag receives RF signal power and uses it to power IC Tag sends RF signal back to Interrogator

RFID Basics Interrogator creates RF signal Antenna propagates RF signal Tag receives RF signal power and uses it to power IC Tag sends RF signal back to Interrogator Interrogator sorts/ stores tag response

RFID Basics Interrogator Antennae Interrogator is connected to Network, PLC, or computer

Interrogators (a.k.a. “Readers”) Largest hardware expense Variety of Vendors: –Alien Technologies –Intermec –Motorola (recently acquired Symbol) –and others...

Interrogators (cont) Transmitter (sends signals to tags) and Receiver (signals from tags) are both included Frequency range must agree with tags! Meets FCC part 15 regulations (Hardware should not be modified by user!) Includes processor to interface with user or network

Interrogators (cont) Fixed Vehicle mounted Handheld

Interrogators (cont) Must interface to network/computer/PLC (cable or wireless) Firmware must be updated Application code must be written (Large part of your time spent here)

Antennas Purchase with interrogators Purchase cables too!!! (length is matched to optimize power transfer) Configuring/mounting/aiming antennas is necessary to determine “interrogation zone” (Even more time spent here)

Circular Polarized Antenna Most common because tag orientation is not as important Two active elements, mounted at 90° angle, are fed in turns so that field “rotates” – eliminates polarization

Circular Polarized Antenna Most common because tag orientation is not as important Two active elements, mounted at 90° angle, are fed in turns so that field “rotates” – eliminates polarization

Antennas Mounted in Portal

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Tags Most common, most visible component Cheap (relatively) 20¢ to 40¢ per tag inlay (more when attached to label) for passive UHF

Tags

Passive Tags Get power from interrogator signal Applications include: –EPC Global tags used by Wal-Mart, other retailers –Smart cards –Subway passes

“Gen 2” Class 1 Generation 2 UHF Air Interface Protocol Standard Protocol for Communications at 860 MHz – 960 MHz Adopted in 2005 Allows tags from one vendor to be read by interrogators from another

Active Tags Have their own battery Applications include: –“Child finder” at amusement park –Monitoring temperature, humidity, etc. –Combined with GPS, can track assets globally Compared to passive tags: –Read range is much larger –Size is larger –Cost is greater

Software Firmware (installed in interrogators) Middleware Enterprise software (existing?!)

Middleware Software necessary to connect data from interrogator to enterprise software. Typically custom solution

Networking Must consider increased traffic due to RFID data Additional bandwidth, hardware may be needed

Supply Chain

“Improving Agribusiness Supply Chain Efficiency”

RFID Project Lifecycle Define Trial (little) Evaluate Pilot (Medium) Deploy (BIG) Maintain Planning and implementation are key!!

Site Survey Locate existing sources of RF Locate potential sources of interference Also a good time to look at physical facilities.

RFID System Selection Must consider: Frequency of operation (environmental considerations) Regulations (FCC, other countries?) Compatibility (existing systems, suppliers & customers) Interrogator type (fixed, handheld,...)

Physical Arrangements Antenna locations for best interrogation zone Antenna installation for safe and reliable operation Tag placement for optimal reading Tag placement may determine antenna location, or visa versa

Return on Investment Strategic Benefits: Reducing counterfeiting Measuring diversion (or rechanneling) Transforming business models & methods

“Slap and Ship” Solution

Supply Chain

Return on Investment Quantifiable Benefits: Time savings Reduced costs on expired returns Reduce “shrinkage”

Asset Tracking

AXCESS International Inc.

Access Control

Future?? RFID will replace barcodes. RFID will get easier. Leverage your RFID investment for ROI: don’t just meet the mandate, use it for strategic advantage.

Elaine Cooney Engineering Technology Department IUPUI (317)