Barcoding & RFID

1. BARCODING & RFID
Navindu Munidasa
MSc Logistics and Supply Chain (UK) (Reading); BSc Operations and
Logistics Management (UK); Dip in Computer Hardware and Networking ;
Certificate in Motor Mechanism (CGTTI); Certificate in Workshop Practices
(CGTTI)

2. BARCODING

3. INTRODUCTION
• The Bar Code technology was introduced in 1967 in USA, Rail Roads for
the purpose of automatically identifying the rail cars. Subsequently, to
that industries started using it.
• In the early 1970s, common barcodes started appearing on grocery
shelves. To automate the process of identifying grocery items, UPC
barcodes were placed on products.
• Today, barcodes are just about everywhere and are used for
identification in almost all types of business.

4. DEFINING A BAR CODE
• A bar code is defined "as a pattern of alternate dark bars and
white (blank) spaces. The combination of these bars & spaces
represent numbers or characters".
• Each unique arrangement of the bars and spaces is referred to as
a bar code symbology. Bar Codes are designed to suit specific
applications and therefore vary in size, shape & data content.

5. DECODING A BARCODE

6. BARCODE TYPES AND USE
• There are two types of barcodes: Linear barcodes and 2D barcodes.
Linear barcodes 2D barcodes
Code 128 Data Matrix
UPC PDF417
Interleaved 2 of 5 Maxicode

7. LINEAR
BARCODE
TYPES

8. BARCODES
AROUND THE
WORLD

9. GLOBAL TRADE
ITEM NUMBER
FAMILY

10. BENEFITS OF
BARCODING
Speed – On average, one barcode label can be
scanned in the same amount of time that it
takes an employee to make two keystrokes
Accuracy – Keyboard operators make an average
of ten errors for every 1,000 characters typed, as
opposed to one error in every 10,000 reads for
an optical character readers, one error in every
3,000,000 characters with wands, and one error
in 70 million entries with laser technology
Ease of Implementation – Most barcode scanner
operators learn to use the equipment in less
than 15 minutes, and barcode labels are read by
thousands of available devices
Cost Effectiveness – Barcode systems often
recoup their investment in 6-18 months and
provide the highest level of reliability in a wide
variety of data collection applications; barcode
systems save time and prevent errors

11. DISADVANTAGES OF A BARCODE
Barcode scanning requires special
device called Barcode scanner
which emits light and collects
reflected light to decode the
Barcode.
Barcode scanner or reader works
with computers or POS terminals.
Barcodes do not have read/write
capabilities.
It requires optical line of sight
(LOS) scanning.
It is labor intensive as it requires
to be scanned individually.
It is less secure compare to RFID
which can be easily forged.
It is susceptible to environmental
damage.
Scratched or crumpled barcodes
may cause problems while
scanning.

12. RFID

13. WHAT IS RFID?
• RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a technology
used for electronic and wireless identification of
objects, humans and animals

14. RFID SYSTEM
ARCHITECTURE

15. 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

16. ACTIVE AND PASSIVE TAGS
• Passive tags
• Operate without battery
• Derive power from the field generate by the reader
• Less expensive
• Unlimited life
• Require more powerful readers
• Orientation sensitivity

17. CARRIER
FREQUENCIES
• RFID systems may use a
particular frequency band
depending on their
Application, Legislature or
Cost considerations
Frequency Band Characteristics Typical
Applications
Low
100-500 kHz
Short to medium read range,
inexpensive, low reading
speed
Access control
Animal/Human
identification
Inventory Control
Medium
10-15 MHz
Short to medium read range
Potentially inexpensive
Medium reading speed
Smart Cards
High
UHF: 850-950MHz
Microwave: 2.4 –
5.8 GHz
Long read range
High reading speed
Line of sight required
(Microwave)
Expensive
Railroad car
monitoring
Toll collection
systems (OGS)

18. LIVESTOCK TAGGING
RFID ear tag for
identification.

19. AUTOMATED
TOLL
COLLECTION

20. SMART GROCERY STORE
• Several carts this full in early evening could seriously
slow down the checkout process.
• How much do cashiers cost?
• Add an RFID tag to all items in the grocery.
• As the cart leaves the store, it passes through an RFID
transceiver
• The cart is rung up in seconds.

21. RFID IN THE
RETAIL
SUPPLY CHAIN

22. RFID’S ADVANTAGES
• Passive
• Store data on a tag
• Can be hidden
• Work in harsh environments
RFID’S DISADVANTAGES
• Lack of standards
• Short range
• Cost

23. THANK YOU