KR101199142B1 - Distribution administration system using Radio Frequency IDentification - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system structure for improving the recognition rate of the RFID tag attached to the distribution logistics to move the antenna area, the logistics system using RFID according to the present invention is attached to the distribution logistics, one or more for transmitting the logistics information RFID tag; A rotating device for rotating the distribution logistics according to a control signal; And a receiving processor; A transmission processing stage; A plurality of antennas installed adjacent to the rotating device; A first switching unit configured to switch the antennas to transmit and receive signals sequentially or in groups; And an RFID reader having a second switching unit which separates transmission and reception signals by switching the sequentially switched antennas to the reception processing stage or the transmission processing stage.

According to the present invention, since the RFID tag can be recognized in a wider area with a small number of antennas, the arrangement of the antennas is easy, and the error rate, stability, recognition distance, etc. of transmission / reception data can be improved, and installation cost can be reduced. do. In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily design the processing structure of the transmission and reception signal, to reduce the probability of malfunction, and to reduce the RFID reader product size.

Description

Distribution administration system using RFIDD

1 is a view schematically showing the components and connection form of a conventional logistics system using RFID.

2 is a view schematically showing an antenna arrangement form of an RFID reader provided in a logistics system using RFID according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a diagram illustrating a connection relationship between an RFID tag, an RFID reader, and a rotating device in a logistics system using RFID according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a block diagram schematically showing the components of a logistics system using RFID according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the components of the RFID tag of the logistics system using RFID according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a view showing the configuration of the first switching unit and the second switching unit of the RFID reader provided in the logistics system using the RFID according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the Related Art

210: RFID reader 211a to 211d: antenna

212a: first switching part 212b: second switching part

212c: RF transmitting processor 212d: RF receiving processor

213: baseband processing stage 214: Q-RSSI circuit

215: I-RSSI circuit 216: control circuit

220: RFID tag 221: tag antenna

222: reception demodulation unit 223: power supply unit

224: transmission modulation unit 225: control unit

226: memory 230: rotating device

232: rotary plate 234: drive unit

236: circuit portion 238: switch circuit

The present invention relates to a logistics system using RFID communication technology, and relates to a system structure for improving the recognition rate of an RFID tag attached to a moving distribution logistics.

Nowadays, ubiquitous network technology is attracting attention of many people. Ubiquitous network technology means a technology that makes it possible to connect to various networks smoothly regardless of time and place.

As the next generation technology of the ubiquitous network technology, RFID technology may be cited. Among them, RFID technology introduced in commerce is representative.

In general, a commercial RFID system includes an RFID tag attached to a product and embedded with details, and an RFID reader that reads information of the RFID tag using RF communication, and the RFID tag attached to the product includes the RFID reader. As it passes through the area where it is located and transmits the information using RF communication, it provides a foundation for efficient logistics / distribution management such as distribution, assembly, price change, and sale of goods.

Meanwhile, a receiver of a conventional RFID reader is generally implemented through envelope detection using an amplitude shift keying (ASK) modulation scheme. According to the conventional design scheme, a data recognition rate is lowered because a bit error rate is lowered. There is this.

Therefore, the radio wave environment varies greatly depending on factors such as the position and speed of the RFID tag passing through the antenna area of the RFID reader and the packaging material (for example, pallet load) of the tagged product. As a result, an error rate, stability, recognition distance, etc. of data received by the RFID reader may be different.

1 is a view schematically showing the components and connection form of the conventional RFID system 100, the conventional RFID system is a plurality of antennas (111, 112, 113, 114, 121, 122, 123, 124) and switches It includes a plurality of RFID readers (110, 120) and RFID tag 130 provided.

1, there are two RFID readers 110 and 120, two switches 115, 116, 125 and 126 and four antennas 111, 112, 113, 114, 121, 122, 123 and 124, respectively. The antennas are arranged at both sides with the moving region of the product to which the RFID tag 220 is attached.

The antenna is divided into a transmission and reception band, wherein the first antenna 111 and the second antenna 112 operate as a transmission antenna of the first RFID reader 110, and the third antenna 113 and the fourth antenna 114. Is operated as a reception antenna of the second RFID reader 120.

