27-02-2013, 12:39 PM
PRESENTATION REPORT ON RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)
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History of Radio Frequency Identification
Amongst many of its proponents and opponents, radio frequency identification (RFID) is often considered to be a distinctly 21st century technology. However, its roots actually reach much deeper both technically and conceptually.
Beginning of the Technology
The late 19th century work of Michael Faraday, James Clerk Maxwell, Heinrich Rudolf Hertz, and Guglielmo Marconi saw the discovery and manipulation of radio waves to intangibly communicate information across distance through the air .During World War II (1939-1945), RADAR (radio detection and ranging) was developed. Radar operates through the transmission of radio waves into airspace, and the analysis of any waves reflected back in order to determine the physical location and velocity of objects within that space. The concept of detecting the location of objects via radio waves has carried through into modern RFID technology. Another World War II radio frequency technology was the "IFF system (Identity Friend or Foe)" (Want, 2006, p. 1), which Allied military bases used to identify friendly aircraft via "long-range transponder systems". Radio waves would be sent out from the command centre, and then received by the transponder on the aircraft, if it was within range of those radio waves, which would send back a signal announcing itself as friendly to the base.
Birth of the Idea
The 1948 publication of Harry Stockman's paper "Communication by Means of Reflected Power" introduced the concept that would eventually become known as radio frequency identification, especially in the "passive" and "semi-passive" sense. In other words, Stockman's paper proposed the idea that electromagnetic radio waves could power the transponders/tags to which they are transmitting. However, as points out, the miniaturization required to make this technology a reality was not yet available.
Development of the Technology
Yet, in the late 1960s, a miniaturized form of radio frequency identification became quite common in the form of Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) tags, which were (and still are) used to help prevent the shoplifting of merchandize, such as articles of clothing. Obviously, since these tags could fit in the palm of one's hand, they could not hold as much data (or bits) as the large transponders on airplanes in WWII. In fact, EAS tags contained only 1 bit of information, which is just enough to announce their presence, and trigger the alarm on the antitheft gates of
INTRODUCTION OF RFID
RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification and is a term that describes a system of identification. RFID is based on storing and remotely retrieving information or data as it consists of RFID tag, RFID reader and backend Database. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is an automatic identification method, relying on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags or transponders. The technology requires some extent of cooperation of an RFID reader and an RFID tag. 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 RFID technology s a means of gathering data about a certain item without the need of touching or seeing the data carrier, through the use of inductive coupling or electromagnetic waves. The data carrier is a microchip attached to an antenna (together called transponder or tag), the latter enabling the chip to transmit information to a reader (or transceiver) within a given range, which can forward the information to a host computer. RFID tags store unique identification information of objects and communicate the tags so as to allow remote retrieval of their ID. RFID technology depends on the communication between the RFID tags and RFID readers. The range of the reader is dependent upon its operational frequency. Usually the readers have their own software running on their ROM and also, communicate with other software to manipulate these unique identified tags.
Frequencies
The range of the RFID tags depends on their frequency. Frequency refers to the size of the radio waves used to communicate between the RFID systems components. It is generally safe to assume that a higher frequency equates to a faster data transfer rate and longer read ranges, but also more sensitivity to environmental factors such as liquid and metal that can interfere wit radio waves. The use/selection of RFID tag depends on the application; different frequencies are used on different RFID tags. RFID systems currently operate in the Low Frequency (LF), High Frequency (HF) and Ultrahigh Frequency (UHF) bands.
A) Ultrahigh Frequency (UHF): - Ultrahigh Frequency RFID utilizes the 860 to 930 MHz band. UHF tags typically cost about the same as HF tags. Read range is up to 3m (9.5 ft) and the data transfer rate is faster than HF systems. One drawback to UHF systems is a limited ability to read tags on objects with or surrounded by high water or metal content. The primary rationale for utilizing this frequency in the supply chain is the greater read range it offers over the other frequency ranges. However, UHF is also widely for electronic toll collection systems on highways, manufacturing applications and parking lot access based on the greater range provided by the frequency.
B) High Frequency (HF): - High-frequency RFID systems operate at 13.56 MHz, and feature a greater read range and higher-read speed than LF systems. Also, the price of the tags is among the lowest of all RFID tags. Typical read range is less than 1 meter (3 ft), and the ability to read tags on objects with high water or metal content is not as good as LF systems but stronger than UHF systems. Applications include smart cards and smart shelves for item level tracking, and are also currently used to track library books, healthcare patients, product authentication and airline baggage.
