Radio-Frequency Identification Technology - Research Paper Example

 Radio-frequency Identification Technology (RFID) Abstract The RFID technology has been employed for anti-counterfeiting purposes which comprises of complicated data processing, which surpasses the existing state of the art product tracing and tracking applications. RFID technology entails storing and retrieval of good linked data for anti-counterfeiting in a circulated manner by each involved business centers. One of the central outcomes achieved through employement of RFID depends on an enhanced proficiency escalation in material handling activities, particularly in concerning decreases in the time necessary to perform particular practical processes. Reading Barcodes consume much time; this is because a direct line of sight is needed, if the products are not well focused onto the reader, it may take a few seconds to scan a single tag. RFID technology is more superior as opposed to Barcode systems in numerous ways in terms of scan speed,read range and line of view. Keywords: RFID and BARCODE Radio-Frequency Identification Technology (RFID) RFID is the initial for Radio-Frequency (RFID), it is the use of electromagnetic fields through wireless technology to exchange data, for the purposes of identifying and trailing tags attached to entities automatically. The tags encompass electronically kept data. Some tags are run by electromagnetic induction from the magnetic fields generated adjacent to the reader. Some tags gather energy from the cross-examining radio waves and perform as an inactive transponder (Ahuja & Potti, 2010). Other tags have a limited energy source, for instance; a battery and may control at a very long distance from the reader. On the contrary, from a barcode, it is not a must for the tag to be in the reader’s line of sight. Moreover, it may be fixed in the tracked item. This essay discusses the functions of RFID and its merits as opposed to bar codes. How RFID Tags Function Long counter queues at the shopping store hold one of the largest complaints about the shopping experience. Soon, these queues could vanish when the Universal Product Code (UPC) bar code is substituted by intelligent tags, also known as the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags. RFID tags are smart bar codes that can communicate with an integrated linked system to trace every product that one put in a shopping cart (Ahuja & Potti, 2010). Visualize an ideal system of going to the shopping Centre, filling up a shopping cart and walking straight out the mart door. We no longer have to wait an attendant to ring up each product in the shopping cart one at a time (Busato, 2013). Instead, the tags converse with an electronic reader that identify each product in the shopping cart and ring each up almost simultaneously. The reader will be linked to an enormous network that will send data on the items to the retailer and producers. The bank will then be alerted and the sum of the bill will be subtracted from the customer’s account. In this ideal system, there are no lines or waiting in queues (Busato, 2013). RFID is one technique for Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) (Bonsor, 2015). Various industries use RFID tags. According to Attaran (2015), RFID-tagged pharmaceuticals can be followed through inserting RFID microchips in animals and pets, which permits affirmative identification of animals. These pharmaceuticals can be followed through warehouses. RFID tags, was a technique once restricted to tracking cattle and currently the technology is tracking consumer products worldwide (Attaran, 2015). The microchips normally are capable of conveying 2,000 bytes of data or less. Many industrialists use the RFID tags to track the position of every invention they make from the time it is created until it’s pulled off the shelf and tossed in a shopping cart (Busato, 2013). Auto-ID technologies comprise of bar codes some biometric technologies and visual character readers. They have been used to decrease the quantity of time and labor required to input details physically and to increase data precision (Busato, 2013). Outside the dominion of retail produce, RFID tags are tracing automobile, airline passengers, patients suffering from Alzheimer's, livestock and pets. Soon, they may even trace personal preferences (Attaran, 2015). Some disclaimers say RFID technology is becoming an integral part of our life. The RFID tags serve the similar function as a bar code or a magnetic strip on the rear of an ATM card or credit card. The RFID tags offer an exclusive identifier for that item. Similar to a magnetic strip or bar code need to be scanned to acquire the data, and in the same manner the RFID device must be scanned to capture the identifying data (Attaran, 2015). RFID technology has been in existence for more than fifty years now. It has only been lately acknowledged that the capability to create the RFID gadgets has collapsed to the point where they can be used as an "off-the-cuff" inventory or control device (Busato, 2013). Martian Technologies lately sold 500 million RFID devices to Gillette for a total of about ten cents per device (Busato, 2013). The main purpose that it has taken RFID so long for it to come into mutual use is the shortage of values in the manufacturing. Most manufacturing companies capitalized on RFID technology only use the tags to track products within their control. Many of the merits of RFID come when products are tracked from industry to industry or from country to country (Busato, 2013). Merits of RFID Tag over Barcode The RFID tag and bar codes both have a similar technology concept and convey information about items or products. Nonetheless, there are significant variances between these two concepts (Schapranow, 2011). First of all is a vital merit of RFID devices over the bar codes technology is that the RFID gadgets do not require to be located exactly relative to the scanner (Schapranow, 2011). We are conversant with the challenge that store register officials sometimes have in making sure that a barcode can be read. It is observably