Analysis of the applicability of RFID & wireless sensors to manufacturing and distribution lines trough a testing multi-platform

The increasing number of product references involved in production and distribution lines, implies an added complexity for the management and control systems of companies. Moreover, customers are increasingly in favour of the use of new technology when placing their orders, such as on-line booking and purchasing, and their requirements are increasingly greater. Customers, as well as companies, are demanding updated information on the condition and location of their ordered products during fabrication and transportation phases. This paper proposes an analysis of the applicability of accessing information in real-time related to a product's condition along the manufacturing and supply chain, by means of the integration of RFID systems with sensors and wireless networks. To achieve this purpose a multi-service controller board has been designed into which specific operation modules are plugged. The modules are active or passive RFID readers, modules with sensors or actuators, or modules for data storage. Furthermore, some other communication modules have also been developed offering WLAN, ZigBee or GPRS networks. Using these solutions, companies will have a more reliable and faster access to information in different areas of manufacturing and logistics. Their ease of implantation and reliability makes the use of the systems analysed here, an ideal solution for companies who wish to monitor over their manufacturing and distribution lines more easily. In addition, when all this technology works together, new functions and applications appear with interesting results for the different case studies.