Evaluating the reading performance of semi-passive RFID tags to enhance locating of warehouse resources: An experiment design

Copyright @ 2011 8th European, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Conference on Information Systems (EMCIS 2011)In the supply chain, a warehouse is a crucial component for linking all chain parties. It is necessary to track the real time resource location and status to support warehouse operations effectively. Therefore, RFID technology has been adopted to facilitate the collection and sharing of data in a warehouse environment. However, an essential decision should be made on the type of RFID tags the warehouse managers should adopt, because it is very important to implement RFID tags that work in warehouse environment. As a result, the warehouse resources will be easily tracked and accurately located which will improve the visibility of warehouse operations, enhance the productivity and reduce the operation costs of the warehouse. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the reading performance of all types of RFID tags in a warehouse environment in order to choose the most appropriate RFID tags which will enhance the operational efficiency of a warehouse. Reading performance of active and passive RFID tags have been evaluated before while, semi-passive RFID tag, which is battery-assisted with greater sensitivity than passive tags and cheaper than active tags, has not been examined yet in a warehouse environment. This research is in- progress research and it is aiming to perform tests for evaluating the reading performance of semi-passive RFID apparatus to provide an extensive RFID performance comparison for formulating an efficient RFID solution in warehousing environment

WSN based intelligent cold chain management

This paper presents a cold chain monitoring system which is implemented by using ubiquitous computing technologies, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) & Wireless Sensor Network (WSN). In this paper, we discuss how cold supply chain works and how we can monitor and control cold supply chain by using wireless tracking and sensing technologies. We propose a prototype design which will provide a well controlled and transparent cold chain system, which could help the users to manage their products’ environmental data in real time during the life cycle. Moreover, we highlight how the availability of product trace data in combination with historical condition-monitoring data can facilitate decision-making processes enhancing supply chain’s performance. Finally we discuss the integration works of these two technologies together in the cold supply chain management system. Hardware and software platform of WSN used in this system are also described in this paper

Studying RFID adoption by SMES in the Taiwanese IT industry

With the advent of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), organisations have the opportunity to rethink how their organisation will operate and integrate in the supply chain. Especially for Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs), that they have limited resources adopting such an innovative technology (i.e. RFID) can be daunting. Literature indicates that SMEs that deal with implementation have so far only a few guidelines regarding specific opportunities and risks. This research is therefore trying to fill the gap by employing Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) techniques and utilising a questionnaire survey with the aim of exploring the factors that affect SMEs’ RFID adoption in the Taiwan Information Technology (IT) manufacturing industry. In doing so, the adoption factors which are classified into 3 different adopters categories named ready adopter (cost and management), initiator adopter (competitiveness and process efficiency) and unprepared adopter (IT management difficulties, IT implementation difficulties and cost of implementation) using EFA technique. A SMEs RFID adoption model is then proposed. It is anticipated that the findings of this research will not only enhance the research in RFID adoption in SMEs, but can also act as a reference for practitioners in the industry and researchers in the academic field

Radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies for locating warehouse resources: A conceptual framework

Copyright @ 2012 Information Technology SocietyIn the supply chain, a warehouse is a crucial component for linking all chain parties. It is necessary to track the real time resource location and status to support warehouse operations effectively. Therefore, RFID technology has been adopted to facilitate the collection and sharing of data in a warehouse environment. However, an essential decision should be made on the type of RFID tags the warehouse managers should adopt, because it is very important to implement RFID tags that work in warehouse environment. As a result, the warehouse resources will be easily tracked and accurately located which will improve the visibility of warehouse operations, enhance the productivity and reduce the operation costs of the warehouse. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the reading performance of all types of RFID tags in a warehouse environment in order to choose the most appropriate RFID tags which will enhance the operational efficiency of a warehouse. Reading performance of active and passive RFID tags have been evaluated before while, semi-passive RFID tag, which is battery-assisted with greater sensitivity than passive tags and cheaper than active tags, has not been examined yet in a warehouse environment. This research is in- progress research and it seeks to (i) provide a general overview of the existing real-time data management techniques in tracking warehouse resources location, (ii) provide an overall conceptual framework that can help warehouse managers to choose the best RFID technologies for a warehouse environment, (iii) Finally, the paper submits an experiment design for evaluating the reading performance of semi-passive RFID tags in a warehouse environment

Radio Frequency Identification Technology: Applications, Technical Challenges and Strategies

