RFID Food Quality Detector
Texas A&M University at Qatar
The RFID is a wireless device, which uses a radio wave technology that is uniquely identified by an RFID reader. A small chip, which is provided by the RFID system, can be embedded in any physical object depending on the application. RFID systems fall into two basic categories: active and passive. The main difference between both the two categories is that active tags transmit its ID signals automatically and they contain their own integrated power source that is commonly a battery. Whereas passive tags transmit signals when receiving radio frequency energy emitted by a reader and they do not contain any power source.
Given this information about RFID systems, and knowing that meat packages can be subjected to damage by external factors such as temperature, humidity, and light, our application was chosen. In our project, we will implement a traceability system on the product using the RFID system along with a sensor. The sensor will enable the tracking and monitoring of each of these external factors. Attached inside each container of the meat shipments, this sensor will start recording the data starting with the meat journey from the industry houses, until it reaches the market. The recording status will be taken in a several intervals depending on the shipment period. Moreover, an active RFID system will be used to collect and transmit all required data from the sensor to the reader. Following that, a communication system (GSM or Wi-Fi) will link the results obtained from the reader to a computer or a mobile phone that can be checked by the experts in an institution. Provided with the information our project provides, experts will be able to make an informed decision regarding weather the meat is cleared for display or not.
Our work on this project and added value to the meat industry’s standards will be increased, as our work will be supported from key stakeholder institutions. We have contacted the Doha Municipality and the Ministry of Environment and they were enthusiastic and supportive of our project. They are willing to help and provide us with all required documents. The documentations include standards and specifications that if the meat does not satisfy, it becomes inappropriate for human consumption. The Ministry of Environment will provide us all needed documents upon our request. The documents will be received in the upcoming days.
Our Project
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Below is a simple diagram showing the entire system with its main components.
The components are:
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Sensor: Although it might be mistaken for a single sensor, it is in fact a collection of sensors connected together using a PCB (Printed Circuit Board). Each one of these sensors will measure a specific parameter (temperature, heat, and light). Placed inside the container of the food shipment, they will sense the values of each of the parameters in different intervals of time.
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Reader: The core functionality of the reader is its ability to receive signals from the sensor showing the parameters values. Depending on a specific programming code containing all the standards and constraints provided by the Ministry of Environment, any undesired change in one or more of the parameters will be reported either by using a wire, 3G SIM Card (GSM), or a Wi-Fi.
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Server in the Market: The readings from the reader will be sent to a server located in the marker. This will enable close monitoring of the parameters to keep track of any changes. As a result of the close and robust monitoring process, experts will be able to distinguish between meat appropriate for human consumption, and meat that does not qualify. The data will be managed and saved in a database that uses HTML – 5 programming language which will help in creating a webpage. Creating a webpage using this language is helpful because it can be conveniently accessed using any device such as smartphone or tablets.
An optional component may be included:
Client: If this was added, then the data will be sent to the people who are working in assuring the food validity. It will be sent to them using a secure internet because the data is confidential.
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