RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is an automatic wireless identification and data acquisition technology that has become widely adopted across various industries. This paper explores the key features of mainstream RFID technologies and examines their future application trends and technological advancements. As a mature technology, RFID has already found extensive use in areas such as supply chain management, retail, and security. Smart chips with read/write capabilities and protection against unauthorized access are now commonly embedded in containers, pallets, product packaging, smart ID cards, books, and DVDs. With growing potential, RFID is expected to experience significant growth, with the global market for related technologies, including chips, readers, software, and services, projected to expand from $1 billion in 2002 to $2.6 billion by 2007.
RFID applications will continue to focus on logistics and supply chain management, where transceivers are used to track and record mobile goods, including credit-sized labels. These tags contain necessary components like memory, RF sections, and antennas, making them ideal for tracking. Future applications may also involve attaching tags to textiles, pharmaceutical packaging, or even individual medical kits. Additionally, RFID could be used in public transportation systems, car remote keys, tire pressure monitoring, and mobile phones. Rapid identification is crucial for logistics operations, warehouse management, healthcare, and business processes. For instance, smart tags can ensure that the correct drug container is moved from storage to production, or that blood samples are accurately matched to patients. Supermarkets require precise tracking of fresh goods, and the 2006 World Cup tickets were made secure using RFID chips.
Another emerging area for RFID is the automotive industry, where it can be used for controlling mirrors, electric motors, and door lighting. Beyond that, e-ticketing, e-passports, and proprietary communication services present new opportunities for RFID-IC applications. The German Bundesbank has explored the use of RFID in banknotes, which would be more secure than traditional notes and harder to counterfeit. These banknotes would need to be as thin as paper and as small as sand, presenting challenges for chip manufacturers.
The best RFID technology depends on the specific application. In logistics, different technologies are chosen based on factors like read speed and the number of tags that need to be processed simultaneously. RFID systems can be categorized into low-frequency (LF), high-frequency (HF) at 13.56 MHz, ultra-high frequency (UHF) around 900 MHz, and microwave frequencies like 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz. Passive RFID tags, which draw power from the reader’s field, are commonly used in logistics. Active tags, which have their own power source, offer longer range but are larger and more expensive.
Important parameters include frequency, read speed, and memory capacity. Low-frequency RFID chips operate at around 130 kHz and are used in access control, animal identification, and electronic locks. HF systems, operating at 13.56 MHz, are highly miniaturized and widely used in retail and logistics. However, for large-scale logistics, higher-speed technologies like Phase Jitter Modulation (PJM) are becoming essential. PJM enables fast reading of tags on conveyor belts, supporting applications like baggage tracking and drug identification. Compared to 13.56 MHz systems, PJM can achieve up to 25 times faster speeds and data rates of 848 kbps.
UHF and microwave systems allow for longer read ranges and are suitable for tracking large cargo or vehicle chassis. However, they are affected by humidity and require proper antenna orientation. Despite these challenges, RFID offers advantages over barcodes, especially in terms of reliability, resistance to contamination, and faster read speeds. While barcodes will remain in use for low-cost items like cheese pots, RFID is likely to replace them in applications involving large items, public transport, and vending machines.
RFID tag costs are decreasing, with current prices for embedded tags reaching about 50 cents for quantities of one million. By 2006 or 2007, this cost is expected to drop to 20 cents, with half of that attributed to the antenna and substrate materials. The final cost depends on the size of the antenna and the quality of the materials used, such as holographic paper, which can increase expenses.
At its core, an RFID system consists of a reader and a transceiver. The reader sends electromagnetic pulses through an antenna, and the transceiver responds with stored data. This non-contact process allows for efficient data exchange, making RFID ideal for harsh environments where visibility or physical contact may not be possible. Smart tags, typically credit-card sized, contain an embedded chip and antenna, often printed with important information. Their wireless nature makes them highly reliable and well-suited for real-time tracking and data collection.
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