Multi-dimensional localization of goods with an INTELLIgent READer supported by highly dynamic environment and process modelling (INTELLIREAD)

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Erwin Biebl; Professor Dr. Bernd Brügge; Professor Dr.-Ing. Willibald A. Günthner
• Subject Area: Engineering Design, Machine Elements, Product Development ; Automation, Mechatronics, Control Systems, Intelligent Technical Systems, Robotics ; Production Automation and Assembly Technology ; Production Systems, Operations Management, Quality Management and Factory Planning ; Traffic and Transport Systems, Intelligent and Automated Traffic
• Term: from 2015 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 260988355

The proposed research is a continuation of the IntelliRead (INTELLigent READer) research project. The goal of that project was the development of a system for localization of objects within an application domain (business process), using an intelligent UHF RFID reader as well as the information about the application environmentand the model of the business process under observation. The intelligent reader localizes passive RFID transponders in its read field. To improve the localization results, the intelligent reader combines the information from its readings and the information about the application environment using the methods of artificial intelligence. The measured object position and the information about the application domain,enables tracking and understanding of events within a business process, as well as the status of the objects involved. The first step for the development of the IntelliRead system was the elicitation of the system requirements from the reference scenarios of loading and offloading tugger trains. In addition to these requirements, the adaptability of the system to further operation scenarios is a target. The adaptability of a system is one of the main properties for systems adhering to the concepts of the Industry 4.0 [Aca-12]. After defining the architecture of the system, the components of the intelligentreader were developed. The localization of passive RFID transponders required a development of a hardware system based on an array of antennas. This approach enables RFID transponder localization using the estimation methods for the direction of arrival (DoA) of the incoming signal from the passive UHF RFID transponders. The precision of the localization using DoA methods is improved using the location fingerprinting method, where DoAs are used as parameters (fingerprints). Furthermore, the process of verification and validation of events in a business process requires information about the spatial characteristics of the application environment as well as the information about the business processes taking part. Appropriate knowledge sources were identified and integrated into the IntelliRead system, making the system aware of the dependencies between the spatial aspects of the environment and the processes taking part in them. Additionally, the system analyzes given information about the basic movement patterns of the observed objects and their meaning. The continuation of the research project will enable the integration of independently developed components in one system, and the evaluation of the system in an industrialenvironment. To evaluate the intelligent reader the reference scenarios defined during the course of the IntelliRead project are used. The focus lies on the evaluation of the proposed passive RFID localization system under conditions of an industrial environmentwhile maintaining the precise position of the object and the recognition of business process events with a suitable update rate.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants