Radio-frequency identification, also known as RFID, is a technology developed for use in identification and tracking that uses radio waves. RFID technology has a number of applications related to its ability to track and identify an object, and is currently deployed in a number of fields. RFID tag signals contain information such as a log number, which has an entry in a contextual database. This entry's information relates to the item the tag is attached to.
How It Works
In simplified terms, RFID is a three-part system. It consists of, first, an RFID tag and a transponder electronically programmed with unique information pertaining to what the tag is related to; for example, a pet or an inventory item. The next element is a reader, which is equipped with an antenna and a decoder that captures the unique signal coming from the tag and interprets the information. The final piece of the equation is a host computer, which houses software. This software processes the data captured by the reader from the tag and provides information related to the tag's entry. For example, an employee at an animal shelter can scan a pet with an RFID tracking chip, and bring up a file on a computer. This could reveal records regarding the pets' owners, vaccinations and medical history.
Common Applications
RFID is used in a number of different ways. One of the most well-known is the already-mentioned identification for pets, which involves placing an RFID tag under the animal's skin. RFID technology is also put to use in systems like EZPass, an electronic toll-collection system, or in ExxonMobil's SpeedPass RFID keychain user to electronically pay for gasoline.
Potential Uses
RFID could be implemented in the future for other electronic payment systems, and also for use as an inventory control system. Each item can have a unique ID, allowing for advanced control of each individual item in inventory, instead of blanket information for any product with a certain brand's barcode. For example, a grocery store employing RFID technology instead of barcodes could scan an entire cart full of different products in a manner of seconds without removing them, and instantly tally the total cost. This is because the reader doesn't need to come in contact or line-of-sight with a tag in order to react. This example could go a step further, with the user paying for the purchase with an RFID electronic payment device and covering the entire purchase with a single wave by the reader. Anyone trying to steal something from this store can set off a reader by the entrance, which can trigger an alert. A similar system is already in place in many stores selling controlled or electronic items that need to be de-activated before being removed from the store.
Other Technologies
RFID is often compared to other technologies, which it may someday replace. These include barcodes and the magnetic strips on credit cards and other card systems. Each of these can be difficult to work with, as wear on the magnetic strips or damage to the strip can make them difficult to pass through the reader, and a barcode that is creased, smudged or otherwise impaired may not read properly at all. However, in all cases, these technologies do one thing: identify a specific object, person or value, and register it with a computer for further use.
Problems with RFID
RFID are not foolproof devices. Two common problems that occur in RFID technology are reader collision and tag collision. Reader collision occurs when two or more readers overlap while trying to read the same tag. Since the tag can only answer one query at a time, both read attempts fail. Carefully set up RFID systems can avoid this problem. Tag collision occurs when many tags are contained in the small area, flooding the reader with signals. RFID vendors are continuously developing systems better equipped to respond to only one tag at a time to try and deal with this issue.
Tags: RFID technology, with RFID, collision occurs, collision occurs when, electronic payment, magnetic strips
