Cullen College of Engineering RFID-Based Solutions for Piping Technology Piping Tech & UH July, 2007

Cullen College of Engineering RFID Technology System Overview Project Focuses –Inventory Tagging –On Site Tracking Conclusion Appendix Agenda

Cullen College of Engineering Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) uses a semiconductor in a tag or label to store data. Data is transmitted from, or written to the tag or label when it is exposed to radio waves of the correct frequency and with the correct communications protocols. RFID Technology

Cullen College of Engineering RF Principle and Components RFID Technology Key Components : Tag Reader Information System Reader/ Antenna Tag Data Energy Passive RFID System

Cullen College of Engineering RFID Tag: An electronic circuit that transmits data to the reader when an appropriate signal is received. RFID Technology Chip Antenna Packaging

Cullen College of Engineering RFID Reader: A device that triggers a response from a transponder, and extract the data from the RFID tags. RFID Technology RFID Reader from Symbol Technologies

Cullen College of Engineering Fixed and Portable RFID Readers RFID Technology Fixed Reader: installed at permanent location with antenna Portable Readers: communicate data to central computer with wireless Comm.

Cullen College of Engineering Information System : Link the Physical Hardware (RFID tags and readers) to the Business Applications Business ApplicationInformation SystemPhysical Layer RFID Technology

Cullen College of Engineering RFID System Architecture RFID Technology Business Applications RFID Computer Server RFID Tags RFID Readers

Cullen College of Engineering Solutions Overview Functional Requirements –Tracking Inventory on Pallets Capture Accurate Inventory Information Integrate with Supply Chain –On-Site Info of Installed Piping Work in Harsh environment Able to gather info up to 20 meters Capable of Maintaining Key Information Maintenance Records

Cullen College of Engineering Project Plan- Tasks

Cullen College of Engineering Project Chart

Cullen College of Engineering Acquire all RFID tagged items on 4’ x 8’ pallet Verification of shipped vs. ordered items Validation of individual RFID tagged items in the field (e.g. Power Plant) Others (inventory, BOM, maintenance, …) Business Environment

Cullen College of Engineering RFID-based Network System System Overview RFID Passive Tags on Pallets Fixed RFID Reader Local Computers Remote Host Server Landline Network Connection Wireless Portable RFID Reader RFID Passive Tags on Case Folder

Cullen College of Engineering Costs Metallic Interferences Tracking distance Harsh Environment (Power Plant) Environmental factors (weather, cold & heat, rain, …) Opportunities Factors

Cullen College of Engineering Readily Readable Readily Accurate Information Can read from a distance lower labor/accident cost System Benefits

Cullen College of Engineering System Diagram

Cullen College of Engineering Business Solution

Cullen College of Engineering Order- Job Quote Layout

Cullen College of Engineering Engineering P.O. is received from customer along with job specifications Items and part are determined by engineers and put into Job Quote –Each part has an assigned tag number –Each part includes all information and specifications for that part A bill of materials and other forms necessary for production are printed out from JQ and sent to shop Manufacturing Using information provided by engineering parts are produced and sent to shipping/QC Quality Control Complete job is laid out on the floor and QC inspects each item to co firm that it is built as per specifications –Inspector checks against Job Quote information and drawings that were provided with job Inspector approves job is to set specifications and approves items for shipment Shipping Job parts are placed on pallets then wrapped to ready for shipment Pallets are placed in transport and shipped to job site Piping Business Process

Cullen College of Engineering Passive RFID tag Item Tracking

Cullen College of Engineering Fast Tracking

Cullen College of Engineering Passive RFID tag Pallet Inventory

Cullen College of Engineering Active RFID tag On-Site Monitoring- QA

Cullen College of Engineering RFID and Sensor Hardware RFID and Sensor Software System Development Platform and Programming Language System Component and Functions Development & Program

Cullen College of Engineering Worked well with tag prepared with foam backing Read all tags on pallet Active tag works well in factory setting Able to store and recollect data Field Test Results

Cullen College of Engineering I-Links™ ™ Structure I-Links™ allows seamless integration between existing business infrastructures and RFID hardware and software applications I-Links™ serves as the interrogation and collection agent interface (see graph) I-Links™ makes RFID accessible to everyone. By simplifying the process users can make better use of RFID technology w/o a deep understanding of RF technology or systems Graph 1. I-Links™ integration with Enterprise systems and RFID infrastructure Note: Information on I-Links™ extracted from Identec Solutions I-Links™ brochure and manual.

Cullen College of Engineering I-Links™ Structure Note: Information on I-Links™ extracted from Identec Solutions I-Links™ brochure and manual. I-Links™ is structured in four layers: –Agent Layer: Agent runs on reader for data collection –Interpretation: Allows visual confirmation and delivers data to server –Data Storage: Raw Data is delivered and stored in databases for posterior analysis. –Business Intelligence: Real time data is interpreted by users. Graph 2. I-Links™ four layers

Cullen College of Engineering Recommendations Infrastructure: I-Links™ is a very powerful application. All the necessary infrastructure must be in place for it to run properly. A dedicated server and database must be in place for it to be fully utilized. Setup: Due to the proprietary nature of the application, it is recommended Identec consults on the setup and customization of the software to prevent errors and under-utilization Customization: I-Links™ is designed to be integrated into the business applications. Because of this, knowledge of the end result and goals must be clearly defined to customize the application to the existing infrastructure.

Cullen College of Engineering Video Test Result of Inventory Tracking Video 1