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(cont’d)
Passive RFID 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 $40 per item • Life between 2 – 4 years
Components of RFID(cont’d) Active RFID
Passive RFID
Tag Power Source
Internal to tag
Energy transferred using RF from reader
Tag Battery
Yes
No
Availability of power
Continuous
Only in field of reader
Required signal strength to Tag
Very Low
Very High
Range
Up to 100m
Up to 3-5m, usually less
Multi-tag reading
1000’s of tags recognized – up to 100mph
Few hundred within 3m of reader
Data Storage
Up to 128Kb or read/write with sophisticated search and access
128 bytes of read/write
Components of RFID(cont’d)
Electronic product code-EPC • Each tag contains a unique code that facilitating the identification process & is known as EPC. • E.g. 613.23000.123456.123456789 (96 bits) • Header – defines version of EPC(8 bits) • EPC Manager – describes originator of EPC (Product manufacturer) (28 bits) • Object Class - Could describe the product type (24 Bits) • Serial Number – Unique ID for that product item (36 Bits)
System overview
RFID Vs Bar Code RFID
Barcode
Forging is difficult
Forging is easy
Scanner not required. No need Scanner needs to see the bar to bring the tag near the code to read it reader RFID is comparatively fast Can read multiple tags
Can read only one tag at a time
Relatively expensive as compared to Bar Codes (Reader 1000$, Tag 20 cents a piece) Can be reusable within factory premises
Cannot be reused
Benefits of RFID
• Gillette & Co: • Objective: To Track movement of product from Packaging Center to Plant’s 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.