WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT WITH RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION DEVICE

WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT WITH RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION DEVICE

Anirudh Tandon
Student , B.TECH. IV year Department of Electronics & Communication Engineering , SRMCEM , Lucknow-227105 (U.P. Technical University , Lucknow) ani_bourne87@yahoo.com Abstract
The Radio frequency identification device (RFID) is the latest ,more secure and fastest technology in warehouse management. There has a considerable amount of reduction in transaction costs and decrease in stock shortage with the use of RFID. Most RFID networks include a wide range of automation technologies . These technologies are RFID tags , RFID readers, RFID smart sensors , RFID controllers .This paper also stresses on the need for synchronization between the readers in denser environments to avoid serious reader collisions. Index Terms: RFID , Automation , Warehouse , Synchronization .

1. Introduction
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a technology to realize no contact information transmission by the application to radio frequency signal and space coupling (alternating magnetic field or electromagnetic field) and identify with the information transmitted. As a promising technology, RFID products have been playing important roles inn materials circulation and supplychain management, anti-counterfeit and safety control, traffic management and control and production management and control and have improved the efficiency of management and commercial value of industries such as service,manufacture, commercial distribution, transportation, military, postal service and tobacco. It is predicted that RFID technology will be an important technology that changes peoples life in the 21st century.

2. Working Principle of RFID

2.1. The basic structure of RFID system A whole set of RFID system is composed of four parts, which are, Reader, Tag (also known as responder), Antenna and Application Software System. The basic structure of RFID is shown as C h a r t 1.Its working principle is as such: Reader transmits radio wave energy of a certain frequency to the receiver so as to the receiver circuit could sent forth the data inside and the Reader then receives and read the data in sequence and finally sent to the application program for corresponding processing. (1) Tag Tag is the real carrier of RFID system. Generally speaking, a tag is made up of a tag antenna and a special tag chip. Each tag has one single electronic code to be attached on the target object of a substance. Tag functions as barcode symbol of the bar code technology and is used for the memory of information needs identifying and transmitting. According to the difference between the power supply modes of the tag, it could be

Deptt. Of Electronics & Communication Engg., SRMCEM

WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT WITH RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION DEVICE

divided into active tag and passive tag, from the functions, it could be divided into RO, RW, tag with microprocessor and tag with transducer, from the type of modulation, tag could also be divided into active tag and passive tag . (2) Reader Reader is the device used to read or write the tag information. It could read, write, indicate and process solely or work with other computers or systems to complete the operation to the tag .

enterprise. Users could buy highly specialized inventory management database which is designed for certain industries 2.2. The work flow of RFID system The basic work flow of RFID system is, after Reader transmitting radio frequency signal with certain frequencies through transmitting antenna, the induced current will be produced while entering along with the target object of the tag into the working area of transmitting antenna and then, relying on the energy obtained by the induced current, the tag transmits the product information memorized in the chip or transmit signal of a certain frequency actively, after the demodulation and decoding of carrier wave signal sent from the tag to the receiving antenna, the Reader sends the information to data management system for relevant treatment, data management system judges the validity of the tag by logical operation and processes and control correspondingly according to the different settings and then send out command signal to control the operation of actuator.

A typical Reader is made up of control module, radio frequency module, and interface module and Reader antenna. Besides, there are additional interfaces (RS232, RS485 and interfaces of Ethernet, etc.) for many Readers to transmit the data received to application system or receive orders from them. (3) Antenna Antenna is the device used to provide radio frequency signal transmission space for tag and Reader. It could be installed inside the Reader or connected with the antenna interface of it through coaxial cable. (4) Data management system Data management system mainly memories and manages the data and information as well as controlling the reading and writing to the tag. It could be database or management information system in an

3. The Application of RFID Technology in Warehouse Management

3.1. The advantages of RFID technology compare with the traditional Bar Code Compare with bar code, RFID electronic label has several advantages as following: First, Quick Scan: Bar code scans one bar-code each time, RFID identifier can scan several RFID labels at the same time. Second, Volume Miniaturization and Figure Diversification: The accuracy of RFID access does not require fixed paper size and quality of printing, it is not limited by measures and figures. Moreover, RFID label could head for volume miniaturization and figure diversification to apply to different production. Third, Anti-pollution and Durability:

Deptt. Of Electronics & Communication Engg., SRMCEM

WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT WITH RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION DEVICE

