1. RFID
Overview $ Application
By:-
Anubhav Gupta
LIET

2. Presentation Objectives:
• Explain technical principles behind RFID
• Provide overview of RFID technology
• Discuss:
– Forces driving the adoption of RFID
– Challenges RFID deployment must overcome
– The future

3. Agenda
• RFID history
• Tag overview
• EPC
• RFID Reader
• System Components/logical structure
• Antenna & its Type
• Applications & usage models
• Challenges

4. What is RFID?
• RFID = Radio Frequency Identification.
• An ADC (Automated Data Collection) technology that:
– uses radio-frequency waves to transfer data between a
reader and a movable item to identify, categorize, track..
– Is fast and does not require physical sight or contact
between reader/scanner and the tagged item.
– Performs the operation using low cost components.
– Attempts to provide unique identification and backend
integration that allows for wide range of applications.
• Other ADC technologies: Bar codes, OCR.

5. Radio Frequency IDentification
Four main frequencies:
Example
Frequency Distance
Application
Auto-
LF 125khz Few cm
Immobilizer
Building
HF 13.56Mhz 1m
Access
Focus of this presentation is on UHF UHF 900Mhz ~7m Supply Chain
μwave 2.4Ghz 10m Traffic Toll

6. RFID History
• First Bar code patents – 1930s
• First use of RFID device – 2nd world war – Brittan used RFID-like
technology for Identify- Friend or Foe
• Harry Stockman October 1948 Paper – Communication by means of
reflected power ( The proceedings of the Institute of Radio
Engineers)
• First RFID Patent - 1973
• Auto-ID center founded at MIT – 1999
– Standardization effort taken over by EPC Global (Electronic Product
Code)
• Current thrust primarily driven by Wal-Mart and DoD
– Automate Distribution:
• Reduce cost (man power, shipping mistakes)
• Increase sales (keep shelves full)
• DoD Total Asset Visibility Initiative
Source of data: EDN – October 2004 - “Reading Between the Lines” Brian Dipert

7. Basic Tag Operational Principles
Inductive Coupling Backscatter
N
Reader
Reader
TAG
TAG
S
• Near field (LF, HF): inductive coupling of tag to magnetic field circulating around antenna (like a transformer)
• Varying magnetic flux induces current in tag. Modulate tag load to communicate with reader
• Far field (UHF 300 to 3000MHz, microwave).
• Modulate back scatter by changing antenna impedance
• Field energy decreases proportionally to 1/R
• Absorption by non-conductive materials significant problem for microwave frequencies

8. RFID Tags
•Tags can be attached to almost anything:
– Items, cases or pallets of products, high value goods
– vehicles, assets, livestock or personnel
•Passive Tags
– Do not require power – Draws from Interrogator Field
– Lower storage capacities (few bits to 1 KB)
– Shorter read ranges (4 inches to 15 feet)
– Usually Write-Once-Read-Many/Read-Only tags
– Cost around 25 cents to few dollars
•Active Tags
– Battery powered
– Higher storage capacities (512 KB)
– Longer read range (300 feet)
– Typically can be re-written by RF Interrogators
– Cost around 50 to 250 dollars

9. RFID tags : Smart Labels
A paper label
with RFID inside
an antenna,
printed, etched
or stamped ...
… and a chip
… on a substrate
attached to it
e.g. a plastic
foil ...

10. Electronic Product Code
Header - Tag version number
EPC Manager - Manufacturer ID
Object class - Manufacturer’s product ID
Serial Number - Unit ID
With 96 bit code, 268 million companies can each categorize 16 million different products
where each product category contains up to 687 billion individual units
Note: 64 bit versions also defined, 256 bit version under definition

11. RFID readers
• Reader functions:
– Remotely power tags
– Establish a bidirectional data link
– Inventory tags, filter results
– Communicate with networked server(s)
– Can read 100-300 tags per second
• Readers (interrogators) can be at a fixed point such as
– Entrance/exit
– Point of sale
• Readers can also be mobile/hand-held

12. RFID system components
Ethernet
RF ID
Reader
RF ID Tag R F A ntenna Network Works tation

13. RFID systems: logical view
Product
ONS Information
Server (PML Format)
Antenna
Write data Items with Reader Read Transaction Application
to RF tags RF Tags Manager Data Store Systems
Antenna
Trading
Partner
EDI / Systems
XML
Tag/Item
Relationship
Database
Other Systems
Tag Interfaces RFID Middleware

14. RFID Antennas:
• Gate antennas (orthogonal use)
• Circular polarized(Doordarshan)
• Omni directional antennas(Any direction)
• Stick antennas (directional)
• Di-pole or multi-pole antennas
• Adaptive, beam-forming or phased-array
element antennas(Laser)

15. RFID applications
• Manufacturing and Processing
– Inventory and production process monitoring
– Warehouse order fulfillment
• Supply Chain Management
– Inventory tracking systems
– Logistics management
• Retail
– Inventory control and customer insight
– Auto checkout with reverse logistics
• Security
– Access control
– Counterfeiting and Theft control/prevention
• Location Tracking
– Traffic movement control and parking management
– Wildlife/Livestock monitoring and tracking

16. Usage Models
Conveyor Belt
Dock Door Forklift
Printers
Handheld Smart Shelves
Point of Sale

17. Traditional RFID Market Segments
Automated Vehicle Id
Auto Immobilizers
• Isolated systems
• Simple reads
• Slow growth
Animal Tracking
Access Control

18. Reader Implementation Challenges
• Reader must deliver enough power from RF field to power the tag
• Reader must discriminate backscatter modulation in presence of
carrier at same frequency
• Interference between readers
• Hugh volume of tag data – readers need to filter data before
releasing to enterprise network

19. THANK’ S
For Your
“PATIENCE”.