Title: Robust design of a radio-frequency identification system using Design for Six Sigma approach

Authors: Rajesh Jugulum, Sagar Kamarthi, Ibrahim Zeid, Philip Samuel

Addresses: Bank of America and MIT, Boston, MA 02110, USA. ' Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA. ' Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA. ' Breakthrough Management Group International, Longmont, CO 80501, USA

Abstract: Lean Six Sigma and Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) methodologies have been successfully applied in a variety of industries (1) to improve performance, (2) to design new products, processes and services, or (3) to redesign the existing ones. Taguchi|s robustness strategies are an important part of the (DFSS) approach. In this paper, we will describe how robustness strategies are used to design a radio-frequency identification system. The main objective of the design is to select a combination of design parameters that can assure good tag readability. This research takes into consideration the effect of base material, the distance between tag and base material, and the distance between tag and reader antenna on the robustness of the tag readability.

Keywords: RFID design; radio frequency identification; tag readability; robust design; Taguchi methods; lean six sigma; DFSS; DFLSS; design for six sigma.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSCA.2009.024217

International Journal of Six Sigma and Competitive Advantage, 2009 Vol.5 No.1, pp.100 - 112

Published online: 30 Mar 2009 *

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