Communication Between Robots over Intelligent Objects Realized by RFID Tags

Abstract

This article presents an approach to communication between robot controllers via RFID transponders, where the partners in communication read and write data into a joint transponder. In some scenarios, cable-based communication, e.g. using connections of digital inputs and outputs or fieldbuses, can be substitute. Using the new approach, it is not necessary to integrate the robot controller into the network of the factory. Since at all times no more than one robot can communicate with the transponder, an effective algorithm of collision avoidance has been implemented. We propose an approach that uses random waiting times for avoiding collisions. The approach is verified by a practical experiment, where two robots hand over a workpiece. Additionally, further scenarios of communication over RFID tags in intelligent workpieces are mentioned.