The paper was presented at the Polish Logistics Congress “Logistics 2006 – Best practices in logistics”. Poznań, May 10-12, 2006.
Barcode recording and reading technology has developed and spread throughout the world, making it inexpensive and globally applicable. However, the main reason for the widespread use of this technology is the use of global GS1 system identifiers, i.e., numbers that uniquely and unmistakably identify, for example, a product, a collective package, or a pallet on a global scale. Data carriers, such as barcodes, will be slowly replaced by data carriers called tags or transponders, which are built from a microchip with an antenna and activated by radio waves. Information in the tag is recorded in binary form and processed into numerical form by an appropriate reader. The superiority of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology over traditional technology (barcodes) is primarily the significantly expanded possibilities for recording data about a specific object.
Solutions based on RFID technology using EPC standards have found their application in various branches of the economy. In the years 2003-2005, pilot implementations mainly covered the FMCG industry and partially healthcare and the military. In addition to the mentioned industries, in the coming years, EPCglobal will support and develop implementations in the automotive sector, the aerospace industry, and the clothing industry.
Solutions based on RFID technology using EPC standards have found their application in various branches of the economy. In the years 2003-2005, pilot implementations mainly covered the FMCG industry and partially healthcare and the military. In addition to the mentioned industries, in the coming years, EPCglobal will support and develop implementations in the automotive sector, the aerospace industry, and the clothing industry.
Introduction
Barcode recording and reading technology has developed and spread throughout the world, making it inexpensive and globally applicable. However, the main reason for the widespread use of this technology is the use of global GS1 system identifiers, i.e., numbers that uniquely and unmistakably identify, for example, a product, a collective package, or a pallet on a global scale. Data carriers, such as barcodes, will be slowly replaced by data carriers called tags or transponders, which are built from a microchip with an antenna and activated by radio waves. Information in the tag is recorded in binary form and processed into numerical form by an appropriate reader. The superiority of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology over traditional technology (barcodes) is primarily the significantly expanded possibilities for recording data about a specific object.
Open EPC standards are not just a standard way of recording specific information in an EPC tag, but above all, the EPCglobal network, which allows for the automatic identification of units in the supply chain in every enterprise, in every industry, all over the world. The EPCglobal network consists of several basic elements, namely:
Open EPC standards are not just a standard way of recording specific information in an EPC tag, but above all, the EPCglobal network, which allows for the automatic identification of units in the supply chain in every enterprise, in every industry, all over the world. The EPCglobal network consists of several basic elements, namely:
- EPC – product code recorded on an electronic medium, a globally unique object identifier;
- tags and readers – devices for data collection, connecting the flow of goods with the flow of information;
- Middleware – software used to filter output data from readers and reduce network overload, acts as an interface to internal IT systems and the EPCglobal network;
- ONS (Object Naming Service) – a resource that “knows” where information about an EPC is stored (ONS is similar to DNS);
- EPC IS (EPC Information Service) – a server enabling users to exchange data between trading partners based on EPC codes. This server uses the PML (Physical Markup Language) – designed by the Auto-ID laboratory as a method of product description. It is a standardized XML dictionary for describing a physical object, systems, processes, and environments related to the object.
Fig. 1. Conceptual diagram of the EPCglobal network
EPCglobal Standards
The EPCglobal network, based on global standards, encourages solution providers to create software and hardware that uses interfaces built exclusively on these standards. The EPCglobal architecture is described in an open and non-commercial manner. All interfaces between the elements of the EPCglobal network are defined as open standards and developed mainly by the community associated with the EPCglobal Standards Development Process. The EPCglobal architecture is designed to function within all existing structures and industry standards. All work related to the development of standards takes place through EPC working groups, which operate at both the business and technical levels. We distinguish three basic groups of standards:
- EPC physical object exchange standards. EPCglobal subscribers exchange physical objects (retail packaging, collective packaging, pallets, etc.), which are identified by a unique EPC number recorded in an EPC tag. The EPCglobal architecture defines standards for the exchange of physical objects and is designed to ensure that a subscriber who delivers physical objects to another subscriber correctly defines and interprets these objects. The standards within this group are primarily: EPC Tag Protocol and EPC Tag Data Specification. The first defines how data is transmitted via radio signal to an RFID reader, while the second defines the format and meaning of this data, i.e., the EPC code. Devices operating based on these standards within this group are EPC tags.
- EPC data exchange standards. The benefit that subscribers derive from the EPCglobal network through the exchange of information with other network participants consists of increasing the “visibility” of the movement of physical objects after they leave the subscriber’s premises. The EPCglobal architecture defines EPC data exchange standards, thanks to which the subscriber knows how to share data with other subscribers through the EPCglobal network. Furthermore, the subscriber, through this group of standards, is provided with access to basic EPCglobal services and other shared services that facilitate the exchange of data about EPC numbers. The standards and specifications, and thus the EPC data exchange interface, are: ONS Application Interface, EPC IS Outline, and EPC IS Query Interface. Equipment and software participating in this group of standards are: EPC IS (EPC Information Service), Discoverer, i.e., an application searching for specific data about EPC numbers placed on the Access EPC IS of specific EPCglobal subscribers, and ONS Root (source object naming service), i.e., a “searching” service that treats the EPC code as input data, while producing an address (in the form of a URL) from the EPC IS service of the specific EPCglobal subscriber who assigned the searched EPC number as output.
- EPC infrastructure standards. To be able to share EPC data, each subscriber conducts operations within their own business, which include, among other things, creating EPC identifiers for new objects. Thanks to the uniqueness of EPC numbers, it is possible to track their movement and collect this information in IT systems within one’s own organization. The EPCglobal architecture defines interface standards for most of the infrastructure elements required for collecting and recording EPC data, thus allowing subscribers to build their internal systems using interoperable elements. Among the standards and specifications belonging to this group, one should mention: EPC Reader Protocol (used for the proper interpretation of read EPC numbers), Specifications regarding data filtering and collection (used for converting data from the tag to the local Access EPC IS), EPC IS Query Interface (enabling the search for information about a specific EPC number through the EPC IS Discoverer, i.e., the interface between the local and external EPC IS). Software and hardware operating through the mentioned interfaces are primarily: EPC/RFID readers, the so-called “RFID Middleware” application (filtering and collecting data about EPC numbers), Access EPC IS (making data about EPC numbers available to other EPCglobal network subscribers), local ONS (enabling the search for a specific EPC number through the ONS Root).
Within the functioning of the EPCglobal network, there are currently standards with approved status and those that are still subject to agreement and development. Among the ratified standards, one should mention:
- EPC Tag Data Standard version 1.1. rev 1.27
- Class 1 Generation 2 UHF Air Interface Protocol Standard Version 1.0.9
- EPCglobal Architecture Framework Version 1.0
- Object Naming Service (ONS) Specification Version 1.0
- Application Level Event (ALE) Specification Version 1.0.
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