Use of RFID for Automatic Use of RFID for Automatic Baggage Handling & Baggage Handling &

Reconciliation at HKIAReconciliation at HKIA

Y F WongTechnical Services and Procurement

Airport Authority Hong Kong

Hong Kong International AirportHong Kong International Airport

• 2 runways• 1 PTB• 75 airlines, 143 destinations• More than 700 flights per day

Airport ProfileAirport Profile

• 41M passengers (2005) over 110,000 per day

• 20M departure baggage (2005)

• 3.4M ton cargo (2005)

• 2 Runways; single largest terminal building

• 55,000 staff work for over 240 organisations

• AA staff - 950

HKIA RFID Project - HKIA RFID Project - BackgroundBackground

• In 2003, HKIA adopted to apply RFID technology to improve the Baggage Handling and Management System

• In mid 2004, RFID equipment installation commenced at baggage handling areas

• In Aug 2005, RFID mode operation in service

RFID ComponentsRFID ComponentsChips Inlay / Label Reader, Antenna

Type of RFID TagsType of RFID Tags

Type HF UHF UHF(2)

Frequency 13.56MHz860 –

960MHz2.45GHz

Read Range < 0.7m ~ 5 m ~1.5m

Read Speed Moderate Fast Fast

Size Moderate Small Small

User OctopusWal-Mart

HKIA-

Comparison of UHF RFID TagsComparison of UHF RFID Tags

Feature Class 0+ Class 1 Gen2

Read Write √ √

Reads > 500 tags / sec √ √

Dense-reader operation √

Kill security √ √

Access security √

Low cost √ √

Standardization Proprietary Proprietary √

RFID benefitsRFID benefitsCustomers• Reduce mishandling of bags

Airports• Lower baggage management cost• Enhanced security

Airlines• Lower loss baggage costs• Greater visibility of baggage

Hong Kong International Airport Hong Kong International Airport Business Case of RFIDBusiness Case of RFID

• Lower cost for ABRS (Phase 1 – Read Only RFID)

• Delay expansion of baggage system (Phase 2 – R/W RFID)

BHS CapacityBHS CapacityBHS CapacityBHS Capacity

Bag to Lateral60%60%

Early Bag 15%15%

No-read Bag 25%25%

Check-in

Transfer

Lateralsprimary sorters

primary sorters

Early bag

store

Early bag

store

Early bag

Baggage Handling System

No-read

secondary sorters

secondary sorters

Automatic Baggage Reconciliation System (ABRS)

• BHS – sort bags to lateral + x-ray screening

• ABRS – baggage management

– All screened bags delivered to the loading lateral

– Baggage loading locations recorded by RF readers automatically

– Baggage manifest produced using data captured within ABRS

Transfer(at Belt A)

PrimarySorter

No ReadMCS

SecondarySorter

Lateral

Baggage Flow with RFID Gen 2 TagBaggage Flow with RFID Gen 2 Tag

Barcode Reader

RF Reader

Stick RF Gen 2 Label

Check-in

Barcode Reader

RF Reader

CTFMCS

Track baggage loading into ULD

Barcode Reader

RF reader

Read LPN

Encode in Gen2 Label

RF Printer to print LPN in baggage tag with Gen2 inlay

X-rayRead Barcode or RF tag

For sorting bag

Lateral OperationLateral Operation

RFID Readers at Lateral

RFID readersRFID readers

ContainersContainers

RFID Reader at Lateral

Dual Mode Handheld TerminalDual Mode Handheld Terminal

RFID System ConfigurationRFID System Configuration

RF Readers and Antenna

– 200+ Readers : Symbol AR400

– 500+ Antennas

– 200+ Dual Mode Handheld Terminal : Symbol MC9600

– Operated with 4 watts power level (HK OFTA)

RFID read only tag

– Class 0 tag with 96 bits pre-encoded UID

– Adopts frequency band 920 ~ 925 MHz

RFID Performance DataRFID Performance Data

• RFID operation started at 1-Aug-05

• 20M Class 0 RFID label used per year

• 95% - 97% RFID read rate at Induction units

• 92% RFID read rate at Laterals

ChallengesChallengesChallengesChallenges

• Standardization of airline bag tag

• Ways to affix RFID label on bag

• Tag quality

• RF power tuning– Cross read– RF interference between RF readers

Challenge – RF Power TuningChallenge – RF Power Tuning• Different RF Coverage caused by type of ULD

• Absorbed RF reflection in Filled ULD

Challenges (Cont’)Challenges (Cont’)Challenges (Cont’)Challenges (Cont’)

• Old label from multi-trips (additional reader required)

• Bag content/design i.e. metal, water

• Learning curve of operator

• RF health issue

Phase 2 Implementation – Gen2 RFIDPhase 2 Implementation – Gen2 RFID

• Implement an “open standards” encoding solution using Gen-2 R/W RFID tag

• Adopt IATA RP1740c, ISO 18000-6C (Gen2) and ISO/IEC 15961 and 15962

• Improving the overall RF performance

• Increasing the overall baggage delivery throughput

Phase 2 – Stage 1 TransferPhase 2 – Stage 1 Transfer

• Use 2”x4” Gen2 RFID with label

• Barcode scanner scans LPN and passes to RFID reader to encode

• Manual Coding Station to re-encode LPN for exception case

• RFID readers reads both Class 0 & Gen 2 (memory bank 01 only) RFID tags

• Operation by Jun-06

Phase 2 – Stage 1

Phase 2 – Stage 2 Local Check-inPhase 2 – Stage 2 Local Check-in

• Use Gen2 RFID integrated baggage tag

• Standardize baggage tag as CUSS standard (21” in length)

• RF Printers encode the LPN & Date

• RFID readers are operating with all Gen 2 (with memory bank 01 only) RFID tags.

• Operation by Dec-06

Phase 2 – Stage 3 User DataPhase 2 – Stage 3 User Data

• Use Gen2 RFID integrated baggage tag

• Standardize airlines Pectab

• RF Printers encode the LPN, Date & User Data

• Integrated with X-Ray to encode security screening result

• RFID readers are operating with all Gen 2 (with memory bank 11 field) RFID tags.

• Operation by Mar-07

Future DirectionFuture Direction

• More added values services for passengers and airlines using RFID

• Cooperation with airport and airlines

• Bulk purchase of RFID tags

Thank YouThank You