Tom, Adam, Nick, and ChrisTom, Adam, Nick, and Chris

RFID AgendaRFID Agenda What is RFIDWhat is RFID HistoryHistory Cost and Future ImplementationCost and Future Implementation Current Users: Walmart, Department of DefenseCurrent Users: Walmart, Department of Defense Current UsesCurrent Uses Potential Future UsesPotential Future Uses RFID Controversy – Advocates and OpponentsRFID Controversy – Advocates and Opponents Spychips – Suspicious UsesSpychips – Suspicious Uses Big Brother on SteroidsBig Brother on Steroids Implications – Why do we care?Implications – Why do we care?

What is RFIDWhat is RFID

Radio Frequency IdentificationRadio Frequency Identification ( (RFIDRFID) is an ) is an automatic identification method, relying on automatic identification method, relying on storing and remotely retrieving data using storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags or transponders. An devices called RFID tags or transponders. An RFID tag is a small object that can be attached RFID tag is a small object that can be attached to or incorporated into a product, animal, or to or incorporated into a product, animal, or person. RFID tags contain silicon chips and person. RFID tags contain silicon chips and antennas to enable them to receive and respond antennas to enable them to receive and respond to radio-frequency queries from an RFID to radio-frequency queries from an RFID transceiver. transceiver.

Source: RFID Journal Online

2 Basic Types of RFID2 Basic Types of RFID

There are two basic types of RFID, one is There are two basic types of RFID, one is a passive system where the transponder a passive system where the transponder wakes up and reflects back a signal or wakes up and reflects back a signal or there is an active system which actually there is an active system which actually broadcasts a signal. broadcasts a signal.

Passive tags require no internal power Passive tags require no internal power source, whereas active tags require a source, whereas active tags require a power source.power source.

Source: RFID Journal Online

HistoryHistory

The most primitive form of RFID was The most primitive form of RFID was actually discovered by the Germans. They actually discovered by the Germans. They found that if their planes rolled in a certain found that if their planes rolled in a certain way as they returned to base it would way as they returned to base it would change the radio signal that was reflected change the radio signal that was reflected back. back.

Source: RFID Journal Online

HistoryHistory

The first patent was by Mario W. Cardullo The first patent was by Mario W. Cardullo on January 23, 1973. That same year, on January 23, 1973. That same year, Charles Walton, a California entrepreneur, Charles Walton, a California entrepreneur, received a patent for a passive received a patent for a passive transponder used to unlock a door without transponder used to unlock a door without a key. a key.

Source: RFID Journal Online

Early Examples of RFIDEarly Examples of RFID

Military – trucks opening gates (1980s)Military – trucks opening gates (1980s)

Cows – Trying to remember which cows Cows – Trying to remember which cows got hormone shots (1980s)got hormone shots (1980s)

Source: RFID Journal Online

Early ProblemEarly Problem

ExpensiveExpensive This all changed in 1999, when the Uniform This all changed in 1999, when the Uniform

Code Council, EAN International, Procter & Code Council, EAN International, Procter & Gamble and Gillette put up funding to establish Gamble and Gillette put up funding to establish the Auto-ID Center.the Auto-ID Center.

These MIT professors essentially changed the These MIT professors essentially changed the way people thought about RFID in the supply way people thought about RFID in the supply chain. What they really did is turned RFID into a chain. What they really did is turned RFID into a networking technology by linking objects to the networking technology by linking objects to the Internet through the tag. Internet through the tag.

Source: RFID Journal Online

Early ProblemsEarly Problems

For businesses, this was an important and For businesses, this was an important and revolutionary change. Now a manufacturer could revolutionary change. Now a manufacturer could automatically let a business partner know when automatically let a business partner know when a shipment was leaving the dock at a a shipment was leaving the dock at a manufacturing facility or warehouse, and a manufacturing facility or warehouse, and a retailer could automatically let the manufacturer retailer could automatically let the manufacturer know when the goods arrived. know when the goods arrived.

Since 1999 the Auto-ID Center gained the Since 1999 the Auto-ID Center gained the support of more than 100 large end-user support of more than 100 large end-user companies, plus the U.S. Department of companies, plus the U.S. Department of Defense and many key RFID vendors. Defense and many key RFID vendors.

