This document provides an overview of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology. It discusses how RFID works by transferring data through radio waves without needing direct contact, unlike barcodes. The document traces the history of RFID from its origins in tracking airplanes in World War 2 to its increasing use by businesses and governments from the 1980s onward to track inventory. Finally, it describes how RFID is used now across various industries to track assets, equipment, materials, products, personnel and more through the use of RFID tags and readers.

1. RFID Introduction
®

2. Auto ID Systems
Auto ID is a short name for Automatic Identification
Includes a lot of different types of technologies: bar codes, smart cards,
retinal scans, fingerprint scanning, and RFID… (many others)
What makes them all the same?
Something is IDENTIFIED (person or item)
Data is RETRIEVED (cash register pulls up the price of the item)
Data is USED (a calculation or function takes place)
Ultimately, people use these technologies to SAVE TIME and INCREASE
ACCURACY. Both of these benefits SAVE MONEY!

3. RFID: What is it?
Radio Frequency IDentification
Data is transferred through
radio waves.
Unlike barcodes, RFID
does not need a person to
be involved.

4. The shortest history lesson
on RFID EVER.
RFID has been around a
long time
Started in World War 2 to
track airplanes
1973 - Door Locking
systems (like here!)
1979 – Animal Tracking
1980s and 1990s
Businesses and
Governments used the
technology to track
inventory. Smaller
items than airplanes!

5. The Here and Now
Why is it so popular now?
With more interest
(demand), antennas are
getting less expensive.
As more businesses
invest in the benefits of
RFID, the greater the
demand.
The greater the demand,
the lower the price.
The lower the price, more
businesses will invest in
the the technology.

6. RFID Uses
Assets
Equipment
Materials
Products
Personnel
Processes
Production
Quality
Resources

7. RFID Basics and Converting
®

8. What is RFID?
The heart of RFID technology is a transponder, a tiny computer chip with an
antenna. The transponder is embedded in an extremely thin label, usually
known as a tag that can be applied to logistics units such as pallets or
cartons.
A unique number is generally stored on the transponder for encrypting
information, which is recorded in a database for access by authorized users.

9. RFID Tags
RFID tags contain at least two parts:
an integrated circuit for storing and processing information, modulating and
demodulating a radio-frequency (RF) signal, collecting DC power from the
incident reader signal, and other specialized functions;
and an antenna for receiving and transmitting the signal.

10. RFID Tags
RFID tags can be either passive, active or battery assisted passive.
An active tag has an on-board battery that periodically transmits its ID
signal.
A battery assisted passive (BAP) has a small battery on board that is
activated when in the presence of a RFID reader.
A passive tag is cheaper and smaller because it has no battery.

11. RFID Frequency

12. Tag Data Standards (TDS)
Tag Data Standard defines EPC tag data, including how GS1 key identifiers are
encoded on the tag and how they are encoded for use in the information systems
layers of the EPC Systems Network.
Example of commonly used GS1 Key Type:
EPC - Electronic Product Code
GS1 is an international association who is dedicated to the design and implementation of global
Product Identification Standard. www.gs1.org

13. Identifiers Basic Format
Header – Which Type of Identifiers / Tag Data Format
EPC Manager Number – Which Company Prefix
Object Class – Which Product Code
Serial Number – Which Item

14. EPC (Electronic Product Code)
EPC is the unique number stored in a RFID Tag. It is in Binary
Representation on the Tag which encoded with serialized number and
product code.
00110000011
10100001001010111101111110100011000100101111110000000000000000000
00000000000110010000

15. Tag Product
Combine of EPC and RFID can provide unique identifier to each item
Assign EPC Numbers to cases / items
Print and encode the EPC tags with EPC printers
Shipments can be tagged at the pallet / case / item level as required
Mobile Scanner

16. RFID Scanner

17. Production Flow
RFID work flow
rr-pppaaaccckkk HHKr-pack HKVVeeennndddoorVendor r-ppaacckk PPaaaccckkkaaagggiinng (HK)r-pack Packaging (HK)CCuussstttooommerCustomer
PO
Apparel
PO
EPC
Tag
RFID Web System
EPC DatabaseEPCIS Server
Excel Order
/ WebForm
Import
RFID
EPC
data
Thermal print,
Encoding & Cutting
FG
FG FG
PackingQualityCheck
RFID Reader
Cargo Delivery
EPCIS DBEPCIS DB
Convert
& Export
QC
Fail
Data Management

18. Order Management
r-pac receive and manage the orders from vendors in varies way. System
reserve the serial range for each UPC when import order. Then calculate
the EPC base on EPC global conversion logic guideline. Then printer user
can export the production file from our RFID System.
Order Type: 1) By E-mail excel order
2) Web Form
3) XML
4) EDI
Account
Management Team
confirm order with
Customer/Vendor
Ready for export
to Production
System verify serial
history for each UPC
and calculate EPC for
new order

19. EDI Management
r-pac MIS import order data into RFID web system, and then user can
search, add remark, track order status and export order production file.
Formated order form

20. Data Management
RFID web system will encode UPC to EPC, site ID and Serial No. , and split
the item line quantity when export
EPC code is unique in our
RFID system database

21. Production Management
In our factory, Printer will connect the production file and then print the
Label cards.
Connectto
Print
Production File /
Web Print System

22. Item Level RFID Applications

23. Questions?
Go ahead. Ask!