2009 International Conference on Computer Technology and Development

RFID Based Laboratory Management System

Hazura H., Mardiana B., Fauziyah S., Zahariah M.,Hanim A.R., Siti Normi.Z
Faculty of Electronics and Computer Engineering
Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka
Ayer Keroh, Malacca, Malaysia
hazura@utem.edu.my,mardiana@utem.edu.my, fauziyah@utem.edu.my,
hanim@utem.edu.my,normi@utem.edu.my
Nowadays, the inventory management system becomes
easier and more systematic with the existence of RFID
technology. In this paper, we propose the laboratory
management system that utilizes RFID technology as its
backbone. The design of the system is discussed. RFID
reader and inventory database are used; both will help to
automatically record and store the circulation history and
current status of the tracked laboratory equipment.

Abstract - In this paper, we discuss the development of a

functioning model for a laboratory inventory management
system based on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
technology. The system allows users to track, search, and
label laboratory equipment wirelessly. This system is able
to locate inventory and report its status either present or
missing. The collected inventory data from RFID is then
stored and displayed on a PC such that a user can go to
the system and search for the inventory desired. This
system will not only provide meaningful tracking and
equipment status information but also secure products
from theft and ensure a more efficient inventory
evaluation.

II.

Most of inventory management system is done manually.

There are several problems occur when the inventory process
is manually managed such as time consuming. The problem
becomes worse and more complicated when involving a
large amount of inventory [4]. In a warehouse for example,
there are many items to check and using the manual system,
many employees have to be hired to manage the inventory.
This can increase the labor cost of the company.

Keywords-RFID, Inventory Management System

I.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

INTRODUCTION

III.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a wireless and

contact-less system and the technology is used to identify
people or objects by using radio waves. RFID is the next
generation emerging wireless communication technology
applicable to various areas. RFID has been used in
transportation system, manufacturing management, tracking
and tracing, etc. Nowadays, RFID has been attracting more
and more interests from both industry and academic
institutes [1].
The two main components involved in a RFID system
are the transponder (tags that are attached to the object) and
the Interrogator (RFID reader). Communication between the
RFID reader and tags occurs wirelessly and generally does
not require a line of sight between the devices. There are
several methods of identification, but the most common is to
store a serial number that identifies a person or object, and
perhaps other information, on a microchip that is attached to
an antenna (the chip and the antenna together are called an
RFID transponder or an RFID tag) [2]. The antenna enables
the chip to transmit the identification information to a reader.
The reader converts the radio waves reflected back from the
RFID tag into digital information that can then be passed on
to computers that can make use of it.

SYSTEM DESIGN AND FEATURES

The system comprises a hardware design and software

programming.
A. Hardware Selections
A Mifare RFID module is used for the design. The tag
provides diversified frequency bands at 13.56MHz. The
physical components contain four parts as shown in Fig. 1:
(1) the reader, which able to read and write data to the tag,
(2) the tag, which stored the identification code in it, (3)
Control Unit, (4) The Data Acquisition Card (DAQ card),
which control the input-output data and (4) the personal
computer, which process the information.

Figure 1. Physical components of the system .

978-0-7695-3892-1/09 $26.00 2009 IEEE

DOI 10.1109/ICCTD.2009.176

289

The system uses the 13.56MHz Micro Reader which

capable to detect the tags. Control Unit is a circuit that
receives the output from RFID reader and sends the signal to
the Programmable Integrated Circuit (PIC) card to be sent to
PC. Each Control Unit is connected to the PC into different
pins so that the position of the detected tag can be
determined by the active pin.

There are two main functions of the system; for searching

and updating the inventory. These two functions are
designed in the GUI as an interface to facilitate the users to
choose the task that they need the system to perform. If they
want to search any laboratory equipment, they have to
choose the searching button and if they just want to see the
updated list of inventory, they can just choose the searching
button. The main display is shown as in Fig. 3.
This system produced a GUI with two main functions as
shown in Fig. 4 which are able to search and update the
inventory. By using the search button, the program will
check the availability of the inventory in the database and
ask control system to search for the inventory wirelessly. The
system then will report its status (present or missing). For
update button, the user can check the current inventory
status.
Once the items are detected, the database will display the
information of the items (refer Fig. 5).
The system is also protected from unauthorized user.
Before using the system, the user is required to enter a valid
username and password as shown in Fig. 6.
Any
unregistered users will not get an access to the system.

B. Software Implementations
For the system, the display is created by using Visual
Basic 6.0 and database by using Microsoft Access 2003
software. Fig. 2 shows the flowchart of the overall project
design.

Figure 3. The main display of the system.

Figure 4. The display for the systems function.

Figure 2. Flowchart of the project design.

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software and hardware component, this system allows

multiple antennae to be connected to one RFID reader to
offer a wide coverage for the tracking of inventory. The
system allows user interface through a computer in order to
selectively search for transponders. It requires one time
installation, and is very modular in its design. Expansions to
the system can be made by the addition of antennae or
workstations. The system can also be upgraded so that the
system can be monitored wirelessly. The system is also
compatible with all RFID standards such as low frequency
and ultra high frequency ranges.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Figure 5. The inventory information.

The authors would like to thank UTeM as our main

sponsor. Dean, Assoc.Prof. Muhammad Syahrir Bin Johal
and all Head of Departments.
REFERENCES
[1]

[2]
[3]
[4]

Figure 6. Login access display.

[5]

IV.

CONCLUSIONS

The system is a cost effective solution for inventory

management using RFID technology as its backbone. With a

291

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