Source: RFID Journal Online

Cost and future implementationCost and future implementation

As of right now it costs $.30 for each RFID tag.As of right now it costs $.30 for each RFID tag. In the next couple years the cost of RFID should In the next couple years the cost of RFID should

come down to $.03.come down to $.03. According to a study of 500 companies 4/5 of According to a study of 500 companies 4/5 of

the companies plan to implement RFID in the the companies plan to implement RFID in the near future, and 69% are planning to implement near future, and 69% are planning to implement it this year. it this year.

http://news.zdnet.co.uk/communications/wireless/0,39020348,39210275,00.htm

Wal-MartWal-Mart As of 2005 six distribution centers, and 250 stores have As of 2005 six distribution centers, and 250 stores have

implemented RFID.implemented RFID. By late 2006 they plan to have twelve distribution centers, and 600 By late 2006 they plan to have twelve distribution centers, and 600

stores want to implement RFID.stores want to implement RFID. Only major problem was that in some cases RFID tags were only Only major problem was that in some cases RFID tags were only

being read 66% of the time.being read 66% of the time. An advantage was that there was 16% reduction in out-of-stocks.An advantage was that there was 16% reduction in out-of-stocks. A study of twelve stores using RFID and twelve stores not using A study of twelve stores using RFID and twelve stores not using

RFID showed that the stores using RFID were 63 percent more RFID showed that the stores using RFID were 63 percent more effective in replenishing out-of-stocks than the control stores.effective in replenishing out-of-stocks than the control stores.

http://www.idtechex.com/products/en/articles/00000161.asp

US Department of DefenseUS Department of Defense The Department of Defense stated that everything they bought had The Department of Defense stated that everything they bought had

to be RFID tagged by 2005.to be RFID tagged by 2005. The US government has over forty-five million items that will have to The US government has over forty-five million items that will have to

be RFID tagged.be RFID tagged. There are 23,642 suppliers that would have to switch to RFID There are 23,642 suppliers that would have to switch to RFID

tagging. tagging. This would help commanders on the battle field to know what This would help commanders on the battle field to know what

supplies are at their forward depots.supplies are at their forward depots. The only problem with this is that the suppliers will have to make The only problem with this is that the suppliers will have to make

huge investments to implement RFID tagging into their product line.huge investments to implement RFID tagging into their product line.

http://www.computerworld.com/mobiletopics/mobile/story/0,10801,85869,00.html

IntelIntel Intel is working with academic and industry leaders to develop Intel is working with academic and industry leaders to develop

powerful, integrated RFID-EPC solutions using hardware and powerful, integrated RFID-EPC solutions using hardware and software based on robust, open standards and distributed software based on robust, open standards and distributed computing architectures.computing architectures.

Intel considers RFID technology very important because it makes it Intel considers RFID technology very important because it makes it easier to scan hundreds of items from a few hundred feet away, easier to scan hundreds of items from a few hundred feet away, instead of having to scan everything within line of sight. instead of having to scan everything within line of sight.

Intel Mote prototype chip

http://www.computerworld.com/mobiletopics/mobile/story/0,10801,85869,00.html

Texas InstrumentsTexas Instruments Revenues from RFID division were over $215 million in 2005.Revenues from RFID division were over $215 million in 2005. When they were selling off part of the company connected to RFID When they were selling off part of the company connected to RFID

they decided not to sell off the RFID division because it is has high they decided not to sell off the RFID division because it is has high growth potential.growth potential.

They believe that is has a high growth potential and it will continue They believe that is has a high growth potential and it will continue to grow in 2006.to grow in 2006.

http://www.rfidupdate.com/articles/index.php?id=1028&from=rss

Current UsesCurrent Uses

Credit cards use it for fast pay.Credit cards use it for fast pay. Track gourmet food in restaurants to prevent from Track gourmet food in restaurants to prevent from

spoilage.spoilage. Used in Iraq to search supplies and keep tabs on Used in Iraq to search supplies and keep tabs on

patients.patients. Used in military aircraft to verify that they are theirs and Used in military aircraft to verify that they are theirs and

not the enemies.not the enemies. In Italy a washer was made so that it can read RFID In Italy a washer was made so that it can read RFID

tagged garments and launder them accordingly.tagged garments and launder them accordingly.

http://www.time.com/time/globalbusiness/article/0,9171,1101030922-485764,00.html

Potential Future UsesPotential Future Uses Family fridge keeps track of contents and notifies you Family fridge keeps track of contents and notifies you

when you are low, to get rid of an outdate product and when you are low, to get rid of an outdate product and even if you need to cut back on cholesterol consumptioneven if you need to cut back on cholesterol consumption

RFID tags will be no bigger than a piece of glitterRFID tags will be no bigger than a piece of glitter Think of RFID as the me-generations version of a bar Think of RFID as the me-generations version of a bar

codecode Auto restock shelves of the most popular items in a store Auto restock shelves of the most popular items in a store

to increase sales, reduce inventory needed in the back to increase sales, reduce inventory needed in the back room, and reduce labor room, and reduce labor

