Optimizing the positioning and technological choices of RFID elements for aircraft part identification

This paper concerns the integration of RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) technologies in helicopters. A global RFID system, including RFID tags (passive, battery assisted and active), reading modules and data concentrator, will be embedded in helicopters. Such an integration requires a positioning model, which must consider technological choices of the on-board components. The proposed approach combines an optimization model and a physical model to determine an optimal covering of each tag by at least one reading module. This covering is based on radio wave propagation. The optimization model is derived from a location model with specific constraints. Experimental results validate the approach in an industrial context.

► We propose a mathematical (Integer linear program) and physical modeling of a global RFID system in aircraft.
► We develop an approach to optimize the locations and technological choices of embedded components.
► Computational experiments are conducted on industrial data.
► Sensitivity analysis is performed to study the impact of critical parameters.