A RFID modeling method for virtual simulation in warehousing and logistics environment

Abstract

An RFID modeling method for virtual simulation in a warehousing and logistics environment is used. On the Twinbricks digital simulation platform, digital modeling is performed on the RFID reader and electronic tag to generate a digital twin for virtual simulation; multiple embedded RFID readers are simulated and constructed on the Proteus software, and data is exchanged with the Twinbricks simulation platform reader twin, and data is monitored in real time to simulate the actual production site to obtain real-time data of products on the production line; the background system interacts with the simulation controller, updates the database product status data in real time, and records product historical data; the staff uses the data management control front desk to view the operating status of different production lines in real time, manually optimizes the production status, and systematically analyzes the data for optimization and tuning, generates the optimal solution, and feeds it back to the simulation platform to optimize the production status. This method realizes the simulation of RFID equipment in a warehousing and logistics environment, and completes the simulation and tuning of the production line on the virtual simulation platform.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the fields of digital twin technology and Internet of Things technology, and in particular to an RFID modeling method for virtual simulation in a warehousing and logistics environment. Background Art

[0002] With the development of industry, the warehousing and logistics system, as the core link of the production supply chain, has become the focus of enterprises in terms of operation efficiency, service quality and operating costs. An efficient and reasonable warehousing and logistics system can help enterprises speed up the circulation of production materials, reduce costs, ensure smooth production, and achieve efficient utilization and management of resources.

[0003] At the same time, the concept of digital twins has emerged, which aims to completely digitally reconstruct physical objects to achieve information mapping, and use models to achieve intelligent design, manufacturing, debugging, and operation and maintenance of the life cycle of physical equipment. In the warehousing system, digital twin technology combines the Internet of Things technology to identify, locate, track, and supervise materials to achieve intelligent management; combined with AI data analysis, it can guide the optimization of various businesses in the warehousing and sorting center; combined with AR, PDA and other equipment, it can guide the specific operation process of operators.

[0004] RFID is radio frequency identification technology. The reader / writer uses the antenna to perform non-contact two-way radio frequency communication to read and write electronic tags, thereby achieving the purpose of target identification and data exchange. Compared with traditional paper labels, RFID can save labor and greatly improve the information capacity and work efficiency of data storage. Compared with barcodes, RFID does not require linear alignment scanning, has faster reading and writing speed, and can identify multiple targets and motion.

[0005] Therefore, integrating RFID with digital twin technology and applying it to the full-cycle management of materials in a warehousing and logistics environment can realize the simulation and optimization of the production line on a virtual simulation platform, ensuring real-time interaction of information and efficient management of production links. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention proposes an RFID modeling method for virtual simulation in a warehousing and logistics environment, combines RFID technology with digital twin technology, realizes the simulation of RFID equipment in a warehousing and logistics environment, and completes the simulation and optimization of the production line on a virtual simulation platform.

[0007] An RFID modeling method for virtual simulation in a warehousing and logistics environment comprises the following steps:

[0008] Step 1: Create an embedded device to simulate the control device of the RFID reader. The device generates the unique serial ID data of the material and sends it to the outside through its serial port.

[0009] Step 2: The database management backend reads the material's unique ID data through the serial port, registers the material, and records the information into the database;

[0010] Step 3: Establish a simulated production line environment, in which a digital twin is set up to simulate electronic tags, RFID readers and writers, and handling controllers, and multiple groups of RFID readers correspond to multiple production lines; based on the unique serial ID data in step 1, write and read the RFID tag data of materials in the production line;

[0011] Step 4: Through the serial port, the RFID reader control device simulated by the embedded device receives the read data obtained in step 3, displays it after processing, and transmits it to the database management background;

[0012] Step 5: The database management background reads and parses the data, updates the material information in the database, and feeds back to the transport controller in the simulated production line environment to transport the material to the next conveyor belt, simulating the sorting and transporting process in the real warehousing and logistics environment;

[0013] Step 6: The data control front desk displays the database data in real time, displays the production line status in real time, controls the production line to optimize the production status, and feeds back to the simulation production line environment.

[0014] Furthermore, the embedded devices in steps 1 and 4 are simulated by Proteus software.

[0015] Furthermore, in Proteus software, an embedded device is established based on the MCU module with STM32F103R6 as the core and surrounding accessory modules as the control device of the RFID reader.

[0016] Furthermore, the peripheral accessory modules include an LCD1602 module, a UART serial port module and a virtual terminal module.

[0017] Furthermore, the simulated production line environment in step 3 is implemented through the Twinbricks simulation environment.