clear that credit cards and ATM cards must be swiped through a special kind of reader (Schapranow, 2011). In distinction, RFID tags work within a few distance ranging from one foot up to 20 feet for high-rate gadgets of the scanner. For instance, one can just put all shopping items or purchases in a basket and locate the basket near the scanner (Attaran, 2015). The RFID is capable to interrogate all the total purchase instantly. Barcode readers need an uninterrupted line of view to the printed barcode while the RFID readers do not necessitate an uninterrupted line of sight to any passive or active RFID tags (Attaran, 2015). RFID tags can be scanned at much lengthier distances as compared to barcode readers. RFID tag can extract data from tags at distances of up to 300 feet. The range of distance to scan a barcode is much less, usually not further than fifteen feet. Readers of RFID can inquire, or scan RFID tags at a higher speed (Schapranow, 2011). The RFID reads rates of 40 or additional tags per second. Reading bar codes consume much time; this is because a direct line of sight is needed, if the products are not well focused onto the reader, it may take a few seconds to scan a single tag. In completing a single read successfully, barcode readers typically take a half-second or even more than a second (Schapranow, 2011). Line of view necessities also restricts the roughness of bar codes as well as the recycle of bar codes. Since line of view has been needed for bar codes, the barcode that has been printed needs to be uncovered on the outer part of the item, where it is matter to superior wear and tear (Attaran, 2015). RFID tags are normally more uneven, since the electronic apparatuses are enhanced secured with a cover made of plastic. RFID tags can also be imbedded within the product itself, assuring better roughness and recyclability (Attaran, 2015). Another advantage of wide spread usage of RFID undetected integration over barcode systems is the anti shoplifting systems such as Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS). RFID tech- nology has proved to be a real life-saver, assiting in the management of shoplifting theft cases. The technology has an up to date tracking system of each product in a shopping center to identify all products which have not passed through the registery. Barcode systems are hard to detect this sort of theft in shopping centers and other retail related locations (Schapranow, 2011) . Demerits Some of the disadvantages of the RFID are related to security concerns. Unautheticated devices may be capable of scanning and even modifying records on tags without the consent of the individual who owns the device. Side-channel spasms can collect RFID records as it channels from a tag to a scanner, which a hacker can gain access to login information such as passwords or safeguarded information that could be confidential. Bar codes have no scanned ability; that is, there is no capability of adding to the data written on a barcode that has been already printed. RFID tags, still, can be read/write gadgets the RFID reader can talk with the tag and change as much of the information agreed with the tag design. RFID tags are normally more costly than bar codes (Schapranow, 2011). Some shared challenges with RFID are reader collision and tag collision. Reader collision happens when the pointers from two or more scanners overlay (Busato, 2013). The tag is incapable of replying to concurrent interrogations. Systems must be cautiously built to evade this challenge. Tag collision happens when numerous tags exist in a small region, however, since the scan time is very rapid, it is simpler for retailers to create systems that confirm that tags reply one at a time (Busato, 2013). Growths in RFID technology carries on to produce wider ranges of scanning, bigger memory volumes, and quicker processing speeds. It is extremely improbable that the RFID technology will eventually substitute barcode systems, even with the unavoidable decrease in raw materials together with economies of scale. The incorporated circuit in an RFID tag will certainly not be as cheaper as a barcode label. Conclusion In Conclusion, RFID systems can be employed just about any field, from groceries tags to clothing to animal tags to food anyplace that the exceptional identification system is required. The tag can convey data as easy as an animal holders name and address or the laundry guidelines on a clothing. Major difference between RFID and barcode systems is that RFID eradicates the requirement for line-of-sight scanning that bar coding relies on. RFID reading can be done at lengthier distances than bar code reading. High frequency RFID systems provide broadcast length of as much as 90 feet, though transmission in the 2.4 GHz distance is engrossed by water and hence has disadvantages. References Ahuja, S., & Potti, P. (2010). An Introduction to RFID Technology. Communications And Network, 02(03), 183-186. doi:10.4236/cn.2010.23026. Retrieved 28 March 2015, from http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/login.jsp?tp=&arnumber=1593568&url=http%3A%2F%2Fieeexplore.ieee.org%2Fxpls%2Fabs_all.jsp%3Farnumber%3D1593568 Attaran, M. (2015). Strategic implications of RFID implementations in the retail industry supply chain - International Journal of RF Technologies: Research and Applications - Volume 2, Number 3-4 / 2011 - IOS Press. Iospress.metapress.com. DOI: 10.3233/RFT-2011-009 Retrieved 9 April 2015, from http://iospress.metapress.com/content/j6786m322g331856/ Busato, D., Fera, M., Iannone, R., Mancini, V., & Schiraldi, M. (2013). Evaluating RFID opportunity through process analysis - International Journal of RF Technologies: Research and Applications - Volume 5, Number 1-2 / 2013 - IOS Press. Iospress.metapress.com. DOI: 10.3233/RFT-130047 Retrieved 9 April 2015, from http://iospress.metapress.com/content/m8w6422332u66022/ Schapranow, M., Zeier, A., & Plattner, H. (2011). A Formal Model for Enabling RFID in Pharmaceutical Supply Chains. 2011 44Th Hawaii International Conference On System Sciences. doi:10.1109/hicss.2011.10 Read More