AGV is a kind of material handling equipment, which can automatically load goods in one position and move to another position and unload goods automatically. But have you any ideas about how these AGVs communicates?
1. Wired communication
The guide wire can be used to realize carrier communication, and the wiring is covert and not easy to be defiled. It is mainly used for electromagnetic guidance, simple path and small area.
2. Infrared communication
No frequency licensing issues, high communication speed, easy to control. However, the communication area should be in clear and visible range, need mechanical protection, sensitive to dust, and be easily disturbed by other light sources and infrared rays of the same wavelength. It is suitable for simple path, no occlusion and small area. Mostly used in electromagnetic guidance, tape guidance adn optical guidance AGV.
3. Radio Communication
Good space coverage, not sensitive to general occlusion interference; easy to install and protect; better outdoor effect. The disadvantage is that the use of frequencies must be licensed and all AGVs and ground stations in the same system must share the same frequency which is vulnerable to interference from other radio equipment. It is suitable for various paths, various guidance methods, complex environment and large area.
4. Wireless Lan
In addition to the basic characteristics of radio communication, but also has the characteristics of network communication: fast, easy to expand, good compatibility, easy to connect with other systems at low cost. It is suitable for various paths, various guidance methods, complex environment and large area.
All in all, with the rapid development of 5G and IoT technology, we have good reasons to believe that AGVs will be widely used in all aspects of our lives, and the communication will become more in time and smooth.