what is rfid?

Muhammad Wasim Raad 1

What is RFID?• RFID is a technology that uses

radio-frequency waves to transfer data between a reader and a movable item to identify, categorize, track...

• RFID is fast, reliable, and does not require physical sight or contact between reader/scanner and the tagged item


What is RFIDWhat is RFID

Radio Frequency Radio Frequency IdentificationIdentification

Radio Frequency Radio Frequency IdentificationIdentification

LabelLabel

(Transponder)(Transponder)

Reader/AntennaReader/Antenna

(Interrogator)(Interrogator)

ComputerComputer

Tag enters RF field

RF signal powers tag

Tag transmits ID, plus data

Reader captures data

Reader sends data to computer

Computer determines action

Computer instructs reader

Reader transmits data to tag

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• RFID Diagram:

Note: The host is the software database...

Reader

RF Module

Antenna

Host ComputerHost Computer

RFID Primer

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Note: The RF module creates radio frequency (RF). It receives and transmits RF through the antenna…

Reader

RF Module

AntennaAntenna


RFID Primer

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Note: Tag (transponder) is interrogated by the antenna....

ReaderReader

RF ModuleRF ModuleTagTag

AntennaAntenna


RFID Primer

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Note: The antenna captures the tag ID number…first as analog RF waves, then it is converted to digital information.

(Tag ID Communication)

Reader

RF ModuleTag

Antenna


RFID Primer


An RFID Tag Is A Portable Database

…A sophisticated computing and communications device

…A wireless extension of Information Systems

Interrogation UnitTx/RxMicro

Computer

Computer Network

Antenna Tag

Radio Tx/Rx

RAM ROM

CPU I/O

Pwr Supply

Radio Tx/Rx

RAM ROM

CPU I/O

Pwr Supply


Inlays for RFID Tags for 13.56 Mhz


Why use RFID ?• To determine authentication of a

package

• To provide automated traceability of an item


Motivation of using RFID

•Generate Revenue

•Reduce operating costs


The RFID Reader Anti-collision protocol


What is RFID? -- The Tags

• Tags can be read-only or read-write• Tag memory can be factory or field

programmed, partitionable, and optionally permanently locked

• Bytes left unlocked can be rewritten over more than 100,000 times


• Tags can be attached to almost anything:– pallets or cases of product– vehicles– company assets or personnel– items such as apparel,

luggage, laundry– people, livestock, or pets– high value electronics such

as computers, TVs, camcorders

What is RFID? -- The Tags


Are All Tags The Same?

Basic Types:Active

•Tag transmits radio signal•Battery powered memory, radio & circuitry

•High Read Range (300 feet)Passive

•Tag reflects radio signal from reader•Reader powered•Shorter Read Range (4 inches - 15 feet)


• Variations:– Memory

• Size (16 bits - 512KBytes +)• Read-Only, Read/Write or WORM• Type: EEProm, Antifuse, FeRam

– Arbitration (Anti-collision)• Ability to read/write one or

many tags at a time– Frequency

• 125KHz - 5.8 GHz– Physical Dimensions

• Thumbnail to Brick sizes – Price ($0.50 to $250)

Are All Tags The Same?


Types of Tags - Memory Segmentation

Read Only (Factory Programmed)

WORM - Write Once, Read Many times

Reprogrammable (Field Programmable)

Read/Write (In-Use Programmable)


What is RFID? -- The Readers

• Readers (interrogators) can be at a fixed point such as– Entrance/exit– Point of sale– Warehouse

• Readers can also be mobile -- tethered, hand-held, or wireless


Advantages• Uses normal CMOS processing

—basic and ubiquitous

• Relative freedom from regulatory limitations

• Well suited for applications requiring reading small amounts of data at slow speeds and minimal distances

• Penetrates materials well (water, tissue, wood, aluminum)

<150 kHz (125 kHz & 134 kHz )


Disadvantages:• Does not penetrate or transmit around metals

(iron, steel)• Handles only small amounts of data• Slow read speeds• Large Antennas -- compared to higher

frequencies• Minimal Range

<150 kHz (125 kHz & 134 kHz )


