Carleton University - School of Computer Science Honours Project
Winter 2021
Low-Cost RFID Inventory Tracking
Neilesh Chander
SCS Honours Project Image
ABSTRACT
With increasing number and value of packages delivered to online shoppers, there has been a corresponding increase in the number of packages that are lost or stolen prior to reaching their intended recipient. While delivery companies have robust tracking systems that work well in suburbs, multi-unit buildings cannot provide the same degree of granularity once packages are delivered to the building lobby. This project demonstrates the application of disposable RFID tags to create an inexpensive system that minimizes human input (and therefore error) while providing effective security for packages through automated tracking and logging of movements. We outline the reasoning behind design decisions made, and implement them as a complete system capable of tracking and creating detailed audit logs of package movements. We test this system against common hardware, and software based attacks which systems of this nature are typically prone to. Before concluding the project and overall system, we detail future enhancements that further reduce the need for physical handling of the packages and allow automated notification of recipients, as well as address the discovered security vulnerability. Through this research and implementation, we conclude that this is a viable system for practical use, and is a candidate for commercialization.