THE PROJECT
This project included Generation Global integrating RFID tags into seat cushions during a recent seat cushion replacement program. The purpose of the tags was to provide inventory control for the airline and Generation Global scoped the solution in conjunction with the airline, providing both the technology package and RFID readers.
WHAT IS RFID
The RFID (Radio-frequency identification) system uses a small radio transponder, a radio receiver, and a transmitter. The small transponder is inserted into the seat cushion and sends a unique signal to the receiver when the transmitter has triggered it. This technology has been in use in commercial use since the 1970s and uses an electromagnetic field to locate a passive radio transponder with memory embedded in a part. The tag can hold relevant information which is accessible when a receiver picks up the unique signature of the card. The technology is used in everyday life, such as passports, key fobs in hotels, electronic toll collection, and contactless payment.
The benefit of RFID tracking on aircraft parts is that all information remains accessible for the whole life of the part. Where labels can separate from the part over time, an RFID tag will remain embedded in the part for its life. When an aircraft comes in for maintenance, engineers are able to access all the part information without having to remove a single cushion. Over the life of a cushion, they may be swapped from aircraft to aircraft on maintenance multiple times, and maintaining traceability of parts is otherwise a nightmare.
Generation Global's RFID tags comply with Aerospace & Defense EPC and ATA Spec 2000 requirements and include dual record user memory so the airline can read the encoded data using aviation standard software. The chip’s memory has 448 bits EPC plus 2048 bits user memory. Data included on the tag include manufacturer, part number, date of manufacture, expiration date, serial number and a link to the cushions burn test data.
THE CLIENT
The client operates a large fleet of regional jets in the United States of America. The client flies aircraft for a number of airlines and has maintenance locations in nine cities across the county.
