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RFID is an
auto
identification
technology
which is
used for
tracking
items with a
tag on it
which sends
data to
readers
through
radio waves.
These tags
makes the
item to
speak about
its
identity,
activity,
location and
data stored
inside
through
readers and
finally to
the
application
software to
make the
information
useful.
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Components of RFID System: |
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Tags: |
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The tag is made up of a
microchip with the unique
identification number and the
antenna to be able to transmit
this data to the reader
wirelessly. RFID tags have
high data capacity and can
include manufacturer, batch no.,
ownership, destination, history
etc. depending on the
application needs. The amount of
storage available on the tag
ranges from 16 bits to as high
as several thousand bits. There
are three types of encoding
available in tags i.e. Read
only, write once, and
re-writable tags. |
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Active and Passive tags |
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Passive tags are battery less and transmit data only when
energized by the reader. Active
tags are able to transmit data
using their own battery power.
Read ranges are more for active
tags than for passive tags but
are costlier for their extra
capability. Therefore active
tags are used for high value
items and for longer reading
distance. |
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Structure of EPC Complaint Tag |
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Electronic Product Code Type I |
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01 |
0000A89 |
00016F |
000169DC0 |
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Header
8 bits |
EPC Manager
28 – bits |
Object Class
24 - bits |
Serial Number
36 - bits |
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Readers: |
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The RFID Reader, which is also
widely known as interrogator,
sends RF signal to request tag
for transmitting information
within the chip. The response
received from the tag is then
translated in to digital form
and send to the application
software. Different types of
readers are fixed readers,
handheld readers, network
readers, readers embedded in
other mobile devices etc. |
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RFID
Antenna: |
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The
antenna transmits an
electromagnetic field, which
activates the tag. The antenna
also receives the data from the
tag and sends it to the reader.
RFID tag also has an antenna,
which receives the required
power from the electromagnetic
field, and transmits the data.
Tags also require an antenna to
transmit the information to the
reader and to receive
information from the reader if
it is a rewritable tag. |
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Application
Software: |
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It is enterprise software which finally uses the data
captured by the readers and uses
the information to provide
real-time visibility to the
process. In some cases RFID
middleware is developed which
lies between the hardware
infrastructure and the software
application as a common
interface which manages data
flow between the two and manages
the hardware infrastructure. |
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Standards: |
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Standard |
Frequencies |
Subject of the Standard |
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EPC Class 0 |
860 - 930 MHz
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Parameters for air
interface communication |
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EPC Class 1 |
860 - 930 MHz
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Parameters for air
interface communication |
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EPCglobal Gen 2 |
860 - 930 MHz
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Parameters for air
interface communication
to replace Class 0 and
Class 1
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ISO 14443 |
13.56 MHz
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Regulation for
contacless / proximity
ID cards |
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ISO 15693 |
13.56 MHz
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Regulation of
contactless / vicinity
cards, reading distance
up to 1 m.
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ISO 18000-2 |
125, 134.2 KHz |
Low Frequency RFID air
interference protocol |
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ISO 18000-3 |
13.56 MHz
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Reading distance max.
1.5 m, improvement on
ISO 15693 |
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ISO 18000-4 |
2.45 GHz |
Microwave |
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ISO 18000-5 |
5,8 GHz |
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ISO 18000-6 |
860 – 960 MHz |
EPCglobal Generation 2
Tags (submitted by EPC
to ISO, under
development phase) |
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Advantages: |
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No line of sight
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Contacless
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Improved read range
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Ability to write data
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High data storage capacity
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Can read multiple item
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Suitable for harsh
environment
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No human intervention
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Frequency Chart:
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Frequency |
Characteristics |
Applications |
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125 KHz – 135 KHz
Low Frequency |
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Good performance
around metal and
liquid
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Slow data transfer
rate
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Few inches of read
range
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Access control
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Animal
identification
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13.56 MHz
High Frequency |
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Worldwide standards
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Longer read ranges
than LF
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Tag cost lower than
LF
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Poor performance
around metal and
liquid
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Library
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Access control
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Asset tracking
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Smart shelf
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People
identification
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Item level tracking
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433MHz and 860MHz to 930
MHz
Ultra High Frequency |
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Longer read ranges
than HF
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Used as Active RFID
systems
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Most widely accepted
frequency in supply
chain mandates
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Volumes may bring
the tag cost to
lowest when compared
to others
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Poor performance
when near metal and
liquid
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Supply chain
management
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Inventory control
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Warehouse management
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Logistics
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Asset tracking
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2.45 GHz and 5.8 GHz |
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Fast data transfer
rates
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Used for active and
semi active RFID
systems
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Poor performance
when brought near
metal and liquid
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Toll collection
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Industrial
automation
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Fast moving conveyor
belts
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