What
is RFID
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History
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Types
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The RFID System
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Current Usage


What
is RFID?
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The
RFID System
An
RFID system may consist of several components: tags, tag readers,
edge servers, middleware, and application software.
The
purpose of an RFID system is to enable data to be transmitted by
a mobile device, called a tag, which is read by an RFID reader and
processed according to the needs of a particular application. The
data transmitted by the tag may provide identification or location
information, or specifics about the product tagged, such as price,
color, date of purchase, etc. The use of RFID in tracking and access
applications first appeared during the 1980s. RFID quickly gained
attention because of its ability to track moving objects. As the
technology is refined, more pervasive and possibly invasive uses
for RFID tags are in the works.
In
a typical RFID system, individual objects are equipped with a small,
inexpensive tag. The tag contains a transponder with a digital memory
chip that is given a unique electronic product code. The interrogator,
an antenna packaged with a transceiver and decoder, emits a signal
activating the RFID tag so it can read and write data to it. When
an RFID tag passes through the electromagnetic zone, it detects
the reader's activation signal. The reader decodes the data encoded
in the tag's integrated circuit (silicon chip) and the data is passed
to the host computer. The application software on the host processes
the data, often employing Physical Markup Language (PML).
Take
the example of books in a library. Security gates can detect whether
or not a book has been properly checked out of the library. When
users return items, the security bit is re-set and the item record
in the Integrated library system is automatically updated. In some
RFID solutions a return receipt can be generated. At this point,
materials can be roughly sorted into bins by the return equipment.
Inventory wands provide a finer detail of sorting. This tool can
be used to put books into shelf-ready order.
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Improving Enterprise
Performance with RFID
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