RFID STEAM Concepts

Question 1

What can RFID and NFC be used for?

Answer 1

Wireless data transmission
(uses electromagnetic/electrostatic coupling in the RF portion of the electromagnetic spectrum to uniquely identify objects)

Question 2

RFID

Answer 2

Radio Frequency Identification

Question 3

RFID Consists of?

Answer 3

Scanning antenna, tag (transponder), reader (transceiver)

Question 4

RFID Distance Range

Answer 4

Can be used over long distances

Question 5

RFID Communication Direction

Answer 5

One-way communication (tag to reader)

Question 6

RFID data holding ability

Answer 6

Simple ID information

Question 7

RFID used for:

Answer 7

Inventory tracking, supply chain management

Question 8

How does RFID transmit data

Answer 8

Radiowaves

Question 9

Advantages of RFID

Answer 9

• Hundreds of tags can be read in seconds
• Line of sight not needed to read tags
• RFID tags are very durable
  -RFID tags can hold more data than other tags
• Range can be controlled as needed (up to 150 meters)
• Tags can be encrypted for security
• Tag memory can be rewritten and reused
• Tags are affordable

Question 10

RFID Examples

Answer 10

• Access card to get into building
• EZ Pass
• Remote garage door

Question 11

Types of RFID readers

Answer 11

Fixed and mobile

Question 12

How does RFID work?

Answer 12

RFID reader uses radiowaves to activate tag
Once tag is activated, it sends a wave back to the antenna, where the radiowave is translated into data

Question 13

How can a tag have a longer read range?

Answer 13

By having a stronger power source

Question 14

What is the part of an RFID tag that encodes identifying information?

Answer 14

Inlay

Question 15

Active RFID

Answer 15

Has its own power source, often a battery

Question 16

Passive RFID

Answer 16

Receives its power from the reading antenna, whose electromagnetic wave induces a current in the RFID tag’s antenna

Question 17

How mauch data can RFID tags hold?

Answer 17

RFID tags typically hold between 64 bits and 1K of data, including a unique identifier/serial number.

Question 18

Do active or passive RFID have a longer read range?

Answer 18

Active (due to stronger power source)

Question 19

Smart labels

Answer 19

Simple RFID tags. These labels have an RFID tag embedded into an adhesive label and feature a barcode.

Question 20

Three types of RFID systems

Answer 20

Low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF) and ultra-high frequency (UHF).

Question 21

Common RFID uses

Answer 21

• pet and livestock tracking
• inventory management
• asset tracking and equipment tracking
• inventory control
• cargo and supply chain logistics
• vehicle tracking
• customer service and loss control
• improved visibility and distribution in the supply chain
• access control in security situations
• shipping
• healthcare
• manufacturing
• retail sales
• tap-and-go credit card payments

Question 22

Do passive RFID tags require batteries

Answer 22

No

Question 23

Difference between RFID and Barcodes

Answer 23

RFID:
- Can identify individual objects without direct line of sight.
- Can scan items from inches to feet away, depending on type of tag and reader.
- Data can be updated in real time.
-Require a power source.
- Read time is less than 100 milliseconds per tag.
- Contain a sensor attached to an antenna, often contained in a plastic cover and more costly than barcodes.
Barcodes:
- Direct line of sight required for scanning.
- Require closer proximity for scanning.
- Data is read-only and can’t be changed.
- No power source needed.
- Read time is half a second or more per tag.
- Printed on the outside of an object and more subject to wear.

Question 24

RFID vs NFC

Answer 24

RFID:
-Uni-directional
-Range up to 100 m
-LF/HF/UHF/Microwave
-Continuous sampling
-Bit rate varies with frequency
-Power rate varies with frequency
NFC:
- Bi-directional
- Range less than 0.2 m
- 13.56 MHz
- No continuous sampling
- Up to 424 Kbps
- <15 milliamperes

Question 25

RFID issues

Answer 25

Reader collision: when a signal from one RFID reader interferes with a second reader. Can be prevented by using an anti-collision protocol to make RFID tags take turns transmitting to their appropriate reader.

Tag collision: when too many tags confuse an RFID reader by transmitting data at the same time. Choosing a reader that gathers tag info one at a time will prevent this issue.

Question 26

RFID Security Concern

Answer 26

A common RFID security or privacy concern is that RFID tag data can be read by anyone with a compatible reader. Tags can often be read after an item leaves a store or supply chain. They can also be read without a user’s knowledge using unauthorized readers, and if a tag has a unique serial number, it can be associated to a consumer. While a privacy concern for individuals, in military or medical settings this can be a national security concern or life-or-death matter.

Question 27

BAC

Answer 27

Basic Access Control
Solve privacy conccerns associated with RFID-gives RFID chip sufficient data to decode encrypted tokens

Question 28

Guidelines for RFID

Answer 28

*International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
*Electronics Product Code Global Incorporated (EPC global)
*International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)

Question 29

RFID in the future

Answer 29

RFID systems are becoming increasingly used to support internet of things deployments. Combining the technology with smart sensors and/or GPS technology enables sensor data including temperature, movement and location to be wirelessly transmitted.