Passive RFID Pallet Tracking for Low-Cost Goods Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost of securing GPS trackers to all goods on pallets in the global supply chain makes it economically infeasible, necessitating a more affordable tracking solution for pallets and their goods.
Innovation Solution
Employing passive tags, such as passive RFID tags, secured to goods on pallets, which are powered and communicate with a mobile tracking device secured to the pallet, allowing for low-cost tracking by inferring the location of goods from the mobile tracking device's location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS trackers are secured to all goods on pallets, then tracking reliability is improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the tracking function by separating the expensive GPS tracking capability (attached only to the pallet) from the passive RFID tags (attached to individual goods). This allows multiple goods to be tracked through a single pallet-mounted GPS device, reducing the number of expensive components needed while maintaining tracking coverage for all items.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile tracking device acts as an intermediary between the GPS tracker and the passive RFID tags. It receives location data from the GPS tracker and uses the passive tags to identify and track individual goods, enabling cost-effective tracking of multiple items without requiring each item to have its own GPS device.
2Ease of manufacture
If passive tags are used instead of GPS trackers for each good, then cost is reduced, but location precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses passive RFID tags as a form of copying or proxy for the expensive GPS trackers. Instead of equipping each good with a full GPS device, the system attaches inexpensive passive tags to goods and uses the mobile tracking device to read these tags, obtaining location information indirectly through the tags' association with the tracked pallet.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical/GPS-based tracking system (requiring active devices on each good) with a hybrid system using passive RFID tags and mobile reading. This substitution eliminates the need for battery-powered GPS devices on each item while maintaining tracking capability through the mobile device's ability to read passive tags and infer location.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables low-cost tracking of goods on pallets without attaching mobile tracking devices to each item, leveraging passive tags that are less expensive and provide location inference through network communication.
Implementation Method 1
The mobile tracking device transmits an RF (radiofrequency) signal that is received at the passive tag. In response to the RF signal, the passive tag transmits a response message
Data Source
AI summary
To track pallet goods with passive tags, a passive tag is secured to the goods and a mobile tracking device is secured to a pallet that supports the goods. The mobile tracking device transmits an RF (radiofrequency) signal that is received at the passive tag. In response to the RF signal, the passive tag transmits a response message including information (e.g., from an onboard sensor of the passive tag). The mobile tracking device receives the response message including the information and transmits the information to a network (e.g., a wireless personal area network (WPAN, (e.g., Bluetooth, BLE, etc.)), a wireless local area network (WLAN, (e.g., Wi-Fi, etc.)), a cellular network, a satellite network, etc.).