1. Overview of RFID
Technology and Applications
David Carta, Ceo

2. Intro Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WlRcXIO5ik

3. What is RFID?
Radio Frequency Identification
uniquely identifies items with an
electronic tag – and they come in
all shapes & sizes.

4. RFID – Technology of Today

5. RFID System Overview

6. RFID In Security

7. Service and
Maintenance
Distributed
Database
Vehicle
Tracking
Manufacture
Process
Improvement
Pallet ID &
Tracking
Identification
Parts, People,
Equipment
Asset
Tracking
Supply Chain
Automation
Prevent
Counterfeits
Many Uses for RFID

8. RFID in Your Pocket

10. Different Frequencies
Different Applications

11. Two Main Classes of RFID
Active
•Battery powered memory,
radio & circuitry
Passive
•Tag powered from
collected reader energy

13. • Lanyards
• Zip-Tie
• Epoxy Mount
• VHB Tape
• Weld Tabs
• Rivetable
• Boltable
RFID Tag mounting options fit a
wide range of applications

14. RFID Benefits
1. Can uniquely identify individual item
2. Reads through dirt, paper, or
stickers
3. Read distance can be cm - km
4. Can read and write data to tag
5. Can store kilobytes of data
6. Can make counterfeiting difficult
7. Increased operational efficiency
May not get all of this in one tag!

16. RFID Frequencies
118 KHz to 148 KHz (LF)
• Animal Tagging,
Access Control
• Range – inches
to several feet
• Well adaptable
to metal
environments
• Inductive

17. LF Readers (118-134 KHz)

19. RFID Frequencies
13.56 mHz (HF)
• ISO 14443, Smartcard Standard, <10 cm
• ISO 15693, Tagging Standard, <1 meter
• Inductive

20. Asset / ID Tracking RFID
ISO 15693 (13.56 MHz)

21. Passport RFID
ISO 14443 (13.56 MHz)

22. RFID
Smart
Cards
ISO 14443
(13.56 MHz)

23. HF Inductive Readers
ISO 14443/15693 (13.56 MHz)

25. RFID For Product ID
Uniquely Identify the Product
01.0000B45.002CFE.000034526
ELECTRONIC PRODUCT CODE
1. Bits (00-07) - Header
2. Bits (08-35) – EPC Manager
3. Bits (36-59) – Object Class
4. Bits (60-95) – Serial Number
Barcodes identify the
manufacturer and type
of product only
“Squiggle Tag”
EPC Gen2 RFID identifies
the item uniquely,
including manufacturer
and product type

26. Improve Inventory Management?

27. Tags built to be vehicle/pallet
mounted

28. Printed Label Tag

29. Extreme Environment Tags

30. Metal Mount Circuit Board
RFID Tag

31. Foam Mount Tag
• Made for mounting on metal surfaces
• Foam spacers allow for operation of
antenna against metal
• Specially tuned antennas

32. UHF Readers (900 MHz)

33. Portal Tracking

34. Handheld RFID Readers

35. Which RFID tag is being read?
Hard to
identify
which tag!

36. Motion Tracking with UHF
Impinj XArray

37. Motion
Tracking
with UHF
54
beams
in X
Array

38. Motion
Tracking with
UHF can now
track person
or item
Directionality!

40. RFID Frequencies
Active (433 MHz - 2.45 GHz)
• Active Tags – Battery powered
• Higher tag cost
• 10 meters to 1 km
• 5 year lifetime
• Works in and around metal
• Highway tagging
• RTLS and GPS Capable….sometimes
• Asset tracking
• Hospital Tracking
• Vehicle tracking

41. Active Tags
• Long range
• Requires battery

42. VUHF Antennas (2.4-5.5 GHz)

43. Active Antennas

44. Asset Tracking and RFID
Active Passive
= Found Tag
Location A
Location C Location D
Location B
= Tag Outside Read Range

45. Track By Signal Strength

46. Global Tracking….almost

48. Counterfeit Prevention

49. Vehicle RFID

50. Theme Park Usage

52. Large Scale Retail

53. Yet we are still optimistic

54. Contactless Passports

55. Contactless Credit Cards

57. RFID Is A Tool - Not A Solution
• Used for identification and
authentication
• Allows mobile data object to be
attached to an inventory item for
immediate read
• Good for reading at a distance and
reading multiple tags quickly.
• Requires significant backend database
for access and use of item information
• System/solution is of paramount
importance

58. RFID System Disadvantages
• Subject to interference – can be tricky
• Security Issues – easily spoofed
• Incorrect Tag Reading
• Orientation Issues
• High cost…compared to printed serial no.
• Environmental damage (force, heat,
pressure)
• Damage from abuse
• Cost of encoding
• Cannot specify which tag is to be read

59. RFID Can Improve Your
Operations and Help you
be more Profitable
But First Understand the
Problem you think it will
solve for you.