RFID Technology & Application

1. RFIDTechnology & Application

2. Auto-ID Technologies

3. Outline • RFID Overview • RFID Technology Internals • RFID Applications • RFID Issues • RFID Case study

4. RFID Overview

5. What is RFID? • RFID = Radio Frequency IDentification • Uses radio-frequency waves to transfer data between a reader and a movable item to identify, categorize, track.. • Does not require physical sight or contact between reader/scanner and the tagged item. • Attempts to provide unique identification and backend integration that allows for wide range of applications.

6. RFID System Components • Tag • Chip • Antenna • Reader • RF Module (Transmitter and Receiver) • Control Unit • Antenna • Several Interfaces (RS 232, USB, etc.) • Host Computer • Middleware

7. RFID System Components

8. Antenna Power Supply Memory Cells Control Logic (Finite State machine) Tx Modulator Rx Demodulator Tag Integrated Circuit (IC) RFID Tag Structure(General)

9. RFID Tags – Smart Lables A paper labelwith RFID inside An antenna, printed, etched or stamped ... … and a chip attached to it … on a substrate e.g. a plastic foil ...

10. RFID Tags – More Examples

11. RFID Tag Types • Passive Tags • Operational power from reader radiated power • Active Tags • Operational power provided by battery(built into tag)

12. RFID Tag Comparison

13. RFID Readers • Functions: • Remotely power tags • Establish a bidirectional data link • Communicate with networked server(s) • Can read 100-300 tags per second • Readers can be at a fixed point such as • Entrance/exit • Point of sale • Readers can also be mobile/hand-held

14. RFID Reader Structure

15. RFID Readers - Anatomy Digital Signal Processor (DSP) Network Processor Power Supply 13.56MHz Radio 915MHz Radio

16. RFID Readers - Examples

17. RFID Tech Internals

18. Information Acquiring Methods • Inductive Coupling • For getting data from proximity card – passive tags • Propagation Coupling • For reading tags working in a larger distance

19. Inductive Coupling • Based on the stored data, the micro chip of the tag controls the switching on and off  of a load resistance which will influence the voltage in the reader’s antenna. • Then the reader can detect the voltage changes in its own antenna.

20. Inductive Coupling • The electro-magnetic field from the reader penetrates the coil of the tag in a shorter distance. • By induction, a voltage is generated in the tag’s antenna coil. • This voltage is rectified and servers as the power of the tag.

21. IC or microprocessor RFID Tag Transceiver Tag Reader antenna antenna Inductive Coupling Inductive Coupling - shorter distance

22. Propagation Coupling • Basic Principle: • The electromagnetic waves are reflected by objects with dimensions greater than around half the wavelength of the wave.

23. Propagation Coupling • A small portion of the electromagnetic power of the reader reaches the tag. • This power can be also used as the power supply for the tag (passive tag). • Based on the stored data, the micro chip alters the load connected to the tag’s antenna and then changes the reflection characteristics of the antenna. • Then the reflected RF energy arrives at the reader’s antenna.

24. RFID Tag Transceiver Tag Reader antenna Propagation Coupling Propagation Coupling – longer distance IC or microprocessor antenna

25. Data Transfer • Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK) • Changing the amplitude of the radio wave based on the digital (binary ) data • Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) •  Switching between two different frequencies based on the digital (binary) data  • Phase Shift Keying (PSK) • Changing the phase on the transition between a 0 to 1 or 1 to 0

26. RFID Communications Reader Antenna Power from RF field Commands from reader Reader Tag->Reader Responses Tags RFID Communication Channel

27. RFID Frequencies

28. Power • Cost • Bandwidth • Line of Sight • Lifespan • Range Frequency RFID Frequency Trade-Offs

29. RFID Applications

30. RFID Application • 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

31. RFID Application • Security • Access control • Counterfeiting and Theft control/prevention • Location Tracking • Traffic movement control and parking management • Wildlife/Livestock monitoring and tracking

32. RFID Application – Smart Groceries • Add an RFID tag to all items in the grocery • As the cart leaves the store, it passes through an RFID transceiver. • The cart is rung up in seconds.

33. RFID Application – Smart Cabinet • Tagged item is removed from or placed in “Smart Cabinet” Reader antennas placed under each shelf • “Smart Cabinet” periodically interrogates to assess inventory • Server/Database is updated to reflect item’s disposition • Designated individuals are notified regarding items that need attention (cabinet and shelf location, action required) Passiveread/write tags affixed to caps of containers

34. RFID Application – Smart Fridge • Recognizes what’s been put in it • Recognizes when things are removed • Creates automatic shopping lists • Notifies you when things are past their expiration • Shows you the recipes that most closely match what is available

35. More Smart Applications • “Smart” products • Clothing, appliances, CDs, etc. tagged for store returns • “Smart” paper • Airline tickets that indicate your location in the airport • “Smart” currency • Anti-counterfeiting and tracking. • “Smart” people? “Smart” planet? …

36. RFID Issues

37. Reader Collisions • It occurs when the coverage area of one reader overlaps with that of another reader. • The RF fields of two or more readers may overlap and interfere. Tag Reader 1 Reader 2

38. Reader Collisions • TDMA based solutions: • Program the reader to read at fractionally different times • Assign different time slots to nearby readers • Other solutions?

39. Tag Collisions • It occurs when multiple tags are in range of the reader. All the tags will be activated and respond at the same time. • Signal interference may occur. • It is difficult to distinguish between the tags. Tag1 Tag2 Tag4 Reader Tag3

40. Security Issues - Eavesdrop Reader Tag Eavesdropper Backward Channel Range Forward Channel Range

41. Other Security Issues • Forge valid tags • Attack the RFID infrastructure • Wiping out inventory data • Interrupting the normal reading

42. RFID – The complete picture

43. RFID Case Study

44. RFID Case Study • TRF7960A EVM • ISO/IEC 14443 • Demo

45. TRF7960A EVM • TRF7960A Evaluation Module • Texas Instrument • Multiple protocol RFID reader • For RFID study and research • Build RFID applications • $101

46. TRF7960A EVM • Features • Support ISO 15683, 14443 A&B, Tag-it protocol • Has an on-board PCB antenna • Has an interface for testing • Provides a Windows based host UI • Provides a USB interface • Provides source codes & detailed docs

47. TRF7960A EVM

48. TRF7960A EVM • RF Test Interface • Use SMA connector • For reader testing • External amplifier or antenna • Should remove one specific resistor

49. ISO 14443

50. ISO 14443 • ISO/IEC 14443 • Proximity integrated circuit cards • Four parts • Physical characteristics • Frequency & Power & Signal interface • Initialization & Anticollision • Transmission protocols • Communication interface • Type A • Type B