Radio Frequency Identification

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Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

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What is RFID?

• RFID is an ADC technology that uses radio-frequency waves to transfer data between a reader and a movable item to identify, categorize, track...

• RFID is fast, reliable, and does not require physical sight or contact between reader/scanner and the tagged item

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What Constitutes an RFID System

• One or more RF tags

• Two or more antennas

• One or more interrogators

• One or more host computers

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RFID Primer

• RFID Diagram:

Note: The host is the software database...

Reader

RF Module

Antenna

Host ComputerHost Computer

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RFID Primer

• RFID Diagram:

Note: The Reader interprets radio frequency into digital information.…...

Reader

RF ModuleRF Module

AntennaAntenna


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Note: The RF module creates radio frequency (RF). It receives and transmits RF through the antenna…

Reader

RF Module

AntennaAntenna


RFID Primer

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RFID Primer

Note: Tag (transponder) is interrogated by the antenna....

ReaderReader

RF ModuleRF ModuleTagTag

AntennaAntenna


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RFID Primer

Note: The antenna captures the tag ID number…first as analog RF waves, then it is converted to digital information.

(Tag ID Communication)

Reader

RF ModuleTag

Antenna


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An RFID Tag Is A Portable Database

…A sophisticated computing and communications device

…A wireless extension of Information Systems

Interrogation UnitTx/RxMicro

Computer

Computer Network

Antenna Tag

Radio Tx/Rx

RAM ROM

CPU I/O

Pwr Supply

Radio Tx/Rx

RAM ROM

CPU I/O

Pwr Supply

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What is RFID? -- The Tags

• Tags can be read-only or read-write• Tag memory can be factory or field

programmed, partitionable, and optionally permanently locked

• Bytes left unlocked can be rewritten over more than 100,000 times

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What is RFID? -- The Tags

• Tags can be attached to almost anything:– pallets or cases of product– vehicles– company assets or personnel– items such as apparel,

luggage, laundry– people, livestock, or pets– high value electronics such

as computers, TVs, camcorders

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Are All Tags The Same?

Three Basic Types:Active

• Battery powered memory, radio & circuitry• Tag transmits radio signal• High Read Range (300 feet)

Active Backscatter• Battery powered memory and circuitry• Tag reflects radio signal from reader• Medium Read Range (10 - 50 feet)

Passive Backscatter• Reader powered• Tag reflects radio signal from reader• Shorter Read Range (4 inches - 15 feet)

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Are All Tags The Same?

• Variations:– Memory

• Size (16 bits - 512KBytes +)• Read-Only, Read/Write or WORM• Type: EEProm, Antifuse, FeRam

– Arbitration (Anti-collision)• Ability to read/write one or

many tags at a time– Frequency

• 125KHz - 5.8 GHz– Physical Dimensions

• Thumbnail to Brick sizes – Price ($0.50 to $250)

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Types of RF Tags

Type Data Capacity Write/Read Program by Application

EAS 1 bit read-only user Retail Security

SAW 4 to 16 bits read-only manufacturer

Inductive 2 to 32 bytes read-only manufacturer

ModulatedBackscatter

32 to 2K bytes write/read user(tag ID may be by

manufacturer)

Portable Data File

Active/Modulated

Backscatter

32 to 2K bytes write/read Portable Data File

2K bytes to16 Mbytes

write/readinterrogate/modify/read

Dynamic Data File

Active user(tag ID may be by

manufacturer)

user(tag ID may be by

manufacturer)

License PlateIgnition Key

ProprietaryTechnology

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Types of Tags - Memory Segmentation Types of Tags - Memory Segmentation

Read Only (Factory Programmed)

WORM - Write Once, Read Many times

Reprogrammable (Field Programmable)

Read/Write (In-Use Programmable)

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What is RFID? -- The Readers

• Readers (interrogators) can be at a fixed point such as– Entrance/exit– Point of sale– Warehouse

• Readers can also be mobile -- tethered, hand-held, or wireless

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Transmission ModesTransmission Modes

• Inductive (E-Field)

• Electromagnetic (H-Field)NarrowbandSpread Spectrum

• Frequency Hopping

• Direct Sequence

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The Inventor of Spread Spectrum - Hedy Lamarr

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13.56 MHz433 MHz

315 MHz

915 MHz

2.45

GH

z5.8 GH

z

27.1 MH

z

125 kHz

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RFID Primer…FrequenciesRFID Primer…Frequencies

Inductive Magnetic

Field Coupling:

<150 kHz

(125 kHz & 134 kHz)

10 10 kHzkHz 100 100 kHzkHz

Low Freq. EASLow Freq. EAS

DataDataModemModem

RFID:RFID:Access ControlAccess Control

Animal IDAnimal ID

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<150 kHz (125 kHz & 134 kHz ) <150 kHz (125 kHz & 134 kHz )

