Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology

Miodrag BolicAssociate ProfessorSchool of Information Technology and EngineeringUniversity of [email protected]

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Outline

Introduction to RFID technology Applications Classification of RFID systems RFID tags, readers and middleware Problems with RFID technology Introduction to RFID standards Novel RFID technologies

What is RFID?What is RFID? RFID is an ADC wireless technology that

uses radio-frequency waves to transfer data between a reader and a movable item to identify, categorize, track...

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a wireless automatic data capture (ADC) technology that comprises small data-carrying transponders ('tags'), and fixed or mobile scanners ('readers'). Tags are attached to or embedded in objects to be identified.

It is used for:

Major application: detect the presence of tagged objects and/or

people. Identify the objects/people

Other applications: Tracking objects and people localization of objects and people

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Forecast volume RFID tags – Instat 2005

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Components of RFID systems

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RFID API Software(Communicates with the RFID Reader)

Customer-SpecificApplication Software

Host Computer

Host Memory Space

Reader

AntennaAntenna

ApplicationProgramInterface

(API)

ApplicationProgramInterface

(API)

RFID System components

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R R

R R

T

T

T

TT

T

T

T

T

T

T

T T

T

T T

T T T

T

T

T

T

T

TTT

T

T T

T

Ap p lic a tio ns o f tw ar e

R ead er c o n tr o lle r /M id d lew ar e

R ead er s an dtag s

R ead er to tagp r o to c o l

R ead er to r ead erc o n tr o lle r p r o to c o l

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Reader Functionality

• Constantly poll or “interrogate” the space

• Communicate with the tags

• Translate tag data into events understandable by middleware

• Resolve physical-layer communication constraints

RFID readerRFID reader

tag

01.43200B9.23AE1F.345C4D012

antenna

Interface to host computer (RS485, RS232/422, ethernet, 802.11, etc)

1- The Reader sends an interrogation command, which is radiated by the antennas (*)

2- The tag responds to the reader’s command by sending its tag identifier

3- The reader communicates the ID read to the host computer.

ID: 01.43200B9.23AE1F.345C4D012

Reader Functionality

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RFID Technology

From: http://www.idtechex.com/products/en/article.asp?articleid=42

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EPC Data Standards

Electronic Product Code (EPC)Uniquely identifies item in supply chain

96 bit EPC 268 million companies Each with 16 million distinct object classes Each class with 68 billion serial numbers

From: http://java.sun.com/developer/technicalArticles/Ecommerce/rfid/index.html

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Applications

Parcels – Fedex, UPS, DHL (2004) Retail (Consumer Goods) – Walmart, Metro Healthcare – Pharmaceuticals, patient tracking Agriculture – Live stock tracking, perishables Lifestyle – Amusement Parks, Speedpass(Esso) Security – Personnel, Assets Defence – US DoD suppliers

Portal Portal ApplicationsApplications

Bill of LadingMaterial Tracking

Portal Portal ApplicationsApplications

Limited number items at forklift speeds8’ X 10’ doorwaysElectronic receipt & dispatchWrong destination alertElectronic markingPallet/container item tracking

Hand Held Application Hand Held Application CategoriesCategories

Wireless Batch

Fixed Station

Application ExamplesApplication Examples

Wireless / Batch Inventory Management

Material HandlingBy Destination

Material HandlingInspecting / Maintaining

Material HandlingAggregate / De-aggregate

Where is it? What is it?What is inside the box?

Where is it going? Where has it been?Should it be here?

What have I assembled or disassembled?How many do I have? Do I have enough?

Has this been repaired?Is this under warrantee?Has this been inspected?Is this complete? What is the asset’s status or state?

