Internet of Things and EPC/RFID Technology

With the development of economic globalization, the individual needs of customers are increasing day by day, and the uncertainty is also greatly increasing. In the fields of trade logistics, manufacturing and other fields, higher and higher requirements are put forward for the efficiency of supply chain. Due to the backwardness of item identification and identification technology, information asymmetry is caused, which seriously affects the efficiency of social logistics.

In 1998, two professors from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) proposed to assign a unique numbering scheme to all goods or items based on radio frequency identification technology (RFID) for unique identification. This identification scheme adopts digital coding, and realizes further inquiry of item information through the Internet of Things. This technical vision gave birth to the EPC (Electronic Product Code) and the concept of the Internet of Things. That is to use digital coding, through an open, global standard system, with the help of low-priced electronic tags, to realize the tracking and instant exchange of item information through the Internet, and further strengthen the collection, integration and processing of information on this basis. exchange.

RFID is a simple and practical flexible application technology especially suitable for automatic control. Its unique advantages are beyond the reach of other identification technologies. It can support both read-only and read-write working modes without contact or aiming; it can work freely in various harsh environments; it can perform high data integration. However, because the technology is difficult to be counterfeited and invaded, RFID technology also has extremely high security protection capabilities.

The full name of EPC is Electronic Product Code, which is translated into Chinese as product electronic code. It is a new technology developed to improve the management level of logistics supply chain and reduce costs. , shipping packaging, etc.) is the only valid identification. The EPC system uses EPC as the identification code of each physical object, and uses the advantages of RFID (radio frequency identification) technology and the basic resources of the Internet to build a global "Internet of Things".

The information coding method of EPC is compatible with the traditional barcode, but its information capacity is greatly enhanced, which makes up for the inability of barcode technology to identify the single product level. At the same time, because the EPC system adopts RFID technology, which is more advanced than barcode technology, it can realize relatively long-distance rapid identification and strengthen the environmental adaptability of RFID tags, which is known as a revolutionary new technology. It will have a revolutionary impact on supply chain management, logistics, production control, retail and other fields, and will fundamentally improve the level of monitoring and management of the flow of goods in production, transportation, warehousing, and sales on a global scale, and greatly improve the quality of life. The ability to implement regulation and control of production and sales plans increases the competitiveness of enterprises.

The realization of EPC/RFID article identification function is mainly composed of six aspects: EPC coding standard, RFID electronic tag, reader, Savant network, object name analysis service and EPC information service system.

1. EPC code

EPC is to provide a unique identification of physical objects. The information Stored in the EPC code includes embedded information and reference information. Embedded information can include item weight, dimensions, expiration date, destination, and more. The basic idea is to use the existing computer network and current information resources to store data, so that the EPC becomes a network pointer with the minimum amount of information. Reference information is actually web information about an item's attributes.

2. RFID tags

The RFID electronic tag is composed of four parts: the antenna, the integrated circuit, the part connecting the integrated circuit and the antenna, and the bottom layer where the antenna is located. The EPC code is stored in the RFID electronic tag, and the RFID electronic tag has three types: active type, passive type and semi-active type. Active and semi-active tags are very useful for tracking high-value items. They can be scanned over long distances, but they also cost more per tag. Passive tags are relatively inexpensive and widely available.

3. Reader

There are many ways to exchange information with tags, and the most common method for reading information in passive tags at close range is inductive coupling. The tag uses this magnetic field to send electromagnetic waves to the reader. These returned electromagnetic waves are converted into data information, namely the EPC code of the tag. The distance at which the reader can read information depends on the power of the RFID Reader and the frequency used. Generally speaking, high frequency tags have a greater read distance.

4. Savant system

After each product is tagged with an RFID electronic tag, the reader will continuously receive a series of EPC codes during the production, transportation and sales of the product. In order to transmit and manage these data on the Internet, the Auto-ID Center has developed a software system called Savant, which is a tree structure, which can simplify management and improve system operating efficiency. It can be installed in stores, local distribution centers, regional or even national data centers, and its main tasks are data collation, reader coordination, data transfer, data storage and task management.

5. Object name resolution service system (0NS)

ONS finds reference information about the physical object by matching the EPC code with the corresponding item information. For example: when a reader gets the information of the EPC label, the EPC code is passed to the Savant system, and then the ONS is used to find the location where the product information is stored on the LAN or the Internet. The ONS specifies to the Savant system the server that stores the relevant information of this product, and transmits the information about this product in this File.

6. EPC code reading process

The reader reads an EPC code, transmits the information to the Savant system, and obtains the address of the currently detected remote EPC information server through the ONS, and then Savant sends a request to read the PML data to the remote EPC information server, and the EPC information The server returns the requested PML data to Savant, and then Savant processes the content of the newly read EPC code.

7. EPC information service

In IoT, files about product information are stored in EPC information servers. These servers are often maintained by the manufacturer. All product information will be written in a new standard computer language, Physical Markup Language (PML), which is based on the widely accepted Extensible Markup Language (ⅪL). The PML files will be stored on the EPC Information Server, providing other computers with the files they need.

Under the strong market orientation, RFID technology, EPC and the Internet of Things will definitely cause a major change in the world, and it will become a new economic growth point in the future. In today's fierce market competition, fast, accurate and real-time information acquisition and processing capabilities will become the key for enterprises to gain competitive advantages.

RFID technology is a technology that enables items to "speak". In the concept of "Internet of Things", the RFID tags store standardized and interoperable information, which are automatically collected to the central information system through the wireless data communication network to realize the identification of items (commodities), and then through the open The computer network realizes information exchange and sharing, and realizes "transparent" management of items.