In the current era of rapid technological development, smart logistics is transforming the landscape of the traditional logistics industry at an unprecedented pace. Among them, UWB (Ultra-Wideband) tags, as a highly promising technology, have gradually become a key force in the field of smart logistics due to their significant advantages of low power consumption and high precision. They provide strong support for the efficient operation and refined management of the logistics industry.
I. Overview of UWB Technology Principles
As an emerging wireless communication technology, the core of UWB lies in transmitting and receiving extremely narrow pulses at the nanosecond or sub-microsecond level to transfer data, which is fundamentally different from traditional communication systems. During the positioning process, UWB tags communicate with pre-deployed UWB base stations in logistics scenarios (such as warehouses and logistics parks) by transmitting nanosecond-level narrow pulse signals. Based on a hybrid algorithm of TOA (Time of Arrival) and TDOA (Time Difference of Arrival), the UWB system can accurately calculate the distance between the tag and the base stations, thereby achieving precise positioning of the object carrying the tag. This positioning method based on time measurement effectively avoids the problem of amplified positioning errors caused by multipath effects and signal interference in traditional wireless signals, maintaining excellent positioning performance even in complex logistics environments.
II. Low-Power Consumption Advantages of UWB Tags in Smart Logistics
1. Extending Equipment Service Life
In smart logistics, a large number of goods need to be equipped with UWB tags for real-time tracking. The low-power consumption feature of UWB tags means their battery life is significantly extended. Generally, the batteries used in UWB tags can support a battery life of up to 12 months or even longer. Take pallets in a logistics warehouse as an example: each pallet bound with a UWB tag does not require frequent battery replacement during long-term goods storage and circulation, greatly reducing maintenance costs and labor input. Compared with other positioning devices that require frequent charging or battery replacement, the low-power consumption advantage of UWB tags makes them more feasible and stable for large-scale applications.
2. Reducing Operational Costs
Low-power consumption UWB tags not only reduce the labor cost of battery replacement but also lower battery procurement costs. For large logistics enterprises operating thousands of logistics equipment and goods, if high-power consumption positioning devices are used, the annual expenditure on batteries will be enormous. The low-power consumption feature of UWB tags significantly reduces enterprises’ costs in battery procurement and maintenance, saving considerable operational funds and improving overall economic efficiency.
III. High-Precision Advantages of UWB Tags in Smart Logistics
1. Precise Positioning and Tracking of Goods
UWB tags can achieve centimeter-level high-precision positioning, which is revolutionary in the logistics industry. In warehouses, the storage locations of goods are often complex and changeable, and traditional positioning technologies struggle to determine the exact positions of goods, leading to long search times and low efficiency. The application of UWB tags has changed this situation: whether in planar shelves or three-dimensional warehousing environments, it can accurately track the positions of goods with a precision of ±10 cm or even higher. By installing UWB tags on each piece of goods, logistics enterprises can real-time and accurately grasp the storage locations and circulation trajectories of goods in the warehouse. In the goods sorting link, staff can quickly find target goods based on the precise position information provided by UWB tags, significantly improving sorting efficiency.
2. Optimizing Warehouse Layout and Management
High-precision UWB tags help logistics enterprises optimize warehouse layouts. By real-time acquiring the position information of goods in the warehouse, enterprises can analyze the storage patterns and flow frequencies of goods, and then reasonably adjust the warehouse layout. Goods with high turnover rates can be stored near warehouse entrances and exits for quick access; larger or heavier goods can be arranged in areas with strong load-bearing capacity and convenient for handling equipment operations. Meanwhile, using UWB tags to accurately monitor the positions of goods, enterprises can also achieve refined inventory management, automatically update inventory records, avoid inventory inaccuracies caused by manual inventory errors, and effectively improve inventory turnover rates.
3. Enhancing Transportation and Distribution Efficiency
UWB tags also play an important role in the logistics transportation and distribution links. During vehicle transportation, by installing UWB tags and base stations on goods and transport vehicles, the position status of goods in the carriage can be real-time monitored to prevent damage such as displacement and collision during transportation. In the "last mile" of distribution, delivery personnel can use the precise positioning function of UWB tags to quickly find the specific location of the recipient, improving distribution efficiency and accuracy, reducing distribution time and costs, and enhancing customer satisfaction.
IV. Application Cases of UWB Tags in Smart Logistics
1. ZTO Express Logistics Park
In the large logistics park of ZTO Express, the ABELL system from Pinpo Technology is deployed, which uses UWB technology to achieve real-time tracking of goods. 120 UWB base stations are installed in the park, and low-power consumption UWB tags are bound to each pallet of goods. In the complex logistics environment with dense metal shelves and high-frequency forklift movement, the positioning stability is increased to 99.9% through reflection signal suppression algorithms and multi-base station collaborative positioning technology. With the precise positioning of UWB tags, AGVs automatically plan the shortest path for picking, increasing intelligent sorting efficiency by 55%. Meanwhile, electronic fences and forklift collision avoidance thresholds are set to trigger proximity alarms, reducing the accident rate by 85%, which greatly improves the operational efficiency and safety of the logistics park.
2. A Large E-Commerce Warehouse
A large e-commerce enterprise’s warehouse has introduced a UWB positioning system, equipping goods, AGVs, and staff with UWB tags. In daily warehouse operations, UWB tags real-time feedback the position information of goods, and the Warehouse Management System (WMS) conducts intelligent scheduling based on this information. When an order is generated, the system can quickly locate the corresponding goods according to the UWB tags and plan the optimal picking path for AGVs, reducing goods search time and the invalid distance traveled by AGVs. Statistics show that after introducing UWB tags, the warehouse’s inventory turnover rate increased by 30%, and labor costs decreased by 20%, achieving efficient warehouse management and logistics operations.
