Radio Frequency Identification

1. Radio Frequency Identification • Different applications have different performance characteristics • RFID incorporate transponders (tags), readers (interrogators), network infrastructure and software • We will outline performance characteristics, standards, strengths, weaknesses and common applications for each type of RFID System. Any System Identifying Objects Remotely via Radio waves

2. 3 Major types of RFID Systems • Passive RFID Systems – A passive RFID system is one in which a transponder has no power source and cannot broadcast a signal. That is, the transponder can only reflect back a reader’s signal. • Active RFID Systems – an active RFID system is one in which a transponder has a power source and broadcasts a signal to a reader. • Battery-Assisted RFID Systems – A battery-assisted transponder is one that reflects back a signal to a reader like a passive tag, but has a power source to run the microchip and attached sensor, if exist.

3. Passive RFID • Tags powered by transmitted reader energy • Short range • Limited multi-read capability • Very small onboard cache (~128 kb) • Virtually infinite lifetime • High powered reader is needed • Very low cost (~20 cents)

4. Passive Low Frequency RFID Systems • Operates at 125 khz or 134 Khz • Standards: ISO 11784 & 11785 • Pros: Works well around metal, and the well-defined read field can be important for some applications • Weaknesses: Very few companies now make LF systems. Short read range makes it unsuitable for most applications • Applications: Access control, animal identification, identification of metallic objects such as meat hooks and car chassis

5. Passive High Frequency RFID Systems • Operates at 13.56 MHz (Most Countries) • Standards: ISO 15693, 14443 & 18000-3 • Pros: Has a well-defined read field, meaning the radiated energy can be controlled. Can also work around Metal but not as well as LF. Can operate around water. • Weaknesses: Short Read Ranges unsuitable for some applications, particularly warehouse • Applications: Access control, animal identification, identification item-level inventory management, smart cards and ticketing.

6. Passive Ultra High Frequency RFID Systems • Operates at 856 MHz and 960 MHz • Standards: ISO 18000-6 & 18000-6C • Pros: Passive UHF systems provide a longer read range that is critical in supply-chain applications. • Weaknesses: Requires an experienced systems integrator to install a UHF system is it reliably • Applications: Tracking pallets, cases, items and totes in the supply chain; tracking IT assets, tools and parts bins; managing inventory in retail apparel stores. • Also available in a Real Time Location Systems Configuration. Made by Modix.

7. Passive Ultra-Wideband Frequency Real Time Location Systems RFID • Operates at 6.7GHz (Transmission) • Standards: Currently no standard – “Tangent’s” • Pros: UWB RTLS are Cheaper than battery-powered tags for active systems, Small Tag size, ability to locate items to within 6 inches (Plus for small items) • Weaknesses: Read range is shorter than conventional RTLSs that use active tags & No standard • Applications: Tracking pallets, cases, items and totes in the supply chain; tracking IT assets, tools, surgical instruments, test tubes and items too small to track with conventional RTLS Systems.

8. Chipless RFID • Path to low cost RFID • TDR based versus Spectral Signature based • Use of chemicals and resonant materials • Encoding using Amplitude and Phase • Can easily printed • Applications

9. Active RFID • Tags have internal power source • Larger computational capability and memory • Sensors can be added on board • Several thousand can be read by a single reader • More expensive (several dollars to >$200) • Life cycle limited by power • Long range

10. Active Dash7 RFID Systems • Operates at 433 MHz • Standards: ISO 18000-7 • Pros: Global Standard used since 1990, Long read range, long battery life, good penetration through materials, can be used worldwide • Weaknesses: location accuracy to within 10 feet, so it will not be suitable for applications requiring precise locations. Must beacon for location unless in range of reader. • Applications: tracking shipping containers in supply chain; locating tools, vehicles, subassemblies within a facility.

11. Active Ultra-Wideband Frequency RFID Systems • Operates at 3 GHz to 10GHz • Standards: Proprietary • Pros: Greater location accuracy than other RTLSs available. • Weaknesses: Companies are locked in to one provider. • Applications: Tracking assets, tools, containers and individuals.

12. Active Wi-Fi Frequency RFID Systems • Operates at 2.4 MHz or 5.2 GHz • Standards: IEEE 802.11 • Pros: Uses a company’s existing Wi-Fi infrastructure so it is less disruption to operations during installation • Weaknesses: Achieving full coverage might require adding more access points, and additional hardware. Relatively short battery life. • Applications: Tracking assets, tools, Containers and individuals.

13. Active RuBee Frequency RFID Systems • Operates at 131 KHz with a 4-bit CPU • Standards: IEEE 1902.1 • Pros: Works extremely well on metal objects and in the presence of water. • Weaknesses: More expensive than passive tags with a read range of no more than 100 feet, some companies would prefer passive tags. • Applications: Tracking metal objects, such as weapons and tools; monitoring the condition of assets via tags with sensors.

14. Active Zigbee Frequency RFID Systems • Operates at 2.45 GHz • Standards: IEEE 802.15.4 • Pros: Lost Cost and covers large area with many rooms good location accuracy. The Mesh network is easy to manage. • Weaknesses: Not designed to locate objects over long distances in open spaces • Applications: Tracking assets, tools, containers and individuals.

15. Battery Assisted RFID • A BAP RFID tag is a tag that has its own integrated power source that is used to “wake” or “activate” it when communicating with a RFID reader. • They use a “Reader Talks First” approach, meaning they are only activated when scanned, then the battery takes over.

16. Battery-Assisted RFID Systems • Operates Can employ HF or UHF Tags • Standards: ISO 15693 & ISO 18000-6C • Pros: Longer Read Range and more consistent reads than passive tags; the ability to power an onboard sensor. • Weaknesses: Much more expensive. • Applications: Tracking assets, tools, containers and individuals, temperature monitoring.

17. Industry Solutions

18. RFID Example Healthcare Chokepoints – OR/ED workflow automation (bay level separation), immediate safety and theft alerts Passive RFID –Specimen tracking, OR small equipment and trays Sensors – Temperature and humidity monitoring for drugs, vaccines, tissues, blood, food, etc. Wi-Fi-Based RFID – Pervasive hospital-wide visibility

19. RFID Example Healthcare Chokepoints – Gate and dock arrivals/departures for supply chain Sensors – Cold chain temperature and humidity monitoring of pharmaceutical products GPS – Disaster emergency Indoor Location & Status Outdoor Location & Status Wi-Fi-Based RFID – Indoors and outdoors pervasive hospital-wide visibility

20. Choosing the Right RFID System