RFID BASED AIRPORT BAGGAGE COLLECTION

ABSTRACT

The Radio Frequency Identification is used to collect the baggage of the passengers in the easier way. The radio frequency waves are employed to identify the bags of the passengers. RFID reader is employed to get the information from the RFID tags. The RFID tags are attached to the bags of the passengers. The tags contain different types of codes like ten digit numbers (approximately). The computer system contains the information of the particular passengers corresponding to the particular codes in the RFID tags. The codes in the tags are received by the RFID reader and those codes are sent to the system. The details of the passengers are stored correspondingly to the codes.
The information about the passengers is sent through the PIC16F877 to the LCD display. MAX232 IC is used for the two way communication between the PIC16F877 and the system. Then the information of the passenger is displayed according to the order of the bags coming in the conveyor belt. The passengers will collect their bags according to the order in the display. By this passengers can avoid mishandling of baggage. The RFID has the ability to read at longer distances and around challenging environments, to store large amounts of data on the tag, to integrate with sensors and to communicate with external devices.








INTRODUCTION

Airlines have to carry baggage and the infrastructure needed to take the bag from a passenger and return it to them is both complex and costly. This results in the double impact of airlines, which face increasing mishandling rates due to complexity and increasing charges due to compensation cost when baggage is mishandled.
NEED FOR NEW SOURCE
All the major airlines based their strategy on the hub concept. The baggage security control affects directly the bottom line of the airlines. Also, its critical for the airlines to have a airport that deliver all the services with high level performances, especially on transfer flights.
The airline industry handles 2 billion passengers per annually. As per airline industry statistics, 5-7 bags per 1000 are mishandled. When bags are mishandled, the cost of tracing systems, and settlement costs pertaining to claims of lost bag @ $20 per kg of checked baggage weight.
Thus a new source to solve this problem effectively and efficiently is the collection of baggage in airports using RFID system.


BLOCKDIAGRAM





DESCRIPTION
A regulated IC7805 is used to provide the regulated supply of +5v to the microcontroller PIC16F877. The RFID modem is connected to microcontroller to send the information from tag to the controller. The information from the microcontroller is compared with the database in the computer through MAX232 IC. MAX232 IC is used for two way communication between the PIC16F877 and the system.
If the information is confirmed, the information about the passenger is sent through the PIC16F877 to the LCD display. The passengers will collect their baggage to the order in the display.


Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
Radio Frequency Identification is an automatic identification method, relying on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags or transponders.
Radio frequency signals are used to send information to identify a particular situation or item. It can track and locate any item including material, people and animals.

RFID Components
There are two major components in an RFID system
1. The tag (transponder) programmed with unique information.
2. The reader (interrogator) includes a decoder to interpret data
RFID TAGS
A RFID tag is an object that can be applied to or incorporated into an animal, or person for the purpose of identification using radio waves. Some tags can be read from several meters away and beyond the line of sight of the reader.

The RFID tag consists of two parts namely an integrated circuit and a coupling device. The integrated circuit stores specific data unique to the tag. The coupling device interfaces with the reader.
TYPES:
1. Passive tags
2. Active tags
3. Semi-passive tags

RFID READERS
The RFID readers get the information from the RFID tags. Reader design now includes far more than basic reading. Some of the readers are:
1. Stand alone reader - will record anything passing through them.
2. Hand held readers.
3. Shelf readers – for small spaces.
It is possible to have intelligence embedded into the reader to make informed decisions about the items it is reading.
Magnetic field produced by reader

Data transmitted by the Tag



BAGGAGE TAG PRINTERS
Baggage tag printers are the key components in the RFID system.
The printer encodes the baggage license plate and other data into the tag and source for all the process. A poor encoder will cause problems across a network of airports. Standards for encoding are therefore critically important.

TRANSPONDER COILS IN RFID SYSTEM
The RFID transponder coil is a part of coupling device and acts as the transmitting antenna. These coils are sensitive and read distance; however the inductance of the transponder coil directly influences the sensitivity and read distance. Generally a higher inductance provides greater sensitivity resulting in a longer read distance. The manufacturer of the tag usually specifies the inductance of the coil to be used.

PROTECTION AGAINST RFID INTERCEPTION
Most RFID chips can be disabled by physical means: for example the RFID chip inside RFID credit cards can be disabled by a sharp tap of a hammer.
One can simply protect the RFID tag, by splitting the antenna circuit and the effective range of the RFID transponder will be greatly reduced.
Many RFID tags include a built-in ‘kill’ function. When provided with the correct pass-code, a tag can be either reprogrammed or told to ‘self destruct’, rendering it useless.

RFID SHIELDING
A number of products like approved shielding sleeve or holder are available in the market that will allow a concerned carrier of RFID-enabled cards or passports to shield their data.
For cheaper cost of RFID shielding aluminum foil can be used.

MAX232
The MAX232 from Maxim was the first IC which in one package contains the necessary drivers (two) and receivers (two), to adapt the RS232 signal voltage levels to TTL logic. MAX232 just requires one voltage (+5v) and generates the necessary RS232 voltage levels (apprx. -10v and +10v) internally. This greatly simplified the design of circuitry.
The MAX232 is just a driver/receiver. It does not generate the necessary RS232 sequence of marks and spaces with the right timing, it does not decode the RS232 signal and it does not provide a serial/parallel conversion. All it does is to convert signal voltage levels.

PIC16F877

MICROCONTROLLER CORE FEATURES:
• Only 35 single word instructions to learn.
• Interrupt capability (up to 14 sources).
• Power saving SLEEP mode.

PERIPHERAL FEATURES:
• 10-bit multi-channel Analog to Digital converter.
• Universal Synchronous Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (USART/SCI) with 9-bit address detection
• Parallel Slave Port (PSP) 8-bits wide, with external RD,WR and CS controls (40/44-pin only)
The pins of PIC16F877 are used as inputs of LCD. It is also used to serve as input for buzzer.
PIC16F877 generate the necessary RS-232 sequence of marks and spaces with the right timing, it decodes the RS-232 signal and it provides a serial/parallel conversion.


ANALYSIS OF REASON FOR MISHANDLING BAGGAGES:

The reasons for baggage mishandling is Online tagging error, Online left behind, Online load discrepancy, Online arrival problems and Interlining problems. The process of baggage interlining enables a passenger to travel on multiple airlines without necessity of tagging baggage along; however it is found to be the biggest contributor of mishandling, for the simple reason that the baggage system lags behind the passenger in making connection to next flight connection, even at more efficient airports.


CONCLUSION:
RFID has established itself in a wide range of markets including livestock identification and AIRPORT BAGGAGE COLLECTION systems because of its ability to track moving objects.
As the RFID based airport baggage system implementation moves forward, the airline industry will make savings from reduced baggage losses, paying back the investments made.
Product by Wal-Mart, FDA and the Pentagon manufactures will soon be tagging everything from diapers to combat boots with RFID chips whose costs will continue to be lowered as the volume increase.