This document discusses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. It describes the basic components of an RFID system including RFID tags, readers, and software. It outlines the different types of RFID tags and their applications in areas like supply chain management, toll collection, and access control. The document also summarizes the results of an online survey about RFID conducted with small and medium enterprises and concludes that while RFID provides benefits over barcodes, costs remain higher and standards are still being developed.
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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
7. 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
8. 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
9. Credit Cards with RFID
(Paywave function)
Applications
Octopus (Smart Card)
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