An Introduction to RFID

1. An Introduction toRFID By: FarnoushFarajpour(91124327110) Dec 2012

2. What is RFID? Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a generic term that is used to describe a system that transmits the identity (in the form of a unique serial number) of an object or person wirelessly, using radio waves. It's grouped under the broad category of automatic identification technologies. Auto-ID technologies include bar codes, optical character readers and some biometric technologies, such as retinal scans. The auto-ID technologies have been used to reduce the amount of time and labor needed to input data manually and to improve data accuracy.

3. RFID Background IFF Technology (Identify Friend or Foe) used by Allied bombers During World War II; Invention of “The Thing” or “the Great Seal bug”, an espionage tool, by Léon Theremin, 1945; Advances in radar and RF communications systems, 1950s and 1960s; Today RFID Invention by Mario Cardullo, 1973; Until recently, the cost of RFID has limited its use.

4. RFID System Components The RFID tags, The RFID readers, The antennas and radio, The computer network (if any) to connect the readers

5. For glass bottle* For wood pallet* For generic cartoon* (high performance) For generic cartoon* RFID System ComponentsRFID Tags • Basic building block of RFID; Consist of: • An antenna • A small silicon chip containing a radio receiver, • A radio modulator for sending a response back to the reader, • Control logic, • Some amount of memory, • A power system

6. RFID TagsBased on Source of Power PASSIVE Tags: The power system completely powered by the incoming RF signal ACTIVE Tags: The power system has a battery SEMI-PASSIVE Tags: Has a battery & use the reader’s power to transmit a message back to the RFID reader (using a technique known as backscatter) Size Comparing: SomeSmaller than 0.4 mm thickness (Passive), Some as large as a book (Semi-Passive), Some implantable size of a grain of rice;

7. RFID TagsBased on Source of Power

8. RFID TagsBased on Source of Power Active Semi-Passive Passive Passive Semi-Passive Active

9. RFID TagsOther Classifications Promiscuous/ Secure: Communicate with any reader/ requiring a password from the reader Programmability: A serial number of 64-bit or 96-bit & read-only storage/ Serial number burned by the manufacturer OR end user/ Serial number fixed OR changeable/ Containing read-write memory/ Containing sensor directly reports to the RFID reader OR store in a memory/ Have a self-destruct, or “kill” feature/ Contactless Smart Cards in financial applications (wireless protocols and passive powering)

10. RFID TagsEPC Classifications Table: EPC RFID Classes • Electronic Product Code (EPC) tags: • Follows the EPC standard developed by the MIT Auto-ID Center • Managed by the trade organization EPC global

11. RFID TagsEPC Classifications Table: EPC RFID Chip Generation

12. RFID System ComponentsRFID Readers • Sending a pulse of radio energy to the tag • listening for the tag’s response containing the tag’s serial number and other information

13. RFID ReadersDifferent Kinds of Readers Simple RFID systems, the reader’s RF signal as an on-off switch/ More sophisticated systems, the signal contains commands,instructions, passwords, etc. The RFID readers designed to read a particular kind of tag/ MULTIMODE readers can read many different kinds of tags RFID readers usually ON, continually transmitting radio energy/ Battery-powered devices, the radio pulse sent only in response to an external event

14. RFID System ComponentsAntennas & Radio • The RFID physical layer • Used to couple the reader to the tag to transfer information • Unlicensed Spectrum: A specific part of the spectrum set aside for use without a radio license. • Most RFID systems use Unlicensed Spectrum frequencies • The larger the antenna on the reader and the tag, the better an RFID system will work, the more transmitted power

15. RFID System ComponentsThe Network • The reader sends received messages to a computer • The computer analyzes the message depend on the application; e.g. checks the number in a reference list and perform in a special way; or sends EPC code to a large database to check the specifications; etc.

16. How Does It Work?

17. RFID Usage • Post • Inspection • Tracking • … Supply Chain Management (SCM) Work in Process (WIP) passengers luggage transfer Banking E-Payments Super markets Management Libraries Car Manufacturers Parking

18. RFID UsageSCM

19. RFID vs Barcode

20. RFID Technical Problems Problems with RFID Standards RFID systems Disruption RFID Reader Collision RFID Tag Collision: The tags need to support an anti-collision protocol or a singulationprotocol Metal & Water Interference Different Security/ Privacy Problems Difficulty in removing:New technologies allow RFID tags to be "printed" right on a product and may not be removable at all

21. RFID Technical ProblemsMetal & Water Interference, The Solution

22. RFID Technical Problems Security/ Privacy Problems

23. Ethical Point of View The Northside Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas, is putting RFID tags in the photo ID cards of their students so they can be tracked while on campus.  No matter what people may say they intent to do with them, no matter what good they say will come out of it, the data collected from tracking our children with RFID tags will eventually be used to strip them of their freedoms and create a prison-like atmosphere in our schools…

24. Future of RFID

25. References RFID: Applications, Security, and Privacy, SimsonGarfinkel , Beth Rosenberg , Addison-Wesley Professional; 1 edition (July 16 2005) Management Information Systems: managing the digital firm, 11th ed, Laudon, Kenneth RFID Journal, New York www.thingmagic.com