Disadvantages:• Tag construction:

is thicker (than 13.56 MHz) is more expensive (than 13.56 MHz)more complex

(requires more turns of the induction coil)

<150 kHz (125 kHz & 134 kHz )


13.56 MHz13.56 MHz Advantages• Uses normal CMOS processing--basic and

ubiquitous • Well suited for applications requiring

reading small amounts of data and minimal distances

• Penetrates water/tissue well • Simpler antenna design (fewer turns of

the coil); lower costs to build• Higher data rate (than 125 kHz--but

slower than higher MHz systems) • Thinner tag construction (than 125 kHz)


Disadvantages• Government regulated frequency

(U.S. versus Europe)• Does not penetrate or transmit around

metals (unless very thick)

• Large Antennas (compared to higher frequencies)

• Larger tag size than higher frequencies• Tag construction: requires more than one

surface to complete a circuit• Minimal Range

13.56 MHz13.56 MHz


Bar Codes vs. RFIDBar Codes vs. RFIDSystem Barcode RFID Data Transmission Optical Electromagnetic

Typical Data Volume 1-100 Bytes 128-8K Bytes

Data Modification Not possible Possible

Position of Data Carrier for Read Write

Visual contact Non line of sight possible

Reading Distance Several Meters (line of sight)

From centimeters to meters (depending on the frequency and tags)

Access Security Little High

Environmental Susceptibility

Dirt Very Small

Anticollision Not possible Possible


RFID Applications• Petrol Service Stations

– In Singapore, the Mobil petrol service stations has already introduced RFID technology to implement their Speed Pass system to enable drivers to fill up the petrol and drive away. All information will be gathered automatically through RFID smart tags and customers’ bills can be settled through the net.


RFID Application in Petrol Service Station


RFID Application in a Factory Canteen

• it is very interesting to notice that in the factory canteen’s environment, RFID tags are attached at the bottom of the plates to identify the cooked food and its price.

• The staff of the factory need only to pick up the food on the tray and place the tray on top of a RFID reader.

• The RFID reader will identify the products and its price. The staff need only to place the cash card to pay for the food.


Paperless Maintenance Senario at Frankfort Airport


Configuration of RFID Antennas on doors in Metro ware house


Application in Smart Appliances


Smart Appliances using RFID


Advantage

RFiD

Expiration

{Not Expired, Expired}

Can cookCannot cook

Cooking a pizza

Diet

{Healthy, Unhealthy}

Forget about your pizza


EPC meets pharmaceutical supply chain


Case Study:Logistics processes at HP


Privacy• Privacy bit on tag• Tags belong to consumers• If privacy bit=1 it will be invisible

to readers• Readers watch on each other:

private tag command• What is blocker tag?


The privacy bit• Blocker tag command can prevent

privacy violations before they occur• A blocker effectively jams readers

that emit private-read commands• When it detects it, it simulates all

possible RFID tags in the world rendering reader incapable


Market Trend


Inside a Smart Card• Based on ISO 7816

standards -Define Card Size,

Contact and internal code used

• Non volatile memory: EEPROM

• IN/Out: 9600 bits/second


Smart Card classification

• Memory only Card( Contact or Contactless)

• Contact CPU Card

• Contactless CPU Card


How many kinds of smart cards exist?

1-Contact smart card inserted into card reader


2 - Contactless Smart cards: should be passed near an antenna to carry out transaction


How can the SMART card help in new channels?

Earning and redeeming

rewards with Virtual

Merchants

To store personal data

for covenience

on-line

To Secure Virtual World Shopping with Credit (Chip

SecureCode) or e-Cash

To Managing Finances Securely and Conveniently

Virtual Health, Govt or other

Services

Entertainment on Demand


Proprietary Smart Card Operating Systems

Chip Hardware BChip Hardware BChip Hardware AChip Hardware A

Proprietary OS AProprietary OS B

Native EMV Code

Native LoyaltyCode

Data Data

RO

ME

2

Native EMV Code

Native EMVCode

Native LoyaltyCode

Data Data

RO

ME

2

Proprietary Chip OS developed in “native” code - specific to underlying silicon - to access chip functions. OS often dedicated to performing a single specific function – e.g. EMV OS code is fixed in the ROM of the chip, and cannot be changed after the chip is made.

