Inventory Database System Using Radio Frequency Identification.
i INVENTORY DATABASE SYSTEM USING RADIO FREQUENCY
IDENTIFICATION
NORAIHAN BINTI ISHAK
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ii INVENTORY DATABASE SYSTEM USING RADIO FREQUENCY
IDENTIFICATION
NORAIHAN BINTI ISHAK
This report is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of Bachelor of Electronic Engineering (Computer Engineering) With Honours
Faculty of Electronic and Computer Engineering Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka
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i
UNIVERSTI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA
FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN ELEKTRONIK DAN KEJURUTERAAN KOMPUTER
BORANG PENGESAHAN STATUS LAPORAN PROJEK SARJANA MUDA II
Tajuk Projek : INVENTORY DATABASE SYSTEM USING RFID
Sesi Pengajian : 2008/2009
Saya NORAIHAN BINTI ISHAK mengaku membenarkan Laporan Projek Sarjana Muda ini disimpan di Perpustakaan dengan syarat-syarat kegunaan seperti berikut:
1. Laporan adalah hakmilik Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka.
2. Perpustakaan dibenarkan membuat salinan untuk tujuan pengajian sahaja.
3. Perpustakaan dibenarkan membuat salinan laporan ini sebagai bahan pertukaran antara institusi pengajian tinggi.
4. Sila tandakan ( √ ) :
SULIT*
(Mengandungi maklumat yang berdarjah keselamatan atau kepentingan Malaysia seperti yang termaktub di dalam AKTA RAHSIA RASMI 1972)
TERHAD* (Mengandungi maklumat terhad yang telah ditentukan oleh
organisasi/badan di mana penyelidikan dijalankan)
TIDAK TERHAD
Disahkan oleh:
__________________________ ___________________________________
(TANDATANGAN PENULIS) (COP DAN TANDATANGAN PENYELIA)
Alamat Tetap: No 28 Jalan Ramal 5, Taman Ramal Indah 43 000 Kajang, Selangor
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ii
Noraihan binti Ishak
“I hereby declare that this report is the result of my own work except for quotes as
cited in the references.”
Signature : ………
Author : ………
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iii
Abd Shukur bin Jaafar
“I hereby declare that I have read this report and in my opinion this report is sufficient in terms of the scope and quality for the award of Bachelor of
Electrical Engineering (Computer) With Honours.”
Signature : ………
Supervisor’s Name : ………
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iv
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
By Allah blessing I was able to finish my final year project. Thus here I also like to express my token of appreciation to the people that have been supporting me until this project is successfully done.
Thanks to my supervisor En Abd Shukur bin Jaafar who always gives me brilliant ideas to improve the project and also to my family that supporting me until this project was finished.
Also, thanks to my friends in BENC who also had been helping me to make this project work.
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ABSTRACT
Inventory database system using RFID is a database management system with RFID tag as a triggering input and as a security to the system. The idea is to develop
a systematically database for lecturer to request stationary from office’s faculty by
enhancing it with the RFID and establish a Local Area Connection (LAN) connection. The aim for this project is to enable user to have an easy access for requesting stationary from faculty office’s stationary. The RFID tag that has a unique identification number will be the input/password for user/administrator to access into the system. The Microsoft SQL Server 2005 will be used as a database that stored all the information and inventory related to this system. The interface for this system will be develop using Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 and as the interaction between the hardware and software integration.
