Radio Frequency Identification

 Radio Frequency Identification

 

RFID tags have been around since the 1970’s, but the adoption was constrained by costs and lack of standards, this is rapidly changing. 

RFID tags will not replace bar codes in the near future because of the billions of dollars that industries have invested in bar codes, barcode UPC readers and systems. 

The RFID application that are found today are widespread and they are found everywhere from tracking convicted house bound criminals, to pet tracking, and inventory tracking. RFID tags will definitely change the world we live in today; there are still some issues that need resolving such as standards and privacy.

How It Works? 

An RFID system comprises of three components:

1. An antenna
2. A transceiver
3. A transponder that is programmed with unique information such as an ID.

                      
The basic functioning of RFID tags is the same for each type of tag:

1. Data is stored on the tag ready to read.
2. The tags antenna receives a signal from a RFID reader.
3. The tag transmits a signal containing the information that it has in its memory.
4. The reader receives this information and interprets it.

    

   

 RFID tags typically operate within 125kHz, 13.56MHz, 915 MHz, and sometimes 2.4GHz frequency  ranges, and one only one frequency. Generally the higher the frequency the longer the read distance will be, and the transfer rate will be higher too.
   
Want of Find our more about RFID

RFID tags are being used in the Retail Supply Chain process - to find out more then view the video.

Why RFID now - why not keep the trusted barcode

   
The bottom line is that RFID tags are more efficient and cost effective, not convinced then view the video,  it says it all.
     

 

    
This video compare two processes, the one of the left is the traditional bar coded pallets being scanned before being loaded into the container, the container on the right is being loaded with pallets that have RFID tags (they are being read as they are loaded), you can see the time difference it takes between the two processes.
    

Check out the advantages and disadvantages of barcodes vs RFID
                                                    

 RFID tags come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. some of the areas where RFID tags are used  are :

• To track animals – these are very small are normally embedded under the animal’s skin.
• In Healthcare - track assets and ensure correct administration of prescriptions.
• To make payment - Credit-card and debit cards used for payment.
• To gain access – ID card used to use in access applications / facilities.
• Secure goods -  anti-theft hard plastic tags attached to merchandise in stores  to prevent theft.
• To track assets - Heavy-duty  transponders are used to track shipping containers, or heavy machinery, trucks.

And many many more applications.
                   

The future of RFID 

       

 Size and affordability - RFID tags are getting smaller

     

New material  technology has enabled the reduction of the size of RFID

This size RFID tag is already in production , it was recently used to prevent ticket forgery.

however -- this is not the smallest tag - check this out

 

 

 

 

This is RFID powder, these are passive RFID tags and do not have a great transmit range

 

 

                                                                                                                          

Form - RFID can be manufactured into many various form 

New flexible material has enabled
RFID tags to be manufactured in the flexible format, as can be seen in the image to left.

 

 

  

 

Intelligent mesh network between partaking RFID tags.    

             

Intelligent tags partake in an ad-hoc network (self-generating mesh network), this means that no infrastructure is required; these tags could contain sensors for shock, humidity, or temperature, and has the ability to give real time Location of objects.

The network is formed between via an ad hoc wireless network being established between the participating tags, this network that is robust, reliable and reduces the amount of infrastructure needed for deployment. The distance between participating tags can be up to 100m.

 

A passive RFID system will only get information on objects when the object passes by a reader whereas this system only needs one tag to be close to a reader (100m) in order to transmit data.
        

Smart paper 

 Researchers have developed a method to embed RFID tags in paper, this will prove to be effective in fighting counterfeit documents or money.

 
 

           

 How about edible RFID Tags - it is possible

 The technology makes both eating and dealing with food in general mindless, as a person simply needs to plop an RFID-embedded food item onto a special RFID-laced plate, which then tells the person all about the item and how much of it to eat. RFID ovens and microwaves also eliminate having to think about how long to cook an RFID food item -- simply put it in the RFID microwave, oven, or toaster, and the machine will know exactly how long to cook the item. (Scientists push to implement edible RFID tracking chips in food)

 

 

 Animated ID cards

The future of IF cards will expand the use of RFID technology and incorporate an OLED screen that will be activated by close proximity to a reader giving a 360 degree view of the head of card holder, making bogus IDs is going to get a whole lot more harder, for more information view a prototype of the tag in the video below.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                            

 Fighting Crime and Terrorism

The technology can be used to fight crime, privacy is still  an issue , check out how this technology could be used in a shopping mall.  

 

 

 Wireless Sensor Network for the outdoor and weather monitoring

RFID coupled with sensors can be used to monitor temperature, humidity, shock, vibration, and wetness. The example that is provided is of a vineyard soil and grapevine monitoring system, the soil moisture, wetness, and temperature is monitored.

 

     

Summary

      

RFID tags will become very much part of our everyday life just as the barcode has, the  privacy issues will be addressed by encryption , and controlled and sensible use of the use of this technology. The benefits far outweigh the disadvantages of using this technology - can you afford not to adopt this technology in your business?