In addition, the fifth antenna 121 and the sixth antenna 122 is operated as a transmission antenna of the second RFID reader 120, and the seventh antenna 123 and the eighth antenna 124 are the second RFID reader 120. It is operated as a receiving antenna of.

The first antenna 111 and the second antenna 112 (or the fifth antenna 121 and the sixth antenna 122) are connected to the first switch 115 (or fourth switch 126), The first switch 115 (or the fourth switch 126) switches the transmission signal transmitted from the first Tx processing stage 117 (or the second Tx processing stage 128) to the first antenna 111 and the second antenna. The antenna 112 (or the fifth antenna 121 and the sixth antenna 122) alternately transmits the transmission signal.

The third antenna 113 and the fourth antenna 114 (or the seventh antenna 123 and the eighth antenna 124) are connected to the second switch 116 (or third switch 125), The second switch 116 (or the third switch 125) may receive a signal received from the third antenna 113 and the fourth antenna 114 (or the seventh antenna 123 and the eighth antenna 124). The switch is transferred to the first Rx processing stage 118 or the second Rx processing stage 127.

In this way, the antenna is divided into a transmission band and a reception band. Unlike other mobile communication systems, the RFID tag and the RFID reader transmit and receive signals using the same frequency band. This is because they have a structure to process them separately.

Therefore, according to the conventional RFID system, since the structure for separating and processing the transmitted and received signals becomes complicated, there is a problem that the probability of malfunction occurs, and the size of the RFID reader increases.

In addition, since the antennas for transmitting and receiving are separated on one RFID reader 110 and 120, and the RFID readers 110 and 120 are also provided in plural, the total number of antennas is eight. Will increase.

In this configuration, the signals processed in the plurality of Rx / Tx processing stages provided in the first RFID reader 110 and the second RFID reader 120 must be divided and processed again in the baseband stage (not shown), or Since the signals processed from the RFID readers must be separated and processed at the server side (not shown), there is a problem in that the system implementation is complicated and the installation cost is increased.

In particular, even if the number of antennas is provided in a large number, there is a limit in the installation area of the antenna for processing the transmission signal and the reception signal (for example, according to FIG. The recognition rate of the tag is not significantly improved in the changing radio wave environment.

The present invention is linked to the RFID reader, the mechanical unit to ensure that the distribution logistics better exposed to the radio wave environment than the moment passing through the antenna area, and one antenna to process both the transmission and reception signals, a plurality of antennas for processing the transmission and reception signals When provided with a dog by controlling the switching operation to transmit and receive signals in sequence at each location, to provide a logistics system using an RFID reader that can communicate with the RFID tag in a wider area with a smaller number of antennas.

Logistics system using RFID according to the present invention is attached to the distribution logistics, at least one RFID tag for transmitting the logistics information; A rotating device for rotating the distribution logistics according to a control signal; And a reception processing stage; A transmission processing stage; A plurality of antennas installed adjacent to the rotating device; A first switching unit configured to switch the antennas to transmit and receive signals sequentially or in groups; And an RFID reader having a second switching unit which separates transmission and reception signals by switching the sequentially switched antennas to the reception processing stage or the transmission processing stage.

In addition, the RFID reader of the logistics system using RFID according to the present invention further includes a control unit for transmitting a control signal of the switching operation to the first switching unit.

In addition, the control signal processed in the logistics system using the RFID according to the present invention includes one or more of the period information and the order information of the switching operation.

In addition, the rotary device of the logistics system using the RFID according to the present invention includes a rotating plate for loading the distribution logistics on the upper surface; A drive unit for rotating the rotating plate; And a circuit unit for applying a control signal to the driver.

In addition, the rotary device of the logistics system using the RFID according to the present invention is installed in the area where the distribution logistics are moved, by detecting that the distribution logistics approach the turntable area by transmitting a predetermined switching signal to the circuit unit A switch circuit for operating the circuit portion is further provided.

Hereinafter, a logistics system using RFID according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an antenna arrangement form of an RFID reader provided in a logistics system using RFID according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2, a logistics system using RFID according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an RFID reader 210 having a plurality of antennas 211a, 211b, 211c, and 211d, an RFID tag 220, and a rotating device 230. It consists of.