[0018] Furthermore, step 3 includes the following steps:

[0019] Step 3-1: In the simulated production line environment, the digital twin of the RFID reader receives the unique ID data of the material through the serial port, simulates wireless radio frequency communication to write the ID data to the digital twin of the electronic tag, and notifies the conveyor belt to work and transport the material carrying this electronic tag to the next reader position.

[0020] Step 3-2: Add sensor components in the simulated production line environment. When the sensor senses the arrival of materials, it notifies the reader digital twin to work, simulates wireless radio frequency communication to read the ID data stored in the electronic tag, and sends the read data to the outside through the serial port.

[0021] Furthermore, step 4 includes the following steps:

[0022] Step 4-1: Based on the embedded device established in step 1, read the data sent by the reader / writer in the simulated production line environment through the serial port;

[0023] Step 4-2: The embedded device performs information judgment and processing based on the received data, displays the data on the LCD module, and transmits the data to the database management background.

[0024] Compared with traditional solutions, the benefits of this method are as follows: (1) It provides a modeling and simulation idea for RFID readers and electronic tag devices. (2) By combining RFID technology and digital twin technology, real-time processing and interaction of data information can be achieved, the efficiency of information collection can be improved, and the operation status of the simulated production line can be visualized. (3) It provides a preliminary data storage management and simulation equipment control solution to facilitate subsequent data analysis and calculation, and optimize the production line logistics scheduling. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 It is a system overall block diagram of the modeling method in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 The schematic diagram of the simulation environment built by Proteus for the modeling method in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of an RFID reader / writer model of a modeling method in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of an RFID electronic tag model of a modeling method in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The technical solution of the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0030] The embedded simulation platform is Proteus, which is a well-known EDA tool software with simulation functions. It supports the simulation of microcontrollers and peripheral devices, and meets the requirements of this design. The specific version selected is Proteus8.9, which supports the simulation of the STM32 MCU series.

[0031] The digital simulation platform selected is Twinbricks, which is an industrial robot production line programming and simulation platform with independent intellectual property rights developed based on domestic 3D CAD.

[0032] The database management backend and control frontend are program systems independently developed based on the Java language, and the database is the MySQL relational database management system.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown in the figure, this scheme is an RFID modeling scheme for virtual simulation in a warehousing and logistics environment. The specific steps are as follows:

[0034] Step 1:

[0035] like Figure 2 Adding an MCU module with STM32F103R6 as the core and surrounding auxiliary modules (LCD1602 module, UART serial port module, virtual terminal module) in Proteus can act as an RFID reader control device. The MCU module is burned into the program compiled in keil5. The program is set to generate the unique serial ID data of the material, which is sent to the outside through the serial port to simulate the function of the RFID reader to automatically write data. The LCD1602 module is a dot matrix LCD module that can be connected to the STM32 series microcontroller. Its display data is the data transmitted in the serial port. The UART serial port module uses COMPIM, which is a serial communication module for embedded devices. The receiving end RX is connected to the MCU, and the transmitting end TX is connected to the MCU and the virtual terminal. The virtual terminal can simulate the serial communication used in the embedded system. The staff can manually enter the ID data of the material and send it to the outside through the serial port to simulate the function of the RFID reader to manually write data.

[0036] Step 2:

[0037] The database management background receives the material ID data through the serial port, registers the material in the MySQL database, and records the material serial number, ID, name, batch, registration equipment, registration time and other information.

[0038] Step 3-1:

[0039] A virtual production line is established in the Twinbricks simulation environment, and 3D models of RFID readers and electronic tags are imported. Figure 3 , 4 As shown in the figure, the electronic tag model takes the ultra-high frequency passive tag that complies with the EPC Class1 Gen2 (G2) protocol commonly used in warehousing and logistics environments as an example. Its memory data storage area is divided into four areas:

[0040] The Reserved area stores access passwords and kill passwords, which control whether the electronic tag can write and send data. The kill password can destroy or use the tag. Once it is killed, it can no longer be used. The access password is the password required for tag reading and writing, and the default is 0.

[0041] EPC area: stores the electronic product code (EPC code), which consists of four digital fields: version number, domain name management, object classification, and serial number.

[0042] TID area: stores the identification number set by the tag manufacturer. Each electronic tag has a globally unique and non-repetitive identification ID number when it leaves the factory.

[0043] User area: stores user-defined data.

