Roadmap



The ASPIRE Middleware RoadMap includes implementation of the following modules:

  1. Filtering and Collection (F&C) Server implementing core features of the EPC-ALE 1.1 Specification
  2. Business Event Generation (BEG) Server Translating Reports from F&C to Business Events
  3. Information Sharing Repository implementing core features of the EPC-IS 1.0.1 Specification
  4. JMX Applications for End-to-End Management of the ASPIRE Middleware
  5. Connector applications for Databases and Legacy IT systems (ERPs / WMS)
  6. Integrated Development Environment for RFID Solution Descriptions and RFID Business Process Management
More Details on each of the above modules follow:

Filtering and Collection (F&C) Server (see also: EPC-ALE)

  1. Reading API
  2. Writing API
  3. Logical Readers API
  4. Access Control API
  5. Tag Memory API
Business Event Generation (BEG) Server
  1. BEG to F&C bindings (HTTP)
  2. BEG to information sharing repository bindings
  3. Authentication and Authorization
  4. Configurable Processing of Reports from F&C (e.g., ALE ECReports)
Information Sharing Repository
  1. Information Sharing Data Model (according to EPC-IS)
  2. Capture Operations
  3. Query Operations
  4. Bindings for Capture Operations
  5. Bindings for Query Operations

Implementation Status

Note that modules noted in “Red” are not implemented yet

Reader Core Proxy (Uses Licensed Fosstrak modules as Codebase)

  • Implemented as an OSGi bundle that runs within Apache Felix
  • Provides JMX management interface
  • Provides EPC Reader Management (not currently enabled and used)
  • Uses EPC Reader Protocol to communicate with ALE
  • Provides Interfaces with readers ( Implemented as an OSGi bundle):
    • For Intermec(BRI)
    • For FossTrack’s Simulator reader
    • For Impinj (Mach1) (no OSGi implementation yet)
    • HAL Wrapper for new readers
    • FEIG ID ISC.LRU1000 (Ethernet, TPC/IP) (supported by Fosstrak not tested yet, no OSGi implementation yet)
    • FEIG ID ISC.MR101-A (RS232/485, COM) (supported by Fosstrak not tested yet, no OSGi implementation yet)
    • TagSys Medio L100 L200 Interface
    • Tikitag (ACR 122 USB (CCID compliant))
    • Bluetooth Interface
    • NFC Interface
  • Standardization for Reader Management (RM) based on JMX
  • Authentication/Access mechanisms

ALE Server (Uses Licensed Fosstrak modules as Codebase)

  • EPC F&C 1.1 standard compliant (not all Standards Implemented).
    • Check if AspireRFID fully supports Tag Memory Specification API (Section 7 of ALE 1.1 specifications)
      • ALETM – Main API class (Section 7.1 of ALE1.1 specifications) and implement it if it doesn’t.
  • Runs on Apache tomcat 6.0
  • Provides Standard EPC Control Interface Based on SOAP messages
  • Uses CXF and spring to implement JaxWS for the control interface.
  • Supports Maven.
  • Supports RP and LLRP for the communication with the readers.
  • Supports TCP/HTTP protocol to deliver EC reports
  • Extension Model for Captured sensor data from semi-passive Tags, active-Tags, Sensor Networks, actuators… (Need to propose the supported model and implement it) sensors input planed to be supported:
    • Humidity
    • Temperature
    • Accelerometer
    • GPS coordinates
  • Interface for connecting/supporting Sensor Networks (e.g. Zigbee)
  • Interface for connecting/supporting Active Tags
  • Middleware anti-collision solution implementation for multi-vendor RFID readers
  • Partial implementation of the EPC Writing API for supporting Label generation and printing (including 1D and 2D barcodes)
  • Integration of TDT to support multiple types of Tags/Barcodes
  • Implemented as an OSGi bundle that can be deployed in JOnAS Application Server (not implemented yet)
  • Authentication/Access mechanisms

Business Event Generator

  • Runs on Apache tomcat 6.0
  • Uses CXF and Spring to implement JaxWS for the control interface.
  • Provides TCP/HTTP interface to capture the ECReports
  • Uses EPCIS Master Data Capture Client using AspireRFID MDC API Based on SOAP messages
  • Uses EPCIS Capture Client using the standard EPC Control Interface Based on SOAP messages
  • Uses EPCIS Query Client using the standard EPC Control Interface Based on SOAP messages
  • Supports Quantity, Aggregation, Transaction and Object Events (needs to be tested)
  • Interface for connecting/supporting (this feature can be implemented at the Connector also)
    • Actuators
    • To give feedback to various devises (e.g. Account machines, delivery Information at the gates/handheld devises …)
  • Implemented as an OSGi bundle that can be deployed in JOnAS Application Server (not implemented yet)
  • Authentication/Access mechanisms