READER
RFID reader works as a central place for the RFID system. It reads tags data through the RFID antennas at a certain frequency. Basically, the reader is an electronic apparatus which produce and accept a radio signals. The antennas contains an attached reader, the reader translates the tags radio signals through antenna, depending on the tags capacity. The readers consist of a build-in anti-collision schemes and a single reader can operate on multiple frequencies. The RF transceiver is the source of the RF energy used to activate and power the passive RFID tags. The RF transceiver may be enclosed in the same cabinet as the reader or it may be a separate piece of equipment. When provided as a separate piece of equipment, the transceiver is commonly referred to as an RF module. The RF transceiver controls and modulates the radio frequencies that the antenna transmits and receives. The transceiver filters and amplifies the backscatter signal from a passive RFID tag. As a result, these readers are expected to collect or write data onto tag (in case) and pass to computer systems. For this purpose readers can be connected using RS-232, RS-485, and USB cable as wired options (called serial readers) and connect to the computer system. Readers are electronic devices which can be used as standalone or be integrated with other devices. The term RFID Reader is often used as a general term to describe not only RFID Readers but RFID Interrogators, RFID Scanners and RFID Reader Writer. Typically, the solution will dictate the best frequency to use to solve a particular RFID application challenge. There are two general groups of RFID readers: passive and active. A passive RFID reader provides the energy to the RFID tag which does not have its own onboard power source and the tag then uses backscatter technology to return information to the reader. An active RFID reader receives energy transmitted from an active RFID tag which has its own built in power source. If a long range RFID reader is required then an active solution is most likely a good fit. It is recommended to hire an experienced RFID consultant or company to provide the solution design to ensure high read accuracy of the RFID system.
CONCLUSION
This study has identified and explained the nature of RFID technology evolution with respect to RFID applications. RFID technology will open new doors to make organizations, companies more secure, reliable, and accurate. The first part of this paper has explained and described the RFID technology and its components, and the second part has discussed the main considerations of RFID technology in terms of advantages and study model. The last part explores RFID technology applications. The paper considers RFID technology as a means to provide new capabilities and efficient methods for several applications. For example, in heathcare, access control, analyzing inventory information, and business processes. RFID technology needs to develop its capability to be used with computing devices. This will allow businesses to get real potential benefits of RFID technology. This study facilitates adoption of location deduction technology (RFID) in a healthcare environment and shows the importance of the technology in a real scenario and application in connection with resource optimization and improving effectiveness. However, there is no doubt in the future that many companies and organizations will benefit from RFID technology. The paper gave an overview of the current state and trends of RFID technology.
[attachment=52045]
History of Radio Frequency Identification
Amongst many of its proponents and opponents, radio frequency identification (RFID) is often considered to be a distinctly 21st century technology. However, its roots actually reach much deeper both technically and conceptually.
Beginning of the Technology
The late 19th century work of Michael Faraday, James Clerk Maxwell, Heinrich Rudolf Hertz, and Guglielmo Marconi saw the discovery and manipulation of radio waves to intangibly communicate information across distance through the air .During World War II (1939-1945), RADAR (radio detection and ranging) was developed. Radar operates through the transmission of radio waves into airspace, and the analysis of any waves reflected back in order to determine the physical location and velocity of objects within that space. The concept of detecting the location of objects via radio waves has carried through into modern RFID technology. Another World War II radio frequency technology was the "IFF system (Identity Friend or Foe)" (Want, 2006, p. 1), which Allied military bases used to identify friendly aircraft via "long-range transponder systems". Radio waves would be sent out from the command centre, and then received by the transponder on the aircraft, if it was within range of those radio waves, which would send back a signal announcing itself as friendly to the base.
Birth of the Idea
The 1948 publication of Harry Stockman's paper "Communication by Means of Reflected Power" introduced the concept that would eventually become known as radio frequency identification, especially in the "passive" and "semi-passive" sense. In other words, Stockman's paper proposed the idea that electromagnetic radio waves could power the transponders/tags to which they are transmitting. However, as points out, the miniaturization required to make this technology a reality was not yet available.
Development of the Technology
Yet, in the late 1960s, a miniaturized form of radio frequency identification became quite common in the form of Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) tags, which were (and still are) used to help prevent the shoplifting of merchandize, such as articles of clothing. Obviously, since these tags could fit in the palm of one's hand, they could not hold as much data (or bits) as the large transponders on airplanes in WWII. In fact, EAS tags contained only 1 bit of information, which is just enough to announce their presence, and trigger the alarm on the antitheft gates of
INTRODUCTION OF RFID
RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification and is a term that describes a system of identification. RFID is based on storing and remotely retrieving information or data as it consists of RFID tag, RFID reader and backend Database. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is an automatic identification method, relying on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags or transponders. The technology requires some extent of cooperation of an RFID reader and an RFID tag. 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 RFID technology s a means of gathering data about a certain item without the need of touching or seeing the data carrier, through the use of inductive coupling or electromagnetic waves. The data carrier is a microchip attached to an antenna (together called transponder or tag), the latter enabling the chip to transmit information to a reader (or transceiver) within a given range, which can forward the information to a host computer. RFID tags store unique identification information of objects and communicate the tags so as to allow remote retrieval of their ID. RFID technology depends on the communication between the RFID tags and RFID readers. The range of the reader is dependent upon its operational frequency. Usually the readers have their own software running on their ROM and also, communicate with other software to manipulate these unique identified tags.
