Smart RFIDs

Thank you for visiting and supporting Smart RFIDs. Most of us know about the barcode technology which has been tracking things for several decades. The problem with these is that they are meant only to be read, they are “dumb” in that they cannot communicate directly with external devices. Smart RFIDs (Radio frequency identification) are components of a system which involves the use of an smart tag applied to or incorporated into a product, animal, or person for the purpose of identification and also tracking – using radio waves. Some tags can be read from several meters away and beyond the line of sight of the reader.

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Most RFID tags contain at least two parts. One is an integrated circuit for storing and processing a radio signal, and the other is an antenna for receiving and transmitting the signal. There are generally three types of RFID tags: 1) active RFID tags, which contain a battery and can transmit signals autonomously 2) passive RFID tags, which have no battery and require an external source to provoke signal transmission, and 3) battery assisted passive (BAP) for a much greater read range. Today, Smart RFIDs are used mostly in inventory tracking and management.

RFID and the Supply Chain (part 1)

The management of supply chains is constantly developing due to momentous changes such as the Internet, E-commerce and the globalisation of supply chains. Its success often relies on rapid, accurate and efficient handling of data. The trend towards lean and agile distribution channels and the growth of Fourth Party Logistic Providers (4PLs) within the supply chain industry requires significant organisation and management. The efficient control of these activities requires supply chain knowledge, operational information and importantly, timely and accurate data to support the decision making process. Essentially, effective and efficient data acquisition techniques are required.

RFID is a generic term for technologies that use radio waves to communicate the identity of individual items over an air interface. RFID works similarly to bar code technology in that an item has to be interrogated by a scanner or reader for it to be identified. Barcodes, however, have one significant downfall, they require line-of-site technology. That means the scanner has to see the barcode to read it, which usually means items have to be manually oriented towards the scanner for it to be read. Conversely, RFID does not require line-of-site and can be read as long as the item is within range of the reader.

RFID is now being considered as an integral link in E-Commerce environments. The technology in theory should enhance and complement Electronic Data Interchanges (EDIs) to facilitate quick response and the generation of exception reports. This should allow real time information to be transmitted to partners within the supply chain supporting the decision-making process. Ultimately RFID should provide immediacy of data right down to individual item level identification. This can help bridge the gap between the customer, the order and order fulfilment process to the satisfaction of the customer. This means that it can enable the enhanced responsiveness expected within an E-Business environment.

The supply of on-demand barcode label printers currently represents one of the most widely used AIDC technologies (technologies such as: barcodes, smart cards, magnetic stripes on credit cards, optical character recognition etc) in supply chain applications (e.g. EPOS, warehouse and inventory management). Due to mandates set by influential leaders in the retail and defence industries, barcode label printers with RFID enabled capabilities present a real opportunity for companies to develop and extend their product portfolios by providing products which will enable companies to meet compliance objectives. Opportunities also exist to provide printers for those companies faced with compliance for when usage and acceptance of the technology becomes more prevalent. An entire new market segment will have emerged, requiring a widespread ongoing supply of printers, peripheral equipment and consumables.

Bar code systems Bar code systems include the symbologies that encode data to be optically read, printing technologies that produce the machine-readable symbols and scanners and decoders that capture the visual images of the symbologies and convert them into computercompatible digital data. Barcode scanning reduces errors associated with manual data handling, and produces visibility to aid supply chain management. A significant benefit of bar codes is that they are extremely cheap to produce and provide an efficient means of item identification. Unfortunately, according to some sources, bar codes are proving increasingly inadequate in a growing number of applications. Bar coding is an optical technology, which introduces constraints regarding orientation of the product (invariably requiring human intervention) and cleanliness of labels and scanners for fast efficient data collection. Bar codes can be easily copied and so become an easy target for counterfeiting. In addition, standard barcodes have low storage capacity, cannot be reprogrammed and only identify the manufacturer and product and not the unique item. Industry bodies indicate that bar code systems are now a mature technology with limited potential for further growth.

RFID is emerging as a complementary technology to help overcome some of the drawbacks associated with bar code technology. RFID systems consist of transponders (tags), which are made up of a microchip with a coiled antenna and an interrogator (reader) with an antenna. The tags are attached to the items to be identified and the RFID readers communicate with the tags via electromagnetic waves. RFID middleware (software) provides the interface for communication between the interrogator and existing company databases and information management systems. RFID is a term used to describe any identification device that can be sensed at a distance by radio frequencies with few problems of obstruction and mis-orientation. The devices are often referred to as ‘RFID tags’ or ‘Smart Labels’.