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ABSTRAK
Projek ini merupakan sistem pengurusan pengkalan data yang melibatkan tag
“Radio Frequency Identification” (RFID) sebagai pencetus masukan dan juga sebagai salah satu langkah keselamatan kepada sistem. Ideanya adalah untuk membina sebuah pengkalan data yang bersistematik untuk pensyarah membuat permohonan barang-barang dari stor fakulti dengan menggabungkan sistem ini
bersama RFID dan membina sambungan “Local Area Connection” (LAN). Projek ini
bertujuan untuk membolehkan pengguna sistem ini mengakses dengan mudah dalam permohonan barang-barang dari stor fakulti. Tag pada RFID mempunyai nombor pengenalan unik yang akan digunakan sebagai masukan/kata kunci kepada
pengguna/pentadbiran untuk megakses pangkalan data. Perisian “Microsoft SQL Server” akan digunakan sebagai pangkalan data yang akan menyimpan segala maklumat dan inventori yang berkaitan dengan sistem ini. Pengantaramuka yang
akan digunakan dalam sistem ini adalah perisian “Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0” di
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CONTENT
CHAPTER CONTENT PAGE
PROJECT TITLE i
STATUS APPROVAL FORM ii
CONFESSION iii
SUPERVISOR APPROVAL iv
DEDICATION v
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT vi
ABSTRACT vii
ABSTRAK viii
CONTENT ix
LIST OF TABLE xii
LIST OF FIGURE xiii
LIST OF ABBREVIATION xv
LIST OF APPENDIX xvi
I INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Objectives 2
1.3 Problem Statement 3
1.4 Scope 3
1.5 Methodology 4
1.6 Report Structure 5
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ix 2.1 Radio Frequency Identification 6
2.1.1 Fundamental Concept 7 2.1.2 Radio Communication Risk 10 2.1.3 RFID System Components 11
2.1.3.1 Tag 12
2.1.3.2 Reader 16
2.2 Database Management System 20 2.2.1 DBMS Features and capabilities 21 2.2.1.1 Query ability 21 2.2.1.2 Backup and replication 21 2.2.1.3 Security 21 2.2.1.4 Computation 22 2.2.1.5 Change and access logging 22 2.3 Relational Database Management System
(RDBMS)
22
2.3.1 RDBMS Users 22
2.4 Microsoft SQL Server 2005 23
2.5 Microsoft Visual Basic 23
III METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction 24
3.2 RFID Configuration 24
3.2.1 Specification of RFID (CYTRON RFID READER IDR-232)
24 3.2.2 Port Configuration 26 3.3 Connection between Hardware and
Software
27
3.4 Software 30
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x
3.4.2 Software Involved 32
3.4.2.1 Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 32 3.4.2.2 Microsoft SQL Server 2005 35 3.5 Local Area Network (LAN) Configuration 39 3.6 Block Diagram and Flow Chart 42
IV RESULT AND DISCUSSION
4.0 Introduction 45
4.1 Result 45
4.1.1 Manual 46
4.1.2 User 48
4.1.3 Administrator 49
4.2 Discussion 53
V CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
5.1 Conclusion 54
5.2 Future 54
5.3 Future Recommendations 54
REFERENCE 56
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xi
LIST OF TABLE
NO TABLE PAGE
2.1 RF Properties 10
3.1 RS-232 Setting 26
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xii
LIST OF FIGURE
NO FIGURE PAGE
1.5 Block Diagram of Project 4
2.1 Different Parts of a Wave 8
2.2 Components of a passive tag 14
2.3 Example active and semi-passive 15
2.4 Components of an example reader 17
2.5 Modulated Backscatter 18
2.6 Transmitter Communication 19
2.7 Transponder Communication 20
3.1 RS-232 and PS2 converter 25
3.2 Device Configuration 26
3.3 MS Comm Component 27
3.4 Add Microsoft Comm Control 6.0 Component in VB 6.0
29
3.5 Drag and Drop MSComm to form VB6 29
3.6 Setting up properties for MSComm in VB6 30
3.7 Generic Process Model 31
3.8 Component Identification Process 32
3.9 Program to read input from tag 33
3.10 Open connection 34
3.11 Timer properties 34
3.12 Component controls in VB6 35
3.13 Flex Grid 35
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xiii
3.15 Tables available 36
3.16 Example of table “items” 37
3.17 Surface Area Configuration for Services and Connections
38
3.18 SQL Server Configuration Manager 39
3.19 Setting internet protocol 40
3.20 Example of IP 40
3.21 Block Diagram of Project 42
3.22 Flow Chart User 43
3.23 Flow Chart Administrator 44
4.1 Manually Selection 46
4.2 Manually Identification 47
4.3 Identify Unique Identification on Tag to System 48
4.4 User Request 48
4.5 User Check Request 49
4.6 Identify Unique Identification on Tag to System 49
4.7 Administrator Check 50
4.8 Administrator Approve/Reject 50
4.9 Add User 51
4.10 Delete User 51
4.11 Add New Items 52
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LIST OF ABBREVIATION
RFID Radio Frequency Identification DBMS Database Management System GUI Graphical User Interface USB Universal Serial Bus
LAN Local Area Network
RF Radio Frequency
CW Continuous Wave
LF Low Frequency
HF High Frequency
UHF Ultra High Frequency VHF Very High Frequency ISM Industry, Scientific, Medical RTF Reader-Talks-First
TTF Tag-Talks-First
RDBMS Relational Database Management System DBA Database Administrator
RAD Rapid Application Development DAO Data Access Object
ADO ActiveX Data Object
CBSE Component-Based Software Engineering COTS Commercial off-the-shelf systems
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xv
LIST OF APPENDIXES
NO APPENDIX PAGE
A1 Technical Report 57
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1
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction
Inventory Database Management System Using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a database management system (DBMS) applied with Radio Frequency Identification as trigger to access database. This system involves RFID, database, the server and client application and Graphical User Interface (GUI). A passive RFID tag used to transmit data to a reader of RFID in a contact less manner using radio waves. RFID reader then read the unique identification number from tag and established a communication with the database using USB serial port converter RS-232 serial connection. A user of the client computer then begins to send request
information’s form to administrator of server computer by the application Local Area Network (LAN). This system allowed two ways of communication; from client to server and vice-versa. The administrator upon receiving the request information will past a feedback to notify the user about the status of the requested items. Each of the information or data was stored in the database as an inventory.