Classification of RFID systems the way they obtain power, the way they transmit data, the type of EM link formed with the

Interrogator

Frequency of operation

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18

100kHz

LF 125 ~134Khz

1MHz

HF 13.56Mhz UHF 868 ~ 928Mhz

1GHz

2.45Ghz 5.6Ghz

•Access Control•Automotive Immob

•Animal-ID•Asset Tagging

•Access Control•Logistics

•Post •Parcel •baggage •libraries

•Item•Carton•Case•Retail

Transport - road pricing - train location - fleet management

Under development

Frequency

Transport

• Road tolling

• Container tracking

• Pallets

Tag Type Selectionactive tags

passive tags

EPCEPCUHF = extended read range

RFID Tag Spectrum

Dynasys Technologies Inc Clearwater, Florida USA 19

WAVELENGTH

FAR FIELD NEAR FIELDFREQ WL 1/6 WL

LF 134 kHz1.3 miles 1100 feetHF 13.5 MHz 66 feet 11 feetUHF 900 Mhz 13 inches 2 inchesMW 2.45 GHz 5 inches 1 inch

Wavelength (m) = Speed of Light (m/s) / Frequency (Hz)

NEAR FIELD = Energy storage FieldFAR FIELD = Displacement Field

Tag technology categories

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No Batteries Batteries

Em

itte

d E

nerg

y ActiveEnergy Harvesting(Semi Active)

Asset Tamperand Seal Tags

Solar Vibration

Far-F

ield –

EM

Rad

iation

Near-F

ield –

Magn

etic Cou

plin

g

Ref

lect

ed E

nerg

y Semi-PassivePassive

Toll CollectionSupply Chain Labels

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Performance and feature trade-off

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Em

itte

d E

nerg

yR

efle

cted

Ene

rgy

Near-Field Far-Fielde.g. Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11), UHF RFID (ISO18000-7), UWBe.g. RuBee (IEEE P1902.1), NFC (ISO 18092)

e.g. UHF RFID (ISO18000-6 & EPC)e.g. HF RFID (ISO 14443), LF RFID (ISO 14223-1)

Benefits• Robust link around

dense RF media

• Magnetic field zone control

• Simple narrow-band protocols maximize battery life

Deficiencies• Range limited to

antenna loop diameter

• Multi-tag arbitration speed limited by data rate

Benefits• Long range due to RF

propagation and higher transmit power

• High multi-tag arbitration rates possible due to larger bandwidth & data-rate

Deficiencies• Some bands require

spread spectrum and complex multiple access protocols; leads to higher power consumption

• Poor zone control

Benefits• Excellent zone

control

• Robust near-field energy harvesting for passive HF/LF RFID

• Robust media penetration

Deficiencies• Backscatter reader

sensitivity and loop antenna diameter limits practical range to within one meter

• Multi-tag arbitration limited by bandwidth and data rate

Benefits• Tens of meters of

range for passive tags

• Longer range for semi-passive tags; limited primarily by reader sensitivity

• High multi-tag arbitration rate

• Longer battery life

Deficiencies• Poor zone control

• Poor RF media penetration

• Highly orientation sensitivity due to weaker backscatter and multi-path propagation

Intern

al Pow

er Sou

rce (e.g. Batteries)

Extern

al Pow

er Sou

rce (e.g. RF, V

ibration

, Ligh

t)

Application vs. Technology

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PersonnelTracking

HighLow

Long

Short

VehicleTracking

ShelvedItems

ConveyorBelts

Near-Field Passive

Semi-ActiveFar-Field Passive& Semi-Passive

Throughput

Ra

ng

e

Far-Field Active

Classifications

Near-field propagation LF HF UHF

Far-field propagation Narrow band Wide band

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LF Tags

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LF tags very effective at penetrating water and living

tissues used to identify livestock.

inductive coupling to operate, read ranges are comparable to the size of the

reader antenna, typically a few 10’s of cm (5-10 inches) for a small

reader antenna the tags are composed of many turns of wire

around the ferrite core to increase coupling

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LF PASSIVE TAGS

TI-RFID (previously TIRIS)

