GAO RFID system includes middleware, Web server, on reader application and Handheld Reader application.

GAO RFID middleware is a Windows based service that provides runtime interfaces for RFID readers, business modules and data synchronization to communicate embedded on reader application and handheld readers. The middleware provides a library of business modules and RFID reader drivers as described below:

• GAO RFID Engine – a Windows based service that provides runtime interfaces for RFID fixed readers, business modules and data synchronization.
• Fixed Reader Interface – provides a reader device abstraction layer that has a common API for active and passive RFID readers that need to connect to the RFID middleware during runtime. A vender specific reader can implement a reader abstract class to interact with other RFID components.
• Business Module Interface – provides a business logic abstraction layer that enables various business specific modules to plug into the RFID system by implementing a business module abstract class.
• Data Synchronization Interface – provides out-process integration for devices that are not resident in the RFID Engine process such as handheld reader devices or embedded reader devices. The component provides local data for embedded and handheld reader devices with the latest required information such as location information, reader configuration or user data. Also, it uploads RFID reader activity data to the GAO RFID server.
• Web interface – provides end user and administrator interfaces via Internet and Intranet. The component enables system administrators to manage RFID server, users, RFID devices, tags, and access system reports from a Web browser interface.
• Handheld Component – provides user interface based on business specific specification. Each handheld device will have a local database with required information for supported business modules. The local database is updated with a configured server with wireless or USB port. The device stores RFID transactions to the handheld database and uploads transactions to the RFID server whenever the device is connected to the server.
• Embedded Component –provides RFID tag reading by using LLRP API, barcode reading, business logic specific processing, and data communication with RFID servers using FTP, UDP and TCP protocols.
• System Databases – Auto-ID Engine can be deployed in the distributed network environment (Internet/Intranet) with center and site databases. Databases are synchronized with data replication services. The databases are instances of Microsoft® SQL server instances that host center and site database table schema, stored procedures and data. The components also host business specific tables for ERP data, activity transactions and report data.