RFID Radio frequency identification

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RFID Radio frequency identification
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RFID Journal

• Frequently Asked Questions
• www.rfidjournal.com

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How does an RFID system work?

• An RFID system consists of a tag, which is made
  up of a microchip with an antenna and,
• An interrogator or reader with an antenna.
• The reader decodes the data encoded in the tag's
  integrated circuit and the information is passed
  to the host computer for processing and/or
  storage.

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Are there any health risks associated with RFID
and radio waves?

• The waves coming from readers are no more
  dangerous than the waves coming to your car
  radio.

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Why is RFID better than using bar codes?

• The big difference between the two is bar codes
  are line-of-sight technology.
• Radio frequency identification, by contrast,
  doesnt require line of sight. RFID tags can be
  read as long as they are within range of a
  reader.

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I could tell how often you have come in the
library, what times of day, what you did while
you were there, what books you checked out and
you wouldnt even know you were being scanned.
Combined with other sources of information,
this might be a good thing like a Readers
Advisory service suggesting other titles you
might like. But, in the hands of unscrupulous
people, you can see how damaging this kind of
information might be.
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Will RFID replace bar codes?

• Probably not. Bar codes are inexpensive and
  effective for certain tasks. It is likely that
  RFID and bar codes will coexist for many years.

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Is RFID new?

• RFID is a proven technology that's been around
  since at least the 1970s.

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If RFID has been around so long and is so great,
why arent we all using it?

• Its a closed-loop system
• Its proprietary Company B cant read tags put
  on by Company A unless they both use the same
  RFID system from the same vendor.
• Many of the benefits of tracking items come from
  tracking them as they move from one company to
  another and even one country to another.

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Is cost a problem?

• RFID readers typically cost 1,000 or more.
• Companies would need thousands of readers to
  cover all their factories, warehouses and stores.
  
• RFID tags are also fairly expensive 20 cents or
  more which makes them impractical for
  identifying millions of items that cost only a
  few dollars.
• Library RFID tags run in the neighborhood of .75
  per tag.)

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low-, high-, and ultra-high frequencies?

• RFID tags and readers have to be tuned to the
  same frequency to communicate.
• Generally the most common are low- (around 125
  KHz), high- (13.56 MHz) and ultra-high frequency,
  or UHF (850-900 MHz).
• Low-frequency tags are cheaper than ultra high
  frequency (UHF) tags, use less power and are
  better able to penetrate non-metallic substances.
  
• Library tags are in the high frequency range

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Passive vs. Active tags?

• Active RFID tags have a battery, which is used to
  run the microchip's circuitry and to broadcast a
  signal to a reader.
• Passive tags do not have a battery.
• Passive tag read range isn't as far -- typically
  less than 20 feet vs. 100 feet or more for active
  tags.

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How much information can the tag store?

• Typically a tag would carry no more than 2KB of
  data enough to store some basic information,
  like a bib record.

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read-only and read-write tags

• With read-write chips, you can add information to
  the tag or write over existing information when
  the tag is within range of a reader, or
  interrogator.
• Library tags are read-write the information can
  be changed.

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What is reader collision?

• The signal from one reader can interfere with the
  signal from another where coverage overlaps.
• Locate the readers far enough apart so the signal
  doesnt overlap.

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What is tag collision?

• Tag collision occurs when more than one chip
  reflects back a signal at the same time,
  confusing the reader.
• Since they can be read in milliseconds, it
  appears that all the tags are being read
  simultaneously.
• Different vendors have developed different
  systems for having the tags respond to the reader
  one at a time.

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What is the read range for a typical RFID tag?

• Passive Tags
• low-frequency tags are read from a foot or less.
• High frequency tags are read from about three
  feet.
• UHF tags are read from 10 to 20 feet.
• Active tags use batteries to boost read ranges to
  300 feet or more.

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Who are the leading RFID vendors?

• For Library purposes the two big ones are 3M and
  Checkpoint
• Although there are many different vendors with
  different areas of expertise.
• Go to the vendor section of RFID Journal
• Thousands of companies are using RFID technology

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American Library Association. Office of
Intellectual Freedom RFID Issues Web
Page http//www.ala.org/ala/oif/ifissues/rfid.htm
RFID Discussion List RFID_LIB Send email
to To listproc_at_listproc.sisu.edu In the body,
type subscribe RFID_LIB Firstname Lastname
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Library Law Blog http//blog.librarylaw.com/libr
arylaw/2004/08 bless_you_lori.html  
Position Paper RFID in Libraries. By Lori Bowen
Ayre. August 19, 2004 http//galecia.com/include
d/docs/position_rifid_ permission.pdf
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8 Ways Libraries Use RFID

• 1. Conversion station Where library data is
  written to the tags
• 2. Staff workstation at circulation Used to
  check-in and check-out materials
• 3. Patron self check-out station Used to
  check-out books without staff assistance
• 4. Exit sensors Verify that all books leaving
  the library have been checked out
• 5. Patron self check-in station Used to check
  in books without staff assistance
• 6. Bookdrop reader Checks in books when patrons
  drop them in the bookdrop
• 7. Sorter Automated system for returning books
  to proper area of library
• 8. Portable reader Hand-held reader for
  inventorying and verifying that items are shelved
  correctly.

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Library Uses

• Tags are unique down to the copy level
• Rather than purchasing additional tags for
  security, a single tag can be used for
  identifying items and securing them
• Self-check systems have become very popular with
  both patrons and staff.
• Inventory-related tasks can be done in a fraction
  of the time
• Sorting can be accomplished automatically

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Costs

• Roughly it will cost about 1.70 per item to
  implement a system, although costs are coming
  down.
• Servers
• Readers
• Tags

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Best Practices

• Berkeley Public Library
• Best Practices for RFID Technology
• http//berkeleypubliclibrary.org/ 
• BESTPRAC.PDF

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Best Practices

• Library information on the tag should be
  limited to the barcode.
• Patrons should not have the ability to search
  the catalog by barcode.
• Do not utilize wireless connections to
  communicate between security gates, self-checks
  or other RFID-reading devices and the ILS
  database unless more security is incorporated in
  these communications.
• The implementation of an RFID system only
  reinforces the current library duty to make sure
  their ILS database is as secure from unauthorized
  entry as possible.
• Do not implement smart-card RFID patron library
  cards.
• Inform patrons that your library utilizes RFID
  technology.

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Our Implementation.

• 1)      I wanted a theft detection system that
  was a one-step circulation process
• 2)      Cut the amount of materials loss
• 3)      Marry the circulation and theft detection
  processes
• 4)      Greater use of circ staff you can check
  out multiple books at the same time
• 5)      Use of Capital Projects Fund monies
• 6) Timing Were building a new Library

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