[0044] Therefore, when modeling the electronic tag, four parameter fields are also added to store the above data to simulate the actual production situation. The Reserved area, EPC area, and User area are written with data in advance to simulate the factory initialization process of the electronic tag. The User area stores data from the reader / writer of the simulation platform to simulate the reading and writing operation process of the electronic tag. An additional inactivation state parameter is set to indicate whether the electronic tag is in an inactivated state and whether it is readable and writable.

[0045] Step 3-2:

[0046] for Figure 1 Add data collection points to the reader 1 model so that it can receive real-time data from the serial port. Use the built-in Lua script plug-in in the Twinbricks software to design the corresponding script program, specify the data nodes of the reader and the electronic tag digital twin, so that the model can obtain external serial port data and realize data mapping. When the reader 1 receives the unique ID data of the material through the serial port, it sends a write command, access password and material ID data to the digital twin of the electronic tag through the script program to simulate the wireless radio frequency communication method of RFID. The electronic tag parses the received data and first confirms whether it is in an inactivated state where it cannot be read or written. If it is not in this state, it then confirms whether the access password is consistent with the password stored in itself. If it is consistent, it writes the ID data to the User area of ​​the electronic tag according to the received write command, returns the write success information to the reader 1, and finally notifies the conveyor belt to start working and transfers the material carrying this electronic tag to the next reader position. Otherwise, an error occurs in any authentication link and a write failure information is returned.

[0047] for Figure 1Add data collection points to the reader 2 model, and design a script program to enable it to send the read ID data to the embedded device 2 in Proteus through the serial port. Add a distance sensor component near the reader 2. This sensor component is a common component built into the Twinbricks software. When the sensor senses the arrival of the material, it notifies the reader 2 to work, and sends a read command and access password to the digital twin of the electronic tag through the Lua script program to simulate the wireless radio frequency communication method of RFID. The electronic tag parses the received data and first confirms whether it is in an inactivated state that cannot be read or written. If it is not in this state, it then confirms whether the access password is consistent with the password stored in itself. If it is consistent, then return the data stored in the User area of ​​the electronic tag and the unique identification ID of the electronic tag in the TID area to the reader 2 according to the received read command. Reader 2 sends the electronic tag position data sensed by the distance sensor and the material ID and identification ID returned by the electronic tag through the serial port.

[0048] The ID in the TID area is returned to simulate and simplify the collision problem in RFID: when multiple RFID tags are within the range of the same reader, the data information interferes with each other and the tag data cannot be read correctly. The data in the User area and the TID area are packaged and sent back to the reader to distinguish the data of different tags to prevent collision problems.

[0049] The sensor position data is returned to simulate and simplify the positioning problem in solving RFID problems. When an electronic tag is within the sensing range of multiple readers, the position of the electronic tag can be accurately located through the positioning algorithm.

[0050] Step 4-1: Follow step 1 to create embedded device 2 on Proteus software to simulate the RFID reader control device, read the data sent by the digital twin reader 2 in the Twinbricks simulation environment through the serial port, and simulate the function of the RFID reader to read data.

[0051] Step 4-2: Embedded device 2 performs simple information judgment processing based on the received data to determine whether the information is legal or missing. If the data is illegal or missing, an alarm message is displayed on the LCD1602 module, and the alarm message is transmitted to the database management background through the serial port. If the data is legal and not missing, the processed material ID and electronic tag ID data are displayed on the LCD1602 module, and the material ID, electronic tag ID, and location data information are transmitted to the database management background.

[0052] Step 5: The database management background reads and parses the data. If an alarm message is received, the data control front desk displays the alarm message and stores this information in the database for logging. The staff can be notified in time to investigate the cause of the error and solve the production line system problem. If normal data is received, the electronic tag ID record is added to the corresponding material data in the database according to the material ID, and the real-time location record is updated. Send instructions to the robot controller in the Twinbricks simulation environment to instruct the robot to move the material to the next conveyor belt, simulating the sorting and handling links in the real warehousing and logistics environment.

[0053] Step 6: The data control front desk displays database data in real time. The staff can view the production line status in real time, control the production line, and manually optimize the production status. Alternatively, the system can analyze the data for optimization and tuning, generate the optimal scheduling plan, and feed it back to the Twinbricks simulation platform to optimize the production status and guide production.

[0054] This method uses warehouse logistics as the background to conduct a universal modeling of RFID equipment. RFID applications involve a series of standard issues, mainly including technical standards, application standards, data content standards and performance standards. At present, RFID has not yet formed a unified global standard, and the market is a situation where multiple standards coexist.

[0055] In order to solve the problems of technical standards and content standards, this method can set different data parameters and data encoding methods according to different communication protocols, data protocols, and data encoding rules, and solve the above problems in a universal way.

