A test-bed for a wireless identification and location system for industrial items

This document describes a proposal for a simple, low-cost wireless location and identification system planned to track a significant number of mobile items in an industrial scenario. There are several industrial processes which would be improved just by keeping track of path along the production and distribution chain of a processed item and its modifications. These data would feedback in its turn, the company information and logistics system. The key problems and requirements of such a system are discussed, as well as some suitable technologies. A proposal for a solution based on low-cost, simple reader/writer devices is shown. Since there are not commercial products that meet the requirements demanded, first step in research is the development of a custom device, focusing on the design of efficient access protocols for a large number of devices simultaneously attempting to communicate.