EPCIS (Uses Licensed Fosstrak modules as Codebase)

  • EPC 1.0.1 standard compliant
    • Provides Extension Mechanisms
      • For every Event the following data are supported from the repository (check Section 6.3 and 9.1 of the EPCIS specifications):
Column NameType Name
event_idBIGINT
fieldnameVARCHAR
prefixVARCHAR
intValueINT
floatValueFLOAT
dateValueTIMESTAMP
strValueVARCHAR
  • Runs on Apache tomcat 6.0
  • Provides standard EPC Query and Capture Interface Based on SOAP messages.
  • Provides Query and Capture Interfaces
    • Uses CXF and Spring to implement JaxWS for the standard EPC Query and Capture interface.
    • Provides AspireRFID’s Master Data Capture Interface Based on SOAP messages.
    • Uses CXF and Spring to implement JaxWS for the standard EPC Query and Capture interface.
    • Uses SQL for the Query interface and Hibernate for the Capture interface.
  • Supports MySQL 5.0 (Can Support more Databases with some modifications)
  • Probably a New Field extensions may be required for the existing Event Types extensions in the Data Definition Layer (Useful to store e.g. GPS coordinates, Security check …).
  • Implement EPCIS Repo as an OSGi bundle that can be deployed in JOnAS Application Server
  • Authentication/Access mechanisms

Tooling (Eclipse)

ASPIRE IDE has been designed as an Eclipse RCP (Rich Client Platform) application that will run over Equinox OSGI server. It uses the command API to define menus, pop-up menu items and toolbars so as to support easily plug-ins and provide more control. Every tool will be an eclipse plug-in/bundle that will be able to be installed or removed as needed.
  • AspireRfidIDE Core (required for the other plug-ins to run)
  • ALE Server Configurator Plug-in
  • Business Event Generator Plug-in
  • Physical Reader Configuration & Management Plug-in
  • EC-Spec Editor Plug-in
  • LR-Spec Editor Plug-in
  • Master Data Editor Plug-in
  • Business Process Management and Workflow Editor Plug-in
    • Possible candidates to use as codebase:
      • Eclipse JWT Workflow Editor
      • OW2 Bonita
      • OW2 Enhydra JaWE
  • Connector Configurator Plug-in
  • Business Location Designer. Will be used to “build” the company (Master Data: Business Location) using a design editor.
  • ASPIRE Programmability Engine Plug-in. Will be used to translate the AspireRFID specification Language prodused from the BPMWE Plug-in to the AspireRFID middleware.
  • End-to-End management for all the AspireRFID middleware’s modules
    • Probably use Jasmine (eclipse plug-in) as codebase (note: should find appropriate open source JMX enabled plug-in as codebase)
  • Concurrent innovation engineering framework
  • Authentication/Access mechanisms for the AspireRFID IDE

Connector

  • Runs on Apache tomcat 6.0
  • Uses CXF and Spring to implement JaxWS for the control interface.
  • Uses EPCIS Query Client using the standard EPC Control Interface Based on SOAP messages.
  • ERP/WMS Support:
    • Singular Logic’s Enterprise ERP
    • Microsoft’s Dynamics NAV
    • MyWMS
    • UJF’s Object tracking
    • UJF’s Supply chain management
    • UJF’s Sonding Balloon tracking
  • Implemented as an OSGi bundle that can be deployed in JOnAS Application Server (not implemented yet)
  • Authentication/Access mechanisms

ONS

  • Under Construction

TDT (Uses Fosstrak Library for EPC TDT)

Tag Data StandardsSupported
Bar Code Tags (GS1 System)Yes
EAN/UPCYes
ITF-14Yes
GS1 DataMatrixYes
GS1 DAtaBarYes
GS1-128Yes
EPC Global TagsYes (Using Fosstrak)
SSCCYes
GTINYes
GTINYes
GLNYes
GRAIYes
GIAIYes
GLNYes
ISO TagsTo be supported
14443To be supported
15693To be supported
15962To be supported
uCode TagsTo be supported

Applications and Demos

  • Simple F&C Test
  • Warehouse Packet Delivery (3 Tier Use)
  • AIT’s Warehouse Packet Delivery (6 Tier Use)
  • UJF’s Object tracking (Connector Interface should be build to be supported)
  • UJF’s Supply chain management (Connector Interface should be build to be supported)
  • UJF’s Sonding Balloon tracking (Connector Interface should be build to be supported)
  • Demo Packs for all available demos and Middleware modules.

