By, Tosh Kumar 0412210054 CS,4th year

RFID-What it is?
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is an automatic identification method, relying on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags or transponders. RFID (radio frequency identification) is a technology that incorporates the use of electromagnetic or electrostatic coupling in the radio frequency (RF) portion of the electromagnetic spectrum to uniquely identify an object, animal, or person. An alternative to bar code. RFID is also called dedicated short range communication (DSRC).

 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.

Components of RFID

Components of RFID(contd)

Passive RFID Tags

Tag contains an antenna, and a small chip that stores a small amount of data Tag can be programmed at manufacture or on installation

Tag is powered by the high power electromagnetic field generated by the antennas usually in doorways
The field allows the chip/antenna to reflect back an extremely weak signal containing the data. Collision Detection recognition of multiple tags in the read range is employed to separately read the individual tags

Active RFID Tags

Battery Powered tags Have much greater range 100m Hold much more information Kbytes Can integrate sensing technology Temperature, GPS Can signal at defined time Multiple tags can be recorded at once Used for higher value items Shipping containers Babies Electronic assets Cost between $20 and $40 per item Life between 2 4 years

Components of RFID(contd)
Active RFID Tag Power Source Internal to tag Passive RFID Energy transferred using RF from reader No Only in field of reader Very High Up to 3-5m, usually less

Tag Battery Availability of power Required signal strength to Tag Range

Yes Continuous Very Low Up to 100m

Multi-tag reading

1000s of tags recognized up to 100mph

Up to 128Kb or read/write with sophisticated search and access

Few hundred within 3m of reader

128 bytes of read/write

Data Storage

Components of RFID(contd)

Electronic product code-EPC

Each tag contains a unique code that facilitating the identification process & is known as EPC. E.g. 613.23000.123456.123456789 (96 bits) Header defines version of EPC(8 bits) EPC Manager describes originator of EPC (Product manufacturer) (28 bits) Object Class - Could describe the product type (24 Bits) Serial Number Unique ID for that product item (36 Bits)

System overview

RFID Vs Bar Code

RFID Forging is difficult Barcode Forging is easy Scanner not required. No need Scanner needs to see the bar to bring the tag near the code to read it reader RFID is comparatively fast

Can read multiple tags

Relatively expensive as compared to Bar Codes (Reader 1000$, Tag 20 cents a piece) Can be reusable within factory premises

Can read only one tag at a time

Cannot be reused

Benefits of RFID

 Gillette & Co:

Objective: To Track movement of product from Packaging Center to Plants distribution center.
Previously->Using Bar Code, time taken=80 sec to 20 min 1999->With RFID it takes 20 seconds. Gains->Gillette saves 20% in Operational Cost at each Distribution Center.

Issues / Concerns

Uses of RFID
Used where unique identification is needed. Large Retail companies Product Tracking. Hospitals & Nursing Homes Patient Tagging . Airports Baggage Tracking. Security Applications Contactless Smart Cards. RFID Readers could also WRITE onto Tags. RFID Sensors to sense temperature, movement, radiation, food quality. Passports-UK, Australia, Finland, Ireland. RFID is used in Libraries. Replacing Barcodes.

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

Infosys Technologies RFID consulting on logistics player in the RFID space. TCS have tied up with Hyderabad university to produce RFID tagged mark sheets & degrees to deter use of fake degree.
Intellicon - pilot project for BEL Bangalore, tags installed on employee buses. Buses inside the BEL campus were tracked with the aim of gauging employee punctuality.