3. What is RFID?
RFID stands for Radio-frequency identification (RFID
) an Auto-ID data collection system surveillance,
using RF waves for Identifying, Tracking and doing
Management of material flow.
It is an automatic identification method, relying on storing
and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags
or transponders. An RFID tag is an object that can be
attached to or incorporated into a product for the purpose
of identification using radio waves.
• Is fast and does not require physical sight or contact
between reader/scanner and the tagged item.
• Basic concept behind RFID is same as “Mirror-Sunlight-
Reflection theory.
• Invented and used from early 1940’s but Commercial
operation begun from 1960’s.
4. RFID tags: Smart labels
4
… and a chip
attached to it
… on a substrate
e.g. a plastic
foil ...
an antenna,
printed, etched
or stamped ...
A paper label
with RFID inside
5. RFID System Components
RFID Tag
Transponder
Located on the object
RFID Reader
Transceiver
Can read and write data to Tag
Data Processing Subsystem
6. Transponder
• Consists of silicon based microchip that stores data and antenna.
Tags can be classified in three different ways :
Active, Passive, Semi active (semi passive)
• Active transponders have on-tag batteries and also known as
beacons (broadcast its own signal).
• Passive transponders obtain all power from the RF interrogation
signal of reader.
• Active and passive only communicate when interrogated by
transceiver.
Tags can also be classified on the basis of:
• Read-only (RO)
• Write once, read many (WORM)
• Read-write (RW)
7.
8. SMART LABELS (tags)
Typical Frequency: 13.56 MHz-HF system uses passive tags
- a worldwide standardized frequency
Libraries use high frequency passive tags
In our library we paste these tags on the preface page of the
book
Presently four main frequency bands used in RFID systems
Low Frequency band: 125/134 KHz
High Frequency band: 13.56 MHz
Ultra High Frequency band: 800-900 MHz
Microwave band: 2.4-5.8 GHz
9. READER
• A device that is used to interrogate an Tag.
Basic components are:
A scanning Antenna
A transceiver with a decoder to interpret data
helps in personalize & read data.
11. Data Processing Subsystem
Backend System
Connected via high-speed network
Computers used for business planning (ERP)
Database storage
Can be as simple as a reader attached to a cash
register
14. working
A radio device called a tag is attached to the object
that needs to be identified.
When this tagged object is presented in front of a
suitable RFID reader, the tag transmits this data to the
reader (via the reader antenna).
The reader then reads the data and has the capability
to forward it over suitable communication channels.
This application can then use this unique data to
identify the object presented to the reader.
It can then perform a variety of actions
15. RFID tags - Active vs. Passive
Active RFID Passive RFID
Tag Power Source Internal to tag Energy transferred using
RF from reader
Tag Battery Yes No
Availability of power Continuous Only in field of reader
Required signal
strength to read tag
Very Low Very High
Range Up to 100 meters Up to 3-5m, usually less
Multi-tag reading 1000’s of tags recognized
– speeds up to 100
miles/hour.
Few hundred within 3m of
reader
Data Storage Up to 1Mb of read/write
with sophisticated search
and access
128 bytes of read/write
16. RFID Applications
Manufacturing and Processing
Inventory and production process monitoring
Warehouse order fulfillment
Supply Chain Management
Inventory tracking systems
Logistics management
Retail
Inventory control and customer insight
Auto checkout with reverse logistics
Security
Access control
Counterfeiting and Theft control/prevention
Location Tracking
Traffic movement control and parking management
Wildlife/Livestock monitoring and tracking
17. continued……….
Inventory Monitoring
Library book and bookstore tracking
Pallet tracking (Wal-Mart and the Dept. of Defense)
Access Control
Hand Implants
ID badges
Payment Systems
The American Express Blue Card, a feature they call Express Pay
Exxon Mobile Speed Pass Airline baggage tracking
Cell phones are including RFID tags built in
Electronic payment – credit card companies moving to RFID-enabled
cards to increase efficiency and reduce time at point-of-sale for
customer, merchant, and card issuer.
Commercially for truck and trailer tracking in shipping yards
Long range access control for vehicles
Entry gates
Electronic toll collection
18. RFID application points
• Assembly Line
Shipping Portals
Handheld Applications
Bill of Lading
Material Tracking
Wireless
19. Smart groceries
• Add an RFID tag to all
items in the grocery.
• As the cart leaves the
store, it passes through an
RFID transceiver.
• The cart is rung up in
seconds.
22. RFID animal tracking system
Cattle and farm animals are being tagged to improve
tracking and monitoring of health.
23. Advantages
Contactless. An RFID tag can be read without any physical
contact between the tag and the reader.
Writable data. The data of a read-write (RW) RFID tag can be
rewritten a large number of times.
Absence of line of sight. A line of sight is generally not
required for an RFID reader to read an RFID tag.
Variety of read ranges.
Wide data-capacity range.
Support for multiple tag reads.
Perform smart tasks.
Better collection management
Improved productivity and services.
24. Disadvantages
Poor performance with RF-opaque and RF-absorbent
objects.
Impacted by environmental factors.
Impacted by hardware interference.
Cost factors: Implementation and on going system cost.
It is a controversial technology:
25. Continued…..
Consumer privacy advocates often refer to RFIDs as “spychips”.
RFIDs can be tracked by anyone with a high-gain antenna, potentially
allowing the contents of a home to be scanned at a distance.
Could be used to track an individual’s movements without their knowledge.
Information about an individual can be gleaned from an RFID even after its disposal
Three main privacy concerns in a retail scenario:
Purchaser of item may not be aware of its presence
Tag can be read at a distance without purchaser’s knowledge
May be possible to tie RFID ID to purchaser’s credit card and personal
information
Medical
Implants/Personal Information
Verichip is a tiny implantable chip that holds medical records.
Health Risks
Hard to remove once implanted.
Long term effects unknown
30. SECURITY GATE
Verify that all books leaving the library
have been checked out.
Detect Theft and
Prevent unauthorized removal
of material
31. Key Agenda and Concern for library
Key Agenda
Material security
Financial liabilities
Personal comfort and safety
Privacy and problem patrons
key concern
To increase productivity
Improve customer services
maintain current staff level
32. Inventory Management
Read/Write
- Ability to add information directly to tags enables each
unique asset to carry its own unique history
Non-contact Reads
- Ability to read tags at a distance, under a variety of
environmental conditions, without physical manipulation
of the asset
Fast Read
- Ability to simultaneously read large numbers (1000-1750
tags/sec) of items
Automation
- Requires less human intervention
Authenticity
- Each RFID chip is unique and can not be replicated
33. Inventory Reader
A compact and light weight hand held device
Comfortable to use
High storage capacity
Multi functional (such as shelving,
sorting, searching, weeding and
reading)
Enhanced security
34. Future of RFID
Medical
Drug Counterfeiting
Tracking & Tracing
Medical “Passports”
Foster Care System
Food Chain Precautions
Shopping
Cashier-less check out and payment
Household Technology
Smart keys
Intelligent washing machines
Monitoring refrigerators
Intelligent ovens/microwaves
35. Conclusion
RFID is a Supporting Technology not a Competing technology………..
Slowly becoming an industry standard
Speeds up the supply chain process
Easier to manage inventory
Continually evolving
It is easy to envision that, the RFID tags contents will increase in
power, prices are expected to decline and tag will dramatically
improve its efficiency, security and accuracy.