Frequencies
The range of the RFID tags depends on their frequency. Frequency refers to the size of the radio waves used to communicate between the RFID systems components. It is generally safe to assume that a higher frequency equates to a faster data transfer rate and longer read ranges, but also more sensitivity to environmental factors such as liquid and metal that can interfere wit radio waves. The use/selection of RFID tag depends on the application; different frequencies are used on different RFID tags. RFID systems currently operate in the Low Frequency (LF), High Frequency (HF) and Ultrahigh Frequency (UHF) bands.
A) Ultrahigh Frequency (UHF): - Ultrahigh Frequency RFID utilizes the 860 to 930 MHz band. UHF tags typically cost about the same as HF tags. Read range is up to 3m (9.5 ft) and the data transfer rate is faster than HF systems. One drawback to UHF systems is a limited ability to read tags on objects with or surrounded by high water or metal content. The primary rationale for utilizing this frequency in the supply chain is the greater read range it offers over the other frequency ranges. However, UHF is also widely for electronic toll collection systems on highways, manufacturing applications and parking lot access based on the greater range provided by the frequency.
B) High Frequency (HF): - High-frequency RFID systems operate at 13.56 MHz, and feature a greater read range and higher-read speed than LF systems. Also, the price of the tags is among the lowest of all RFID tags. Typical read range is less than 1 meter (3 ft), and the ability to read tags on objects with high water or metal content is not as good as LF systems but stronger than UHF systems. Applications include smart cards and smart shelves for item level tracking, and are also currently used to track library books, healthcare patients, product authentication and airline baggage.
READER
RFID reader works as a central place for the RFID system. It reads tags data through the RFID antennas at a certain frequency. Basically, the reader is an electronic apparatus which produce and accept a radio signals. The antennas contains an attached reader, the reader translates the tags radio signals through antenna, depending on the tags capacity. The readers consist of a build-in anti-collision schemes and a single reader can operate on multiple frequencies. The RF transceiver is the source of the RF energy used to activate and power the passive RFID tags. The RF transceiver may be enclosed in the same cabinet as the reader or it may be a separate piece of equipment. When provided as a separate piece of equipment, the transceiver is commonly referred to as an RF module. The RF transceiver controls and modulates the radio frequencies that the antenna transmits and receives. The transceiver filters and amplifies the backscatter signal from a passive RFID tag. As a result, these readers are expected to collect or write data onto tag (in case) and pass to computer systems. For this purpose readers can be connected using RS-232, RS-485, and USB cable as wired options (called serial readers) and connect to the computer system. Readers are electronic devices which can be used as standalone or be integrated with other devices. The term RFID Reader is often used as a general term to describe not only RFID Readers but RFID Interrogators, RFID Scanners and RFID Reader Writer. Typically, the solution will dictate the best frequency to use to solve a particular RFID application challenge. There are two general groups of RFID readers: passive and active. A passive RFID reader provides the energy to the RFID tag which does not have its own onboard power source and the tag then uses backscatter technology to return information to the reader. An active RFID reader receives energy transmitted from an active RFID tag which has its own built in power source. If a long range RFID reader is required then an active solution is most likely a good fit. It is recommended to hire an experienced RFID consultant or company to provide the solution design to ensure high read accuracy of the RFID system.
CONCLUSION
This study has identified and explained the nature of RFID technology evolution with respect to RFID applications. RFID technology will open new doors to make organizations, companies more secure, reliable, and accurate. The first part of this paper has explained and described the RFID technology and its components, and the second part has discussed the main considerations of RFID technology in terms of advantages and study model. The last part explores RFID technology applications. The paper considers RFID technology as a means to provide new capabilities and efficient methods for several applications. For example, in heathcare, access control, analyzing inventory information, and business processes. RFID technology needs to develop its capability to be used with computing devices. This will allow businesses to get real potential benefits of RFID technology. This study facilitates adoption of location deduction technology (RFID) in a healthcare environment and shows the importance of the technology in a real scenario and application in connection with resource optimization and improving effectiveness. However, there is no doubt in the future that many companies and organizations will benefit from RFID technology. The paper gave an overview of the current state and trends of RFID technology.