• glass tubes - injectable animal chip • key fobs - Mobile Speed Pass• Disks - CARMAX Asset Tracking• ID Cards - Access Security Proximity• Rods - Vehicle Tracking• Mount-on-Metal Transponders


LF PASSIVE TAGS

COST (dependant on quantity)

• glass tubes - $2 • key fobs - $3• Disks - $5• ID Cards - $3• Rods - $9• Mount-on-Metal Transponders - $7


LF PASSIVE TAGS

RANGE - Depends on Reader/Antenna

• glass tubes - 1 foot• key fobs - 1 foot• Disks - 5 feet• ID Cards - 3 feet• Rods - 6 feet• Mount-on-Metal Transponders - 5 feet

HF

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This frequency is available for industrial use in most jurisdictions worldwide.

inductive coupling is used as larger induced voltage, so the reader usually

uses a single-turn coil, and transponders typically incorporate 3-5 turns of wire.

Typical read range varies from a few cm to a meter.

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HF PASSIVE TAGS

ISO 15693 (previously TI Tag-it, I-Code) (vicinity card)

ISO 14443 (proximity card)

• foil inlays • paper labels• cardboard tickets• ID bracelets• ID Cards (photo ID)


HF PASSIVE TAGS

COST (dependant on quantity)

• foil inlays - $.050• paper labels - $0.75• cardboard tickets - $0.75• ID bracelets - $2.00• ID Cards (photo ID) - $2.00


HF PASSIVE TAGS

RANGE - Depends on Reader/Antenna - Depends on Foil Size

• foil inlays - 2 feet• paper labels - 2 feet• cardboard tickets - 1 foot• ID bracelets - 1/2 foot• ID Cards (photo ID) - 2 feet

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UHF Near Field

Novel technology Near-field UHF work on bottles and even

inside liquids It works on metal as well It provides up to 64 times higher data

transmission rates than HF while the reading range is similar

UHF tags are cheaper to produce than HF tags

UHF Near Field

UHF tag’s antenna that has only one turn compatible with EPC Gen 2 standard ability to read all the tags on the items that

are close to each other

Expensive UHF readers No mobile solutions yet

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UHF RFID tag

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Far-field narrow band UHF bands: 315 MHz and 433 MHz Allocate a few tens of kilohertz of bandwidth. The 433.92 MHz UHF band is uniformly allocated

world-wide. Very low transmitted power allowed (6microW) 433 MHz :container security and military logistics. The Interrogator transmission periodicity is also

limited to one transmission every ten seconds or less often.

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Far-field UHF

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UHF systems

Between 860 and 960 MHz In North America Industrial, Scientific, and

Medical (ISM) band at 902-928 MHz. radiative coupling to achieve read ranges not

available for LF or HF devices. Read range for passive UHF tags can be as

much as 10 meters

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Far-field 2.4GHz

Available for unlicensed operation worldwide. Very small tags can be used because of the consequent small antennas,

the amount of power collected by a tag is reduced in comparison to UHF tags.

Read range for passive systems1 to 3 meters More bandwidth than UHF High data rate

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Passive systems - Backscatter Reader generated the RF field:

Induce enough power into the tag coil to energize the tag.

Provide a synchronized clock source to the tag Act as a carrier for return data from the tag.

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Passive systems backscatter

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Semi-passive systems - Battery operated systems antennas are optimized for larger range, there is a support for more complex

operations, sensors can be easily added, memory capacity is larger.

