RFID Technology: Types, Similar Technologies, Limitations, Use Cases and Implementation

Introduction
RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. As the name suggests, it uses radio
frequency signal (or electromagnetic fields) to automatically recognize and track
tags attached with any object. These tags store information electronically. History of
RFID goes back to WWII where forces used similar technology to identify if the plane
was of enemy or their own. In 1973, Mario Cardullo patented and demonstrated a
passive radio transponder with 16-bit memory which can be used as toll device.
Technology
“RFID system is typically divided into two parts: a tag and an interrogator or reader.
A typical RFID system is explained in below figure, Tag or label consists of a
microchip which stores and process information and an antenna to send/receive
signals. To access information on the tag, reader or interrogator is used. Reader
makes a two-way communication with tag by sending signals through an antenna.
The tag in return sends information it has. This information from tag via reader
reaches to RFID computer program.
(EPC-RFID, 2019)
Types of tag
1. “Passive tag: cheapest and simplest form of tag. It has only a microchip and
an antenna and needs RF energy from reader to get activated.
2. Active tag: an active tag also has battery along with microchip and antenna.
It periodically sends its identity for a reader to catch.

3. Battery assisted passive (BAP) tag: like active tag with a difference that
it gets activated only in presence of an RFID reader.
Also, tag can be of read-only or read/write configuration. Former having one-time
factory fitted information and later can be customized by the user.
Types of RFID System
RFID systems are generally classified on the basis of tag-reader combination.
Following are the three main combinations,
1. Passive reader active tag (PRAT): Here we have active tag clubbed with
passive reader. The range of information exchange between tag and reader is
in the range of 0-600 meters. This is one of the most flexible RFID
configuration.
2. Active Reader Passive Tag (ARPT): Tag here is passive and is activated
by the radio signal of an active reader.
3. Active Reader Active Tag (ARAT): It is the combination of an active tag
and active reader/interrogator. Both in this case are battery powered.
(MakeUseOf, 2019)
Similar technologies
“It would be interesting to talk about two similar technologies here NFC and
barcode. Near-field communication (NFC) is built on RFC principles. NFC works in
both direction; when two objects with NFC support are brought near, they can send
receive information sequentially. NFC is common these days on smart phones,
tablets, and speakers. I can also be used to do file transfer with data speed of
around 424 Kbps. Passive NFC tags are used in retail sector to help customer to
make payment for the goods they bought using digital wallet on their smart phones.
Goods with passive NFC tags when tapped in on specified area of smart phone,
results information exchange followed by payment through e-wallet of the
customer.
(Logoinfosoft.com, 2019)
Barcode on the other hand has again got similarities with RFID: both can track
objects, are means of collecting data and data in both the technologies can be
retrieved by using hand-held or stationary scanner. But then, barcodes and RFID are
two different technologies and have some fundamental differences as stated below,
 Barcodes can only be scanned one-by-one but RFID tags can be scanned in
bulk.
 Barcodes can have much less data stored as compared to RFID tags.
 Line of sight is mandatory for scanning barcodes whereas it is not so for RFID
tags.

 Barcodes are easily damaged as they are printed on paper or adhesive labels.
On the other hand, RFID tags are much stable and durable because its
casing.
Limitations
“RFID has many advantages but it is not without limitations. Some of the main
limitations RFID suffers from, is listed below,
1. High cost: RFID system is quite expensive when compared with barcodes.
The reader only costs in the range of few cents (low end passive tags) to tens
of dollars (high range active tags). This means huge disadvantage for
somebody who is looking for upfront cost benefit. But it is indeed not the
case if we consider long term gains. The efficiency and optimization RFID
provides to a business case is much more than any of the low cost solutions.
2. Collision: When RFID interrogator tries to read several tags at a time then
we can have a case of signal collision resulting into data loss. The situation is
particularly concerning at it raises question on the accuracy of the RFID
system. As a solution there are many anti-collision algorithms which are
available which help in reducing overall read time and in turn maximizing
number of RFID tags which can be read at a time. But these features are
mostly patented and comes at extra price.
3. Security and privacy Issues: RFID uses radio frequencies to work. It is not
very difficult by somebody who is unauthorized, to tap or hack the
information and misuse it for some other purpose. It basically leads to risk of
losing privacy and personal data. There are many forums in world opposing
RFID technology for the same reason. However, situation can be improved by
using encryption techniques to avoid unauthorized interception of RFID
information.
(Pdfs.semanticscholar.org, 2019)
Use cases
Let us talk about some of the use cases of RFID implementation and how it helped
the business. Here are some examples which will highlight the value of RFID
implementation,
1. “China International Marine Containers (CIMC) is a leading worldwide supplier
of shipping containers. They implemented passive RFID tags on their
containers, which resulted in better tracking of consignments. The project has
cost of $128K resulting into annual saving of $126K. The saving happened
because of reduction in consignment losses, wrong deliveries, and better use
of storage yard.
(Journal, 2019)