Advantages• Uses normal CMOS processing —

basic and ubiquitous • Relative freedom from

regulatory limitations• Well suited for applications

requiring reading small amounts of data at slow speeds and minimal distances

• Penetrates materials well (water, tissue, wood, aluminum)

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Disadvantages:• Does not penetrate or transmit around

metals (iron, steel)

• Handles only small amounts of data• Slow read speeds• Large Antennas -- compared to higher

frequencies• Minimal Range

<150 kHz (125 kHz & 134 kHz )<150 kHz (125 kHz & 134 kHz )

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<150 KHz (125 KHz & 134 KHz)<150 KHz (125 KHz & 134 KHz)

Disadvantages:• Tag construction:

is thicker (than 13.56 MHz)is more expensive (than 13.56 MHz)more complex

(requires more turns of the induction coil)

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Inductive Magnetic

Field Coupling:

13.56 MHz

(Popular Smart Card

Frequency)

1 1 MHzMHz 10 10 MHzMHz

Mid. Freq.Mid. Freq.EASEAS

AMAM CBCB

RFID:RFID:Smart CardsSmart Cards

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13.56 MHz13.56 MHz

Advantages• Uses normal CMOS processing--basic and

ubiquitous • Well suited for applications requiring reading small

amounts of data and minimal distances• Penetrates water/tissue well • Simpler antenna design (fewer turns of the coil);

lower costs to build• Higher data rate (than 125 kHz--but slower than

higher MHz systems) • Thinner tag construction (than 125 kHz)

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13.56 MHz13.56 MHz

Disadvantages• Government regulated frequency

(U.S. versus Europe)• Does not penetrate or transmit around metals

(unless very thick)• Large Antennas (compared to higher frequencies)• Larger tag size than higher frequencies• Tag construction: requires more than one surface to

complete a circuit• Minimal Range

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Electromagnetic Field

Coupling: UHF

>300 MHz <1 GHz

(862-928 MHz

ANSI MH10.8.4 & GTAG)

1000 1000 MHzMHz

Cell PhoneCell Phone

RFID:RFID:Toll RoadsToll Roads

DataDataTerminalTerminal

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>400 MHz <1GHz>400 MHz <1GHz

Advantages• Effective around metals • Best available frequency for distances of >1m• Tag size smaller than 13.56 MHz • Smaller antennas• Range: licensed to 20-40' with reasonable sized tag

(stamp to eraser size)• Good non-line-of-sight communication (except for

conductive, "lossy" materials)• High data rate; Large amounts of Data• Controlled read zone (through antenna directionality)

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>400 MHz <1GHz>400 MHz <1GHz

Disadvantages• Does not penetrate water/tissue • Regulatory issues (not available in many

countries) • Regulatory issues in Europe

(similar band ~869 MHz requires dual-freq chip)

• DSI III recommends 862 to 870 MHz in the EU, may not be available elsewhere

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Electromagnetic

Field Coupling:

2.45 GHz

RFID: RFID: Item ManagementItem Management

MicrowaveMicrowaveEASEAS

2.45 GHz2.45 GHz

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2.45 GHz2.45 GHz

Advantages• Tag size smaller than inductive or UHF (1"x 1/4") • Range: greater range than inductive w/o battery• More bandwidth than UHF (more frequencies to

hop)• Smaller antennas than UHF or inductive• High data rate

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2.45 GHz2.45 GHz

Advantages• Good non-line-of-sight communication

(except for conductive, "lossy" materials)• Can store large amounts of Data• Controlled read zone

(through antenna directionality)• Effective around metals with tuning/design

adaptations

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2.45 GHz2.45 GHz

Disadvantages• More susceptible to electronic noise than UHF• Shared spectrum with other technologies--

microwave ovens, RLANS, TV devices, etc.• Requires non-interfering, "good neighbor"

tactics like FHSS• Competitive requirement: single chip--highly

technical; limited number of vendors• Regulatory approvals still "in process"

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RFID Primer…FrequencyRFID Primer…Frequency

>5.8 GHz

(European Road Telematics Frequency)

Advantages:• Less congested band/less interferenceDisadvantages: • Not available in U.S. or many other

countries (5.9 now in FCC review)• Must orient antennas carefully• Range limited (due to scaling

issues/wavelengths)• Chip difficult to build• Expensive

RFID:RFID:European TollsEuropean Tolls

300 300 GHzGHz

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Intelligent Labels

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Label contains an RF tag in conjunction with a bar code label

Interrogator reads the tag for information using RFID

Interrogator may write new or additional information to tag if required

How Does It Work?

