Using radio frequency identification in agent-based control systems for industrial applications

Abstract The radio frequency identification (RFID) is a technology for automatic identification of items, particularly in supply chain, but it is becoming increasingly important for industrial applications. Unlike barcode technology that detects the optical signals reflected from barcode labels, RFID uses radio waves to transmit the information from an RFID tag affixed to the physical object. We present middleware architecture for collection, filtration and preprocessing of the RFID data designed with respect to the exploitation the RFID technology in industrial environments as well as to the integration of the RFID with agent-based manufacturing control systems.