RFID Technology

Robert P. Jackson, P.E.

Course Outline

This four ( 4 ) hours course attempts to follow a logical progression, moving through three primary areas of focus.  These are as follows:

• INTRODUCTION
• Interesting applications and case studies of actual usage
• History of RFID from early inception to the 21st century
• Benefits from use including ROI and improved efficiencies
• Drawbacks to incorporation
• OPERATION
• Components available and necessary to accomplish specific goals
• Standards, both international and standards specific to the United States
• Privacy and Security and who’s looking out for you
• MANAGEMENT OF SYSTEM
• Manageability of the overall systems
• Questions to ask before buying ( I devote a great deal of “ink” to this one due to the critical nature of being methodical prior to deciding upon incorporating RFID
• Conclusions
• List of vendors and suppliers
• Glossary ( I feel this is one of the most complete Glossaries available today. )

I have included many figures and tables in support of the text and feel these add a great deal of clarity to the overall course.    The case studies given and other applications point out the present day uses of RFID and those uses that could possibly be considered over the next decade.

This course includes a multiple choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

Upon completion of this course the student should have a thorough understanding of RFID concepts and will:

• Be able to understand the numerous applications for the technology;
• Have an appreciation for the history of RFID and how the technology was used in the early years;
• Know the technological differences between RFID and barcode systems;
• Know the standards, international and domestic, that govern the usage for the various commercial systems;
• Know when to specify the use of UHF, VHF and microwave frequencies;
• Know the difference between “active” and “passive “systems and when each type is appropriate for various applications;
• Understand the privacy aspects when specifying and using the technology;
• Understand the cost / benefit concepts and when using barcodes is more desirable.  This is called total-cost-of-ownership (TCO);
• Understand the design and fabrication of “tag” (transponder ) components and when an encapsulated tag is needed;
• Understand the immediate tangible benefits throughout a supply chain for distribution of a manufactured product;
• Understand the need for tag readers and how they operate;
• Understand the design and purpose of a tag antenna;
• Know the difference between a “read only” and “read/write” RFID system;
• Know which type of system needs a battery for operation;
• Know why direct line of site is not necessary for an RFID system;
• Have an understand for the range and how that range is dependent upon the frequency of the tag / reader combination;
• Have an understanding of the EPC ( Electronic Product Code ) and how that code is used relative to the overall process;
• Know that a “proper” EPC must have the following: 1.) Header, 2.) Manager Number, 3.) Object Class and 4.) Serial Number;
• Know why RFID “chips” are extremely difficult to “hack” and why that contributes to a secure system;
• Know which company ( Wal-Mart ) is moving to RFID technology for most inbound containerized cargo and why that provides a tremendous benefit to their supply chain;
• Know why the challenge-response coding is so important and why that provides great security for hazardous materials, pharmaceuticals, weapons used by the DoD, classified documents, etc;
• Understand that “reader collision” can occur and produce errors in the system;
• Understand the terminology  “hiding and blocking” and “encrypting and rewriting”;
• Understand why many airlines are using RFID to track and control baggage; and
• Have an understanding for the meaning of the acronyms: “EPC”, “EPCIS”, “ONS”, “WMS”, “ERP”, “UCC”, “UCCnet”, “UID”, “EAS”.

Intended Audience

This course is specifically for individuals desiring in-depth knowledge preparatory to making an investment in RFID technology.   It is a technical course but easily understood by “non-engineering” types.  As such, we dive into detailed explanations regarding topics such as UHF, VHF, microwave frequencies, “tags” (transponders), interrogation methodologies and equipment, “back-end” software, RFID antennas and other subjects necessary for a complete understanding of existing RFID technology.   With this in mind, people with the following disciplines would enjoy and benefit from taking this course:

