|
|
Contact
Event Produced and Marketed By
Conferences
| About RFID Technology |
What is Radio Frequency Identification Technology?
An RFID system consists of three components: a tag
(or multiple tags), a reader or interrogator and the
necessary supporting infrastructure (both hardware and
software).
An RFID reader, or interrogator, is a device to communicate
with the RFID tag. It broadcasts a radio signal, which is
received by the tag. The tag then transmits its information back
to the reader. Readers can either be portable handheld terminals
or fixed devices that can be positioned in strategic places such
as loading bays in shipping and receiving facilities, or the
doors in transport trucks.
RFID tags, also known as transponders, are usually small
pieces of material, typically comprising three components: an
antenna, a microchip unit containing memory storage and an
encapsulating material. Tags can be either read-only or
read-write tags. These terms refer to whether or not the
information stored on the tag can be changed or erased. A
Read-only Tag is a form of RFID tag that has an identification
code (more specifically, an Electronic Product Code) recorded at
the time of manufacture or when the tag is allocated to an
object. Once programmed, the data on the tag cannot be modified
or appended but it may be read multiple times. A Read-Write Tag
is a tag that can have its memory changed, or written to, many
times. Because their ID codes can be changed, they offer greater
functionality albeit at higher price.
While commonly seen as a replacement for the Universal
Product Code (UPC), or bar code, RFID tags differ from bar codes
in several ways. More than one tag can be read at a time. Tags
do not require a direct line of sight for reading and may be
read through hard material such as book covers or other
packaging material. Each tag can uniquely identify the object to
which it is attached, even if that object is one of a multitude
of identical items. It is these latter characteristics that are
the cause of many of the privacy concerns associated with the
use of RFID technology.
In addition to the tags and readers, an RFID system also
includes other software and hardware. The most important
component is the RFID-specific software that translates the raw
data from the tag into information about the goods and orders
that are represented by the tags. This information can then be
fed into other databases and applications (e.g., inventory
management) for further processing. In the case of read-write
tags, software is also required to control whether data can be
written to the tag, which tag should contain the data and to
initiate the process of adding data to, or changing data in the
tag.
Potential Uses of RFID Technology
Many public and private sector organizations are either using
or planning to use RFID technology. Because the technology
basically turns an inert object into one capable of
communicating, the potential for use is enormous and limited
only by our imagination and the capabilities of the technology
involved. Potential uses include:
- Supply Chain Management (monitoring and controlling the flow of goods from raw materials through to finished product, from manufacturer to consumer);
- Product Integrity (ensuring that products (e.g., pharmaceuticals) are authentic and have not been altered in any way);
- Warranty Services (marking durable goods with a tag incorporating a product registration code to facilitate warranty services);
- ID, Travel, and Ticketing (providing a means to verify the identity of the traveler and to ensure that the documents are genuine);
- Baggage Tracking (monitoring and controlling the movement of baggage from check-in to loading on an airplane); and
- Patient Care and Management (providing a means to rapidly and accurately verify information concerning patient allergies, prescription history, etc. to prevent surgical errors).
- Asset Management (High visibility into the movement, location and disposition of assets)
- Animal Tracking (Being aware of the number and location of their stock at all times allows livestock producers to optimize the livestock's value.
To know more about RFID, please visit EPC Global's dedicated web site;