RFID Applications

RFID Applications must efficiently monitor a growing volume of signal data and process that data to identify actionable information. RFID is a technology that enables wireless data capture and transaction processing. While most current RFID Applications involve portal-style readers, a number of rugged mobile computer manufacturers are developing hand-held devices to read RFID tags.

Ultra-high-frequency (UHF) RFID Applications can instantaneously read multiple tags from distances of up to four meters, promising to transform supply chain and asset management business practices at virtually every point along the value chain. The RFID Applications will help companies track the shipment of supplies to customers mandating the use of RFID, including Wal-Mart and the US Department of Defense. RFID Applications will demand software, hardware, data storage, and security solutions along with core technology implementations. Radio frequency identification or RFID Applications are taking on greater importance, and companies should start looking at business cases for the technology now.

There are two main areas of RFID Applications, defined broadly as Proximity (short range) and Vicinity (long range).

Long range or Vicinity RFID Applications can generally be described as Track and Trace RFID Applications but the technology provides additional functionality and benefits for product authentication.

Typical end-uses include:

• Supply chain management
• Parcel & post
• Garment transponders
• Library and rental sectors
• Baggage tagging

Short range or Proximity RFID Applications are typically Access Control applications. Some main areas are:

• Access Control
• Mass transit ticketing

Typical vicinity (long range RFID Applications) end-uses include:

Supply chain management: RFID Applications: Supermarkets are tagging pallets, cases and other returnable transit containers, such as plastic crates used for fresh foods. The RTCs are capital assets so visibility is essential. Tagging of the crates gives total asset visibility and allows better management of the asset pool. The ability to write to the tag also allows information such as the contents of the crate, sell-by date and manufacturer to be added to it. Linking this type of information to the store's inventory management systems can ensure that goods are moved to the shelves in strict rotation and reduce spoilage and out-of-stocks.

Parcel & post: RFID Applications: RFID is being used today in the postal environment to enable improved tracking of items during the sorting and delivery process. RFID does not require line-of-sight for information transfer so it allows postal items to be routed without concerns about item orientation. Multiple items can be read as they pass through the RF field.

Garment transponders: RFID Applications: Incorporating RFID tags into garment labels or even into the garment itself can be a valuable tool for Brand owners. A tag inserted at the garment manufacturing plant can identify the source of the garment. By using the tag's unique identification number, the garment can be certified as authentic, thereby allowing identification and control of counterfeits. Grey market imports can be controlled through use of the source identity. The tags enable inventory visibility throughout the supply chain, reducing shrinkage and out-of-stocks and the EAS function can reduce in-store theft. Finally, where warranty information is needed for after-sales service, the tag can be written to at the POS.

Library and rental sectors: RFID Applications: RFID is used in many libraries to automate the issue and return of books, videos and CDs and to give real time visibility of library inventory. Previously books and CDs were identified using bar coded labels, each of which had to be read individually by a bar code reader. Inventory control and reconciliation was a laborious and time-consuming operation. With RFID, books and CDs can be checked in and out automatically and inventory control can be automated using scanners on shelves or by the use of hand held scanners. This results in a reduction in the need for personnel and a much higher degree of accuracy in inventory management.

Baggage tagging: RFID Applications: Many airlines have run RFID trials over the past few years to prove the efficacy of the systems in the air transport environment. Tests have shown first-read rates of over 99% with RF tags compared to less than 90% for bar code-only tags. The additional functionality offered by the re-write function on the IC allows information to be changed at different points in the airline system. This can enable bags to be held for security checking and then released for loading when checked, if the RFID system is linked to the baggage reconciliation systems. Similarly, RFID is already being used to track passenger progress through airports, reducing the numbers of passengers arriving late at the gate and thereby ensuring that planes leave on time.

Typical proximity (short range RFID Applications) end-uses include:

AccessControl: RFID Applications: Typically this would involve the use of a Plastic card (like the ubiquitous credit card), where the magnetic stripe has been replaced with an RFID transponder that has been laminated inside the card. The RFID system is secure and cannot be tampered with, unlike magnetic stripe. Because the system is contactless, there are no moving parts and so reader maintenance is minimal.

Mass transit ticketing: RFID Applications: Contact less cards and tickets are used today, typically for high value tickets such as annual season tickets. The advantages include minimal maintenance of the readers, and the potential to eliminate the fraudulent use of counterfeit tickets. The lowering cost of RFID transponders now enables the development of disposable contactless tickets which can be used as weekly, weekend or single use tickets.