Traditional bar code is made from paper which is easily polluted. However, RFID has a strong resistance of water, oil and chemistry medicine, etc. Besides, as the bar code is always attached on the plastic bag or outer packing of cardboard boxes, it is easily damaged, RFID label stores the data in the chip, so it is anti-pollution. Fourth, Replication Using of RFID Label: The bar code today can hardly changes the information after printing, RFID label could add, amend and delete the data in the label repetitively, which convenient the renew of the information. Fifth, Penetrability and Exposed Reading: RFID could penetrates communication despite paper, wood, plastic and other non metal or non transparent materials. Bar code scanner could read the data only in a near range and without other materials block. Sixth, Large Data Memory: The volume of one- dimensional bar code is 50Bytes while two-dimensional bar code has 2-3000 Bytes. RFID has several MegaBytes volume maximum. With the development of memory carriers, data volume is on the trend of expansion. In future, the introduction could carry more and more data, thus the label need to expand its volume. Seventh, Security: RFID carries electronic information whose data guided by the passing number and thus the content is not easy to imitate or revised. and Task of RFID Technique in Warehouse Management (1) Management Object Traditional warehouse management depends on non automatic system which is based on recorded paper document to pursuing the import and export goods, completely performed by personnel. So the depot management rate is very low and the scale of the warehouse is very small. Warehouse management system based on RFID refers to the system which imported the RFID technique. It exquisites the data automatically on the chains of receiving inspection, warehousing, cargo delivery, allocation, cargo shift, inventory check

3.2. Object

and other operation process to ensure the accuracy and speed of the input data. Thus the enterprise could master the real storage data at the first time, which could help them reasonably keep and control the storage. The mainly management objects which apply to RFID technique in enterprise warehouse are: 1) Warehouse Goods: It is the direct object in warehouse management. It is classified into three forms: stock, box body and bulk pack. At present RFID does not apply to single small goods management, so it is used in whole box or whole stock (including single large goods) management. 2) Inventory Location: It refers to the district used to place warehouse goods and doesnt overlapping in room. Usually, one inventory location could place several warehouse goods or a large one warehouse good occupies several locations. 3) Warehouse Management Device: It refers to the devices used in warehouse management, e.g. fork lift truck and hand truck, etc. These devices should be proper dispatched in time and location so as to improve the utilization ratio in large and busy warehouse. (2) Management Task 1) Each inventory location has an electronic label which called inventory label. During the operation of warehouse management, determine the operation location according the number of the label. 2) The warehousing goods, for management, each of them has an electronic label which called goods label. The goods has goods label should be whole large goods which easy to labeling. During the warehouse operation, reading the number of the label to check the operation goods. On the purpose to save the operation cost, goods label should designed to be the label which could be makes a full use and could be pick off for replication use at warehousing location. 3) Set up wireless LAN which covered the whole shipping department to translate the operation data immediately. Install the fixed wireless date termination on the fork lift truck, and hand held wireless date termination for each manual operation staff. The wireless date termination can receive the operation order, confirm the operation location and feedback the operation situation. 4) Use

Deptt. Of Electronics & Communication Engg., SRMCEM

WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT WITH RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION DEVICE

AGV (Automatic Guided Vehicle) as the platform to install the RFID scanner, controlling device and radio communication equipment. The AGV truck which installed the scanner could check the warehouse automatically in the appointed time every day and conduct the result to the system management center.

3.3. Framework of RFID in WMS

Warehouse Management System adopts the framework with three layers, described as follows : The first layer is Capture, that is, capture data mainly throughRFID equipment and other automatic discrimination equipment, including labels of storage location, labels of consignment, wireless data terminal, AVG vehicle, etc. The second layer is Movement, that is, transfer the captured data to the central data warehouse through wireless communication technology, including wireless access equipment and some relevant network equipment. The third layer is Management, that is, analyze and manage the captured data, including the server of some equipment, such as database, network, etc. together with some systematic software of warehouse management.

is mainly composed by three main parts: (1)Basic Management Subsystem: it takes charge of centralized management and maintenance of database of WMS, the establishment of stock plan and ex-warehouse plan and carry-out of orders, together with make out various management report forms. (2)Warehouse Location Management Subsystem: it issues labels of entering into the warehouse and undertakes realtimed stock management together with giving orders of warehouse management operation through wireless communication network. (3)Operation Management Implementation Subsystem: it completes specific operations of entering warehouse, ex-warehouse, shifting warehouse, distribution and check of warehouse, etc. The implementation of every tache can be queried according to assignment. The disposition of RFID equipment in warehouse management refers to Chart-3.
Chart-3 Disposition of RFID Equipment in Warehouse Management

3.4. Composition of WMS Based on the RFIDTechnology The Warehouse Management System

1the computer server of stock management database 2 the wireless office computer 3the printer of labels of warehouse entry 4the laser printer 5the wireless antenna 6the wireless equipment terminal of forklift 7 the wireless long range code scanner 8the handheld wireless terminal