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The Data

ComplianceCharacter

Format06

Data Field Data FormatType/length

Sample Data ElementSeparators

TotalCharacters

[)> ComplianceIndicator

an3 [)> <RS> 4

06 Data IdentifierFormat Header

n2 06 <GS> 3

N NSN/NATO StockNumber

an1+n13..15 N5310011987585 <GS> 17

8P UCC/EAN-14 an2+n14 8P00098756100013 <GS> 1713V CAGE/Supplier an3+an5 13VABCDE <GS> 940P Hazard Characteristic

Code & HMISMSDS #

n3+an2+an5 40PA1ABCDE <GS> 6

2Q Actual Chem.Weight (Pounds)

an2+n…5 2Q10000 <RS><EOT> 9

Total 65

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The LabelSHIP TO: SHIP FROM:

COMMANDING OFFICER

DDSP

SUSQUEHANNA, PA 15230

CHEMICAL SUPPLIER

CHEMICAL COMPANY

INSTITUTE, WV 23456

TCN:

NSN:

CAGE:

MSDS #:

GTIN:

HCC:

AHRIST DATA:

AWHGEAA$0F00090XX

5310011987585

AWHGE 00098756100013

CHEM WT:

ABCDE 10000A1

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UHF Tag Feature Set

Low power > long range 1024 bit memory Read/write/lock on 8 bits Advanced protocol

Efficient multi-id Lock data permanently

12 ms/8 byte read 25ms/byte write Group select Broadcast write 40 tags/second Anti-collision

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WG 8/TF 3WG 8/TF 3

10 kb/s~10 kb/s~~70 cm~70 cm

13.56 MHz13.56 MHz

VicinityVicinity(VICC)(VICC)

ISO15693ISO15693WG 8/TF 2WG 8/TF 2

106 kb/s~106 kb/s~~10 cm~10 cm

13.56 MHz13.56 MHz

ProximityProximity(PICC)(PICC)

ISO 14443ISO 14443WG 8/TF 1WG 8/TF 1

106 kb/s~106 kb/s~~2 mm~2 mm

4.91 MHz4.91 MHz

CloseCloseCouplingCoupling

(CICC)(CICC)

ISO 10536ISO 10536

RemoteRemoteCouplingCoupling

ContactlessContactlessIC CardIC Card

WG 4WG 4

106 kb/s~106 kb/s~ContactContact

3.57 MHz3.57 MHz

IC CardsIC Cardswithwith

ContactsContacts

ISO 7816ISO 7816

IntegratedIntegratedCircuit(s)Circuit(s)

CardCard

ISO/IEC ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 17JTC 1/SC 17

IC Card Classification (as of October, 2000)

“Standardization in the area of identification cards and related devices for use in

inter-industry applications and international interchange.”

This is interpreted to cover allstandardization concerning

personal identificationand/or cards.

ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 17ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 17ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 17ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 17

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Standards• ISO/IEC 15693 is an I.C. Card

standard for 13.56 MHz, NOT an RFID standard

• The 13.56 MHz standard for RFID is ISO/IEC 18000, Part 3.

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Instant Checkout…A Dream Come True??

“Chip to remove shopping blues”—Post-Courier, January 1994

“Tiny microchip identifies groceries in seconds.”

—Chicago Tribune

“Checkout in one minute”

—The Times, London

“Scanning range of four yards”

—NY Times

“1.5¢ electronic bar code announced”

—San Francisco Chronicle

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Typical RFID Applications

Production Control

Access ControlAsset Protection

Livestock Tracking

Vehicle Identification

Electronic ArticleSurveillance

Lads, Dads, & Granddads

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• Identify software requirements: Will the new RFID solution integrate with legacy

system software and solutions Must new interface software be developed What type of data formats must be supported What communications protocols must be

supported How must the current software change to

accommodate the advantages of “write” technology?

• Build synergies by expanding software to add RFID capabilities to current solutions

How to Evaluate Your Needs

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• Identify hardware requirements:– What will be identified, tracked, located– What read distance and field of view (FoV) is required– How many tags in the FoV at the same time– What amount and type of data will be stored– Must data be updated– Will tags be moving and how fast– What are limits on tag size, shape, and orientation– Will tags be disposable or reused– Will tags be operating in cold, wet, dirty, hot, steamy, muddy,

dusty environment– What are regulatory constraints in the nation(s) of use

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• Determine if RFID meets the need and if implementation is economically viable Can it help improve efficiency Can it help improve productivity Can it reduce operating costs Can it reduce labor costs What is the infrastructure installation cost What are the recurring costs associated with the

solution Do the investment and variable costs of the

solution meet the customer’s business model

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• Identify system requirements: Are there security needs What are the future needs of the system

infrastructure (expandability) Is an open system required (will trading partners

share data on the tags)

• Choose a technology to fit the need

• Choose a reputable company

• Research the recommended solution (“standardized” product?)

Business

Radio Frequency Identification