Tasks

At the Implementation sequence column below we can find what should be done first. At the Priority column below we can find the task’s implementation priority degree from 1 to 9 with 9 defining higher priority.

C/NTask SummaryFirst Version DeadlineImpl. Seq.Priority (1-->9)
1Reader Core Module
1.1Reader Core HAL for TagSys Medio  3
1.2Reader Core HAL for Tikitag  3
1.3Reader Core HAL for Bluetooth? 3
1.4Reader Core HAL for NFC Phones  3
1.5Reader Core Authentication/Access mechanisms? 5
1.6Standardization for Reader Management (RM) based on JMX?  
2Filtering & Collection Module
2.1Extension Model for F&C Captured sensor data from semi-passive Tags?29
2.2Extension Model for F&C Captured sensor data from Sensor Networksasap28
2.3Extension Model for F&C Captured data from actuators? 7
2.4Interface for F&C (or Reader Core) connecting/supporting Active Tags? 7
2.5Interface for F&C (or Reader Core) connecting/supporting Sensor Networksasap28
2.6Partial implementation of the EPC Writing API for supporting Label generation and printing? 4
2.7Integration of TDT to F&C for supporting multiple types of Tags/Barcodes? 6
2.8Anti-collision protocol for multi-vendor RFID readers reside on middleware? 7
2.9Anti-collision protocol for multi-vendor RFID readers reside on Mac layer? 7
2.10Middleware anti-collision solution implementation for multi-vendor RFID readers? 7
2.11F&C Bundlization for OSGi deployment within JOnAS Application Server? 2or8 ?
2.12Filtering & Collection Authentication/Access mechanisms? 5
2.13Management and automatic configuration of multiple RFID readers? 6
2.14Specifications of different kinds of low level filtering? 7
2.15Design of light ALE modules to be embedded in the readers, customizable based on the application? 7
2.16HAL for TagSys Medioasap19
2.17HAL for Tikitagasap18
2.18HAL for Bluetooth?17
2.6Reader Core HAL for NFC Phonesasap18
3Business Event Generator Module
3.1BEG Interface for connecting/supporting Actuators? 6
3.2BEG Interface for connecting/supporting feedback to various devises (e.g. Account machines, delivery Information at the gates/handheld devises …)? 4
3.3BEG Bundlization for OSGi deployment within JOnAS Application Server? 2or8 ?
3.4BEG Authentication/Access mechanisms? 5
4EPCIS Repository Module
4.1EPCIS new Field extensions for the existing Event Types extensions in the Data Definition Layerasap39
4.2EPCIS deployment within JOnAS Application Server? 2or8 ?
4.3EPCIS Authentication/Access mechanisms? 5
5Connector Module
5.1Connector Singular Logic’s Enterprise ERP support? 4
5.2Connector Microsoft’s Dynamics NAV ERP support? 3
5.3Connector MyWMS WMS support? 3
5.4Connector UJF’s Object tracking supportasap48
5.5Connector UJF’s Supply chain management supportasap48
5.6Connector UJF’s Sonding Balloon tracking support? 3
5.7Connector Bundlization for OSGi deployment within JOnAS Application Server? 2or8 ?
5.8Connector Authentication/Access mechanisms? 5
6ONS Module
6.1ONS? 1
7IDE/Tooling Module
7.1RFID Specification Language? 8
7.2Programmable Engine Plug-in? 7
7.3Business Process Workflow Management Editor Plug-in? 7
7.4Concurrent innovation engineering framework (as an Eclipse plug-in?)? 6
7.5Connector Configurator Plug-in?  
7.6Business Location Designer plug-in? 2
7.7End-to-End management plug-in for all the AspireRFID middleware’s modules 57
7.8Authentication/Access mechanisms for the AspireRFID IDE? 5
8TDT Module
8.1TDT extended support? 6
9Packaging Module
9.1Demo Packs for all available demos and Middleware modules? 4