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.
Radio-Frequency IDentification (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 brought
to maintenance
shop
Benefits
Automatic
Operation
Vehicle tag
detected by
readers
mounted in
the gates
Vehicle history
sheet retrieved
Vehicle Inspection
Material request
sent to the
warehouse and
material retrieved
as per history
sheet
ERP System
Shop
Time
Management
Quality
Management
Poka - Yoke
Material
Management
Vehicle sent to
appropriate
machines and
database updated
after each
operation
Appropriate
technician informed
as per schedule via
mobile
communication
Operation
Sequencing and
Scheduling done
as per availability
of machines
Applications in Logistics
Supplier Site
Parts properly tagged
at supplier site and
inventory database
updated
Transit
Mode of transit tracked
at every designated halt
by Through satellite
communication
Warehouse
Parts recognized and
database updated at
warehouse gate
Benefits
Real Time Inventory
Tracking
Parts grouped and stored
in the ASRS
Eliminating
Inventory Shrinkage
Request sent to ASRS
Cycle time
Reduction
Information
Visibility
Delay Reduction
Readers mounted on
forklift trace and track
the parts out of the
warehouse to
appropriate shop
ERP System
Applications in Monitoring Health of Machines
DEPARTMENT OF MACHINE MAINTENANCE
Lubrication
& Coolant
Benefits
Reduction in
response time
Tribology
Tool
Engineering
Metrology
MACHINE CONDITION MONITORING DATABASE
Lubricant level
Bearing condition
Tool wear
Table alignment
Quality
management
Reduction of
scrap
Predictive
maintenance
RFID based Smart Sensors send critical information
about machine parameters to the central database
The database
sorts data &
sends to
appropriate
department
Tag Selection Guide
Factors affecting Tag Selection
TAG / TRANSPONDER
Application
Read Range
What is
application?
Short Range
Form Factor
Standard
Compliance
ISO/IEC
Long Range
EPC Gen 1, 2
Frequency
Range
LF 125,134 KHz
HF 13.56 MHz
UHF 902-928
MHz
Microwave
2.45 GHz
Functionality
Passive
Active
Semi Passive
Environmental
Conditions
RF friendly
Vicinity of Metals
& Liquids
Reader Selection Guide
Factors affecting Reader Selection
Reader/Interrogator
Application
Read Range
What is
application?
Short Range
Form Factor
Standard
Compliance
ISO/IEC
Long Range
EPC Gen 1, 2
Frequency
Range
LF 125,134 KHz
HF 13.56 MHz
UHF 902-928
MHz
Microwave
2.45 GHz
Functionality
Passive
Active
Semi Passive
Environmental
Conditions
RF friendly
Vicinity of Metals
& Liquids
Coupling, Field & Application
Coupling, field & applications based on frequency
Short Range
Applications
Long Range
Applications
Powered by EM field
Powered by Radio-waves
Near Field
Communication
Far Field
Communication
Induction Coupling
LF
125-134
KHz
Propagation or Backscatter
Coupling
HF
UHF
13.56
MHz
902-928
MHz
Micro-Wave
2.45
GHz
Frequency Allocation as per region
Region 3
2.4 – 2.48 GHz
Japan
950-956 MHz
Geographical Regions
13.56 MHz
125 – 134 KHz
2.4 – 2.48 GHz
Region 2
US & Canada,
Pacific East of
international
date line
902-928 MHz
13.56 MHz
125 – 134 KHz
2.4 – 2.48 GHz
Region 1
868-870 MHz
Europe, Middle
East, Africa,
Former Soviet 125 – 134 KHz
Union
LF
13.56 MHz
HF
UHF
Micro-Wave
ISO/IEC 18000-6
LF
HF
UHF
125-134
13.56
902-928
2.45
KHz
MHz
MHz
GHz
EPC Gen 1
ISO/IEC 18000-4
EPC Gen 1, Gen 2
ISO/IEC 18000-3
ISO/IEC 18000-2
Air Interface Protocol
Air Interface Protocols standards over frequency range
Micro-wave
Max. Possible Read Range based on frequency range
Typical applications based on frequency range
Micro-Wave
2.45 GHz
Long Range Applications
Applications requiring large data transfer
Automatic Toll Collection Systems
Supply Chain Applications
UHF
Frequency Range
902-928 MHz
HF
13.56 MHz
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
LF
125-134 KHz
Short Range Systems
Electronic Door Locking System
Contact less Smart Card System
POS applications
Typical Applications