[0056] In order to solve the application standard problem, this method can import different specific RFID equipment models for scenario modeling according to specific application scenarios such as logistics distribution, warehouse management, transportation, information management, animal identification, mine safety, industrial manufacturing and leisure and entertainment, so as to solve the above problems in a universal way.

[0057] In order to solve the performance standard problem, this method can simulate the communication range of low frequency, high frequency, ultra-high frequency, and microwave sub-tags from 5cm to 100m by changing the sensing range of the distance sensor. RFID readers can be divided into fixed readers and mobile readers according to their mobility, which can be simulated by changing the position coordinates of the reader twin in the scene.

[0058] In order to simulate the communication process between devices, this method simplifies the reader signal encoding and modulation, electronic tag signal demodulation and decoding process and the handshake confirmation mechanism between devices. In order to ensure the data communication security between devices, the communication intrusion problem between electronic tags and readers is simplified and solved by simulating the actual scene through an effective data verification mechanism: 1. Illegal reader receives data. 2. A third party blocks data transmission. 3. Forged tags send data.

[0059] This method simulates the physical RFID device for virtual modeling. The model parameters are close to the real device. The data communication process also simulates the communication mechanism between real devices, and a universal system modeling is performed. According to different environment setting parameters, different types of devices with different protocols are also simulated, and the simulation platform is imported for simulation.

[0060] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Any equivalent modifications or changes made by ordinary technicians in this field based on the contents disclosed by the present invention should be included in the protection scope recorded in the claims.

Claims

1. An RFID modeling method for virtual simulation in a warehousing and logistics environment, characterized by: The method comprises the following steps: Step 1: Create an embedded device to simulate the control device of the RFID reader. The device generates the unique serial ID data of the material and sends it to the outside through the serial port; Step 2: The database management backend reads the material's unique ID data through the serial port, registers the material, and records the information into the database; Step 3: Establish a simulated production line environment, in which a digital twin is set up to simulate electronic tags, RFID readers and writers, and handling controllers, and multiple groups of RFID readers correspond to multiple production lines; based on the unique serial ID data in step 1, write and read the RFID tag data of materials in the production line; Step 4: The control device of the RFID reader / writer simulated by the embedded device receives the read data obtained in step 3, displays it after processing, and transmits it to the database management background; Step 5: The database management background reads and parses the data, updates the material information in the database, and feeds back to the transport controller in the simulated production line environment to transport the material to the next conveyor belt, simulating the sorting and transporting process in the real warehousing and logistics environment; Step 6: The data control front desk displays the database data in real time, displays the production line status in real time, controls the production line to optimize the production status, and feeds back to the simulation production line environment.

2. The RFID modeling method for virtual simulation in a warehousing and logistics environment according to claim 1 is characterized by: The embedded devices in steps 1 and 4 are simulated by Proteus software.

3. The RFID modeling method for virtual simulation in a warehousing and logistics environment according to claim 2 is characterized by: In Proteus software, an embedded device is established based on the MCU module with STM32F103R6 as the core and surrounding accessory modules as the control device of the RFID reader.

4. The RFID modeling method for virtual simulation in a warehousing and logistics environment according to claim 3 is characterized by: The peripheral accessory modules include LCD1602 module, UART serial port module and virtual terminal module.

5. The RFID modeling method for virtual simulation in a warehousing and logistics environment according to claim 1 is characterized by: The simulated production line environment in step 3 is realized through the Twinbricks simulation environment.

6. The RFID modeling method for virtual simulation in a warehousing and logistics environment according to claim 1 is characterized by: Step 3 includes the following steps: Step 3-1: In the simulated production line environment, the digital twin of the RFID reader receives the unique ID data of the material through the serial port, simulates the wireless radio frequency communication method to write the ID data to the digital twin of the electronic tag, and notifies the conveyor belt to work and transport the material carrying this electronic tag to the next reader position; Step 3-2: The sensor senses the arrival of the material and notifies the reader digital twin to work, simulating wireless radio frequency communication to read the ID data stored in the electronic tag, and sends the read data to the outside through the serial port.

7. The RFID modeling method for virtual simulation in a warehousing and logistics environment according to claim 1 is characterized by: Step 4 includes the following steps: Step 4-1: Based on the embedded device established in step 1, read the data sent by the reader / writer in the simulated production line environment through the serial port; Step 4-2: The embedded device performs information judgment and processing based on the received data, displays the data on the LCD module, and transmits the data to the database management background.

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