Some tags can continue its operation even when the battery is dead

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Active systems

Modes: beacon mode periodically after some conditions

are specified Motion sensors Dual frequency

Interogatted mode Battery life

Critical parameter Measure and report the capacity of the battery

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Active

Standards RFID Wireless standards: WiFI, Zigbee

RTLS – real time location systems

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ASIC Resistors &Capacitors

Antennas

GPIO

Battery

Substrate

RFID Tags and Readers

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RFID – Sample Tags / Readers

Pallet tag, UHF (Matrics)

Cardboard-case tag, MW (Matrics)

Plastic crate tag, UHF (Rafsec)

Sample Tags Sample Readers

Stationary reader and antenna (Alien)

Signpost activator (Savi)

Stationary reader (Matrics)

Handheld reader (Checkpoint)

Doorway antenna (Checkpoint)

Stationary reader and antenna (SAMSys)

Stationary readers are typically deployed at warehouse portals or loading docks, on conveyor belts or forklift arms, on store shelves, check-out lanes, etc.

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

What is RFID? -- The What is RFID? -- The TagsTags

Variations: Memory

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

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)

Are All Tags The Same?Are All Tags The Same?

Tags

Tag separation Types of antennas

Dipole Dual-dipole ...

Material of the antennas: copper, silver, film aluminium, ink

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Reader classification

Mobility Fixed Mobile

stand-alone or card interface

Intelligence Intelligent – program and filter data Nominal – read/write

Interface Wired: TCT, RS232, USB Wireless: WLAN

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Reader classification

Powering method AC Battery DC from the forklift or a track

Reading mode Autonomous Interactive

Triggering device Reducing interference

Connection with external devices PDA, barcode readers, cameras

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Hand-held reader Contain

UHF RFID reader PDA computer that is embedded WiFi, USB and RS232 connectivity, external memory slot bar code scanner very often are sealed IP64 or IP65

Options usually include: GPS Bluetooth Camera module Additional battery 2D bar code scanner Cradle Other readers such as 13.56MHz readers Printing labels

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Protocols

Tag singulation Tree based algorithms Aloha based algorithms

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Software and Integration

From: http://www.infosys.com/rfid/Infosys_White_Paper_on_RFID_Architecture_Strategy.pdf

RFID Architecture

Object Name Service (ONS)• Provides a global, distributed lookup service to translate an

EPC into one URL where further information on the object (XML - metadata) may be found

• Dynamic ONS services record a sequence of custodians as an object moves through a supply chain

• Uses same technology of DNS• Integration and security are key

The Vertical-Based Extendable Mark-Up Language (XML) • XML vocabularies to represent and distribute information

related to objects• Specific functionality data representation for specific

industries

RFID Middleware (Edge Server)• ALE - Application Level Events standard• Middleware software designed to process the streams of

tag or sensor data • Accommodates different reader vendors• Standardizes interfaces between readers, ONS, XML,

and Enterprise Applications• Uses XML-RPC and SOAP over HTTP• Filtering, aggregation, reduction of the volume of data

prior to sending to Enterprise Application• Scalability is important, since readers may process

hundreds of tags per second

RFID Middleware

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Problems Read ranges Read rates Tag separation Interference Deployment of large RFID systems Analysis of data Software and integration Security

Read range

Maximum distance between the tag and the antenna where the tag can be read by the reader.

Affected by the following parameters of reader and tag Reader antenna gain Reduced lekeage between transmit and receive antennas Tag antenna gain Optimum tag reflection coefficient Appropriate data coding scheme and modulation Environment ...

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Read rates

Percentage of read tags in the read range

One of the biggest problems in RFID industry Depends on

Tag separation Orientation of tags Material around the tag Obstacles ...

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Experiment

Fixed RFID reader Impinj Speedway Symbol XR400

Antenna Configuration Monostatic Bistatic

Polarization Circular Circular

Output Power 1 W 1 W

Sensitivity ≈ -70 dBm ≈ -90 dBm

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Results

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Tag Type

Readability at Computer Lab

Readability at Anechoic Chamber

Impinj Reader

Symbol Reader

Impinj Reader

Symbol Reader

ALN-9540

80.6% 73% 78.2% 82.7%

AD-220 81.9% 73% 76.6% 83.9% RSI IN-

10 100% 87.9% 97.6% 100%

RSI IN-22

99.2% 83.1% 95.6% 100%

PowerID 100% 100% 91.9% 95.2%

Results

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RECEIVING AREARECEIVING AREA

