RFID

2/7/2007 1

RFID

Mohammad Reza Ghaderi

22/7/2007

Agenda

What is RFID?How Does RFID Work?Why RFID?RFID StandardsEPCglobal ClassificationRFID Cost

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What is RFID?RFID is a method of auto identification that is suitable for identifying both products and assets within the supply chain environment.It is not a new technology and has been in the public domain for at least 10 years.Technical limitations and cost have so far proved to be a barrier to its widespread adoption.It may be considered an enhancement of existing methods (e.g., printed bar codes) for automatic object identification.

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What is RFID?

RFID technology comprises 3 basic elements :The RFID tagThe RFID reader/writerThe host line of business system

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The RFID Tag

The RFID tag is a radio data device designed to carry data.It consists of a piece of integrated circuitry, some memory and an RF antenna.A useful classification of RFID tags:

Passive (do not have their own power source, powered from incident RF, communicating via modulated backscatter)Semi-Passive and Active (containing a battery or other power source for long range communication)

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The RFID Tag

Designs are currently available for use at a variety of frequencies, typically 125 KHz, 13.56 MHz, 2.45GHz and around 900MHz.Every tag is manufactured with its own unique identification number. Additionally, depending on the tag type and specification, the tag will have the ability to store more data.

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The RFID Reader / Writer

The RFID reader/writer consists of some circuitry and an antenna.In the case of passive tags, the RF field created from the antenna both energizes the tags and picks up their RF transmission of data.In the case of active tags, the RF field reads the tags and may also be used to activate the tag

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The Host SystemThe host system is normally a line of business software applicationIn a similar manner to standard barcodes, RFID tags are merely an automated way to provide input data to the host system.RFID tags can also provide an automated output from the system allowing dynamic update of the data held on the tag.In all cases, the host system will need software modifications to integrate the data provided by the RFID reader/writer.

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How does RFID Work?

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Read/Write Distance & Speed

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Why RFID?

RFID technology is not a replacement for bar codes.It may be considered an enhancement of existing methods (e.g., printed bar codes) for automatic object identification.

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RFID BenefitsDoes not require line of siteExtended data capacity compared with bar codesTags can be hidden for securityTags can be protected for harsh environmentsWide and versatile tag formatRead/write can be automated for transparent operationHighly secure and difficult to replicate – ideal for authentication or warranty applicationsData can be dynamically modified/updated for continuous re-useMultiple tags can be read at once

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RFID Drawbacks

Relatively high cost of tagsRead/write range can limit applicationMultiple read/writes are time dependentStandards are still emerging and not matureNon-reads must be catered for within the system

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StandardsLegislative bodies are developing standards which cover both the RF protocol and data format levels. ISO15693 has already been published covering high frequency passive tags called “Smart Labels” and products to this standard are available from multiple suppliers.EAN and the Uniform Code Council (UCC) are promoting the adoption of a global standard for supply chain applications known as Global Tag (GTAG)ISO have also released a new standard, ISO18000 which defines UHF and other frequency passive tag formats.Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is also working on a UHF RF tag standard. (Auto ID lab & EPCglobal)

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EPCglobal classification

Class-1: Identity Tags (normative) Passive-backscatter Tags with the following minimum features:

An electronic product code (EPC) identifier A Tag identifier (TID) A 'kill' function that permanently disables the Tag Optional password-protected access control Optional user memory

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EPCglobal classification

Class-2: Higher-Functionality TagsPassive Tags with the following anticipated features above and beyond those of Class-1 Tags:

An extended TID Extended user memoryAuthenticated access controlAdditional features (TBD) as will be defined in the Class-2 specification

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EPCglobal classificationClass-3: Semi-Passive Tags Semi-passive Tags with the following anticipated features above and beyond those of Class-2 Tags:

An integral power sourceIntegrated sensing circuitry

Class-4: Active Tags Active Tags with the following anticipated features above and beyond those of Class-3 Tags:

Tag-to-Tag communicationsActive communicationsAd-hoc networking capabilities

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RFID Cost

Cost is everything in RFID.The problem is you have to make a lot of something to learn how to make it cheaply

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RFID Cost

10

100

1000

0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000

Cost Trends for Various Terminals

GSM Wholesale Prices

CDMA/IS-95 Wholesale Prices

TDMA/IS136 Wholesale Prices

Cos

ts in

$ U

SD

Subscribers (M)

1997

2000

SAW8/8/99

83% slope17% learning factor

GSM66% slope

CDMA78% slope

TDMA76%

2000

Herschel Shostek Associates, Ltd for GSM data, 1998.

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RFID Markets

Cost ($)

0.1 1 10 100

100

1k

10k

100k

Datacapacity(bits)

10

Airline bagtags

Factoryautomation

Shippingcontainertracking

Savi

XcyteMicron Communications/ID Micro

Motorola

TI

Daimler-Chrysler

Microchip

Motorola

IBM

HughesScientific Generics

Philips

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Conclusion

If we can build a radio tag that encodes 40 to 100 bits, can be read at a range of 1 meter and sells for less than a dime, we’ll be driving fancy cars & smoking expensive cigars.

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References1) “Radio Frequency IDentification: Applications and Implications for

Consumers” A Workshop Report from the Staff of the Federal Trade Commission, March 2005.

2) EPC™ Radio-Frequency Identity Protocols Class-1 Generation-2 UHF RFID Protocol for Communications at 860 MHz – 960 MHz Version 1.0.9

3) “RFID Tagging Technology,” Microlise, Jan 20034) Yale Braunstein, Patrick Riley, “RFID – From economics to

business & applications”5) Gregory Wright, “Radio Tags, Technology Snags and Market

Lags: Finding a Future for Radio Frequency Identification”