RFID-based network for personnel and mission-critical asset tracking in a Disaster C1ity®

The purpose of this paper is to describe a successful undergraduate research project and lessons learned. The project scope is to design, implement and test a proof of concept for personnel and mission-critical asset tracking at the Texas A&M Disaster City^reg site utilizing RFID system. On a larger scale solution, this system can be used for underground mine safety and communications, subterranean building safety and communications, indoor/outdoor personnel tracking, indoor/outdoor moveable asset tracking, environmental test and measurement, and continuous data logging, trending and homeland security concerns. Our approach is to start with a proof-of-concept scalable system architecture that could be used for a full-scale system. This is an excellent example of how multiple industry partners can impact undergraduate education on a real-world project while seeking new applications for their products and solutions.