Basic components of an RFID system

RFID systems consist of the following components:

Tag
Chip tags consist of a microchip and a coupling element an antenna. Most tags are only activated when they are within the interrogation zone of the interrogator; outside they sleep. Chip tags can be both read-only (programmed during manufacture) or, at higher complexity and cost, read-write, or both. Chip tags contain memory. The size of the tag depends on the size of the antenna, which increases with range of tag and decreases with frequency.

Interrogator
Depending on the application and technology used, some interrogators not only read, but also remotely write to, the tags. For the majority of low cost tags (tags without batteries), the power to activate the tag microchip is supplied by the reader through the tag antenna when the tag is in the interrogation zone of the reader, as is the timing pulse these are known as passive tags.

Middleware
Middleware is the interface needed between the interrogator and the existing company databases and information management software.

System Overview

Item level tagging driven by mass retailers

These are some of the reasons why we stick to our forecast that it may be 2015 before one trillion items are RFID tagged in one year. Certainly, mass item-level tagging seems inevitable and there is near consensus on this. It is hard to find an expert who thinks it will never happen. It is just that the technical and financial challenges are considerable and even dealing with privacy objections, standards, production capacity, harmonisation of radiation laws around the world and so on will take time. Many retail and RFID analysts predict that it could take more than a decade for item-level tagging to gain wide usage among retailers and then it will be primarily the mass retailers. Metro Group, a German retailer, is piloting item-level tagging, but CEO Hans-Joachim Krber said it will take 10 to 15 years to gain universal acceptance. Gene Alvarez, of analysts Meta Group, says we might not see universal item level RFID tagging for a long time but this has no implications for the selective adoption of RFID in the meantime. He sees this as a coordinated symphony with technology suppliers working together. However, he sees Intel becoming the primary technology provider. This is an interesting prediction, because although Intel has recently initiated several collaborations in the industry, it has yet to receive a volume order for RFID chips and does not offer system integration.

What is happening today

Even today there is a lot of activity with item level tagging - such as 70 million library books, Wal-Marts mandate for type 2 (narcotic) drug tracking (ended June 2004), blood bags, post, smart shelves (e.g. Tesco DVDs), and Marks & Spencer clothing. High value, high shrinkage items will be tagged first, including liquer, perfume, DVDs and CDs. Tesco have already asked Meadwestvaco to quote for smart shelves for DVDs for all their UK stores to monitor stockouts and therefore increase sales by 2-4%. Item Level RFID is the mount everest of the RFID industry

Passive, semi-passive and active tags

Passive tags refer to RFID tags which are powered solely by the RFID interrogator. The interrogator emits a radio frequency (RF), which powers the silicon chip on the tag when it is within range of the RF field. When the power to the silicon chip on the tag meets the minimum voltage threshold it require to turn on, the silcion chip can then send back information on the same RF wave. Range is usually limited to several meters.

Active tags refer to RFID tags which have their own power source, so they can recieve a weaker signal from the interrogator (i.e. be further away), and the power source on the tag boosts the return signal. These types can have ranges of many tens of meters and even hundreds of meters, but cost more becasue of their size and sophistication. Battery life can also limit the life of the tag. Semi Passive tags refer to tags with a power source (usually a laminar, flexible, low cost battery) which can be used for on tag sensing (e.g. temperature), but not to boost range.

Read only, read/write and WORM tags

Read only tags contain a unique licence plate number which cannot be changed WORM Write Once Read Many - enables users to encode tags at the first instance of use, and then the code becomes locked and cannot be changed

Read/write allows for updated or new information to be written to the tag

Read only tags can be the cheapest, because they often require the least amount of memory, but they rely on an infrastrucutre and readily available database to retrieve useful information. Where this is not possible, read/write tags, whcih are more expensive (but do not need large infrastructure) and often used. In many cases these functionalities are combined with segmented memories.

Tag shape
RFID tags come in a range of shapes and sizes. The following are the most common:

Label: The tag is a flat, thin, flexible form Ticket: A flat, thin, flexible tag on paper Card: A flat, thin tag embedded in tough plastic for long life Glass bead: A small tag in a cylindrical glass bead, used for applications such as animal tagging (e.g. under the skin) Integrated: The tag is integrated into the object it is tagging rather than applied as a separate label, such as moulded into the object

Wristband: A tag inserted into a plastic wrist strap Button: A small tag encapsulated in a ruggesdised, rigid housing

Which will be the most popular frequency?

In our view, it is too early to say which frequency will be the most popular for item level tagging, even just within the CPG sector. Almost everyone agrees that UHF is the best frequency for pallets and cases in the world taken as a whole. For these items a range of up to three meters is preferable, reading is relatively simple being by line of sight or through relatively benign obstructions such as wood, cardboard and plastics most of the time and plenty of space is available for the tag because these are all large things. Unfortunately none of this is true at the highest volume item level or even on the small vials and packs of drugs that Wal-Mart now seek to be tagged. At recent IDTechEx conferences, suppliers, CPG companies and the US Military have been at pains to point out that more than one frequency will probably be needed for mass tagging.

For the developers and manufacturers of RFID products, MET provides the following services: testing

Regulatory Compliance

Performance Testing

Consulting for Item Tagging

Regulatory Compliance Testing

Product safety and EMC testing and certification for the major world markets. US Canada Europe EMC - FCC Rule Part 15 or 90 Safety - UL 60950 for Tag Interrogators and NRTL Certification EMC - RSS-210 Safety - CSA 60950 and SCC Certification Body EMC testing in accordance to ETSI EN 301 489-1 and ETSI EN 301 489-3 Radio testing in accordance to ETSI 300-220 Safety testing in accordance to EN 60950 Declaration of Conformity for CE marking requirements

Performance Testing
MET can evaluate combinations of tags and readers in a noise-controlled environment or in a typical warehouse environment. This testing can benefit the RFID equipment manufacturers or the finished goods providers. Simulated Performance Testing MET can evaluate combinations of readers and tags in a controlled laboratory environment. This evaluation can characterize the reader and tag combination for read, write and identify range and rate. The test condition can be modified to account for variations in orientation, geometry of tagged objects and mounting materials. This program implements guidelines defined in ISO 18046. The resulting characterization can be used either for marketing or R&D purposes. Tagged Object Testing Finished goods manufacturers and retailers can benefit from verifying the performance of RFID technology on tagged objects. This information can be used either for R&D or performance verification. The resulting data will allow finished goods manufacturers to comply with the RFID requirements of major retailers (such as, WalMart and Target) and the Department of Defense. MET can evaluate combinations of readers and tags in a typical warehouse environment. This testing will account for tags mounted on either simulated or actual tagged objects. The testing can simulate the conveyance of tagged objects in cartons stacked on pallets, in cartons on a conveyor or singulated objects on a conveyor.

Consulting for Item Tagging

For finished goods manufacturers, MET can provide a detailed research and consulting program for item tagging. MET can evaluate the application of various tags on different packaging schemes. The tagged items will be conveyed through a specified field of RF reader antenna arrays. The tags can be varied by type, mounting method, orientation and location on the item. The items and tags can be further varied with respect to the packaging configurations and methodology.