Name/Course & Year: Almodiel, Feliz Justine L.

/ BSCA-3
Subject/Time/Days: CBMEC 322/ 3:30- 4:30/ MWF
Mrs. Julieta A. Fabio, MBA
Activity - Chapter 3

4. Research radio- frequency identification devices (RFIDs) and provide examples of they are or might be
used to improve productivity in operations.
• RFID (radio frequency identification) is a form of wireless communication that incorporates the
use of electromagnetic or electrostatic coupling in the radio frequency portion of the
electromagnetic spectrum to uniquely identify an object, animal or person. Every RFID system
consists of three components: a scanning antenna, a transceiver and a transponder. When the
scanning antenna and transceiver are combined, they are referred to as an RFID reader or
interrogator. There are two types of RFID readers -- fixed readers and mobile readers. The RFID
reader is a network-connected device that can be portable or permanently attached. It uses
radio waves to transmit signals that activate the tag. Once activated, the tag sends a wave back
to the antenna, where it is translated into data. The transponder is in the RFID tag itself. The
read range for RFID tags varies based on factors including the type of tag, type of reader, RFID
frequency and interference in the surrounding environment or from other RFID tags and
readers. Tags that have a stronger power source also have a longer read range.
• One of the more common uses of RFID technology is through the microchipping of pets or pet
chips. These microchips are implanted by veterinarians and contain information pertaining to
the pet including their name, medical records, and contact information for their owners. If a pet
goes missing and is turned into a rescue or shelter, the shelter worker scans the animal for a
microchip. If the pet has a microchip, the shelter worker will only be a quick phone call or
internet search away from being able to contact the pet’s owners. Pet chips are thought to be
more reliable than collars, which can fall off or be removed.
With the rise of accessibility of the technology, most veterinarians and shelters now have the
technology to read these microchips. Universal scanners and national databases for storing
owner information are also rising in popularity, making it easier than ever for microchipping
pets to be a successful way to get lost pets reunited with their owners. One downside of the
device is that the records must be kept up to date. The information is only as reliable as what is
being imputed by the person setting up the microchip.
RFID dates back to the 1940s; however, it was used more frequently in the 1970s. For a long
time, the high cost of the tags and readers prohibited widespread commercial use. As hardware
costs have decreased, RFID adoption has also increased.
• Some common uses for RFID applications include:
➢ pet and livestock tracking
➢ inventory management
➢ asset tracking and equipment tracking
➢ inventory control
➢ cargo and supply chain logistics
➢ vehicle tracking
➢ customer service and loss control
➢ improved visibility and distribution in the supply chain
➢ access control in security situations
➢ shipping
➢ healthcare
➢ manufacturing
➢ retail sales
➢ tap-and-go credit card payments