Browsing by Person "Stekeler, Tobias"

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Simultanerfassung von Mastschweinen mit RFID-Technologie
(2015) Stekeler, Tobias; Jungbluth, Thomas
The aim of the research project was to develop and evaluate technologies and methods which enable a simultaneous identification of fattening pigs marked with RFID technology instead of identifying them individually. Two approaches were pursued for doing so. A multiple reading device was developed operating at RFID low frequency. This reading device was comprised of several small synchronized single readers in order to realize a space division multiple access (SDMA) operation mode. Examinations using a newly developed test bench showed that several transponders could be identified simultaneously. Identification rates of nine transponders moving simultaneously through the reading area of the multiple reading device averaged 88.0 %, six transponders averaged 96.3 % and three transponders averaged 99.8 %. However, a different picture emerged in regards to the number of activated single readers: increasing numbers of activated single readers led to increased average identification rates. An average identification rate of 85.1 % was observed using four single readers, whereas six single readers averaged an identification rate of 99.2 % and eight single readers led to an average identification rate of 99.7 %. With the activation of eight single readers, even nine transponders could be identified simultaneously at an average identification rate of more than 98.0 %. The multiple reading device’s reading distance of less than 10 cm is however not sufficient for practical applications in pig farming. RFID systems operating at ultra-high frequency (UHF) are currently not used in livestock farming though they are well suited for simultaneous identification. The suitability of these systems for animal identification was investigated. In particular, the impact of water on the readability of UHF systems was observed since water acts as a disturbance value and has thus hindered the use of UHF systems for animal identification so far. One standard transponder type (N), two advanced transponder types (A and B) and two reading devices (I and II) were examined. With transponders A and B, reading distances of more than 1 m could be achieved even when impacted by water. A transponder’s actual reading distance achieved varied case by case depending on which reading device was used as well as the transponder’s orientation towards the reading device during the reading process. The examined transponder types A and B were used to build electronic ear tags to tag customary housed pigs. The suitability for electronic tagging and simultaneous identification of pigs were tested through regular identification trials with reading devices I and II over the span of one fattening period. Identification rates of 0 % to 100 % were observed. The average identification rates were 44.9 % for transponder type A and 56.8 % for transponder type B. An interaction between the different transponder types and reading devices was observable. Transponder type A achieved significantly higher identification rates in combination with reading device I, in comparison to reading device II (A.I: 60,5 %; A.II: 29,2 %). Transponder type B showed lower identification rates in combination with reading device I, in comparison to reading device II (B.I: 50,2 %; B.II: 63,5 %). Further interaction between transponder type and the array of the reading devices was observed. The ultra-high frequency trials showed the potential and the current limitations regarding the application of ultra-high frequency in electronic animal identification. UHF systems are capable of achieving reading distances comparable to those of low frequency systems even when impacted by the disturbance value of water. Electronic animal tagging and simultaneous identification are feasible under conditions of practice, the observed identification rates are however not sufficient enough for a reliable identification of tagged animals. Sufficient identification accuracy could not be achieved. In summary, the examined ultra-high and low frequency RFID-systems can be considered to be unsuitable for simultaneous identification of animals. Starting points for further development of the systems resulting in a reliable simultaneous identification under conditions of practice are, however, present. Further research and development is required regarding tagging capabilities, transponder and reading device features and the interaction of system components of RFID systems.