RFID in the postal logistics Ing. Radovan Madleňák, PhD. doc. Ing. Juraj Vaculík, PhD. University of Žilina Department of Communications

Introduction In the transportation and logistics industries, RFID is found in a wide array of applications, as more companies begin conducting new pilots and implementations. Even applications within the same market may differ drastically from one another. This presentation focuses on the use of RFID in the area postal services.

What is it RFID ? Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a generic term that is used to describe a system that transmits the identity (in the form of a unique serial number) of an object or person wirelessly, using radio waves

Types of RFID RFID systems consist of three components in two combinations: a transceiver (transmitter/receiver) and antenna are usually combined as an RFID reader. A transponder (transmitter/responder) and antenna are combined to make an RFID tag. An RFID tag is read when the reader emits a radio signal that activates the transponder, which sends data back to the transceiver. There are two types of transponders, which correlate to the two major types of RFID tags: Passive transponders and RFID tags have no energy source of their own, relying on the energy given off by the reader for the power to respond. Cheaper, passive RFID tags are the most likely to be used for consumer goods. An active transponder or tag has an internal power source, which it uses to generate a signal in response to a reader.

Concept of RFID A transponder (a microchip with an antenna) is a placed on an item and then a reader (a device with one or more antennas) is used to read data off of the microchip using radio waves. The reader passes the information to a computer, so that the data can be used to create business value.

Structure of RFID trasponder Printable face-stock Adhesive RFID inlay (chip + antenna) Liner Antenna Major driver of read performance Determines how well an RFID label works with a certain product Chip Contains data

Postal market and RFID The potential market for RFID in the postal and courier service is second only to that for the retail supply chain

Postal RFID application model Postal RFID application model was proposed for the adoption of RFID technology in postal logistics environments The main environments are: Mail Office Mail Collection & Distribution Center Delivery Office Monitoring Center

RFID application model for postal logistics B A C D

Mail Office environment A mail office that can conduct parcel registration through issuing an RFID tag and label printing sends parcel issue data such as a postal code and address automatically using an RFID reader with an Internet connection to a postal logistics system via a local server. The mail office also receives mail trace data such as parcel processing and delivery data from a local server after the registered parcel has moved to the mail center.

Mail Collection & Distribution Center A mail center that can conduct RFID tag recognition at docks and has a sorting machine for the auto-sorting, sending, and arrival processing of parcels and pallets sends RFID tag recognition data of the parcels and pallets, such as mail center code and parcel processing data, automatically using an RFID reader with an Internet connection to a postal logistics system via a local server. The mail center also receives mail trace data such as parcel processing and delivery data from the local server after the parcels and pallets have moved to the delivery office.

Delivery Office environment A delivery office that can conduct RFID tag recognition for the delivery of parcels and a tag data reset for the reuse preparation of parcel and pallet tags sends RFID tag recognition data of the parcels and pallets, such as delivery office code, delivery person’s ID, and delivery data automatically using a hand-held RFID reader with wireless LAN and CDMA connection to a postal logistics system via a local server. The delivery office also receives processing data such as parcel registration and sorting data from the local server after the sorted parcels have moved to the delivery office.

Monitoring Center environment The monitoring center can do a real-time trace and tracking of parcel processing and pallet management via a local server and postal logistics system. The monitoring center can also check how many parcels are registered in real time, how many pallets with parcels have moved among mail centers, and how many empty pallets are stored in each mail center. This is also important for the effective use of parcel and pallet management, customer service parcel upgrades, and for knowing which mail center has a problem with parcel processing and pallet management.

Example of RFID using in the postal logistics Receive Pallet & Parcels by Truck Post Office 1 Mail Center 2 Send Pallets & Boxes with Registered Mails& Parcels by Truck Delivery Office 3 Local Server & Platform Pallet Tag Issuer Sort of the Registered Mails, and Takeover Boxes & Pallets Parcel Auto-Sort System, And Takeover of the sorted Parcels & Pallets Receive Pallets Parcels to be deliveried with RFID PDA Link Pallet & Parcel, & Takeover Send Pallet Tag Issue & Label Print for Parcel Real Time Monitoring of Parcels & Pallet on Center

Examples of RFID devices used in postal logistic systems

Future of RFID in postal logistics The global market for RFID systems, including tags, in this sector will grow extremely rapidly to be $3 billion Demand may be much larger if current efforts to tag individual items gain widespread acceptance. In due course, over one trillion postal items will be tagged yearly, making this the second largest application of RFID in the world after the retail supply chain.

Referencies Peter Harrop: RFID in the Postal and Courier service Jeong-Hyun Park, Jong-Heung Park: Postal RFID Application Model and Performance Juraj Vaculík: RFID in postal services Libor Švadlenka: RFID in Postal and Courier Services Radovan Madleňák: Optimal model design of postal items processing technology Lucia Madleňáková: Improving of the quality of postal services by the monitoring transit time