3. RFID
RFID = Radio Frequency Identification
Electronic labeling and wireless identification
of objects using radio frequency
Tag carries with its information
a serial number
Model number
Color or any other imaginable data
When these tags pass through a field generated
by a compatible reader, they transmit this
information back to the reader, thereby
identifying the object
4. RFID components
A basic RFID system consists of these
components:
A programmable RFID tag/inlay for storing item
data;
Consisting of an RFID chip for data storage
an antenna to facilitate communication with the RFID
chip
A reader/antenna system to interrogate the
RFID inlay
Application software and a host computer
system
5. RFID Tag
The RFID tag consists of an integrated circuit
(IC) embedded in a thin film medium.
Information stored in the memory of the RFID
chip is transmitted by the antenna circuit
embedded in the RFID inlay via radio
frequencies, to an RFID reader
3 types
Passive
Semi-passive
Active
6. Types of RFID Tags
Active Tags
• Use a battery
• communicate over
distances of several
meters
Semi-passive Tags
• Contain built-in
batteries to power
the chip’s circuitry,
resist interference
and circumvent a
lack of power from
the reader signal due
to long distance.
• They are different
from active tags in
that they only
transmit data at the
time a response is
received
Passive Tags
• Derive their power
from the field
generated by the
reader
• without having an
active transmitter to
transfer the
information stored
7. Applications
Frequency Appx. Read
Range
Data Speed Cost of
Tags
Application
Low Frequency
(125kHz)
<5cm
(passive)
Low High • Animal Identification
• Access Control
High Frequency
(13.56 Mhz)
10 cm – 1m
(passive)
Low to Moderate Medium
to Low
• Smart Cards
• Payment (paywave)
Ultra High
Frequency (433, 868-
928 Mhz)
3m -7m
(passive)
Moderate to High Low • Logistics and Supply Chain
• Baggage Tracking
Microwave (2.45 &
5.8 Ghz)
10m -15m
(passive)
20m – 40m
(active)
High High • Electronic toll collection
(Autotoll)
• Container Tracking
Frequency of RFID tags in different applications
8. Current Applications
Application Segment Representative
Applications
Competitive Technologies Current
Penetration
Typical Tag Type
Access Control Doorway entry Other keyless entry
technologies
High Passive
Asset Tracking Locating tractors within a
freight yard
None Low Active
Asset Tagging Tracking corporate
computing systems
Bar Code Low Passive
Authentication Luxury goods counterfeit
prevention
Holograms Low Passive
Baggage Tracking Positive bag matching Bar Code, Optical Character
Recognition
Low Passive
POS Applications SpeedPass Credit Cards, Smart Cards,
Wireless Phones
Medium Passive
SCM (Container Level) Tracking containers in
shipping terminals
GPS-based Systems Low Active
SCM (Pallet Level) Tracking palletized
shipments
Bar Code Minimal Active, Passive
SCM (Item Level) Identifying individual
items
Bar Code Minimal Passive
Vehicle Identification Electronic toll collection Bar Code, License plate, reader
systems
Medium Active, Passive
Vehicle Immobilizers Automotive ignition
systems
Other theft prevention
technologies
High Passive
15. Conclusion
Positive
RFID is a contactless reading technology and can
read through other materials
Hold more data than barcode does
RFID tags data can be changed or added
More effective, bring lots of convenience to us
Negative
Cost is relatively remain high (compare to barcode)
RFID signals may have problems with some
materials
RFID standards are still being developed
