| Significant progress in processor and antenna technology combined with an unprecedented growth rate of the RFID industry have led to the development of the Ultra Wide Band (UWB) RFID-based, Real Time Location System (RTLS). UWB RTLS, backed by its merits of accuracy and extended range, has emerged as a potential replacement for conventional localization methods used in Automatic Guided Vehicle Systems (AGVS). UWB, unlike conventional methods, eliminates the need for line-of-sight beacons, discrete obstacle detection systems, and expensive localization hardware onboard each AGV. This thesis describes the design and development of a comprehensive solution to the localization, navigation, and obstacle detection functions of the AGVS. In the current research, to prove the viability of the concept, a prototype AGVS model was developed using UWB-RFID based RTLS for AGV localization. Additionally, a speed optimization algorithm was incorporated in the prototype to demonstrate the possibility of enhancing the AGVS' functionality using real-time location data. The development of an advanced prototype with sophisticated control and management algorithms may be an area for future research. |
