Rfid technologies

RFID Technologies

By Francisco J. [email protected]

Index1 What is RFID?

RFID History

Working principle of RFID Technology?

2 RFID Components

RFID Readers Fixed Handheld

RFID Antenna RFID Tags

Active Tags Semi-Active Tags Passive Tags

3 Are All Tags The Same?

Frequencies of Operation Frequencies chart Technical details: LF Technical details: HF

4 RFID System Basics

What Constitutes an RFID System?

5 Why RFID? Business Value Benefits of RFID Issues / Concerns RFID Future RFID Vs Barcode

6 Application area of RFID Portal Applications Conveyor / Assembly Line Product Monitoring and Control Shipping Validation

7 Application Examples Hand Held Application Categories

1 What is RFID?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.

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.

RFID History

Working principle of RFID Technology? The antenna enables the chip (data storage) to transmit its

identification information to a reader/interrogator. The reader converts the radio waves returned from the RFID tags into digital information and passes it to the computer.


RFID History


2 RFID Components











2 RFID ComponentsAn RFID system consists of three components:

An antenna and transceiver (often combined into one Reader) And a transponder (the Tag). An Application.

RFID Components Cont. Reader – A transmitter/receiver that reads the contents of RFID Tags in the

vicinity, also called an "RFID interrogator." The maximum distance between the Reader's antenna and the Tag vary, depending on application.

Tag – An electronic identification device that is made up of a chip and antenna. For reusable applications, it is typically embedded in a plastic housing, and for tracking shipments, it is usually part of a "smart" packaging label. An RFID Tag is an object that can be applied to or incorporated into a product, animal, or person for the purpose of identification and tracking using radio waves. Some Tags can be read from several meters away and beyond the line of sight of the Reader. The Tag contains a unique serial number, but may have other information, such as a customers' account number. There are generally three types of RFID Tags: active RFID Tags, which contain a battery, and passive RFID Tags, which have no battery and Semi-Active RFID Tags which contain a battery but only activates when it is under frequency of Reader.

Host Computer:-Stores the data into database and view real time presentation of an asset with History.

RFID ReadersA reader (now more typically referred as an RFID Interrogator),

is basically a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and receiver, controlled by a microprocessor or digital signal processor. The reader, using an attached antenna, captures data from tags, then passes the data to a computer for processing.

Types of Readers: Fixed Fixed in a position (for example, beside a

conveyor belt in a factory or dock doors in a warehouse). Consists of Antennas connected to it. Antennas communicate with Tags.

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Types of Readers: Handheld Portable, integrated with an application and

used to scan individual items in a warehouse or by mobile workers. Consists of in built Antennas.

AntennaThe antenna uses radio frequency waves to transmit

a signal that activates the transponder. When activated, the Tag transmits data back to the antenna. The data is used to notify a programmable logic controller that an action should occur.

RFID TagsRFID tag is a microchip combined with an antenna in a

compact package. When attached to an object, object will be traced by a reader. Tags Antenna picks up signals from Reader and then returns the signal with some additional data (like unique serial number of other customized information).

Types of Tags: Active Tags Powered by battery. Larger in size and expensive. Better identification range and larger

capacity.Tag transmits radio signal.High Read Range (300 feet).

Types of Tags: Semi-Active Tags Uses battery to power microchip but not to communicate

with reader. These Tags are used for longer range and with more

capabilities.Only activates when it is under frequency of Reader

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Types of Tags: Passive Tags Operate using the power of RFID readers.

(Tag reflects radio signal from reader)Small and inexpensiveShorter Read Range (4 inches - 15 feet)


RFID History


2 RFID Components











Variations: Memory

Size (16 bits - 512 kBytes +) Read-Only, Read/Write or WORM Type: EEProm, Antifuse, FeRam

Arbitration (Anti-collision) Ability to read/write one or

many tags at a time Frequency

125KHz - 5.8 GHz Physical Dimensions

Thumbnail to Brick sizes Price ($0.50 to $250) Read Range

4 inches to 300 ft


Frequencies of OperationLow frequency

30-300 kHz Tags need to be closer to the reader Poor discrimination

High frequency/radio frequency 3-30 MHz Tags can be read from relatively greater distances Tags can hold more information

Ultra high frequency/microwave >300 MHz Longest range More interference

Frequencies chart

Technical details: LF

Technical details: HF


RFID History


2 RFID Components











How far?How fast?How many?How much?Attached to and surround by what?


