RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION(RFID)RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION(RFID)

Karin Mithamo Karin Mithamo

CIS 580CIS 580

OverviewOverview

Definition of RFIDDefinition of RFID How RFID WorksHow RFID Works Problems with RFIDProblems with RFID Current ApplicationsCurrent Applications Potential ApplicationPotential Application Database analyst and RFIDDatabase analyst and RFID

What is RFID?What is RFID?

Auto-ID technology Auto-ID technology – bar codes, bar codes, – optical character readers and optical character readers and – biometric technologies, like retinal scans. biometric technologies, like retinal scans.

Radio frequency tags (chips) Radio frequency tags (chips) – to identify real objects,to identify real objects,– retrieve information by enabling readers, andretrieve information by enabling readers, and– Transmitting captured data to a computer system.Transmitting captured data to a computer system.

How RFID WorksHow RFID Works

Scanning AntennaScanning Antenna – Radio frequency signalsRadio frequency signals– radiation means of communication radiation means of communication – Antenna receives signals from the tag, and Antenna receives signals from the tag, and – Passes the information to a system. Passes the information to a system. – The scanning antennas can be permanently affixed to a The scanning antennas can be permanently affixed to a

surface or be handheld.surface or be handheld.

How RFID works ContinuedHow RFID works Continued

Transponder Transponder – Programmed RFID tag – Programmed RFID tag – Passed through scanning antenna field, Passed through scanning antenna field, – Detects the activation signal, Detects the activation signal, – Activates the RFID chip. Activates the RFID chip.

TransceiverTransceiver– Tag ReaderTag Reader– Transmits microchip information to scanning antenna. Transmits microchip information to scanning antenna.

RFID HardwareRFID Hardware

Magnetic / Inductive CouplingMagnetic / Inductive Coupling

TransceiverTag Reader

antenna

RFIDTag

IC or microprocessor

antenna

RFID HardwareRFID Hardware

Transmission CouplingTransmission Coupling

TransceiverTag Reader

antenna

RFIDTag

IC or microprocessor

antenna

Types of Tags: Active TagsTypes of Tags: Active Tags Active TagsActive Tags

– On-board transceiverOn-board transceiver– Battery – must be replacedBattery – must be replaced– Longer range- 60 to 300 feetLonger range- 60 to 300 feet– Application- Large bulky assetsApplication- Large bulky assets

Active Tags: ContinuedActive Tags: Continued

Types of Active TagsTypes of Active Tags– Transponders Transponders

Activated when they receive a signal from a reader. Activated when they receive a signal from a reader. Broadcast signal only when within range of a reader. Broadcast signal only when within range of a reader. Application Application

– toll payment collection and toll payment collection and – checkpoint control.checkpoint control.

Types of Active TagsTypes of Active Tags– BeaconsBeacons

Used in real-time locating systems (RTLS), to precisely Used in real-time locating systems (RTLS), to precisely locate an asset that needs to be tracked. locate an asset that needs to be tracked.

Emits a signal with its unique identifier at intervals. Emits a signal with its unique identifier at intervals. The signal is picked up by at least three reader The signal is picked up by at least three reader

antennas placed around the border of the area where antennas placed around the border of the area where assets are being tracked. assets are being tracked.

Application :Application :– distribution yards, and distribution yards, and – large auto making manufacturing facilities.large auto making manufacturing facilities.

Passive TagsPassive Tags

Passive TagsPassive Tags– Reflect energyReflect energy– Power SourcePower Source– TransmitterTransmitter– Maintenance Maintenance

Passive TagsPassive Tags

– FrequencyFrequencyLow frequencyLow frequencyHigh frequency or High frequency or Ultra-high frequency Ultra-high frequency

– PerformancePerformanceDifferent at each frequency, Different at each frequency, Light propertiesLight propertiesLevel of performance. Level of performance.

