Robust RFID design for products and processes used in industry 4.0 manufacturing

The research in this thesis involves the design of RFID tags for being used within manufacturing to support industry 4.0. Industry 4.0 is seen as the fourth industrial revolution to increase automation through data exchange between manufacturing technologies. This will require reliable communication between products and components of the systems which can be achieved through use of RFID.

RFID tag designs have been modelled on a variety of materials using electromagnetic software to investigate how different products would affect their performance. The modelling includes simulations of RFID tags on the human body, on different dielectric materials and in the presence of metal. Measurements of the RFID tags were carried out in the scenarios that they were intended including using a real electronics assembly environment. The knowledge gained through designing and testing of RFID tags has been presented within ontology so that the information can be shared with inexperienced users.

The outcomes of this research includes a low profile temporary tattoo RFID tag that can be read while attached to the human body, a robust RFID tag design for use on unknown materials including near metal, real manufacturing environment testing and ontology of RFID systems. The results of this research will allow for reliable communication within manufacturing environments to support the adoption of industry 4.0.