4. 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
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5. 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
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6. 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
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7. 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
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8. 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
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9. 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
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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
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