Introduction to RFID

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Introduction to RFID

• RFID Programming
• University of Houston
• Bauer College of Business
• Spring 2007

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Some links

• www.rfidjournal.com
• www.computerworld.com
• www.rfidusa.com
• RFID Handbook
• www.uh.edu/gartner

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Auto-ID Technologies
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Definition

• RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a
  technology used for electronic and wireless
  identification of objects, humans and animals

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RFID History

• People say the Internet happened quickly.
  Theyre crazy. It took forever!

• Robert Taylor
• APRA IPTO Director

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RFID History Ancient Times
Source AIM, Inc, 2001 (URL www.aimglobal.org/tec
hnologies/ rfid/resources/shrouds_of_time.pdf
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Mandates
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Mandates
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Wal-Mart An update

• October 2005
• out of stocks reduced up to 16
• out of stock items with EPCs replenished 3 times
  faster
• stores with RFID 63 more effective in restocking
  items
• 10 less manual orders, reduced excess inventory
• helps make sure that promotional displays are
  delivered and in place so that products are in
  our stores and ready for sale when the
  advertising begins
• Shortens time for new items to make it to store
  shelves
• Aids in proof of delivery purchase order
  reconciliation - provides product visibility
  even after it has left receiving dock
• gt 600 suppliers expected to be on board by 2007

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RFID Principal System Components

• Tag (Transponder)
• Chip
• Antenna
• Reader (Interrogator)
• RF Module (Transmitter and Receiver)
• Control Unit
• Antenna
• Several Interfaces (RS 232, RS 485, etc.)
• Host Computer
• Middleware

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RFID System Architecture
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EPC RFID Architecture
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EPC RFID System Architecture
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Carrier Frequencies

• What is frequency?
• Refers to the property of radio waves used to
  transmit data

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Carrier Frequency

• RFID systems may use a particular frequency band
  depending on
• Application
• Legislature
• Cost considerations

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Frequency Bands
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Coupling

• 100kHz 30 MHz inductive coupling
• HF and Microwave systems use electromagnetic
  coupling

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Coupling
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Frequency and bandwidth

• Frequency is of primary importance when
  determining data transfer rates (bandwidth)
• The higher the frequency, the higher the data
  transfer rate

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Range

• Range the working distance between a tag and a
  reader

Range
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Range and Power Levels

• The range that can be achieved in an RFID system
  is determined by
• The power available at the reader
• The power available within the tag
• The environmental conditions and structures
• More important at higher frequencies than at
  lower frequencies
• 100-500mW

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Material Propagation

• The absorption rate for water and other
  non-conductive substances is lower by a factor of
  100 000 at 100 kHz than it is at 1 GHz
• LF systems are primarily used due to their high
  propagation of substances

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Electromagnetic Interference

• Electromagnetic Interference - Interference
  caused when the radio waves of one device distort
  the waves of another. Cells phones, wireless
  computers and even robots in factories can
  produce radio waves that interfere with RFID
  tags.
• EI is likely to be an issue for UHF systems

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Tags Characteristics

• Means by which transponder is powered
• Data carrying options
• Data read rates
• Programming options
• Physical forms
• Costs

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Active and Passive Tags

• Active tags
• Powered by an internal battery
• Finite lifetime (because of battery)
• Greater range
• Better noise immunity
• Higher data transmission rates

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Active and Passive Tags

• Passive tags
• Operate without battery
• Derive power from the field generate by the
  reader
• Less expensive
• Unlimited life
• Subject to noise
• Require more powerful readers
• Orientation sensitivity

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Data Carrying Options

• A tag can contain
• An identifier
• 1bit 128 bits
• Portable data files
• Example 64 K

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Data Read Rate

• Data read rate is linked to frequency
• The higher the frequency, the higher the read rate

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Data Programming Options

• Read-only
• Cheap
• Write once read many (WORM)
• Read/write
• Expensive

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Why Use Read/Write Tags?

• Greater flexibility
• Customers may change requirements
• Standards may change
• Database dependence
• Ownership issues
• Lag times
• High risk applications

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Tag Physical Forms

• Disk and Coins can be attached to an item by a
  fastening screw

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Tag Physical Forms

• Mount-on-Metal special construction minimizes
  impact of metal in terms of interference

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Tag Physical Forms

• Keys or Key Fobs, Watches access control

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Smart Labels

• A bar code can be printed on an RFID label

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Tag Physical Forms

• Glass Transponders can be implanted under skin

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Whats so special about RFID?

• Unifying Auto-ID technology
• Line of sight is not required
• Longer read ranges
• Faster hundreds of items can be scanned in one
  read

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RFID vs. Barcodes
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RFID Evolution (Gartner, 2003)
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RFID Growth

• Several market research firms predict that 2007
  RFID market will reach 3 billion

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• Questions?