Research and Development. Needs for RFID

Transcription

1 Research and Development Needs for RFID Thomas J. Sommer European Commission DG Information Society and Media Micro/Nanosystems EU RFID Forum Brussels, March 2007

2 Scenarios of RFID based applications Figure copyrighted by YRP Ubiquitous ID Research Center, Tokyo, Japan. Courtesy of uid Center 2

3 Ubiquitous RFID based Architecture in Japan Figure copyrighted by YRP Ubiquitous ID Research Center, Tokyo, Japan. Courtesy of uid Center 3

4 RFID: Technology in progress To introduce RFID on a wide scale worldwide several issues need considerable research. Expected are among others: Future improvements in semiconductors, antennae, materials and fabrication technologies The general research trend: From simple identification towards more information and additional functionality. Needs: Research related to RFID tags and RFID readers 4

5 Suggested research topics Aim: Cost reductions of passive tags to ca. 1-5 eurocents: needed for mass applications Two complementary avenues of research: Further miniaturisation of silicon chips Non-silicon materials for producing printable RFID tags Research needed also on security authentication, encryption Larger rewritable memories, sensors, low power 5

6 Suggested research topics Security of RFID systems: Security protocols to prevent direct attacks on the tag, the reader and the tag-reader communication Support of Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PET) - one of the means to mitigate privacy risks - Awareness of benefits and risks is low: Evaluations through large-scale pilots 6

7 Suggested research topics For passive RFID tags: Mass production, hence also environmental aspects are important to avoid special waste Growing demand for crypto tags on UHF RFID Asymmetrical encryption technology (more secure and easier to handle) to be developed for all RFID technologies (HF + UHF) 7

8 Suggested research topics For semi-passive RFID tags: They can provide higher reading ranges and additional functionality. Large memories, complex crypto-engines and energy consuming sensors can be integrated. Challenges: new battery type (e.g. polymer), energy scavenging, printed bio-fuel cell This may push this sector to new and more powerful applications 8

9 Suggested research topics For active RFID tags: real 2-way communication Combination with sensing, processing, decision making, adding intelligence, storage and communication Wireless sensor networks Real-time-enterprise Development of sensors with small power demand Energy management: scavenging and storage (new battery type, printed bio-fuel cells) Data security, energy efficient encryption Use of high frequencies (smaller antennae etc.) On-metal tags, on-liquid tags: increase of reliability Multi-frequency transponders (HF and UHF) 9

10 Suggested research topics For RFID readers: Multi-frequency readers (LF, HF, UHF) Multi-standard readers Towards mini and micro-readers To minimise the interference with metal and liquids Minimising reader interference (cheap and strongly directional reader antennae) Reduce cost of readers and cost of readers` management (intelligent reader approaches) 10

11 Further R&D issues Of relevance to all RFID applications: Research on PETs (crucial) Reliability of tag reading (on metal, liquid) to be improved Manufacturing (e.g. self-assembly of chips?) Energy awareness; autonomy RFID modular platform (common technological platform to enable cost-effectiveness) System integration incl. interfaces to the systems of different vendors During the migration phase: interoperability with barcodes 11

12 European research on the web: Micro & Nanosystems: RFID: index_en.htm Disclaimer: The views as presented in this document are solely the views of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Commission. 12