RFID and Sensor Networks

www.intel.com/research

RFID and Sensor Networks

Ralph KlingRalph Kling

Joshua SmithJoshua Smith

Intel Corporation ResearchIntel Corporation Research

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EnvironmentEnvironment

Commercial RFID infrastructure is rapidly being builtCommercial RFID infrastructure is rapidly being built

Standards have emergedStandards have emerged

Sensor Networks are a few years behind RFID in Sensor Networks are a few years behind RFID in commercial rolloutscommercial rollouts

Standards are still in fluxStandards are still in flux

There are numerous similarities between the two:There are numerous similarities between the two:

Distributed data collection and database managementDistributed data collection and database management

Opportunity for Sensor Network developers to learn from the Opportunity for Sensor Network developers to learn from the RFID experiences and to achieve synergy wrt. standardsRFID experiences and to achieve synergy wrt. standards

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Synergy between RFID and SNSynergy between RFID and SN

RFID readers can be viewed as yet another type of RFID readers can be viewed as yet another type of sensor within a Sensor Networksensor within a Sensor Network

Many existing RFID installations also use other sensorsMany existing RFID installations also use other sensors

There is a need for correlation of the different data streamsThere is a need for correlation of the different data streams

There is a hierarchy of increasing capabilities starting There is a hierarchy of increasing capabilities starting with passive RFID tags via active tags all the way to with passive RFID tags via active tags all the way to Motes and GatewaysMotes and Gateways

Application developers can choose what fits their needs bestApplication developers can choose what fits their needs best

Software infrastructure should support this seamlesslySoftware infrastructure should support this seamlessly

RFID tags can act as sensors as wellRFID tags can act as sensors as well

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Convergence ExamplesConvergence Examples

Intel Research Seattle wireless Data GloveIntel Research Seattle wireless Data Glove

The data glove is a combination of a Mote and a low The data glove is a combination of a Mote and a low power RFID readerpower RFID reader

Future: Networks of RFID readers and other sensorsFuture: Networks of RFID readers and other sensors

Distributed software that integrates and processes multi-Distributed software that integrates and processes multi-sensor data streamssensor data streams

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Convergence ExamplesConvergence Examples

Intel Research Seattle Wireless Identification Intel Research Seattle Wireless Identification and Sensing Project (WISP)and Sensing Project (WISP)

WISP is a family of EPC-compatible RFID sensors WISP is a family of EPC-compatible RFID sensors that work todaythat work today

Future: WISPnetsFuture: WISPnets Protocols to support sensing & ID anti-collisionProtocols to support sensing & ID anti-collision

RF

ID 2R

FID 1

Antenna

Hg

Hg

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WISP Project PhasesWISP Project Phases

Practical integration of RFID & Sensors that works nowPractical integration of RFID & Sensors that works now

Step 0: Step 0: WISP wireless, battery-free one bit WISP wireless, battery-free one bit accelerometeraccelerometer

Acceleration or tilt causes unit to return a different IDAcceleration or tilt causes unit to return a different ID

Step 1: ID Modulation. Sensor tag switches between Step 1: ID Modulation. Sensor tag switches between two IDs in pattern over time. This enables new sensing two IDs in pattern over time. This enables new sensing functionality, while maintaining compatibility with existing functionality, while maintaining compatibility with existing readers & protocols.readers & protocols.

Step 2: WISPnets. Tags, readers, and protocols that Step 2: WISPnets. Tags, readers, and protocols that support both Identification (anti-collision) and Sensingsupport both Identification (anti-collision) and Sensing

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-WISP working-WISP workingBlue trace: X-axis acceleration as measured bywired commercial accelerometer

Red trace:One bit X-axis acceleration asmeasured by -WISP

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ID ModulationID Modulation 915 MHz power harvesting circuit915 MHz power harvesting circuit

Ultra low power Ultra low power Controller connected to sensorController connected to sensor

Two EPC-standard RFID chipsTwo EPC-standard RFID chips

By enabling/disabling tag 1 / tag 0, controller can embed sensor data in By enabling/disabling tag 1 / tag 0, controller can embed sensor data in

pre-existing, standards-compliantpre-existing, standards-compliant RFID channelRFID channel

RFID Tag 1 RFID Tag 2

Microcontroller &Sensor

Power Harvesting

1

0

e

Time (s)

WISP

“ID 1”

“ID 2”

“”erasureNo ID

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Relevant Intel Products and Research PlatformsRelevant Intel Products and Research Platforms Intel MotesIntel Motes

ARM and XScale based advanced Sensor Network nodesARM and XScale based advanced Sensor Network nodes

Intel Gateway “Stargate”Intel Gateway “Stargate”

XScale based gateway for Sensor NetworksXScale based gateway for Sensor Networks

Sensor Network SoftwareSensor Network Software

TinyOS and Linux based SW infrastructure to support RFID and TinyOS and Linux based SW infrastructure to support RFID and Sensor NetworksSensor Networks

StargateIntel® Mote

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Heterogeneous networkingHeterogeneous networking

I

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I

S

I

I

I

I

I II

I

I

I

I I I I

I IS

S

I

I

I

I

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S

Imote

Stargate

802.11

BT

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Summary and OutlookSummary and Outlook

Intel is conducting research and investigating Intel is conducting research and investigating product opportunities for the combined RFID product opportunities for the combined RFID and Sensor Network spaceand Sensor Network space

Platforms such as the Intel Motes and Gateway Platforms such as the Intel Motes and Gateway can be used to develop pilot applications in this can be used to develop pilot applications in this areaarea

Intel would like to participate in the industry Intel would like to participate in the industry standardization process for combined RFID and standardization process for combined RFID and Sensor Network applicationsSensor Network applications

Business

RFID and Sensor Networks