A Low Cost Approach to Large Smart Shelf Setups

• Main Authors: MOGA, D., STROIA, N., HREBENCIUC, F., BARABAS, Z.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava 2011-11-01
• Series: Advances in Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Subjects: antenna radiation pattern; inventory management; radiofrequency identification; RFID tag; microcontroller
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.4316/AECE.2011.04019

Recent years showed a growing interest in the use of RFID technology in applications like distribution and storage of goods, supply chain and inventory. This paper analyses the current smart shelf solutions and presents the experience of developing an automatic reading system for smart shelves. The proposed system addresses the problem of reading RFID tags from items placed on multiple shelves. It allows the use of standard low cost readers and tags and uses a single antenna that can be positioned in specific locations at repeatable positions. The system proposes an alternative to the approaches with multiple antennas placed in fixed position inside the shelf or around the shelves, offering a lower cost solution by means of dedicated electromechanical devices able to carry the antenna and the reader to the locations of interest along a rail system. Moreover, antenna position can be controlled for three axis of movement allowing for extra flexibility and complete coverage of the shelves. The proposed setup is a fully wireless one. It contains a standard reader, electromechanical positioning actuators and wireless communication and control hardware offering power from integrated batteries.