1. RFID Technology “think BIG, start small and move fast,”  Groups 9 & 10 http://www.labelingnews.com/2009/08/rfid-think-big-start-small-move-fast/

2. Radio Frequency IDentification • A term used to describe a system that transmits the identity of an object or person wirelessly, using radio waves. • Technology used to receive informative data Sources: http://www.aimglobal.org/technologies/rfid/what_is_rfid.asp

3. Components of RFID • RFID Tag (or transponder): • Consists of a microchip attached to a radio antenna • Used to store information about a product or shipment—date of manufacture, destination or sell-by date • Can signal at defined time • Multiple tags can be recorded at once • Tag does not use a battery. It is powered by electromagnetic fields used to read them • RFID Reader (Antenna): • Device that has one or more antennas that emit radio waves and receive signals back from the tag. • The reader then passes the information in digital form to a computer system. Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio-frequency_identification http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/articleview/1339/1/129

4. Two types of RFID Tags Active System Passive System • This system has its own power source. The advantage of these tags is that the reader can be much farther away and still get signal. • Smaller and Can transmit data over a longer distance. • Tags are usually rewritable (tag data can be rewritten and/or modified) • Can be used on inventory boxes • Tags do not have a transmitter; they simply reflect back energy (radio waves) coming from the reader antenna • Have a shorter communication range • Tags are generally read-only and as such, once it is programmed with data, that data cannot be modified • Can be used on livestock such as sheep for identifying ownership Sources: http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Technology-Article.asp?ArtNum=2 http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/articleview/1337/1/129/ http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/P/passive_tag.html

5. How does it Work? • Radio signals go to the antenna which activate the tag to read and write data to it. • The reader emits radio waves, when an RFID tag passes through the designated area, it detects the reader's activation signal. • The reader interprets the data encoded in the tag and the data is passed to the host computer for processing. • This computer network can provide information about anything carrying tags and their present status to a computer user. Sources: http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Technology-Article.asp?ArtNum=2 http://www.aimglobal.org/technologies/rfid/what_is_rfid.asp

6. Benefits & Disadvantages Benefits Disadvantages • Reduces labor and warehouse cost • Cuts labor intensive cost • Eliminates inventory error • Reduces loss and theft • Improves planning and forecast • Easier for customers to locate items • Customer satisfaction • Good communication throughout supply chain • Costly • Active tags generally more expensive • Collision • Confusion of being able to differentiate data • Security • Fraud always a possibility • Privacy concerns • Personal information linked on tags Sources: http://benefitof.net/benefits-of-rfid-technology/ http://www.ehow.com/list_6116737_advantages-disadvantages-rfid.html

7. RFID better than BARCODE? • RFID eliminates the need for line-of-sight reading that bar coding is dependant on • High frequency RFID systems offer transmission ranges of more than 90 feet • Bar code systems often require a person to manually scan a label or tag to capture the data whereas RFID is designed to enable readers to capture data on tags and transmit it to a computer system—without needing a person to be involved • RFID can read multiple tags which makes it faster than barcode. Sources: http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/R/RFID.html http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/articleview/1339/1/129/

8. Today • Inventory and asset tracking • Tracks where every item is • Animal tracking • Used for identifying ownership • Security and Access Control • Door lock systems • Library book management and security systems • Books location and checkout system • Airports • Baggage tracking • Individual tracking • Prisoners • Payment Systems • Tollbooths Sources: http://www.aimglobal.org/technologies/rfid/what_is_rfid.asp http://www.buzzle.com/articles/rfid-library-management-system.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oG7juJLJIOE&feature=pyv&ad=4076504774&kw=RFID

9. RFID TODAY

10. RFID tags are applied by hand Pallets loaded onto trucks pass RFID readers RFID in Wal-Mart stores record their arrival Supply chain manager tracks shipment progress Information from RFID readers can determine information about products.

11. The World of Tomorrow • Easy Return: no need of receipts for return • Smart appliances: Your washing machine could choose its cycle setting based on tag information in the items to be washed.  • Personalization: When clothing shopping hangers with items in your size and preferred colors might light up. • Easy shopping: Rent or buy items by easily walking out of store, Payment device would come from the RFID carried inside your pocket • Video: IBM RFID commercial: • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xNhL39uD7I Sources: http://www.rsa.com/rsalabs/node.asp?id=2117