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to discuss the technology behind RFID systems, identify the applications of RFID in various industries, and discuss the technical challenges of RFID implementation and the corresponding strategies to overcome those challenges. Design/methodology/approach - Comprehensive literature review and integration of the findings from literature. Findings - Technical challenges of RFID implementation include tag cost, standards, tag and reader selection, data management, systems integration and security. The corresponding solution is suggested for each challenge. Research limitations/implications - A survey type research is needed to validate the results. Practical implications - This research offers useful technical guidance for companies which plan to implement RFID and we expect it to provide the motivation for much future research in this area. Originality/value - As the infancy of RFID applications, few researches have existed to address the technical issues of RFID implementation. Our research filled this gap

Optimal under voltage load shedding based on stability index by using artificial neural network

Power system is exceptionally sensitive at the generation and consumer side. Inconsistent power requirement under general power production environment may cause power system to approach breakdown or power outages. Load shedding is deliberated as the final choice from the numerous techniques which have been achieved to prevent voltage breakdown. Various studies have been led on this part of the issue. Still, there are possibilities for other ways through optimization of the load shedding. Consequently, the primary reason for this work is to come up with an optimal undervoltage load shedding strategy. Voltage stability is one of the significant worries in functional and preparation of present-day power system. Nevertheless, to obtain the lowest amount to be shed in order to avoid voltage instability, optimization is required. An algorithm was developed to shed the optimal load by considering the load priority whereby the load with least priority will be shed first. The algorithm is working in one step to shed the load. The developed algorithm was tested on IEEE 33-Bus and IEEE 69-Bus radial distribution systems. The results show the equal accuracy of the application of the developed algorithm. In this project, a powerful technique is exhibited for evaluating the optimal amount of load to be shed in a radial distribution system by using artificial neural network. The results of these test cases confirm that 6.57% of bus voltage is increased at the weakest bus in the IEEE 33-Bus system and 10.23% of bus voltage is increased at the weakest bus in the IEEE 69-Bus system. This optimal load shedding algorithm does not over shed or under shed the load. Other achievement includes reduction in load shedding steps. For each test case, the complete load shedding was achieved in 1 step only and the amount of load shed is suitable in each test case respectively. In this project, 29.4% of load is curtailed to stabilize the system which is less compared to other works where about 30% of load is shed to stabilize the system

Simulation of undular bores evolution with damping

Propagation of undular bores with damping is considered in the framework of perturbed extended Korteweg-de Vries (peKdV) equation. Two types of damping terms for the peKdV equation, namely linear and Chezy frictional terms, which describe the turbulent boundary layers in the fluid flow are considered. Solving the peKdV equation numerically using the method of lines shows that under the influence of damping, the lead-ing solitary wave of the undular bores will split from the nonlinear wavetrain, propagates and behaves like an isolated solitary wave. The amplitude of the leading wave will remain the same for some times before it starts to decay again at a larger time. In general the amplitude of the leading wave and the mean level across the undular bore decreases due to the effect of damping

A study on stryhcnos potatorum and pisum sativum as natural coagulants for meat food processing wastewater

Wastewater generated from meat food processing industry has significant effects on the environment. Many methods have been reported for removing turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), oil and grease (O&G) and colour from meat food processing wastewater (MFPW). The most common method among them is flocculation-coagulation process which is widely used. Although inorganic coagulants are prominent in wastewater treatments, its application may cause toxic residual. In this study, the attempt has been made to study the performance of S. Potatorum (nirmali) and P. Sativum (pea) seed as natural coagulants in the flocculation process. A further aim is to determine the optimum conditions for the treatment of MFPW effluents such as coagulant dosage, mixing rate and pH. An adsorption study was also carried out to study the adsorption potential of these coagulants to treat MFPW. A lab-scale treatment tank was developed to evaluate the effectiveness in MFPW treatment. Jar test results showed that optimum dosage, pH and mixing rate for S. Potatorum were pH 8 with dosage of 150 mg/L and 150 rpm mixing rate with the removal of turbidity, TSS, COD, O&G and colour are 91%, 97.6%, 58.4%, 79.9% and 84.3% respectively. Meanwhile, for P. Sativum, the optimum condition were observed at pH 8 with dosage of 150 mg/L and 150 rpm mixing rate with the removal of turbidity, TSS, COD, O&G and colour 87.8%, 97.3%, 65.5%, 77.9% and 76.5% respectively. The adsorption study was found that the analysis fitted well to the Langmuir isotherm for both natural coagulants. Results show that the percentage of turbidity, TSS, COD, O&G removal by chemical coagulants are quite similar than natural coagulants when lab-scale treatment tank was used to treat the MFPW. This indicated that these natural coagulants have a potential to use as alternative in wastewater treatment