The Influence of Metal Environment on the Performance of UHF Smart Labels in Theory, Experimental Series and Practice

RFID is regarded as the future technology for the optimization of logistic processes. But there is a lack of methods and tools to support the logistic planer by identifying and implementing RFID applications. This is picked up by the research project "RFID in logistics" at the Technical University of Munich. The target is to point out possible RFID applications and appropriate components by structuring the logistic processes and comparing it to implemented RFID applications and to the results of basic experimental series. Because of the high influence of metal environment on the performance of especially UHF RFID systems analyzes of occurring effects in experimental series are a main focus in the project to provide a statement for the feasibility of possible RFID applications. In the scope of this essay the different physical effects of metal on UHF RFID systems are explained and quantified with the results of executed experimental series. Furthermore the possibilities of mounting metal parts are described and tested including a special absorber material invented by the department. The transferability of the results of the experimental series and their effects of shorting the selection time are shown exemplary by means of a feasibility study for metal pallet management.