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2 1.2 Objectives
There are several objectives to be achieved for this project to be successfully built.
1. To enable user to have an easy access for requesting stationary from faculty
office’s stationary.
2. To develop an inventory database system using RFID with Microsoft Server Language as database and client-server application as the connection to
faculty office’s stationary.
3. To understand the basic function of RFID in order for user and administrator to begin using the system.
4. To learn and understand how to use programming language which involving Microsoft SQL and Microsoft Visual Basic 6 for database and GUI development.
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3 1.3 Problem Statement
Although the faculty already have a system for requesting stationary, but it
is not too efficient and systematic since it’s involve the usage of form. Nowadays a
system called Database Management System (DBMS) is common in an environment of an organization. A DBMS allow a systematically database to be built. In order to enhance the previous system, an RFID will be used as security precautions and a database will be built. The previous system needed lecturer to fill in form on the
office’s faculty which is located on the ground floor. Then the lecturer will wait for approval from PIC. There is no specific notification when the form will be processed by PIC either it is approved or rejected. Also there is a possibility that the form might lost in the process. By building this Inventory Database System using RFID, the problem stated above can be avoided.
1.4 Scope
This project will be focused on a certain area of development which stated in the scopes below:
1. Develop a communication between RFID and system. 2. Build a connection link between database and the interface.
3. Design GUI for both server and client using Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0. 4. Established a server-client network.
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4
Transmit radio signal
Reader to transmit to database for processing
1.5 Methodology
Figure 1.1: Block Diagram of Project
Tag RFID
Reader Host
User 1 User 2 User 3 User 4
Request form---
--- server SQL
Request form--- ---
Process-Accept/Reject server SQL
“Handshake” Connect through
rs232 to usb converter
Database
To save in SQL database
To save in SQL database Received
Request
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5 1.6 Report Structure
The first chapter of this report is about the introduction of the report. It includes an explanation about objectives, problem statement, scope and the methodology of the project.
The second chapter is about the literature view of the project. This chapter discusses about previous project that have been developed by others and their concepts..
The third chapter is an explanation about the methodology and process that taken to complete the project. It consist the detail development of GUI using Visual Basic 6.0 software process and the process to integrate RFID with the database and the interface.
The fourth chapter is the result obtain based on the methodology that used. The result will be analyzed based on the objectives and problem statement.
The fifth chapter is the discussion and summary of project achievement. It also includes the conclusion and recommendation that can be taken for future improvement of the project.
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6
CHAPTER II
LITERATURE REVIEW
This chapter is discussing about theory and component used on the project. In this chapter, three main components will be focused on; Radio Frequency Identification, Database Management System and Microsoft Visual Basic
2.1 Radio Frequency Identification
RFID stands for Radio-Frequency Identification. It’s a technology that uses radio waves to automatically identify physical objects. This device consist two main components which are “reader” and “tag”. These components act as a transceiver and transmitter respectively or also known as transponder. There are various types of both components. Based on opinion of Dennis E. Brown [1]
It is the name given to systems that put “tags” on objects (item bought and sold commercially, documents, people, animals, vehicles,
containers, and so on) so they can be identified, tracked and managed automatically utilizing radio frequency equipment and supporting computer systems.
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7 2.1.1 Fundamental Concept
Radio or radio frequency (RF) waves are electromagnetic waves with wavelengths between 0.1 cm and 1,000 km. Another equivalent definition in terms of frequency is radio waves are electromagnetic waves whose frequencies lie between 30 Hz and 300 GHz. Other electromagnetic wave types are infrared, visible light wave, ultraviolet, gamma-ray, x-ray, and cosmic-ray. RFID uses radio waves that are generally between the frequencies of 30 KHz and 5.8 GHz. A continuous wave (CW) is a radio wave with constant frequency and amplitude. From a communications vantage, a CW does not have any embedded information in it but can be modulated to transmit a signal. Modulation refers to the process of changing the characteristics of a radio wave to encode some information-bearing signal. Modulation can also refer to the result of applying the modulation process to a radio wave.
Radio waves can be affected by the material through which they propagate. A material is called RF-lucent or RF-friendly for a certain frequency if it lets radio waves at this frequency pass through it without any substantial loss of energy. A material is called RF-opaque if it blocks, reflects, and scatters RF waves. A material can allow the radio waves to propagate through it but with substantial loss of energy. These types of materials are referred to as absorbent. The RF absorbent or RF-opaque property of a material is relative, because it depends on the frequency. That is, a material that is RF-opaque at a certain frequency could be RF-lucent at a different frequency. The RF properties of some example materials are provided in Table 2.1, following a discussion of RFID frequency types.
