RFID in Packaging Surveillance: Impact of Simulation Tools in Design, Coverage Planning and Placement of “Smart” Readers Along the Supply Chain

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is becoming ubiquitous in supply chain operations such as inventory tracking and quality control. This paper describes the use of electromagnetic simulation tools for designing various elements of RFID infrastructure as well as radio coverage planning for optimal positioning of RFID tags and readers. Furthermore, it demonstrates coverage planning of RFID networks in a typical industrial supply chain entity such as a semi-warehouse with a package storing capability. A grid-based optimization approach is proposed with two case studies demonstrating the coverage planning for both active and passive RFID infrastructures.