STORAGE AREASTORAGE AREA

DOCK 1

RRRR

RRRR

Reader-to-Reader Interference Zone

Reader-to-Tag Interference Zone

Interrogation Zone

LEGEND

Reader Density

From: Presentation by Reva Systems

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Interference

Reader to reader Dense-Reader Mode: readers can detect weak tags

amongst many strong readers

Reader to tag Typical tags are not selective => Susceptible to

interference From far-away readers On channel or in different channels

From: Presentation by Reva Systems

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Analysis of information Functionality of RFID system

Capture information. Manage information. Analyze information. Access information. Act on information and events.

The amount of information is overwhelming Example: major retail chain tagged all the items. If

there are 10 billion items read every 5 minutes, they will generate 15 Terabytes of data per day.

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Security

Technical security is addressed in the Gen 2 protocol Reader does not transmit electronic product code(EPC) Tag memory can be locked

Access is password protected 32-bit access password

“Kill”command can permanently disable the Tag Protected by 32-bit kill password

Masked Reader -> Tag communications RN16 sent by tag used to mask Reader payload Protects data, passwords from eavesdropping

BUT…Security really depends on us How much information do we want exposed? Public policy will decide the limits

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EPC Data Standards

Electronic Product Code (EPC)Uniquely identifies item in supply chain

96 bit EPC 268 million companies Each with 16 million distinct object classes Each class with 68 billion serial numbers

From: http://java.sun.com/developer/technicalArticles/Ecommerce/rfid/index.html

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EPC Class I - V

Class V tags Readers. Can power other Class I, II and III tags;

Communicate with Classes IV and V.

Class IV tags: Active tags with

broad-band peer-to-peer communication

Class III tags:semi-passive RFID tags

Class II tags: passive tags with additional

functionality

Class 0/Class I:read-only passive tags

EPC Classes EPCglobal – a joint subsidiary of the Uniform Code

Council and EAN International

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Properties Speed

1500 tags/sec in North America 600 tags/sec in Europe 70ms to write 96-bit EPC

Reliability Adapts to rapidly changing tag populations Including large populations (>1,000 tags) Can identify late-arriving tags immediately

Selection Select command allows flexible tag pre-selection Can select / mask specific tags for identification

Range 8m read range 6m write range

From: EPCglobal. Class 1 Generation 2 UHF Air Interface Protocol Standard Version 1.0.9, 2005.

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Link timing


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Memory Organization


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Class 1 Generation 2 Commands Select Inventory commands

Query QueryAdjust QueryRep ACK NAK

Access commands Req_RN Read Write Kill Lock Access BlockWrite BlockErase


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1. Tags reusable or one-time use ?

2. Distance performance required ?

3. Materials being tagged ?

4. Orientation of tags ?

5. Number of tags ?

6. Speed performance required ?

7. Power required ?

Deployment - RFID QUESTIONS

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Deployment - MORE QUESTIONS

1. Required accuracy ?

2. Environmental noise ?

3. Size restrictions for tags, readers, antennas ?

4. Mounting methods ?

5. Cost of ownership ?

6. Availability of equipment ?

7. Availability of support ?

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THE OPTIMUM CASE

Need to track valuable, important stuff

Tags can be presented in a predictable location

Orientation of tags is predictable

Materials will not interfere with tags

Tags can be attached easily

Tags will remain in the field long enough to be detected

Tags can function within environment

New technologies

Rubee Dual frequency tags

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Rubee technology

Antenna

Tag 1

Tag 2

Tag 3

Tag 4

Reader

Possible scenario

Dual frequency RFID

IPICO: LF communication

low ranges and low data rates regulations usually allow high-power transmission LF is used only to power-up the tags

HF range is used for back-scattered modulation.

Access Inc. Multiple frequency tags

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Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology