RFID Technologies. By Francisco J. Carabez

Transcription

1 RFID Technologies By Francisco J. Carabez

2 Index 1 What is RFID? RFID History Working principle of RFID Technology? 4 RFID System Basics 5 Why RFID? 2 RFID Components RFID Readers Fixed Handheld RFID Antenna RFID Tags Active Tags Semi-Active Tags Passive Tags What Constitutes an RFID System? Business Value Benefits of RFID Issues / Concerns RFID Future RFID Vs Barcode 6 Application area of RFID Portal Applications Conveyor / Assembly Line Product Monitoring and Control Shipping Validation 3 Are All Tags The Same? Frequencies of Operation Frequencies chart Technical details: LF Technical details: HF 7 Application Examples Hand Held Application Categories

3 1 What is RFID? Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) is an automatic identification method, relying on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags or transponders. RFID (radio frequency identification) is a technology that incorporates the use of electromagnetic or electrostatic coupling in the radio frequency (RF) portion of the electromagnetic spectrum to uniquely identify an object, animal, or person. An alternative to bar code.

4 RFID History Invented in 1948 by Harry Stockman. Initial application was during World War II-The United Kingdom used RFID devices to distinguish returning English airplanes from inbound German ones. RADAR was only able to signal the presence of a plane, not the kind of plane it was.. Came into commercial use only in 1990s.

5 Working principle of RFID Technology? The antenna enables the chip (data storage) to transmit its identification information to a reader/interrogator. The reader converts the radio waves returned from the RFID tags into digital information and passes it to the computer.

6 Index 1 What is RFID? RFID History Working principle of RFID Technology? 4 RFID System Basics 5 Why RFID? 2 RFID Components RFID Readers Fixed Handheld RFID Antenna RFID Tags Active Tags Semi-Active Tags Passive Tags What Constitutes an RFID System? Business Value Benefits of RFID Issues / Concerns RFID Future RFID Vs Barcode 6 Application area of RFID Portal Applications Conveyor / Assembly Line Product Monitoring and Control Shipping Validation 3 Are All Tags The Same? Frequencies of Operation Frequencies chart Technical details: LF Technical details: HF 7 Application Examples Hand Held Application Categories

7 2 RFID Components An RFID system consists of three components: An antenna and transceiver (often combined into one Reader) And a transponder (the Tag). An Application.

8 RFID Components Cont. Reader A transmitter/receiver that reads the contents of RFID Tags in the vicinity, also called an "RFID interrogator." The maximum distance between the Reader's antenna and the Tag vary, depending on application. Tag An electronic identification device that is made up of a chip and antenna. For reusable applications, it is typically embedded in a plastic housing, and for tracking shipments, it is usually part of a "smart" packaging label. An RFID Tag is an object that can be applied to or incorporated into a product, animal, or person for the purpose of identification and tracking using radio waves. Some Tags can be read from several meters away and beyond the line of sight of the Reader. The Tag contains a unique serial number, but may have other information, such as a customers' account number. There are generally three types of RFID Tags: active RFID Tags, which contain a battery, and passive RFID Tags, which have no battery and Semi-Active RFID Tags which contain a battery but only activates when it is under frequency of Reader. Host Computer:-Stores the data into database and view real time presentation of an asset with History.

9 RFID Readers A reader (now more typically referred as an RFID Interrogator), is basically a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and receiver, controlled by a microprocessor or digital signal processor. The reader, using an attached antenna, captures data from tags, then passes the data to a computer for processing.

10 Types of Readers: Fixed Fixed in a position (for example, beside a conveyor belt in a factory or dock doors in a warehouse). Consists of Antennas connected to it. Antennas communicate with Tags.

11 Types of Readers: Handheld Portable, integrated with an application and used to scan individual items in a warehouse or by mobile workers. Consists of in built Antennas.

12 Antenna The antenna uses radio frequency waves to transmit a signal that activates the transponder. When activated, the Tag transmits data back to the antenna. The data is used to notify a programmable logic controller that an action should occur.

13 RFID Tags RFID tag is a microchip combined with an antenna in a compact package. When attached to an object, object will be traced by a reader. Tags Antenna picks up signals from Reader and then returns the signal with some additional data (like unique serial number of other customized information).

