RFID TAGS

A presentation by: Mike Costello

A.J. Masset

Nick Mehring

THESIS

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is widely used today and has many potential uses in the future.

CONTENTS

Introduction Technology background History Today’s usage Potential usage

Pros Cons

RFID TAGS

 A technology that uses communication via radio waves to exchange data between a reader and an electronic tag attached to an object, for the purpose of identification and tracking.

RFID TAGS CONT.

Radio-frequency identification involves a few components: Interrogators (known as readers) Tags (known as labels)

Integrated circuit for storing/processing data Antenna for receiving/transmitting a signal

RFID software or middleware

RFID TAGS CONT.

Three types: Passive

Using no battery Active

Using battery (always beaconing signal) Can be read from farther distances

Battery Assisted Passive (BAP) Small battery onboard activated in presence of reader

RFID TAGS CONT.

Read Only Memory is factory programmed, cannot be

modified Very limited quantity of data can be stored,

usually 96 bits Can be easily integrated with data collection

systems Typically cheaper than read-write tags

Read-Write Can be as well read as written to Data is dynamically altered Can store a larger amount of data, typically

ranging from 32 kBytes to 128 kBytes More expensive

HOW IT WORKS CONT.

Passive Tags RFID tag passes through presence of scanner

and detects activation signal Radio waves are sent from reader to tag Coiled antenna within the tag forms a magnetic

field Tag draws power and energizes circuits in the tag

and sends information encoded in memory

HOW IT WORKS

Active Tags Batteries power circuits to send radio waves to a

reader from an antenna on the tag (like a cell phone to a base station)

Reader’s antenna receives information to be stored

HOW IT WORKS CONT.

Battery Assisted Passive (BAP) Tag Battery used to maintain memory in the tag or

power the electronics that enable the tag to modulate the reflected signal

Acts same as passive when communicating

HOW IT WORKS CONT.

HISTORY

Traced back to WWII Warn of approaching planes First patent for an RFID tag was in 1973

Active tag, rewritable memory Same year, passive transponder was used to

unlock a door without a key

CURRENT USAGE

Inventory tracking http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zj7txoDxbE

Race timing Pay tolls (EZ-Pass) Passports Pet doors Tracking devices Hospitals Refigerators Casino chips

MERCHANDISE

RFID tags on clothes, CDs, movies, etc. Reader at door

Alarm sounds when not deactivated at register

RACE TIMING

Timing is everything Active and Passive Boston Marathon

Checkpoints

EZ-PASS

Electronic toll collection system Drive through tolls without stopping Automatically takes money out of account RFID mounted behind rear-view mirror Antenna mounted above road

PASSPORT

Chip contains persons information Name, nationality, gender, DOB, POB, digital

photo RFID matches paper

More difficult for tampering Encrypted digital signatures Can break the RFID chip with a hammer

Doesn’t invalidate the passport

PET DOOR

RFID tag on pets Reader on door Allow pet to go in and out

Will not allow foreign pets in (neighbor’s pets can’t eat your pet’s food)

JAPAN TRACKS KIDS

RFID tags on school children’s backpacks in Osaka

Readers mounted on the doors Unauthorized visitors will be denied access

Track movements of minors Allows parents to know their kids got to school

safely via mobile phone

Cards with RFID given to season ticket holders Contains info about paid games Can update card via phone or computer If stolen, unique code will deactivate card, and

new one may be purchased Cut lines at turnstiles

Went from 10-20 seconds to 4 seconds per ticket Increases safety

Nearby roads are now empty on game days due to decrease in lines

FULHAM FOOTBALL CLUB

HOSPITALS

New York and Germany Tagging patients Bracelets are scanned by doctors

Patient records, correct dosage of drugs Tagging blood

Right blood reaches right person

SAMSUNG REFRIGERATOR

Samsung RFID enables refrigerator Tells current contents of fridge Can tell what you are low on Displays recipes that you currently have

stocked Working on displaying info on laptop/phone Predicted that when TV’s are RFID, custom

commercials will be displayed by what is low in the fridge

LAS VEGAS CASINOS

RFID imbedded in high value chips Readers around casino

Prevents counterfeiting, stealing Track betting patterns Decrease dealer errors

CURRENT SECURITY

Encryption Tin foil method Passport case

IBM COMMERCIAL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eob532iEpqk&playnext=1&list=PL1E873E327447330F

Very controversial Privacy laws updated Security is a huge concern

+

POSSIBLE TECHNOLOGIES

Own home Temperature/scents of each

room Music, TV Programs. Already in use Given to guests

as necklace

POSSIBLE TECHNOLOGIES CONT.

Washing Machines, automatic washing.

Use in paper money it eliminate counterfeit and track criminals

Cash just as traceable as credit card if linked to drivers license

POSSIBLE TECHNOLOGIES Use on produce,

track shopping trends. Stores write information to your drivers license or credit card RFID.

Easily track food force source, making food supply chain much safer

POSSIBLE TECHNOLOGIES CONT.

Uses in roads to prevent accidents.

Automatic driving?

Gun control, registration

RELATION TO IS

Database usage Middleware is used Security measures Rapidly growing field

SOURCES

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/amazing-rfid-8-current-uses-of-radio-frequency-identification.html

http://www.silicon.com/technology/networks/2006/11/30/top-10-the-best-worst-and-craziest-uses-of-rfid-39164446/

http://www.traser-project.eu/documents/RFID_MITIP2006.pdf

http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/100_uses_of_rfid.php

http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/view/1338

QUESTIONS