Real TagsReal Tags

Types of TagsTypes of Tags

Read OnlyRead Only– factory programmedfactory programmed– usually chiplessusually chipless

Read / WriteRead / Write– on-board memoryon-board memory– can save datacan save data– can change IDcan change ID– higher costhigher cost

TECHNICAL PROBLEMSTECHNICAL PROBLEMS Global StandardsGlobal Standards

– Automatic Identification and Data Capture TechniquesAutomatic Identification and Data Capture Techniques– Identification Cards and related devices Identification Cards and related devices – Identification and communication Identification and communication – Agricultural electronicsAgricultural electronics– Road Transport and Traffic TelematicsRoad Transport and Traffic Telematics– Transportable Gas Cylinders Transportable Gas Cylinders

Operational RequirementsOperational Requirements Identification of cylinders and contentsIdentification of cylinders and contents

TECHNICAL PROBLEMSTECHNICAL PROBLEMS

System disruptionSystem disruption– Electromagnetic FrequencyElectromagnetic Frequency– Low BatteryLow Battery

Reader CollisionReader Collision– Reader overlapReader overlap

Tag CollisionTag Collision– Too many TagsToo many Tags

Security, privacy and ethics Security, privacy and ethics problemsproblems

Reading consent Reading consent – Difficult removalDifficult removal– Post sale tag readingPost sale tag reading

Death of distance.Death of distance.– High-gain antennaHigh-gain antenna

Linking to private numbersLinking to private numbers– Credit card NumberCredit card Number

Current ApplicationsCurrent Applications

Livestock TaggingLivestock Tagging Wild Animal TrackingWild Animal Tracking Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS)Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) Automated Toll CollectionAutomated Toll Collection Animal HusbandryAnimal Husbandry Vehicle Anti-TheftVehicle Anti-Theft

More ApplicationsMore Applications

Passive / Secure EntryPassive / Secure Entry Airline Baggage TrackingAirline Baggage Tracking Postal Package TrackingPostal Package Tracking Time and AttendanceTime and Attendance

Livestock TaggingLivestock Tagging

Meet Bobby the Cow

Bobby has an old fashioned ear tag for identification.

Tracking PenguinsTracking Penguins

http://www.beitec.com/penguin.htm

Automated Toll CollectionAutomated Toll Collection

Package TrackingPackage Tracking

Picture courtesy Texas Instruments

Potential Application: Grocery StorePotential Application: Grocery Store

Existence of Bar codesExistence of Bar codes Potential replacementPotential replacement Unmet need: Speed of checkoutsUnmet need: Speed of checkouts

Grocery Store ScenarioGrocery Store Scenario

Several full carts slow Several full carts slow down the checkout down the checkout process.process.

Cost of tags relative to Cost of tags relative to cashiercashier

Enhanced Groceries Store ChainEnhanced Groceries Store Chain

Track products Track products in the course of in the course of their entire their entire existence.existence.

Diagram courtesy How Stuff Works

Grocery Store with RFIDGrocery Store with RFID

All items in the store have All items in the store have RFID tag.RFID tag.

The cart is rung up in The cart is rung up in seconds with the help of seconds with the help of an RFID transceiveran RFID transceiver

Other Potential RFID ApplicationsOther Potential RFID Applications

RFID in the Euro by 2005RFID in the Euro by 2005 Xerox PARC Page DetectionXerox PARC Page Detection Department of DefenseDepartment of Defense Immigrations DepartmentsImmigrations Departments HospitalsHospitals

Database Analyst and RFIDDatabase Analyst and RFID Company AnalysisCompany Analysis Executive managers and technologyExecutive managers and technology

– Financial factorsFinancial factors– Value creationValue creation– Vendor analysisVendor analysis

Company TransitionCompany Transition– Current SystemCurrent System– Need for new SystemNeed for new System

Security and PrivacySecurity and Privacy– IntegrityIntegrity– Data availabilityData availability– ConfidentialityConfidentiality

ReferencesReferences

AIM Global NetworkAIM Global Networkhttp://www.aimglobal.orghttp://www.aimglobal.orgTexas Instruments RFID SolutionsTexas Instruments RFID Solutionshttp://www.ti.com/tiris/http://www.ti.com/tiris/RFID Journal .IncRFID Journal .Inchttp://www.rfidjournal.com/http://www.rfidjournal.com/http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Technologyhttp://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Technology