The RFID tag 220 is attached to the goods passing through the logistics inspection area, and the antennas 211a, 211b, 211c, and 211d are arranged in the area (inspection area) to which the RFID tag 220 is moved. It is preferable to be disposed in the direction and provided with different radio wave transmission and reception angles.

As described above, the RFID reader 210 according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided as one, unlike the prior art, it is possible to control a plurality of antennas for transmitting and receiving signals.

In addition, the goods (RFID tag) 220 is moved by a means of transportation (for example, a vehicle or a transport line, etc.), and reaches the rotary device 230 is rotated while staying for a predetermined time, four antennas (211a, 211b, 211c, 211d) may be evenly exposed in the communication area.

3 is a view illustrating a connection relationship between the RFID tag 220, the RFID reader 210 and the rotary device 230 of the logistics system using RFID according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A connection relationship between the RFID tag 220, the RFID reader 210, and the rotating device 230 illustrated in FIG. 2 is illustrated in more detail in FIG. 3, wherein the product (RFID tag) 220 that is moving in the tunnel space is illustrated. It is mounted on the rotating plate 232 of the rotating device 230 installed inside the tunnel space, and the RFID reader 210 is provided through four antennas 211a, 211b, 211c, and 211d installed in all directions of the tunnel space. Perform RFID communication.

4 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the components of a logistics system using RFID according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the RFID reader 210 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes four antennas 211a, 211b, 211c, and 211d, an RF processing stage 212, a baseband processing stage 213, and a control circuit 216. ), A Q-RSSI circuit 214 and an I-RSSI circuit 215, and the rotating device 230 includes a turntable 232, a driver 234, a circuit 236, and a switch circuit 238. It is made, including.

The RF processing stage 212 includes a first switching unit 212a, a second switching unit 212b, an RF transmission processing unit 212c, and an RF receiving processing unit 212d, and a first switching unit 212a. The switching operation is performed so that the four antennas 211a, 211b, 211c, and 211d may be sequentially connected to the second switching unit 212b. The order in which the four antennas 211a, 211b, 211c, and 211d are operated may be described in detail. It can be combined in many ways.

In this case, since the first switching unit 212a performs a switching operation several times or several dozen or more times per second, the antennas may have the effect of simultaneously monitoring the entire area where the RFID tag 220 is moved.

In addition, when the second switching unit 212b is connected to any one of four antennas 211a, 211b, 211c, and 211d connected to the first switching unit 212a, the second switching unit 212b transmits a transmission signal to the RF transmission processing unit 212c. In this case, the transmission and reception signals are separated and transmitted by performing a switching operation according to the case where the signal is transmitted from the antenna side to the antenna side and the case where the received signal is transmitted from the antenna side to the RF receiving processor 212d.

As such, the first switching unit 212a and the second switching unit 212b are interlocked so that the antennas 211a, 211b, 211c, and 211d simultaneously process the transmission / reception signals while simultaneously moving the moving area of the RFID tag 220. You can watch.

The first switching unit 212a and the second switching unit 212b may be implemented in various forms, for example, SP4T (Single-Pole Quadruple-Throw, 4: 1 MUX / DEMUX), SPDT (Single-Pole) Double throw) may be implemented as a switching element, but may be implemented in the form of a phase shifter, a switching circuit, a coupler, or the like implemented by a combination of a passive element and a diplexer or a duplexer.

The RF receiving processor 212d includes a low noise amplifier, a band pass filter, a matching circuit, and the like to suppress and amplify noise components of the received signal transmitted from the first switching unit 212a and the second switching unit 212b, The amplified signal is transmitted to the baseband processor 213.

The RF transmitter 212c adjusts and amplifies the power gain of the transmission signal transmitted from the baseband processor 213, filters the mixed signal in the process of processing the received signal, and transmits the mixed signal to the second switching unit 212b. do.

The baseband processing stage 213 is connected to the RF transmission processing unit 212c and the RF reception processing unit 212d, respectively, and is composed of two parts for processing a transmission signal and a reception signal (components of the baseband processing stage 213). (Not shown), an I / Q demodulator, a low pass filter (LPF), an intermediate frequency amplifier, a modulator, an A / D converter, and the like are provided to process the received signal. Q signal separation / low frequency signal generation, filtering, amplification / modulation and A / D conversion.

