Auto ID technologies to take off in aerospace

The first in a series of global sector-based research programmes into RFID and other ID technologies, aimed at the aerospace industry, was launched last month by the Cambridge Auto-ID Lab. R&D will be driven by blue chip aircraft manufacturers and their suppliers, operators, owners and MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) providers – any that join the programme. Declared participants so far include Boeing, Airbus, Aviall, VI Agents, and not-for-profit organisations ATA and SITA SC. Cambridge says the programme will complement other projects like the existing Airbus-Boeing Global Aviation RFID Forum, and will be run as part of the global consortium of Auto ID Labs. Initial areas of development will include component lifecycle ID management, technology matching for different applications, sensor data integration and synchronisation, and evaluating methods for linking with other tracking systems. James Lyon, programme manager at Cambridge, says that key areas of interest will include management of rotable parts, avoidance of uncontrolled components, service tracking and lifecycle aircraft configuration control. Says Jens Heitmann, senior manager, Systems and Equipment Standardisation at Airbus: “Airbus sees this research programme as a key industry-wide effort in overcoming obstacles to implementation, and developing deep understanding of the issues involved in the deployment of these identification technologies.” And Dr Duncan McFarlane, director of the centre, adds: “Our programme will provide the underpinning R&D support to the industry initiatives in the ID technology areas. Through specifications for networked ID solutions [it] will address key issues such as appropriate tag prices and functionalities and methodologies for achieving greater benefits from each ID solution.”