In its most basic form, a smart label consists of an ultra- thin RFID tag often referred to as an inlay. Inlays for smart labels are available in the 13.56 MHz, 860 to 930 MHz and 2.45 GHz frequency ranges. The inlays are embedded in label material, which is printed with human-readable text, graphics and bar codes (passive smart label). The printed data both supplements and backs up the information that is programmed into the tag. An evolutionary product to passive smart label technology is the smart active label (SAL). SALs can be defined using the same definition of smart labels above, but for one clear distinction, the inclusion of an integral power source. This distinguishing characteristic allows SALs to provide enhanced functionality over passive RFID smart labels including sensory, processing, display and locating capabilities. Smart labels are typically used for disposable applications and are not as durable as permanent RFID tags, which can be encased in materials to withstand harsh environments. Although one company suggests that the label material can be developed to withstand environmental conditions and that appropriate adhesive can ensure the label lasts the required duration.

Smart labels are referred to as smart because of their flexible capabilities provided by the RFID tag embedded in the label. The tag can be programmed and/or updated in the field allowing the same label to be reused serving multiple needs and disparate applications. Subsequently, the label is no longer static as a bar code label, but dynamic in its capability when equipped with RFID. Supporters of RFID suggest benefits which include: cost savings through automating the check-out process, a reduction in labour associated with performing inventory counts; improved theft prevention and increased authenticity control, a reduction in inventory holding cost, diversions and improved product availability. Unfortunately, an exact description of how the benefits are attainable in practice has often remained vague. The main criticisms on RFID technology are that it is too expensive and that it is unlikely that the investment will pay off. It is also argued that RFID is an over-marketed, hyped technology and that existing bar code based systems already provide most of the needed functionality.

More to follow in the next article.

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RFIDs and the Parts They Play in Enterprises

For a business to become truly competitive and highly efficient, it should learn to adapt with a variety of changes. One of these will be the use of technology to ensure the security of their data and to administer proper flow of operations. You can get all these and more with an RFID, or radio-frequency identification card.

Defining an RFID Tag

A tag that is considered to be an RFID will be something that you can attach to an animal, product, or even human being. The card, which can react through radio waves, contain all information for identification of the object or person it’s attached to. As to how fast it can be detected will depend on the power of the machine. Some are extremely sensitive that even if you’re meters away you can already be detected. Others will only function if you’re near the RF scanner.

There are also two components that make up the RF card. One of these is the integrated circuit, which has three functions: (1) modulates the radio signals from the RFID to the scanner and vice versa, (2) store and process information, and (3) other functions that could have been customized by the enterprise. You can also find an RFID that doesn’t have any chip attached to it, yet it still possesses some special parts that allow it to function like any circuit-based RFIDs. This one is a lot cheaper, and you can place it directly into any product.
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RFID Passive Technology and Everyday Applications

Mick O’Hea asked:


RFID technology is becoming more widespread in everyday life. If you’ve used a transport pass, bought security-tagged clothes, or even borrowed a library book, chances are that you’ve encountered RFID technology without realising it.

An RFID transponder, or “tag”, consists of a microchip that can store a small amount of data, and an antenna that can transmit this via radio waves over a short distance to an RFID reader. An active RFID tag also contains a battery and can transmit a signal, but is more expensive, while RFID passive tags contain no battery, are cheaper, but need to be activated by a reader in order to access the data stored on them. Most everyday RFID applications use RFID passive tags.

Many transit pass systems (e.g. Washington’s SmarTrip, London’s Oyster card) use embedded RFID tags to store balance details which are updated when swiped at an exit gate, or when the card is topped up. Similarly, many toll systems offer some form of “easypass” for barrier-free tolling, where drivers mount an RFID tag on their dashboard which is read as they pass through the toll, allowing them to be billed later. A growing number of countries are including RFID chips in passports to allow for the storage of additional information such as biometric data.

Libraries have begun to replace barcodes with RFID passive tags. These can directly store information such as a book’s title, author, or category without the need to refer to a separate database. The RFID tag can also act as a security tag, replacing the need for a separate security system.

Modern RFID passive tags can be mass-produced cheaply enough to be used disposably. Tagging goods allows them to be tracked through inventory management systems all the way from manufacture to point of sale.

Pets can be “chipped” by their owners with RFID tags containing the owner contact details to help identify them if they are lost. The chips can also be used to maintain health details like vaccinations dates. Nature programs can tag animals and birds to help determine migration patterns and track individual animals.

Smart labels have RFID passive tags embedded between the printed label and the adhesive backing. They can be used like barcodes, but hold more information, and the stored data can be updated.

As technological developments allow RFID tags to be further miniaturised and produced even more cheaply, their use will become even more common in everyday society.

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