The document proposes a low-cost solution for asset tracking using RFID and LPWAN technologies. It involves combining an RFID reader, LPWAN radio and microcontroller on a tracker device. The tracker would periodically send sensor data like temperature over the LPWAN network while assets are in transit. When assets arrive at portals with RFID readers, the readers would trigger an update over LPWAN. The data would be recorded on a blockchain for transparency. A proof of concept was demonstrated with a Sigfox radio, RFID reader and cloud interface. The solution aims to provide moderate tracking value at low cost.

1. RFID and LPWAN for Blockchain Asset Tracking Applications
Dan Clement

2. Agenda
• Introduction
• Tracking technology
• Proposed Solution and Proof of Concept
• Summary

3. Introduction
RFID and LPWAN for Blockchain Asset Tracking Applications

4. Introduction
• The asset management market is huge!
• 2015 value = 9.43 Billion dollars
• 2022 value = 25.6 Billion dollars
• CAGR of 15% from 2016 to 2022
• Largest traditional market is retail
• RFID and barcodes
• Growing markets for tracking items in transit
• Food, perishables, medical equipment, packages, etc.
• Tracking and monitoring assets in transit provides many benefits to
the entire supply chain

5. Introduction
Asset monitoring and asset tracking benefits
• Supply chain continuity
• Where are my goods and who has them?
• Theft prevention and security
• Is my equipment where it’s supposed to be?
• Did someone open the shipping container?
• Logistics optimization
• Where and when should I roll a truck?
• What shipping containers need to be where by when?
• How can I optimally pack a shipping container?
• Inventory, stocking, and distribution optimization
• When will I run out of widgets?
• Maintenance optimization
• How many hours has my tractor been running?
• Is it time for an oil change?
• Are the railroad tracks wet or too hot?
• Perishables monitoring
• Coldchain – Did my sushi stay cold while in transit?
• And many more…

6. Introduction
With all the clear benefits of asset monitoring/tracking, what is limiting growth?
• Currently it’s a cost problem
• For accurate tracking and monitoring multiple radio technologies and large batteries are typically being used
which drive up the cost
• Low cost is necessary to drive adoption but low cost won’t come until high volume is
reached
• Typical paradox for emerging technology
• Companies should push tracking solution providers for tiered solutions for different use
cases
• How good is good enough?
• Do I really need to know within 1 meter accuracy where my shipping container is?
• Sometimes yes, and many times no
• Solution providers need to add more value to the asset monitoring data to encourage
adoption
• For example, coldchain monitoring of perishables combined with a Blockchain adds a tremendous amount of
value to the food distributor
• Should I reject this shipment because the temperature wasn’t controlled according to the contract?
• Smart contracts associated with Blockchain can automate the logistics
• Blockchain data can provide legal protection also
• Increased value of the data along with decreased cost will fuel growth and innovation!

7. Tracking Technology
RFID and LPWAN for Blockchain Asset Tracking Applications

8. Tracking Device RF Technologies
Radio Technology RF Range Suitable for tracking in
transit (stand-alone)?
Power Supply Battery Life Cost Benefit(s) Disadvantages
RFID Very short No None n/a Ultra low 1. Inexpensive
2. No battery
3. Disposable
1. Requires RFID readers and gateway
with backhaul
2. Very limited RF range
3. Can’t track items in transit (on it’s
own)
Bluetooth Short No Coin cell Years Low 1. Inexpensive
2. Low power
3. Easy to connect to smart phones,
handheld devices
1. Requires a gateway with backhaul
2. Limited RF range
3. Can’t track items in transit (on it’s
own)
LPWAN Very long Yes Single AA battery Years Low to medium 1. Inexpensive
2. No gateway or backhaul required
3. Self-contained
4. Can track items in transit and
provide real time updates
1. Requires network coverage for
selected communication protocol
NBIoT Long Yes Needs ~10x capacity
of LPWAN
Months to
Years
Medium to high 1. No gateway or backhaul required
2. Self-contained
3. Can track items in transit and
provide real time updates
4. Cellular network well established
1. Consumes more power than LPWAN
solution
2. More expensive than LPWAN
3. More complicated
4. Needs larger battery
WiFi Short to Medium No Similar to NBIoT Days to
Weeks
Low 1. No gateway or backhaul required
2. Easy to connect to smart phones,
handheld devices, or any WiFi
enabled device
1. Power hungry
2. Limited RF range
3. Can’t track items in transit (on it’s
own)
GPS/GNSS/Satellite Ultra Long No Similar to NBIoT Days to
Weeks
Medium 1. Excellent for location
determination
2. Ultra long range signal
3. Ubiquitous and standard
solution, well-proven
1. Requires a gateway and backhaul
2. Power hungry
3. Can’t track items in transit (on it’s
own)