Deptt. Of Electronics & Communication Engg., SRMCEM

WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT WITH RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION DEVICE

4. Synchronization Of Readers
4.1 Tuning EPC Radio-frequency Identification Protocols Class 1 Generation 2 UHF RFID Protocol for Communication at 860 MHz 960 MHz, in short EPC C1G2, is the standard protocol developed by EPC global for RFID devices for use within the supply chain. With the implementation of ETSI 302 208 and EPC C1G2, it was discovered that when a reader is operating at a certain sub-band or channel, this reader will effectively prevent other readers from using that channel within an unacceptable large area. Under the concept of reader synchronization, all the RFID readers in a certain area, for example all the readers in a warehouse, are networked together through a central control unit.

turned on at a different time, or if a reader loses synchronization that reader will start again in synchronism with the rest of the readers, after the last reader has finished its Talk session . . Two readers assigned to be operating in a same channel will be as far apart as possible. Also, the neighbouring antennas will be using channels as far apart as possible. The spectrum is split into 10 channels, all 5 of the odd-numbered channels are reserved for tag backscattering while all 5 of the even-numbered channels are assigned for reader interrogation. . The antenna on the furthest left is using channel 2 for interrogation. The next antenna on its immediate right is using channel 8, which is 6 channels away. Channel 10, though is the furthest channel away, is not chosen. This is because the arrangement of [2, 8, 4, 10, 6] gives best channel separation between every channel. 4.2 Using external sensors Sensors can be used to turn RFID reader on only when tags are approaching to further reduce reader interference in that area. This will free up the channels allocated for those antennas, and also to avoid unnecessary interference to other surroundings reader antennas.

Fig 1. listening and talking mode

Fig3.using external sensors both the antennas at dock door 3 are switched off when absence of truck 3 is detected. Fig2. Channeling of the allocated frequency spectrum The connection method can be the common Ethernet connection, or equivalent. All the readers are Listen Before Talk compatible. They are configured to start to Listen at the same time, and then at the end of the listen period, they can all synchronously start to Talk. All the readers, which start Listening at the same time, will start Talking at the same time. If a reader is 4.3 Using RF absorbing materials Another effective, but more expensive, way to reduce readers interference and collision, is to utilize RF opaque or RF absorbing materials to contain the interrogating signal within the designated zone of interrogation. Although there collision, is to utilize RF opaque or RF absorbing materials to contain the interrogating signal within the designated zone of interrogation.

Deptt. Of Electronics & Communication Engg., SRMCEM

WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT WITH RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION DEVICE

6. Acknowledgement
In the end I would like to acknowledge Hui Tan(Department of business management, Nanjing Institute of Industry Technology, Nanjing, Jiangsu ,China).

Fig3. use of RF absorbing mateials. Although there will signal leakage through the door openings, it would not have caused much interference. This is due to the fact that the signal strengths at the sides of the antenna are relatively weak as compared to the front of the antenna. Accordingly the gain at the side of a typical RFID antenna is approximately 20 dB less than the gain at the front of the antenna.

7.References
[1].Hui Tan,The Application of RFID Technology in the Warehouse Management System ,IEEE International Symposium on Electronic Commerce and Security.pp.13,August2008. [2].Kin Seong Leong,Mun Leng Ng ,Alfio R. Grasso , Peter H.Cole, Syncronization of RFID Reader Environments ,IEEE International Symposium on Applications and the Internet Workshops.pp3-4 ,2006. [3].Glover,B.,Bhatt,H.,An Introduction to RFID ,Chap. 1. RFID ESSENTIALS .pp1214,OREILLY,2006. [4].Badri Nath ,Franklin Reynolds and RoyWant ,RFID Technology and Applications ,IEEE Pervasive Computing, vol.5,no.1,pp.22-24,Jan-March 2006.

5.Conclusion
RFID has gradually become an indispensable technical tool and measure to improve management level of logistics and supply chain, decrease cost, realize the informationization of enterprise management and increase competitive strength. Many typical cases abroad suggest that, the enterprises which have presently applied RFID technology into the warehouse management information system have decreased the error ratio of their producing goods. This paper has identified synchronization of RFID readers as a mechanism to assist in RFID readers deployment in dense reader environments. Several fine-tuning methods are also presented in optimising the performance of a synchronised RFID system. As compared to conventional unsynchronised RFID systems, a synchronised RFID system can offer more coverage, less reader collision or interference, while strictly following the European regulations and the EPC C1G2 recommendation. However, these benefits require the use of more complex hardware and hence can marginally increase deployment costs.

Deptt. Of Electronics & Communication Engg., SRMCEM

WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT WITH RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION DEVICE