• Industrial engineers
• Process engineers
• System engineers
• IT professionals
• Engineering managers
• CEOs dedicated to incorporating “best practices” into their supply chain methodologies for the improvement of asset management
• COOs responsible for the day-to-day operation of a on-going commercial entity
• CFOs responsible for  “paying the bills” and on the brink of approving an expenditure for RFID equipment and training
• Warehouse supervisors
• Time study specialists interested in improving response time for deliverables
• Managers overseeing shipping and receiving operations in their respective facilities
• Hospital administrators
• Store managers responsible for inventories; i.e. Home Depot, Lowes, Wal-Mart, Sears, Best Buy, etc.
• Managers required to catalogue and locate written documents critical to the operation of their organization; i.e. legal firms, hospital records, libraries, laboratory documents, etc
• Personnel responsible for insuring against theft and shoplifting
• Aerospace and airline personnel responsible for test equipment, ground equipment, assembly tools and fixtures,  repair depots, etc
• Personnel associated with and vendors for the Department of Defense
• City planners interested in improving traffic flow and streamlining toll-gate collections
• Individuals responsible for controlling entry / exit portals for designated personnel only
• Data acquisition specialists
• Material expeditors
  

Benefit to Attendees

The purpose of this four (4) hour course is to provide necessary information so an individual will gain an appreciable understanding of the technology.  This certainly includes operational parameters, hardware and the necessary software to drive the system of components.  The course is structured to go beyond the basics and make it possible for a potential user to gain knowledge that will facilitate informed conversations with suppliers, interrogators and software specialists.  To support the text, we provide a comprehensive glossary of terms integral to an understanding of the technology.  After successful completion, an individual will have a much broader ability to recognize possible applications and determine if RFID is right for those applications.  Quite frankly, I feel the Glossary at the end of the course is worth the cost of the course itself.

There is a quiz at the end of the course which will provide a review and serve as a quick summary of the major points found in the text.

Course Introduction

Radio Frequency Identification ( RFID ) is an automated means of using radio waves to identify and track the presence and movement of objects.  RFID has been called “the first important technology of the 21st century” and has become one of the most “talked-about” technologies in business and government today.  The application of RFID has definite benefits relative to tracking objects in supply chain movement.  It allows for the positive identification and control of tangible objects such as:

• Incoming and outgoing pallets cycling through a warehouse environment
• Tracking hazardous materials
• To aid documentation of cycle times
• Containerized cargo entering  ports of call
• WIP ( work in process ) inventories
• “Tags” applied to passports encrypted with information detailing date of birth, address, country of origin, etc.
• Inventories for retail and commercial establishments
• Airline baggage identification
• Access control

There have been several “dooms-day” profits crying that RFID “chips” will be applied to individuals and these chips will be the “mark of the beast” mentioned in the Bible. Anyone desirous of pursuing commercial ends will need this “mark of the beast” to do business.  Until that happens, this course will address the more useful applications of that marvelous technology and strive to help the student understand the verity of application possibilities and the hardware necessary to bring about those applications.

Course Content

The course content is in a PDF file:

RFID Technology

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Course Summary

RFID is one of those technologies that “sneaks up” on you.  It has actually been in use for quite a few years and has taken several forms, such as:

• Theft prevention
• Access control  via card readers
• Automated toll road processing

These uses are very visible and “out front” relative to uses within a warehouse, library, or commercial storage area for equipment.  RFID was discovered long before companion technologies made it possible for commercial use.  The actual history is quite fascinating and definitely shows an evolutionary process and not a revolutionary process.  We devote a section to the history of RFID and show how each decade has brought additional development that truly make it a technology of the 21st century.   With this being said, we have only scratched the surface of its potential.  This is due, in part, to the privacy aspects of the technology.  Independent bodies are addressing these concerns in an ongoing fashion.  The money saved through improved operating efficiencies can be very very significant.  If you feel the need to “do it better”, then RFID is definitely worth the look.  Those companies presently using bar code techniques will recognize definite similarities, a yet many differences, between the two technologies.  The process of incorporation will be much the same with “up-front” planning a real must for success.

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

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DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.

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