9. Tracking Technology Summary
• Among tracking technologies there is not a one size
fits all RF technology
• RFID tags are ubiquitous, but do not offer real time
information
• However, they are extremely inexpensive and will likely
remain important for a long time
• Most, nearly all, real time trackers on the market
today combine multiple technologies, by necessity
• Typically GPS/GNSS or some type of satellite for position
tracking
• WiFi or BLE for sensor communication to the cloud and for
location services
• Starting to see LPWAN and NBIoT solutions
• NBIoT/cellular allow for real time location and
communication but is at a higher price point and
higher power consumption
• Solutions providers need to make different levels of
trackers to service different segments
• Trade features and benefits for cost

10. Solution Pyramid
•High value and cost
•Lower volume
•Three or more technologies
•Accurate location services and real time updates
$$$
•Medium value and cost
•Medium volume
•Two or more technologies
•Limited location services and periodic real
time services
$$
•Low cost and moderate value
•High volume
•One or more technologies
•No location tracking or real time
services
$

11. Proposed Solution and Proof of Concept
RFID and LPWAN for Blockchain Asset Tracking Applications

12. Proposed Solution
Combine RFID and LPWAN building blocks into a low
cost and low power asset tracking and monitoring
solution
• While the asset is in transit, the tracker LPWAN radio will
periodically send a heartbeat message and/or temperature or
other sensor data to the cloud
• For example, how cold is my sushi while in transit?
• The LPWAN service provider provides location services while
tracker is on the network
• Use an RFID reader to initiate an LPWAN message to indicate the
asset has arrived at a fixed portal
• For example a pallet arrives at the warehouse
• The data can be tracked and monitored in the cloud
• Can also be added to a Blockchain for additional security and
transparency

13. Proposed Solution
•High value and cost
•Lower volume
•Three or more technologies
•Accurate location services and real time updates
$$$
•Medium value and cost
•Medium volume
•Two or more technologies
•Limited location services and periodic real
time services
$$
•Low cost and moderate value
•High volume
•One or more technologies
•No location tracking or real time
services
$

14. Proposed Solution
Proof of Concept – System Diagram
RF to DC Sigfox Radio + MCUInterrupt
3V
RFID Reader or
RF Energy Source

15. Proposed Solution
Proof of Concept – Tracker Hardware
RF to DC Sigfox Radio + MCUInterrupt
3V

16. Proposed Solution
Proof of Concept – Tracker Embedded Software
• Sigfox MCU is in low current sleep mode except for transmitting Sigfox
frames
• Approximately 2.5uA sleep current
• A 1 second timer interrupt or the RFID triggered interrupt wake the
device up
• After wakeup a temperature measurement is performed
• The Sigfox frame is put together and transmitted
• MCU goes back to sleep and waits for next interrupt
• The duty cycle is optimized for the demo and not for power
consumption
• In a real application this will be tuned for maximum battery life as required

17. Proposed Solution
Proof of Concept – Cloud Interface
and Blockchain
• Sigfox backend is utilized
• Custom callback created and
data pushed by HTTP to Wavetrix
web interface
• Data fed to private Wavetrix
Blockchain running on Ethereum

18. Proposed Solution
Proof of Concept – RFID Reader
• Using ON Semiconductor Smart
Passive Sensor IoT Development
Kit reader shield
• Smart Passive Sensors are battery
less sensor tags for temperature,
proximity, and moisture

19. Proposed Solution Details
Proof of concept cloud, web interface

20. Proposed Solution Details
Proof of concept cloud, web interface

21. Proposed Solution Details
Proof of concept cloud, web interface

22. Demo
Live demo showing the entire system in operation!

23. Proposed Enhancements
• The functionality of the tracker could be extended to include data
logging capability as well as data log upload when passing
through the RFID portal
• Other LPWAN technologies could also be used
• Supercaps or energy harvesting could be explored

24. Summary
• Benefits of asset tracking and monitoring were briefly discussed
• Existing solutions and technologies were reviewed
• A novel combination of low cost technologies was proposed that
creates a moderate level of value for a low cost
• This proposal was demonstrated through a proof of concept
• Proposed enhancements were introduced
• Thank you for your attention!