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2 1.2 Objectives
There are several objectives to be achieved for this project to be successfully built.
1. To enable user to have an easy access for requesting stationary from faculty
office’s stationary.
2. To develop an inventory database system using RFID with Microsoft Server Language as database and client-server application as the connection to
faculty office’s stationary.
3. To understand the basic function of RFID in order for user and administrator to begin using the system.
4. To learn and understand how to use programming language which involving Microsoft SQL and Microsoft Visual Basic 6 for database and GUI development.
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3 1.3 Problem Statement
Although the faculty already have a system for requesting stationary, but it
is not too efficient and systematic since it’s involve the usage of form. Nowadays a
system called Database Management System (DBMS) is common in an environment of an organization. A DBMS allow a systematically database to be built. In order to enhance the previous system, an RFID will be used as security precautions and a database will be built. The previous system needed lecturer to fill in form on the
office’s faculty which is located on the ground floor. Then the lecturer will wait for approval from PIC. There is no specific notification when the form will be processed by PIC either it is approved or rejected. Also there is a possibility that the form might lost in the process. By building this Inventory Database System using RFID, the problem stated above can be avoided.
1.4 Scope
This project will be focused on a certain area of development which stated in the scopes below:
1. Develop a communication between RFID and system. 2. Build a connection link between database and the interface.
3. Design GUI for both server and client using Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0. 4. Established a server-client network.
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4
Transmit radio signal
Reader to transmit to database for processing 1.5 Methodology
Figure 1.1: Block Diagram of Project
Tag RFID
Reader Host
User 1 User 2 User 3 User 4
Request form---
--- server SQL
Request form--- ---
Process-Accept/Reject server SQL
“Handshake” Connect through
rs232 to usb converter
Database
To save in SQL database
To save in SQL database Received
Request
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5 1.6 Report Structure
The first chapter of this report is about the introduction of the report. It includes an explanation about objectives, problem statement, scope and the methodology of the project.
The second chapter is about the literature view of the project. This chapter discusses about previous project that have been developed by others and their concepts..
The third chapter is an explanation about the methodology and process that taken to complete the project. It consist the detail development of GUI using Visual Basic 6.0 software process and the process to integrate RFID with the database and the interface.
The fourth chapter is the result obtain based on the methodology that used. The result will be analyzed based on the objectives and problem statement.
The fifth chapter is the discussion and summary of project achievement. It also includes the conclusion and recommendation that can be taken for future improvement of the project.
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6
CHAPTER II
LITERATURE REVIEW
This chapter is discussing about theory and component used on the project. In this chapter, three main components will be focused on; Radio Frequency Identification, Database Management System and Microsoft Visual Basic
2.1 Radio Frequency Identification
RFID stands for Radio-Frequency Identification. It’s a technology that uses radio waves to automatically identify physical objects. This device consist two main components which are “reader” and “tag”. These components act as a transceiver and transmitter respectively or also known as transponder. There are various types of both components. Based on opinion of Dennis E. Brown [1]
It is the name given to systems that put “tags” on objects (item bought and sold commercially, documents, people, animals, vehicles,
containers, and so on) so they can be identified, tracked and managed automatically utilizing radio frequency equipment and supporting computer systems.
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7 2.1.1 Fundamental Concept
Radio or radio frequency (RF) waves are electromagnetic waves with wavelengths between 0.1 cm and 1,000 km. Another equivalent definition in terms of frequency is radio waves are electromagnetic waves whose frequencies lie between 30 Hz and 300 GHz. Other electromagnetic wave types are infrared, visible light wave, ultraviolet, gamma-ray, x-ray, and cosmic-ray. RFID uses radio waves that are generally between the frequencies of 30 KHz and 5.8 GHz. A continuous wave (CW) is a radio wave with constant frequency and amplitude. From a communications vantage, a CW does not have any embedded information in it but can be modulated to transmit a signal. Modulation refers to the process of changing the characteristics of a radio wave to encode some information-bearing signal. Modulation can also refer to the result of applying the modulation process to a radio wave.
Radio waves can be affected by the material through which they propagate. A material is called RF-lucent or RF-friendly for a certain frequency if it lets radio waves at this frequency pass through it without any substantial loss of energy. A material is called RF-opaque if it blocks, reflects, and scatters RF waves. A material can allow the radio waves to propagate through it but with substantial loss of energy. These types of materials are referred to as absorbent. The RF absorbent or RF-opaque property of a material is relative, because it depends on the frequency. That is, a material that is RF-opaque at a certain frequency could be RF-lucent at a different frequency. The RF properties of some example materials are provided in Table 2.1, following a discussion of RFID frequency types.