The baseband processing stage 213 may include a D / A converter, a low pass filter, a demodulator, an intermediate main gain amplifier, an intermediate frequency filter, and the like to process digital signals into intermediate frequency signals and RF signals. The signal is converted into a signal, and the gain of the power is adjusted and transmitted to the RF transmission processor 212c.

The digital signal transmitted from the baseband processing stage 213 is transferred to the control circuit 216, the I-RSSI circuit 215, and the Q-RSSI circuit 214.

The I-RSSI circuit 215 is a circuit for measuring the reception strength of an in-phase (I) signal. Usually, the I-RSSI circuit 215 detects and corrects that the signal strength increases and becomes irregular due to interference or mixed noise components. Means a circuit used for the purpose.

The Q-RSSI circuit 214 measures a reception strength of a quadrature-phase (Q) signal and performs a function similar to that of the I-RSSI circuit 215.

The control circuit 216 is provided with a communication protocol to control wireless communication with the RFID tag 220, and periodically sends an information request signal to determine the position of the RFID tag 220.

In addition, the control circuit 216 analyzes the code of the tag identification information received from the RFID tag 220 and demodulated by the baseband processing stage 213, in which the data format is converted and filtering is performed to extract necessary information. Process.

Here, the control circuit 216 may be a field programmable gate array (FPGA) circuit or a digital signal processing (DSP) circuit.

The FPGA circuit refers to a gate array circuit (logical integrated circuit) that can be added to the programming if necessary to implement the function of the RFID reader 210 outside the production process of the chip, the gate array and PLD (Programmable Logic Devices) ) Is implemented.

The DSP (Digital Signal Processing) circuit processes algebraic operations on digital data obtained by converting analog signals to analog / digital (A / D) conversion and performs signal processing such as filtering and spectral analysis.

The DSP circuit is a dedicated processor that pursues high speed and compactness, and the DSP circuit can be upgraded by replacing only software.

On the other hand, the rotary plate 232 of the rotary device 230 is a plate-like structure that can put a stack of goods on the upper surface, having a drive shaft is rotatably coupled to the support, the drive unit 234 is a rotary plate ( And a motor for rotating the belt and a belt for transmitting rotational force to the drive shaft of 232.

In addition, the circuit unit 236 supplies a control voltage to the motor of the driving unit 234 to operate the motor. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the supply time of the control voltage is determined by two cases.

First, the circuit unit 236 is connected to the control circuit 216 of the RFID reader 210, when the control circuit 216 receives a signal from any one or more RFID tags 220, the circuit unit of the rotating device 230 ( 236).

Accordingly, the circuit unit 236 operates the driving unit 234, and the entire RFID tag 220 can smoothly communicate with the RFID reader 210 while the goods load is rotated.

Second, the circuit unit 236 includes a switch circuit 238 to detect the moment when the goods load enters the tunnel structure and transmit a predetermined switching signal to the circuit unit 236 so that the circuit unit 236 can operate the motor. have.

For example, a pressure sensor or an infrared sensor is installed at the entrance of the tunnel structure, and the switch circuit 238 may be connected to the sensor to recognize a situation in which the goods load enters the tunnel structure.

Through these two circuit configurations, the rotary device 232 can detect the situation where the goods load is moved without missing.

5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating components of an RFID tag of a logistics system using RFID according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the RFID tag 220 includes a tag antenna 221, a reception demodulation unit 222, a transmission modulator 224, a power supply unit 223, a control unit 225, and a memory 226. do.

The tag antenna 221 receives an information request signal through a wireless channel or transmits a signal processing tag identification information. A dipole antenna is usually used.

The power supply unit 223 is a device for supplying power to the reception demodulation unit 222, the control unit 225 and the transmission modulator 224. The RFID tag 220 is classified into an active method and a passive method according to the driving method of the tag antenna 221 and the power supply unit 223. For example, the RFID tag 220 and the RFID reader 210 may be used. In the active mode, UHF signals with a frequency band of 400 MHz to 960 MHz are used.

