What is RFID ?

RFID, short for “Radio Frequency Identification” is a technology, for remotely storing and retrieving data using devices called RFID tags. RFID chips are tiny computer chips that can be embedded in almost any product. They may even be embedded under the skin. RFID tags or transponders contain antennas to enable them to receive and respond to radio-frequency queries from a RFID transceiver. INFOBOX   RFID technology has been around since the early 1940's. It was developed at MIT as a way for robots to "talk" to one another. The technology was used extensively by the British in WWII as a way to track planes and other vehicles.

How Does It Work ?

RFID systems have three basic components: an antenna or coil, a transceiver (with decoder), and a transponder (RF tag). Data is generated and stored by a primary host computer or PLC, similar to bar code systems. The antenna generates a magnetic field which activates the magnetic tag and enables communication between the tag and the transponder. The range of the system can be more than 100 ft depending on the type of transponder tag used and the operating frequency. RFID systems can be categorized as either low frequency or high-frequency. Low-frequency (30 KHz to 500 KHz) systems have short reading ranges and lower system costs. High-frequency (850 MHz to 950 MHz and 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz) systems have higher ranges and much higher scanning speeds, but cost much more. RFID tags can be either active or passive. Passive RFID tags do not have their own power supply. The minute electrical current induced in the antenna by the incoming radio frequency scan provides enough power for the tag to send a response. Due to power and cost concerns, the response of a passive RFID tag is just an ID number. Lack of an on-board power supply means that the device can be as small as 0.4 mm × 0.4 mm, and thinner than a sheet of paper; such devices are practically invisible. Passive tags have practical read ranges that vary from about 10 mm up to about 6 meters. Active RFID tags, on the other hand, must have a power source, and may have longer ranges and larger memories than passive tags, as well as the ability to store additional information sent by the transceiver. At present, the smallest active tags are about the size of a coin. Many active tags have practical ranges of tens of meters, and a battery life of up to several years.

The Potential

Very soon, RFID as a technology will impact almost every aspect of our lives. As of now, it is most widely used for supply-chain tracking. The most significant advantage of RFID systems is the capability of enabling electronic product surveillance. In contrast to the traditional point-to-point system, inventory can be tracked at any point throughout the supply chain. Instead of creating a point-to-point network for communicating supply and demand, we can create a network of products can communicate with machines, products can communicate with other products, shelves can track their own inventory and also signal for replenishment when necessary. The need for human interaction in supply chain management gets almost eliminated! RFID systems are also used for the following

Automobile key-and-lock, anti-theft systems

Animal identification in the farms

Library book or bookstore tracking

Building access control

Airline baggage tracking on the airports

Apparel item tracking in stores

Container, truck and trailer tracking in shipping yards

Electronic toll collection

Patient identification

Remote data collection

Prisoner Tracking

Club Member Tracking

Electronic cash

Student ID systems