Radio Frequency Radio Frequency IdentificationIdentification

(RFID)(RFID)

Features and Functionality of Features and Functionality of RFID RFID

Including application specific ISO Including application specific ISO specificationsspecifications

Presented by:Chris LavinSarah ClarkSpencer Prows

What is RFID?What is RFID? RFID is a technology, whose origins are RFID is a technology, whose origins are

found in the WWII era, that incorporates found in the WWII era, that incorporates electromagnetic or electrostatic coupling electromagnetic or electrostatic coupling in the RF portion of the EM spectrum to in the RF portion of the EM spectrum to uniquely identify an object, animal or uniquely identify an object, animal or person. It is also gaining increasing use in person. It is also gaining increasing use in industry as an alternative to the bar code.industry as an alternative to the bar code.

Requires a transceiver, antenna, and Requires a transceiver, antenna, and transpondertransponder

Can operate in Passive or Active ModesCan operate in Passive or Active Modes

Source: http://searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com/gDefinition/0,294236,sid40_gci805987,00.html

What is RFID?What is RFID? RF signals transmitted by the RF signals transmitted by the

transceiver activates the transponder, transceiver activates the transponder, which transmits data back to the which transmits data back to the transceiver.transceiver. Transponder is powered by EM waves Transponder is powered by EM waves

emitted by the transceiveremitted by the transceiver Various frequencies are used depending Various frequencies are used depending

on the applicationon the application Requires no line-of-sight (like bar-codes)Requires no line-of-sight (like bar-codes)

Source: http://searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com/gDefinition/0,294236,sid40_gci805987,00.html

RFID ApplicationsRFID Applications Tracking Books in LibrariesTracking Books in Libraries Inventory TrackingInventory Tracking

Walmart required it of their top 100 vendorsWalmart required it of their top 100 vendors Authorized building access (Prox Cards)Authorized building access (Prox Cards) Passports (US passports recently) Passports (US passports recently) AmEx Blue credit cardAmEx Blue credit card Prison inmates (embedded) Prison inmates (embedded)

RFID ApplicationsRFID Applications

For toll booths (or any “pay for entry” For toll booths (or any “pay for entry” system)system)

Airport Baggage IDAirport Baggage ID Car keys, wireless entry and ignitionCar keys, wireless entry and ignition AnimalsAnimals Hospital PatientsHospital Patients

Instant history trackingInstant history tracking

RFID ShortfallsRFID Shortfalls CostCost

Transceiver ~ $1000Transceiver ~ $1000 RFID Tags $0.20 eachRFID Tags $0.20 each Not competitive with cost of barcodeNot competitive with cost of barcode

UHF signals problematic near metal and UHF signals problematic near metal and waterwater

Reader CollisionsReader Collisions Can be overcome using TDMACan be overcome using TDMA

Tag CollisionsTag Collisions Required some engineering of tag transmit timingRequired some engineering of tag transmit timing

Security ConcernsSecurity Concerns

RFID RFID Standards and Standards and SpecificationsSpecifications

Application specific ISO standardsApplication specific ISO standards

RFID StandardsRFID Standards

Tracking Animals Tracking Animals ISO 11784 – Specifies the structure of the ID codeISO 11784 – Specifies the structure of the ID code ISO 11785 – Specifies how transponder is activatedISO 11785 – Specifies how transponder is activated ISO 14223/1 – Specifies RF code for advanced ISO 14223/1 – Specifies RF code for advanced

transponderstransponders Credit Cards Credit Cards

ISO 15693 – Specifies modulation and coding schemesISO 15693 – Specifies modulation and coding schemes Passports and proximity cards Passports and proximity cards

ISO 14443 – Specifies modulation and coding schemesISO 14443 – Specifies modulation and coding schemes General Frequency bands General Frequency bands

ISO 18000 series ISO 18000 series

Standard RFID Operating Standard RFID Operating FrequenciesFrequencies

ISO 18000-2ISO 18000-2 <<135 KHz135 KHz

ISO 18000-3ISO 18000-3 13.56 MHZ13.56 MHZ

ISO 18000-4ISO 18000-4 2.45 GHz2.45 GHz

ISO 18000-6ISO 18000-6 860-960 MHz860-960 MHz

ISO 18000-7ISO 18000-7 433 MHZ (active433 MHZ (active))

ISO 18000-2 ~ 135 kHz

ISO 18000-3 ~ 13.56 MHz

ISO 18000-6 ~ 800-960 MHz

ISO 18000-4 ~ 2.45 GHzISO 18000-7 ~ 433 MHz

Standard RFID Operating Standard RFID Operating FrequenciesFrequencies

ISO 18000-2ISO 18000-2 Operates at >135 KHzOperates at >135 KHz InductiveInductive Unaffected by presence of waterUnaffected by presence of water Short range (a few centimeters)Short range (a few centimeters) Fairly costly because of coil in transponderFairly costly because of coil in transponder

ISO 18000-3ISO 18000-3 Operates at 13.56 MHzOperates at 13.56 MHz Inductive Inductive Lower cost ~ 35 centsLower cost ~ 35 cents Thin flexible form factor ( smart label )Thin flexible form factor ( smart label ) Read / write capableRead / write capable Unaffected by water (but has to be tuned to Unaffected by water (but has to be tuned to

item)item) Mid range, 70 – 125 cmsMid range, 70 – 125 cms Two flavors: Two flavors:

Mode 1 Standard ISO 15693 data rate (26 kb/s) Mode 1 Standard ISO 15693 data rate (26 kb/s) Mode 2 High speed interface (848 kb/s)Mode 2 High speed interface (848 kb/s)

ISO 18000-4ISO 18000-4 Operates at 2.45 GHzOperates at 2.45 GHz PropagatingPropagating Dual ModeDual Mode

Passive BackscatterPassive Backscatter Passive tag currently out of fashionPassive tag currently out of fashion

Active High data rateActive High data rate Long range in active version (100 m+)Long range in active version (100 m+)

Affected by water (signal absorbed…microwave)Affected by water (signal absorbed…microwave) Read / write capableRead / write capable Moderate costModerate cost Small antennaSmall antenna

ISO 18000-6 A/BISO 18000-6 A/B Operates between 860 – 960 MHzOperates between 860 – 960 MHz PropagatingPropagating Long range 2-5 metersLong range 2-5 meters Low costLow cost High data ratesHigh data rates ““Frequency agile”Frequency agile” Read / write capableRead / write capable Relatively large antennaRelatively large antenna The future for mass application RFIDThe future for mass application RFID

ISO 18000-7ISO 18000-7 Operates at 433 MHzOperates at 433 MHz ActiveActive Long range - many metersLong range - many meters High costHigh cost High data ratesHigh data rates Read / write capableRead / write capable Manifest tags- DoDManifest tags- DoD