The reception demodulation unit 222 demodulates the received information request signal into digital data and transmits the received information request signal to the control unit 225. The control unit 225 analyzes a code of the demodulated information request signal to provide tag identification information. Create

In addition, the control unit 225 has a communication protocol to control wireless communication with the RFID reader 210. In this case, the memory 226 stores the information code system, and the control unit 225 generates the tag identification information using the same.

The transmission modulator 224 modulates the generated tag identification information into an RF signal, and the modulated tag identification information is transmitted to the RFID reader 210 through a tag antenna 221.

6 is a view showing the configuration of the first switching unit and the second switching unit of the RFID reader provided in the logistics system using the RFID according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the first switching unit 212a has four signal paths connecting the four antennas 211a, 211b, 211c, and 211d and the second switching unit 212b. The control voltage terminals Vctl1 and Vctl2 to which the control signal (voltage) is applied, and the power supply terminal Vcc for supplying power to the switch are provided.

In addition, the first switching unit 212a includes a high frequency switching circuit that can be implemented in various forms as described above, and includes a decoder that interprets the control voltage and logically controls the switching operation.

The control circuit 216 has a program in which cycle information, order information, etc. of the switching operation is reflected, and executes the program to send a control signal to the control voltage terminal of the first switching unit 212a.

The second switching unit 212b has two signal paths connecting the first switching unit 212a, the RF transmission processing unit 212c, and the RF reception processing unit 212d, and is controlled like the first switching unit 212a. And a voltage terminal Vctl3, a power supply terminal Vcc, a high frequency switching circuit, a decoder, and the like.

The control circuit 216 grasps input paths of the transmission signal and the reception signal, generates a control signal, and transfers the generated control signal to the second switching unit 212b.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary, It will be understood that various modifications and applications other than those described above are possible. For example, each component specifically shown in the embodiments of the present invention can be modified and implemented. It is to be understood that all changes and modifications that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

According to the logistics system using RFID according to the present invention, the following effects are obtained.

First, since RFID tags can be recognized in a wider area with a small number of antennas, the arrangement of antennas is easy and the error rate, stability, and recognition distance of transmission / reception data can be improved according to the change of radio wave environment. Can reduce the installation cost.

Second, since a single RFID reader can effectively control multiple antennas, it is possible to easily design a transmission / reception signal processing structure, reduce a malfunction probability, and reduce an RFID reader product size. There is.

Third, since sufficient isolation is ensured by reducing the influence of propagation between the transmission signal and the reception signal through the switching unit, the transmission and reception performance can be improved.

Claims (8)

One or more RFID tags attached to the distribution logistics and sending logistics information; A rotating device for rotating the distribution logistics according to a control signal; And Receiving processing stage; A transmission processing stage; A plurality of antennas installed adjacent to the rotating device; A first switching unit configured to switch the antennas to transmit and receive signals sequentially or in groups; And an RFID reader having a second switching unit for separating transmission and reception signals by switching the sequentially switched antennas to the reception processing stage or the transmission processing stage. The method of claim 1, wherein the RFID reader is Logistics system using RFID, characterized in that further comprising a control unit for transmitting a control signal of a switching operation to the first switching unit. The method of claim 2, wherein the control signal is Logistics system using RFID, characterized in that it comprises one or more of the cycle information, the sequence information of the switching operation. The method of claim 1, wherein the antenna Logistics system using RFID, characterized in that arranged in the rotary device area with different radio transmission and reception angles. The method of claim 2, wherein the control unit Logistics system using RFID, characterized in that for operating the rotary device when a signal is transmitted from any one RFID tag. The method of claim 1, wherein the rotating device Rotating plate for loading the distribution logistics on the upper surface; A drive unit for rotating the rotating plate; And Logistics system using RFID, characterized in that it comprises a circuit unit for applying a control signal to the drive unit. The method of claim 6, wherein the rotating device RFID is installed in an area in which the distribution logistics are moved, and further comprising a switch circuit for operating the circuit portion by detecting a distribution logistics approaching the turntable region and transmitting a predetermined switching signal to the circuit portion. Used logistics system. The method of claim 1, wherein the first switching unit or the second switching unit Logistics system using RFID, characterized in that provided as a switching device chip.

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