14 Types of Tags: Active Tags Powered by battery. Larger in size and expensive. Better identification range and larger capacity. Tag transmits radio signal. High Read Range (300 feet).

15 Types of Tags: Semi-Active Tags Uses battery to power microchip but not to communicate with reader. These Tags are used for longer range and with more capabilities. Only activates when it is under frequency of Reader

16 Types of Tags: Passive Tags Operate using the power of RFID readers. (Tag reflects radio signal from reader) Small and inexpensive Shorter Read Range (4 inches - 15 feet)

17 Index 1 What is RFID? RFID History Working principle of RFID Technology? 4 RFID System Basics 5 Why RFID? 2 RFID Components RFID Readers Fixed Handheld RFID Antenna RFID Tags Active Tags Semi-Active Tags Passive Tags What Constitutes an RFID System? Business Value Benefits of RFID Issues / Concerns RFID Future RFID Vs Barcode 6 Application area of RFID Portal Applications Conveyor / Assembly Line Product Monitoring and Control Shipping Validation 3 Are All Tags The Same? Frequencies of Operation Frequencies chart Technical details: LF Technical details: HF 7 Application Examples Hand Held Application Categories

18 3 Are All Tags The Same? Variations: Memory Size (16 bits kbytes +) Read-Only, Read/Write or WORM Type: EEProm, Antifuse, FeRam Arbitration (Anti-collision) Frequency Ability to read/write one or many tags at a time 125KHz GHz Physical Dimensions Thumbnail to Brick sizes Price ($0.50 to $250) Read Range 4 inches to 300 ft

19 Frequencies of Operation Low frequency khz Tags need to be closer to the reader Poor discrimination High frequency/radio frequency 3-30 MHz Tags can be read from relatively greater distances Tags can hold more information Ultra high frequency/microwave >300 MHz Longest range More interference

20 Frequencies chart

21 Technical details: LF

22 Technical details: HF

23 Index 1 What is RFID? RFID History Working principle of RFID Technology? 4 RFID System Basics 5 Why RFID? 2 RFID Components RFID Readers Fixed Handheld RFID Antenna RFID Tags Active Tags Semi-Active Tags Passive Tags What Constitutes an RFID System? Business Value Benefits of RFID Issues / Concerns RFID Future RFID Vs Barcode 6 Application area of RFID Portal Applications Conveyor / Assembly Line Product Monitoring and Control Shipping Validation 3 Are All Tags The Same? Frequencies of Operation Frequencies chart Technical details: LF Technical details: HF 7 Application Examples Hand Held Application Categories

24 4 RFID System Basics How far? How fast? How many? How much? Attached to and surround by what?

25 What Constitutes an RFID System? One or more RF tags Two or more antennas One or more interrogators One or more host computers Appropriate software

26 Index 1 What is RFID? RFID History Working principle of RFID Technology? 4 RFID System Basics 5 Why RFID? 2 RFID Components RFID Readers Fixed Handheld RFID Antenna RFID Tags Active Tags Semi-Active Tags Passive Tags What Constitutes an RFID System? Business Value Benefits of RFID Issues / Concerns RFID Future RFID Vs Barcode 6 Application area of RFID Portal Applications Conveyor / Assembly Line Product Monitoring and Control Shipping Validation 3 Are All Tags The Same? Frequencies of Operation Frequencies chart Technical details: LF Technical details: HF 7 Application Examples Hand Held Application Categories

27 5 Why RFID? No need for physical contact between data carrier and the communication device. Tags can be used repeatedly. Tags can last up to 20 years. Works in harsh environments (compared to bar code, optical scan technologies) withstands extreme temperatures, acid baths etc. Low maintenance costs. Tags available in a range of types, sizes and materials. Simultaneous & multiple tag reads, 10s to 1000s in short time intervals. Non-line-of-sight communication makes it possible to read and write Tags in dirty conditions. Extremely low error rate. Can be read through the human body, clothing and non-metallic materials.

28 Business Value

29 Benefits of RFID Automates the entire process. Unique Identification - Each RFID tag has a unique serial number that distinguishes among many millions of identically manufactured objects. Wireless, non-contact, non-line-of-site. Ideally suited for providing low cost remote and instant identification of objects. Real time tracking of assets and its content. Visibility of location of assets and their tampering history, maintenance history. RFID tags can be read through human body, clothing and nonmetallic materials.

