ISRC Technology Briefing

1
Radio frequency Identification
(image from Aimglobal 2003)

• ISRC Technology Briefing
• September 25, 2003

2
A New Revolution
(image fromTierney 2003)
3
What is RFID

• Bar codes vs. RFID
• Low-frequency RFID
• 13.56 MHz standard
• Inductive coupling
• High-frequency RFID
• UHF (300-1000 MHz)
• Electromagnetic wave propagation

(from Aimglobal 2000)
(from Aimglobal 2000)
4
RFID in Houston

• Toll booths
• EZ Tag
• Payment systems
• ExxonMobil Speedpass
• Access control
• Schlumberger

5
Classification of Tags

• Active
• Contain a battery
• Longer range possible (10-15 feet or more)
• Expensive (e.g., Apple has one for over 25)
• Semi-passive
• Contain a dormant battery
• Intermediate range
• Mid-range price (over 1)
• Passive
• Draw energy from an electromagnetic field
• Limited range (up to 10 feet)
• Cheapest to produce (30 to 50 cents)

6
Frequency Bands and Applications
(from Aimglobal 2003)
7
Other Applications of RFID
8
Benefits of RFID

• No need for contact
• or line-of-sight
• Can scan entire pallets
• at once
• Greater speed
• Low error rates
• Reduced counterfeiting

(from RecordsAssociates 1999)
9
Additional Benefits

• Size a grain of rice
• Ability to hold more data than bar codes
• Durability

(Clinton 2002)
10
Drawbacks

• Cost
• Passive tags 30-50 cents
• Would be economically viable at 5 cents
• Lack of standards
• Proliferation of multiple operating frequencies
• Need for standard electronic product code (EPC)
• Efforts by ISO and ANSI
• Privacy
• Implications of staying active beyond checkout
• Kill switches

11
Adoption

• Wal-Mart
• Leading the charge by requiring all suppliers to
  use RFID on pallets by 2006.
• Gillette
• Has ordered 500 million tags for razors.
• Delta
• Testing RFID on passenger luggage this fall.
• Ford
• Testing use of RFID to track parts.
• DoD
• Tracking parts sent to the Persian Gulf.

12
On the Horizon

• Quadrillion units in the global supply chain
• Estimated Market (VDC Corp.)
• 700 million (2003) ? 2 billion (2007)
• Five cent target
• Privacy issues paramount