Planning and Analysis of UHF RFID Systems for Consumer Goods Logistics Using Ray Tracing Predictions

Abstract:
Tracking of goods within logistics has become an increased area of interest recently. RFID technology in the UHF band is a rather new instrument of tracking goods in this sector. Instead of performing extensive field tests and case studies, this article suggests a simpler and more efficient method of planning UHF RFID systems by using RF propagation results from ray tracing predictions. Two showcase environments, i.e. a receiving area of consumer goods and a warehouse, are presented to be modelled with respect to relevant and realistic occurrences and properties. The ray tracing prediction results allow to analyze and evaluate wave propagation between RFID readers and transponders. From there, system functionality can be deduced.