One or more RF tagsTwo or more antennasOne or more interrogatorsOne or more host computersAppropriate software



RFID History


2 RFID Components











5 Why RFID? No need for physical contact between data carrier and the

communication device. Tags can be used repeatedly. Tags can last up to 20 years. Works in harsh environments (compared to bar code, optical scan

technologies) withstands extreme temperatures, acid baths etc. Low maintenance costs. Tags available in a range of types, sizes and materials. Simultaneous & multiple tag reads, 10s to 1000s in short time

intervals. Non-line-of-sight communication makes it possible to read and write

Tags in dirty conditions. Extremely low error rate. Can be read through the human body, clothing and non-metallic

materials.

Business Value

Benefits of RFID Automates the entire process. Unique Identification - Each RFID tag has a unique serial number that

distinguishes among many millions of identically manufactured objects.

Wireless, non-contact, non-line-of-site. Ideally suited for providing low cost remote and instant identification

of objects. Real time tracking of assets and its content. Visibility of location of assets and their tampering history,

maintenance history. RFID tags can be read through human body, clothing and non-

metallic materials.

Issues / ConcernsCost of RFID technology.Active RFID life - 2 to 4 years.Privacy concerns-surreptitious consumer surveillance.Extreme weather.Security concerns-illicit tracking of RFID tags.Global standardization.Environmental concern-recycling.RFID system are vulnerable to virus.

RFID StandardThe good news is that the EPC global RFID technology standards have been recognized by the International Standards Organization (ISO) in 2006. The EPC global UHF Generation 2 protocol for radio frequency identification (RFID) has been endorsed by the International Standards Organization (ISO), paving the way for its use throughout the global supply chain.

EPC is an international trade standard designed to drive RFID use forward in the UHF (ultra high frequency) range. The standard was developed so that manufacturers are using compatible devices and RFID technologies.

The royalty-free standards developed by EPCglobal are the foundations in the continuing construction of a global supply chain information network that combines RFID technology, existing communications network infrastructure and a system called Electronic Product Code (EPC), a number for uniquely identifying an item.

RFID Future RFID technology is growing very fast. As technology moves ahead, Tags and readers sizes are reducing with the increase of functionalities.According to experts, RFID technology represents a new approach towards business with an interaction of computers with wireless technology, sensors and networking.

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RFID Future cont.

RFID Vs BarcodeRFID BarcodeForging is difficult Forging is easyScanner not required. No need to bring the tag near the reader

Scanner needs to see the bar code to read it

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


RFID History


2 RFID Components











6 Application area of RFID Corporate offices and industries. Supply chain and retail industries. Asset Management. Pallet Tracking.Government, Military and Army. Commercial Industries.

Check in / Access

Portal Applications

Bill of LadingMaterial Tracking

Portal ApplicationsLimited number items at forklift speeds8’ X 10’ doorwaysElectronic receipt & dispatchWrong destination alertElectronic markingPallet/container item tracking

Read / Write OperationsHigher Accuracy than Bar Code

Conveyor / Assembly Line

Up to 450 fpm60+ items per containerInexpensive tunnelsLonger tunnel more itemsElectronic receiptSortingElectronic marking

Conveyor / Assembly Line

Product Monitoring and Control

Tote/Box/Unit/Pallet Level Inventory

Shipping Validation


RFID History


2 RFID Components











Wireless / Batch

Inventory Management Material Handling

By Destination

Material HandlingInspecting / Maintaining

Material HandlingAggregate / De-aggregate

Where is it? What is it?What is inside the box?

Where is it going? Where has it been?Should it be here?

What have I assembled or disassembled?How many do I have? Do I have enough?

Has this been repaired?Is this under warrantee?Has this been inspected?Is this complete? What is the asset’s status or state?

7 Application Examples

Wireless Batch

Fixed Station

Hand Held Application Categories

Our Project

Our RFID solution

Q&A

End.

Devices & Hardware

Rfid technologies