Limited number of programmers able to make adaptations to proprietary OS – impact on time to market if changes / new functions required. In order to multi-source silicon, native code must be redeveloped from scratch for new chip.

Chip Hardware BChip Hardware BChip Hardware AChip Hardware A


MULTOS

• The only OS obtaining ITSEC(E6)

Very secure• Multi-application

support• Requires

Coprocessor for RSA makes it expensive

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MULTOS VM

MULTOS API

MULTOS: The OPEN STANDARD smart card operating system

Infineon SiliconInfineon Silicon

RO

M

MULTOS VM

MULTOS API

Renesas SiliconRenesas Silicon

RO

M

C CompilerJava Compiler

/ TranslatorMEL Editor

MULTOS defines a standard CHIP HARDWARE INDEPENDENT Smart Card Operating System: Portable:

Develop applications ONCE and run on ANY MULTOS chip.

Open: Develop in C or Java and Compile. API FREELY available.

EMV

PKI ApplicationA

E2

PR

OM

EMV

PKI ApplicationA

E2

PR

OM

Highest Hardware and OS Security Assurance:

ITSEC E6 High evaluated

MULTOS SCHEME facilitates management of multiple applications

Advanced Asymmetric Cryptographic mechanism


HID MIFARE Card• 13.56 MHz

contactless card• used for public

transportation, access control,road toll, park & ride, airline ticketing, customer loyalty and ID card


Unique Chip Serial Number

8Kbit EEPROM16 independent sectors

Protection by cryptographic algorithm

Mifare featuresMifare features

Anticollision

13.56 MHz TransmissionISO 14443

Card Reader

Key Storage WOMCryptography


Main applications• Access Control• Vehicle identification• Electronic driver license• Ski Passes• Airline tickets• Transportation: buses, taxis &

underground• Baggage Identification


Contactless card reader

• Read/Write to contactless memory cards

• Utilizes Mifare technology

• Used in Access control to buildings


Corporate Physical access control Strategy


Proximity Solutions for MULTOS

2 types of MULTOS “Dual-Interface” cards – supporting communication with the chip via both the contact plate and the contactless interface based on Proximity Standard - ISO 14443

Hitachi/DNP Contactless MULTOS: 36K EEPROM, Type B contactless interface, Available now

Supports both versions of Paypass transaction (contactless M/Chip 4, or Contactless Track 2 data) and in fact can execute ANY existing MULTOS application over the contactless interface.

Keycorp / Philips Contactless MULTOS, 16K EEPROM, MIFARE Type A contactless interface, Prototypes available now

Supports Mifare ticketing only. Full contactless MULTOS application execution planned for Q3 2004

250K issued for 250K issued for Japan Residential Japan Residential

ID cardID card


Cost• RFID readers: 1000$• Tags: > 20 cents.• Active tags: 1$-5$• Tags will become cost effective

when production inlay very high• Only handful of quality suppliers


Cost continue• Production methods and materials

used to build RFID inlays being defined

• Tag antennas metallic, very expensive and large size

• Chip less Tags much cheaper: .1-10 cents


Future of RFID Tags• Low cost active tags for locating &

tracking objects with limited no of readers

• Higher frequencies: Tags developed at Siemens lab: 2.5-24 Ghz, have batteries and range extend to several kilometers


Future continue• Recently, Ultra WIDE BAND (ubw)

can locate objects in 2 & 3 dimensions within few inches

• Marketed for asset tracking in hospitals

• The size of wristwatch, 40 grams • Indoor range: 300 feet


Future: Science Fiction• Transparent packages will light up

in moving color advertisement

• Disposable smart labels will detect viruses and specific chemicals


References• www.rfidjournal.com• RFID book by Steven Shepard, McGraw-

Hill 2005-ISBN-0-07-144299-5• www.gs1uk.org• RFID Field Guide Deploying Radio

Frequency Identification systems By Manish Bhuptani-ISBN-0-13-185355-4

what is rfid?

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rfid tags

reader reader

active tag

tag transponder

mhzwhy use rfid

radiofrequency waves

radio circuitryhigh

types of tags