By,Tosh Kumar

0412210054CS,4th year

RFID-What it is?RFID-What it is? RFID-What it is?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 Components of RFIDRFID

Components of Components of RFID(cont’d)RFID(cont’d)

Passive RFID TagsPassive RFID Tags

Active RFID TagsActive 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 Components of RFID(cont’d)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)Components of RFID(cont’d)

Electronic product code-Electronic product code-EPCEPC

• 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 overviewSystem overview

RFID Vs Bar CodeRFID Vs Bar CodeRFID Barcode

Forging is difficult Forging is easy

Scanner 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

Benefits of RFIDBenefits of RFID

• Gillette & Co:Gillette & Co:

• Objective: To Track movement of product from Objective: To Track movement of product from Packaging Center to Plant’s distribution center.Packaging Center to Plant’s distribution center.

• Previously->Using Bar Code, time taken=80 sec Previously->Using Bar Code, time taken=80 sec to 20 minto 20 min

• 1999->With RFID it takes 20 seconds.1999->With RFID it takes 20 seconds.

• Gains->Gillette saves 20% in Operational Cost at Gains->Gillette saves 20% in Operational Cost at each Distribution Center.each Distribution Center.

Issues / ConcernsIssues / Concerns

Uses of RFIDUses 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 RFIDInitiatives 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.