Radio Frequency Identification Device is a means of capturing data about an object without using a human to read data, i.e., it is a method of remotely storing and retrieving data using devices. It is a technology similar in theory to barcode identification but one key difference between RFID and barcode technology is RFID eliminates the need for line-of-sight reading that barcode depends on. Also RFID scanning can be done at greater distance than barcode scanning.

An RFID system may consist of several devices like tags, tag readers, tag programming sections, circulation readers, and sorting equipment and tag Inventory wands. Security can be handled in two ways. Security gates can query the ILS to determine its security status or the tag may contain a security bit which would be turned on and off by circulation or self-check reader stations.

Although some people think that the first “known” device may have invented by Leon Theremin as an espionage tool for the Russian Government in 1945, the first real usage of RFID devices predates that . During Second World War the United Kingdom used RFID devices to distinguish returning British aeroplanes from in-bound German ones. RADAR was only able to signal the presence of an aeroplane, not the kind of aeroplane it was.

A curious aspect of technical innovation is the time it takes to go from being invented to being mass-adopted by the market. The mobile phone, invented in 1972, did not become a must-have item until the 2000's in our country. Like wise, with the Internet it took 30 years for DARPA's net to metamorphose into Time Berner Lee's world wide web.

RFID is one such innovation. Invented in the 1970's, companies immediately recognized the value in a device that could help machines identify other objects.

However, there were problems, the main two being those of standardization and making the ROI business case a viable one. “ Why bother when we already have bar codes. And most importantly, the cost of producing RFID tags has dropped dramatically.

This has led to numerous trials and rollouts of RFID around the world over the last few years. RFID usage has become increasing by prevalent in the retail and logistics sector to enable supply chain management as well as the transport sector for applications, such as security and road toll pricing. However we must discussed the advantages and disadvantages of using RFID Technology before going to any conclusion.

RFID technology advantages and disadvantages :

Compared to barcode inventory control systems RFID technology has both advantages and disadvantages, many of which are outside of product manufacture and distribution chain applications.

ADVANTAGES versus Barcodes

• Not requiring line of sight access to be read.

• The tag can trigger security alarm systems if removed from its correct location.

• Scanner/reader and RFID tag are not (so) orientation sensitive.

• Automatic scanning and data logging is possible without Operator intervention.

• Each tag can hold more than just a unique product code.

• Each item can be individually ‘labeled'.

• Tag data can be comprehensive, unique in parts/common in parts, and is compatible with data processing.

• With the right technology a plurality of tags can be concurrently read

• It can be read only or read-write.

• There is a very high level of data integrity (character check sum encoding).

• Provides a high degree of security and product authentication – a tag is more difficult to counterfeit than a barcode.

• The supporting data infrastructure can allow data retrieval and product tracking anywhere provided the scanner/reader is close enough to the tag.

• Combined with its authentication is the ability to monitor shelf life – a societal advantage in the pharmaceutical and food industry.

• Since each tag can be unique they can act as a security feature if lost or stolen e.g. a stolen smart travel card can be cancelled.

• The technology is rugged and can be used in hostile environments such as down oil wells (heat and pressure) to carry data to remote equipment.

• The technology lends itself to being updated, for example, as a car goes through its life its service record can be electronically logged with the car.

• The technology could be inserted within a suit so that when it is sent to the cleaners it automatically gets the right cleaning procedure applied to it.

• The technology can be used to increase security so that, for example, it may be construed that a child is at school as their tag in their school bag was logged when they came through the school gates. [Clearly, this does not of necessity mean the child is at school, but only that their bag with the contained RFID tag has been taken into the school, which in most circumstances will mean the child was with it at the time.]

DISADVANTAGES versus Barcodes :

• Even in six figure production quantities, the simplest of these tags is more expensive (say tens of Rupees) than a printed barcode – this extra cost, plus the potential greater infrastructure capital cost, has to be bettered by other benefits in the distribution chain or represent an application for which the barcode is not suitable e.g. Smart Cards.

• There is a high cost (long pay-back) for integrating RFID technology into existing inventory control systems.

• External influences such as metalwork, material dielectric properties and radio interference can constrain RFID remote reading.

• If a significant number of RFID's greater systems capabilities are implemented then the host system and infrastructure have a higher capital cost and complexity than for barcode systems.

• There are currently a range of RFID application numbering systems which need unifying to increase uptake. [The International Standards Organisation (ISO) and Electronic Product Code [EPC] Global consortium, amongst others, are working to address this issue.]

• Currently there are not internationally agreed frequencies for RFID operation (other than 13.56 MHz, which is primarily used by smart cards but can also be used by other RFID tags) and permitted scanner/reader powers differ between countries. This limits product take-up. [For example, there are significant differences between the USA and European UHF frequencies.]

To address these disadvantages there are programmes to develop standards, which will enable interoperability. This will increase confidence in the technology, stimulate greater competition and produce consequential reduction in costs.

The market Economy has already changed our society and as a whole, the Government policy. We are running after I.T. but in comparison to some other state of our country, we have been late in joining the competition. With some diligent efforts in the last few years, we have, of course succeeded to catch the states in the race others. Our state is now one of the leading states in software and hardware industry. However the RFID has opened up a new era specially in defence, police, health services, marketing, transport sector etc. Our state should be aware of the same and try to imbibe RFID technology so that we can adopt it and be able to capture the world market on this technology.

References:

•  Radio Frequency Identification Technology (RFID) © IEE 2005 18

•  http:/www.crimereduction.co.uk/securedesign14.htm

•  e.center:http://www.e-centre.org.uk/sec_home.asp?fid=61