RFID vs. BARCODES

• Durable – Can withstand harsh temperatures & environments
• Line of sight – Not required unlike barcode technology
• Orientation – Not required unlike barcode technology
• Simultaneously Read Many Tags – possible using anti-collision algorithms
• Read range – Much Longer than barcodes
• Tamper security – RFID tags have a Unique Permanent Serial Code that cannot be duplicated.
• Reading Speed – Faster than barcodes
• Memory – Can store useful data with dynamic update
• Cost Effective – RFID tags maybe more expensive than barcode labels. But they have many advantages over barcode labels. Therefore RFID could be more cost effective provided it is used in the right manner and for the right application.

RFID Components

RFID Tags

RFID tags are attached on objects, to identify them and can store information. Tags are classified based on their characteristics.

Active and Passive tags

• Active tags use a battery to power its chip,
• Passive tags use the energy of the RF signal from readers.

Frequencies

• Low Frequency (LF) – 125 KHz
• High Frequency (HF) – 13.56 MHz
• Ultra High Frequency (UHF) – 433 to 960 MHz – region specific
• Microwave – 2.4 to 5 GHz Dual Frequency (DF) – power up at 125 KHz & Backscatter at 6.8
  

Read/Write capability

• Read Only
• Write Once Read Many
• Write Many Read Many

Tag/Reader Communication Protocols

• Reader talks first
• Tag talks first

RFID Readers

RFID readers consist of a transmitter, receiver, antennae and a decoder. They communicate with RFID tags, identify them and retrieve data stored on the tag. Different types of RFID readers:

• Fixed readers - Entry/Exit, Conveyer etc
• Mobile readers - handheld readers, forklift readers etc
• Dual Barcode and RFID readers

RFID Antennae

Apart from the antennae that is present in a tag an antennae is required between the reader and a tag to enable communication. The antennae can either be built in to the reader or it can be a powerful external antenna that can enhance the read range and quality of RF communication.

Most real scenarios require external antennae to direct the RF signal and provide comprehensive coverage of the area.

RFID Middleware

RFID Middleware is an intelligent toolset of software modules that transforms real-time data collected by RFID hardware into relevant operational information for instant and informed decision making.

Functions of Middleware

• Filter the huge data collection and transform into relevant information
• Seamless integration with existing Business Systems
  • ERP
  • CRM
  • WMS / SCM
  • Departure Control Systems
  • Workshop Management Systems
  • Others
• Specify the required information to be collected from the RFID environment
• Effectively manage data network infrastructure based on defined business logic
• Ease scalability of RFID application

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

The Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Evaluation Center covers criteria for tags and storage devices, readers, wireless hubs and servers, and the middleware necessary for evaluating an RFID system deployment. RFID systems are used in different situations that require the tracking of unique items. RFID tags, in the context of enterprise resource planning and supply chain management, make items visible from manufacturing through distribution. RFID tags may be used to carry basic information such as an address, to more complex information used at different stages of an assembly line.



RFID Technology Overview

RFID or Radio Frequency Identification is the Auto-ID technology by which one can identify objects and track information about them wirelessly using radio waves.

In the simplest terms an RFID system consists of a TAG (transponder) and a READER (interrogator). The technology of RFID deals with the remote collection of information stored on a tag using radio frequency communications. Information stored on the tag can range from as little as an identification number, to kilo-bytes of data written to and read from the tag, to dynamic information maintained on the tag, such as temperature histories. The information from the tag/reader combination is either presented to a human operator typically using a hand-held device or a host computer which automatically manages the information.

Critical performance variables of an RFID system determine the cost of implementation.

• Read Range - Range at which communication can be maintained
• Memory - Size of the information space contained on the tag
• Speed - The rate at which the communication with the tag can take place
• Size - The physical size of the tag
• Simultaneous read - The ability of the system to "simultaneously" communication with multiple tags
• Interference - The reliability of communication with respect to interference due to material in the path between the reader and the tag
• Accuracy - Read success rate especially in presence of many tags
• Life & Re-use - Tags should be robust to handle harsh temperatures and environments. Battery life limits life of tag.

Several factors determine the level of performance that can be achieved in these variables.

• Legal/regulatory emission levels allowed in the country of use.
• Battery is included in the tag to assist its communication or not.
• Frequency of the RF carrier used to transport the information.

The main components involved are

• RFID tags - attached on objects to identified and contain information
• RFID readers - generates and RF signal to identify RFID tags
• Antennae - Carries the RF signal to identify tags
• Aggregation Software - Collects the required data
• RFID Middleware
• Filter the enormous data and convert it into information.
• Integration with backend business systems (ERP, CRM, WMS, SCM etc.)