RFID-enabled control architecture for modular reconfigurable system

Modular reconfigurable systems show the promises of flexibility, scalability and versatility. They have the capability of rearranging their physical or logical connectivity to form different topologies to achieve different functions. However, they also impose challenges on designing the embedded control system. To solve this problem, this paper proposes an application independent control architecture which is flexible and scalable on electronics and software by utilizing layered control methods and wireless communication technologies. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) as one of the fastest-growing wireless technologies has been used in many areas including asset management, logistics, inventory etc. Compared with many conventional wireless communication technologies, RFID has many advantages as low cost, low power consumption, small size, etc, which make it suitable for inter-module communication. In this paper, we explore wireless communication technologies, discuss the control system architecture requirements of modular and reconfigurable system, present the development of RFID-enabled control architecture for the modular reconfigurable system, and describe the implementation of the control software and the corresponding hardware. Moreover, at the end of the paper, conclusion is given and future work is proposed for further study.