System Architecture
Bridging the gap between the physical shelf and digital records.
Sentr is powered by a seamless combination of custom hardware, robotics, and horizontally scalable software. Here is a high-level overview of how the system captures, moves, and processes inventory data.
Intelligent RFID Scanning
At the heart of Sentr is our custom RFID infrastructure. Instead of relying on manual barcode scanning, we utilize UHF RFID technology to continuously monitor item presence. Operating via custom firmwares on dedicated microcontrollers, the system communicates with high-performance antennas to capture tagged inventory instantly. This modular architecture detects items reliably across varying shelf structures, providing real-time stock visibility without disrupting the shopping experience.
Automated Moving System
To maximize cost-efficiency and ensure complete shelf coverage without requiring a stationary antenna for every square inch, we engineered an automated movement mechanism. Driven by precise stepper motors along a specialized rail structure, the transceiver unit glides autonomously across consecutive shelves. This systematic scan approach allows a single reader array to process massive amounts of inventory. The hardware is designed to be highly reliable and easy to retrofit onto existing retail infrastructure.
Sentr-API Microservices
All physical data generated by the hardware is processed by our scalable microservice architecture. Built for high resilience and rapid parallel processing, the backend decodes raw RFID signals into actionable inventory events. It handles data deduplication, manages product metadata, and orchestrates the moving system's scanning schedules. The API serves as the central nervous system, connecting edge devices to our operational dashboard to ensure a single, consistent source of truth.
