2. OUTLINE
• DEFINITION
• HISTORY
• COMPONENTS
• RFID SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
• ELECTRONIC PRODUCT CODE(EPC)
• RFID VS BARCODE
• BENEFITS OF RFID
• ISSUES/ CONCERNS
3. INTRODUCTION TO RFID
• RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a
technology that enables the electronic and
wireless labeling and identification of
objects, humans and animals.
• An alternative to Barcode.
• RFID is also called dedicated short range
communication (DSRC).
4. HISTORY
• Invented in 1948 by Harry Stockman.
• Initial application was during World War II-The
United Kingdom used RFID devices to distinguish
returning English airplanes from inbound
German ones. RADAR was only able to signal the
presence of a plane, not the kind of plane it
was..
• Came into commercial use only in 1990s.
6. Components of RFID(cont’d)
• A RFID tag is an object that can be stuck on or incorporated into a
product, animal, or person for the purpose of identification using radio
waves .
• Tags ( Chip + Antenna).
-Tag types
-Active.
-Passive.
-Frequency at which these tags are used
-Between 125 to 134 kilohertz.
-At 13.56 megahertz.
-Between 868 to 956 megahertz.
-At 2.45 gigahertz.
7. Tags Characteristic
• Means by which transponder is powered
• Data carrying options
• Data read rates
• Physical forms
• Costs
8. Active and Passive Tags
• Active tags
– Powered by an internal battery
– Finite lifetime (because of battery)
– Greater range
– Better noise immunity
– Higher data transmission rates
9. Active and Passive Tags
• Passive tags
– Operate without battery
– Derive power from the field generate by the
reader
– Less expensive
– Unlimited life
– Subject to noise
– Require more powerful readers
10. Components of RFID(cont’d)
• Interrogator ( Antenna + Reader ) : Interrogator
are used to read the tags.
• Middleware: Middleware is the needed interface
between the existing company databases &
information management software.
• Middleware provides a range of functions:
-Data filtering
-System monitoring
-Multiple reader co-ordination.
12. RFID Operation
• Host Manages Reader(s) and Issues Commands
• Reader and tag communicate via RF signal
• Carrier signal generated by the reader (upon request from
the host application)
• Carrier signal sent out through the antennas
• Carrier signal hits tag(s)
• Tag receives and modifies carrier signal
– “sends back” modulated signal.
• Antennas receive the modulated signal and send them to
the Reader
• Reader decodes the data
– Results returned to the host application
13. Electronic Product Code
Header - Tag version number
EPC Manager - Manufacturer ID
Object class - Manufacturer’s product ID
Serial Number - Unit ID
With 96 bit code, 268 million companies can each categorize 16 million different
products where each product category contains up to 687 billion individual units
14. RFID VS BARCODE
RFID Barcode
Data is transmitted through RF Optical data transmission.
signals.
Scanner not required. No need to Scanner needs to see the bar code to
bring the tag near the reader. read it.
RFID is comparatively fast. Comparatively slow.
Can read multiple tags. Can read only one tag at a time.
Relatively expensive as compared to Less Expensive.
Bar Codes.
Can be reusable within factory Cannot be reused.
premises.
15. BENEFITS OF RFID
• Increased stock visibility and availability.
• Reduced theft in the supply chain.
• Improved Product Selection
• Easier Identification on Recalls
• Unifying Auto-ID technology
• Line of sight is not required
• Longer read ranges
• Faster: hundreds of items can be scanned in one
read
16. Issues / Concerns
• Cost of RFID technology.
• Active RFID life – 2 to 4 years.
• Extreme weather.
• Security concerns-illegal tracking of RFID tags.
• Global standardization.
• Environmental concern- recycling
17. Uses of RFID
• Used where unique identification is needed.
• Large Retail companies – Product Tracking.
• Hospitals & Nursing Homes – Patient Tagging
• Airports – Baggage Tracking.
• RFID Sensors to sense temperature,
movement, radiation, food quality.
• Passports-UK, Australia, Finland, Ireland.
• RFID is used in Libraries.
• Replacing Barcodes
18. Initiatives in RFID
• Patni Computer Systems Lab – Implemented Animal Tracking System
• Wipro Technologies - Member of the Electronic Product Code (EPC)
- Setting up a lab to study RFID
- Working on pilot projects
• TCS have tied up with Hyderabad university to produce RFID tagged mark
sheets & degrees to deter use of fake degree.
• Intel icon - pilot project for BEL Bangalore, tags installed on employee buses.
Buses inside the BEL campus were tracked with the aim of gauging employee
punctuality.
19. Some links…
• www.rfidjournal.com
• www.computerworld.com
• www.rfidusa.com
• RFID Handbook
• www.uh.edu/gartner