DHL worldwide express plans to go global with RFID DHL worldwide express plans to go global with RFID tracking of approximately 160million packages per year, tracking of approximately 160million packages per year, which could scan the items at a rate of 300 per second which could scan the items at a rate of 300 per second vs. 1 every couple seconds with a bar codevs. 1 every couple seconds with a bar code

http://www.time.com/time/globalbusiness/article/0,9171,1101030922-485764,00.html

Examples from moviesExamples from movies

A good example is the fridge in Sixth Day A good example is the fridge in Sixth Day where it tells Arnold Schwarzenegger to where it tells Arnold Schwarzenegger to order more milk.order more milk.

Demolition man uses RFID tags in their Demolition man uses RFID tags in their hands to track people, to pay for products hands to track people, to pay for products and services, and charge people with and services, and charge people with crimes.crimes.

RFID ControversyRFID Controversy

AdvocatesAdvocates Walmart, US Government, Walmart, US Government,

Intel, TIIntel, TI City WatchersCity Watchers

OpponentsOpponents Air Transport AssociationAir Transport Association American Civil Liberties UnionAmerican Civil Liberties Union Jonathan WesthausJonathan Westhaus

RFID Strengths and WeaknessesRFID Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths: Strengths: Ability to pinpoint a RFID chip anywhere on the Ability to pinpoint a RFID chip anywhere on the

globe in real timeglobe in real time Easy access to secure areas, cars, houses, Easy access to secure areas, cars, houses,

computers, bank accounts….anything electroniccomputers, bank accounts….anything electronic

Weaknesses:Weaknesses: Security threatsSecurity threats Difficult to removeDifficult to remove Hard to modifyHard to modify

Spychips – Suspicious UsesSpychips – Suspicious Uses

Registered Traveler Program – by the end of this Registered Traveler Program – by the end of this year, US passports will contain computer chips.year, US passports will contain computer chips.

City Watchers – government contractor of City Watchers – government contractor of surveillance projects – accessing secure areassurveillance projects – accessing secure areas

Keyless Entry – a couple recently had matching Keyless Entry – a couple recently had matching chips implanted so they could access each chips implanted so they could access each others cars, computers, and apartments.others cars, computers, and apartments.

Big Brother on SteroidsBig Brother on SteroidsGovernment Plans – Department of Homeland SecurityGovernment Plans – Department of Homeland Security Recently released request for information outlines goals of a new RFID Recently released request for information outlines goals of a new RFID

technology.technology. This new chip should be able to: This new chip should be able to:

““identify the exact location of the read such as a specific pedestrian or identify the exact location of the read such as a specific pedestrian or vehicle lane in which the token is read.vehicle lane in which the token is read.

- The solution presented must sense the remote data capture technology - The solution presented must sense the remote data capture technology carried by a pedestrian traveller at distances up to 25 ft.carried by a pedestrian traveller at distances up to 25 ft.

- The solution presented must sense all tokens carried by travelers seated in - The solution presented must sense all tokens carried by travelers seated in a single automobile, truck, or bus at a distance up to 25 ft. while moving at a single automobile, truck, or bus at a distance up to 25 ft. while moving at speeds up to 55 mph.speeds up to 55 mph.

- For bus traffic, the solution must sense up to 55 tokens.- For bus traffic, the solution must sense up to 55 tokens.

- For a successful read, the traveller should not have to hold or present the - For a successful read, the traveller should not have to hold or present the token in any special way to enable the reading of the token's information. token in any special way to enable the reading of the token's information. The goal is for the reader to sense a token carried on a traveler's person or The goal is for the reader to sense a token carried on a traveler's person or anywhere in a vehicle.”anywhere in a vehicle.”

Source: http://www.spychips.com/DHS-RFID.pdf

Implications – Why do we care?Implications – Why do we care?

This could get out of hand.This could get out of hand.RFID has many valid uses but its RFID has many valid uses but its

capabilities can easily overstep personal capabilities can easily overstep personal and legal boundaries.and legal boundaries.

ReferencesReferences

• http://www.time.com/time/globalbusiness/article/0,9171,1101030922-485764,00.html

• http://www.spychips.com/DHS-RFID.pdf • http://www.rfidupdate.com/articles/index.php?

id=1028&from=rss• http://www.computerworld.com/mobiletopics/mobile/story/

0,10801,85869,00.html• http://www.idtechex.com/products/en/articles/00000161.asp• http://news.zdnet.co.uk/communications/wireless/

0,39020348,39210275,00.htm• RFID Journal Online