Smart Devices and RFID: Towards an Information System in the Cattle-Yards
The main change being observed in the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tools within the cattle industry is not related to the technology itself like hardware or protocols. Instead, is to incorporate RFID as part of the information system combined with a cattle database, not only to be compliant with mandatory traceability requirements, but also to increase productivity.
The more on-site information the more effective decision taking on individual animals and lots. In this work, the evolution of a Low Frequency RFID (LF-RFID) stick reader compliant with the ISO11784/11785 standard named Baqueano®, from a simple traceability tool, towards a fully Android-integrated information system aimed at the cattle industry, is presented. Firstly, the hardware is presented showing the implementation of the RFID engine in a programmable analog device (PSOC), and the integration of diverse peripherals (scales, printers, 2D-barcode readers, etc) that were connected for specific use cases. Then the evolution of the associated mobile app, cloud services, and the holistic concept of the cattle information system itself, are presented.