Update on the Development of a System for Tracking Modules Using RFID Technology

Over the last several years, work has been ongoing at CPPRU in Lubbock, TX on the development of an electronic module management system which makes use of RFID identification tags in round modules produced by John Deere cotton harvesters.  Small scale beta testing was conducted on this system to check the functionality of the PC based data management utility, RFID Module Scan mobile application, and a new scanning system developed for use on module trucks.  Additional work was conducted to document the influence of antenna transmit power and sensitivity settings on interrogation range and the occurrence of unintended tag reads.  The system was later installed at a ginning facility in Louisiana for field testing under commercial conditions.  Performance results and experiences observed during the beta and field testing phases will be presented in addition to comments on the direction of future developments.