RFIDs

Ian AdamsCMPT 220

2/6/13

What are RFIDs

• RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification• Wireless radio frequency system used to track,

identify and transfer data from a tag to an object

• Used in people, animals, libraries, warehouses, transportation, stores, credit cards, passports, and many other things

• Operated anywhere from 100Khz-10GHz Range• Can store anywhere from 128B of data to 128KB

Terminology

• Tag – Also known as a label, attached to an object that is to be identified

• Reader – Also known as an interrogators, is a two way radio transmitter/receiver that sends a signal to the Tag and receives its resonce.

Different Types of RFIDs

• Passive Reader Active Tag (PRAT) – the system uses a passive reader which can only read active tags.

• The tags are battery operated and are transmit only. The Reader in this case acts only as a receiver.

Different Types of RFIDs

• Active Reader Passive Tag (ARPT) – The reader sends signals to a Tag and receives the reply.

• Known as Passive RFID• Most common in terms of variety.• In most ways, inferior to ARAT.

Different Types of RFIDs

• Active Reader Active Tag (ARAT) – The reader and Tag are both active. Also known as a Battery Assisted Passive. Tag has a Battery and is Passive until “awakened” by a Reader, at which point the Battery powers the Tag

• Known as Active RFID• EZ-Pass, Warehouses, Large Farms• Best used when numerous objects need to be

tagged and read.• Good in Biometric uses.

Limitations

• The smaller the RFID, the weaker the signal.• The more RFIDs, the more Radio Traffic,

interference.• High Temperatures can cause the glue used in

the RFID (holds the Integrated Circuit to the Circuit Board) to come undone and render the RFID useless.

Concerns

• Privacy.– Data on the Radio signals– Swiping a Credit Card without user knowing

• Government Control. Big Brother– If Everything has an RFID, ID of everything and

everyone is always known.• Radiation.– Just like those who fear Cell Phones and/or

Microwaves, etc.

Bibliography

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RFID• http://www.stitcs.com/en/RFID/Active%20vs%

20Passive%20RFID.pdf• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ez_pass• http://auto.howstuffworks.com/e-zpass2.htm• http://www.rfidwikipedia.org/index.php/Main

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