Radio Frequency
Identification Technology
RFID Technology
or Radio Frequency Identification Technology is revolutionizing
numerous industries and organizations around the world. The concept
of using radio waves to transmit information is excellent in
numerous applications. Unlike barcodes or visual tags, radio waves
can communicate with a receiver through nonmetal objects at
distances depending on the frequency and system. Radio Frequency
Identification Technology is quickly infiltrated various industries.
Governments, hospitals, law enforcement agencies, firms, and
patron-based businesses, such as amusement parks, or concert venues,
are finding innovative uses for RFID systems. The different uses
result in variant systems, which greatly range in complexity and
capacity depending on their purpose.
Radio Frequency
Identification Technology Is Increasing Efficiency and Profits:
Radio Frequency Identification Technology involves an RFID tag,
which can be programmed with special data, an antenna, and a
transceiver. These three components can differ depending on their
use, complexity, and cost. Basically, the radio frequency, or
wavelength and strength, and the complexity and design of the tags
and transceiver, determine the system. The RFID tag communicates
information with the antennae, which then relays to the receiver,
and conversely as well. This allows accurate real time acquisition
of information, or the updating of data, with unprecedented
ease.
Many uses exist
for RFID tags. They can be designed to track and monitor any person,
animal, or object. RFID identification wristbands are widely used in
hospitals and correctional facilities. Connected to reliable
computers, RFID solutions are reducing employee errors, and
improving the overall efficiency and function of the facilities.
Available in any shape, the RFID tags are very versatile. For
example, miniscule tags can be put under an animal's skin to track
it. Also, manufacturing or retail businesses use radio frequency
tags on their products for a variety of purposes. Radio Frequency
Identification Technology is significantly improving businesses and
organizations around the world.
Developments in
Radio Frequency Identification Technology continue to yield larger
memory capacities, wider reading ranges, and faster processing. It
is highly unlikely that the technology will ultimately replace
barcode — even with the inevitable reduction in raw materials
coupled with economies of scale, the integrated circuit in an RF tag
will never be as cost-effective as a barcode label. However, Radio Frequency
Identification Technology will continue to grow in its established
niches where barcode or other optical technologies are not
effective. If some standards commonality is achieved - whereby RFID
equipment from different manufacturers can be used interchangeably -
the market will very likely grow
exponentially.
The major
disadvantage of Radio Frequency Identification Technology is its
cost. While the antennae or sensors used to ”grab” the information
are comparable in cost to the components of a typical
electro-magnetic system theft detection system, typically $2,000 to
$3,000 each; a server costing as much as $15,000 is required and the
tags cost $.75 to $.90 each. It may be some time before the cost of
tags comes down to $.50 or less, the figure which polling of
librarians has determined is the key to their serious consideration
of the technology. Gemstone, a European manufacturer of RFID tags,
expects to bring a $.50 tag to market within three
years.
Currently, the
most common applications for Radio Frequency Identification
Technology include tracking goods in the supply chain and parts as
they move through a manufacturing production line. It is being used
to track both hard and soft assets. It is also being used in
security applications to control access to buildings and networks
and in payment systems that let customers pay for items without
using cash. It is being used to track cows and
pets.
Radio Frequency
Identification Technology is used to mark, identify and track
individual objects as they move from the manufacturing floor through
the supply chain and into the hands of the buyer or consumer. As the
objects move through the supply chain, wireless RFID readers can
communicate with an RFID tag on the object, collect information
about the object (such as a unique number), and match that number in
a database to access a complete record about the object. Interest in
Radio Frequency Identification Technology is driven by the desire of
companies to achieve greater visibility to their supply chains, with
the goal of increasing operational efficiency. An efficient supply
chain operation helps to ensure that goods can be bought at the
place and time consumers are ready to purchase. Potential gains from
the visibility RFID generates include lower inventory levels,
reduced labor costs and increased sales—the bottom line: increased
profitability.