30 Issues / Concerns Cost of RFID technology. Active RFID life - 2 to 4 years. Privacy concerns-surreptitious consumer surveillance. Extreme weather. Security concerns-illicit tracking of RFID tags. Global standardization. Environmental concern-recycling. RFID system are vulnerable to virus.

31 RFID Standard The good news is that the EPC global RFID technology standards have been recognized by the International Standards Organization (ISO) in The EPC global UHF Generation 2 protocol for radio frequency identification (RFID) has been endorsed by the International Standards Organization (ISO), paving the way for its use throughout the global supply chain. EPC is an international trade standard designed to drive RFID use forward in the UHF (ultra high frequency) range. The standard was developed so that manufacturers are using compatible devices and RFID technologies. The royalty-free standards developed by EPCglobal are the foundations in the continuing construction of a global supply chain information network that combines RFID technology, existing communications network infrastructure and a system called Electronic Product Code (EPC), a number for uniquely identifying an item.

32 RFID Future RFID technology is growing very fast. As technology moves ahead, Tags and readers sizes are reducing with the increase of functionalities. According to experts, RFID technology represents a new approach towards business with an interaction of computers with wireless technology, sensors and networking. Millions Y

33 RFID Future cont.

34 RFID Vs Barcode RFID Barcode Forging is difficult Forging is easy Scanner not required. No need to bring the tag near the reader Scanner needs to see the bar code to read it RFID is comparatively fast Can read multiple tags Can read only one tag at a time Relatively expensive as compared to Bar Codes (Reader 1000$, Tag 20 cents a piece) Can be reusable within factory premises Cannot be reused

35 Index 1 What is RFID? RFID History Working principle of RFID Technology? 4 RFID System Basics 5 Why RFID? 2 RFID Components RFID Readers Fixed Handheld RFID Antenna RFID Tags Active Tags Semi-Active Tags Passive Tags What Constitutes an RFID System? Business Value Benefits of RFID Issues / Concerns RFID Future RFID Vs Barcode 6 Application area of RFID Portal Applications Conveyor / Assembly Line Product Monitoring and Control Shipping Validation 3 Are All Tags The Same? Frequencies of Operation Frequencies chart Technical details: LF Technical details: HF 7 Application Examples Hand Held Application Categories

36 6 Application area of RFID Corporate offices and industries. Supply chain and retail industries. Asset Management. Pallet Tracking. Government, Military and Army. Commercial Industries.

37 Check in / Access

38 Portal Applications Bill of Lading Material Tracking

39 Portal Applications Limited number items at forklift speeds 8 X 10 doorways Electronic receipt & dispatch Wrong destination alert Electronic marking Pallet/container item tracking

40 Conveyor / Assembly Line Read / Write Operations Higher Accuracy than Bar Code

41 Conveyor / Assembly Line Up to 450 fpm 60+ items per container Inexpensive tunnels Longer tunnel more items Electronic receipt Sorting Electronic marking

42 Product Monitoring and Control

43 Shipping Validation Tote/Box/Unit/Pallet Level Inventory

44 Index 1 What is RFID? 4 RFID System Basics RFID History What Constitutes an RFID System? Working principle of RFID Technology? 2 RFID Components RFID Readers Fixed Handheld RFID Antenna RFID Tags Active Tags Semi-Active Tags Passive Tags 3 Are All Tags The Same? Frequencies of Operation Frequencies chart Technical details: LF Technical details: HF 5 Why RFID? Business Value Benefits of RFID Issues / Concerns RFID Future RFID Vs Barcode 6 Application area of RFID Portal Applications Conveyor / Assembly Line Product Monitoring and Control Shipping Validation 7 Application Examples Hand Held Application Categories

45 7 Application Examples Wireless / Batch Inventory Management Where is it? What is it? What is inside the box? Material Handling By Destination Where is it going? Where has it been? Should it be here? Material Handling Aggregate / De-aggregate What have I assembled or disassembled? How many do I have? Do I have enough? Material Handling Inspecting / Maintaining Has this been repaired? Is this under warrantee? Has this been inspected? Is this complete? What is the asset s status or state?

46 Hand Held Application Categories Batch Wireless Fixed Station

47 Our Project

48 Our RFID solution

49 Q&A

50 End.