Transcript RFID_Basics_qed

RFID & Retailing
Jonathan Wareham
What is RFID?
• RFID is an technology that uses
radio-frequency waves to transfer
data between a reader and a
movable item to identify, categorize,
track...
• RFID is fast, reliable, and does not
require physical sight or contact
between reader/scanner and the
tagged item
RFID Operations
What is RFID? -- The Tags
• Tags can be read-only or read-write
• Tag memory can be factory or field programmed,
partitionable, and optionally permanently locked
• Bytes left unlocked can be
rewritten over more than
100,000 times
RFID Tags
RFID System Basics
• Read Only (Factory
Programmed)
• Programmable
• WORM - Write Once,
Database Pointer
Read Many times
• Mission Critical
• Reprogrammable
Information
(Field Programmable)
• Portable Database
• Read/Write (In-Use
Programmable)
• Tag ID Only
What is RFID? -- The Tags
Tags can be attached to
almost anything:
– pallets or cases of product
– vehicles
– company assets or personnel
– items such as apparel,
luggage, laundry
– people, livestock, or pets
– high value electronics such
as computers, TVs, camcorders
Are All Tags The Same?
Basic Types:
Active
• Tag transmits radio signal
• Battery powered memory,
radio & circuitry
• High Read Range (100
meters)
Passive
• Tag reflects radio signal from
reader
• Reader powered
• Shorter Read Range (10cm
– 5 meters)
RFID the Supply Chain
Tag
Antenna
- Transmits
- Coiled
identification antenna of
data to a
reader
reader
creates
magnetic
field with
coiled
antenna
of tag
Reader
- Transmit
data to
middleware
- Associates
tag info with
product info
Middleware Supply chain
execution
- Backend SCE
- Process
or ERP
information
from reader systems
receives
- Filters data
Information
- Sends data
to backend
servers
How far, how fast, how much, how many, attached to what?
Low Frequency
No regulation
Penetrate materials (water, wood, tissue well)
Slow read speed
Small range
No penetration of iron and steel
Medium Frequency
Little data, small distance
Thin tags
Low cost
High data rates
Govt regulated
Non mental penetrating
High Frequency
Penetrate materials
Small tag size
High data transfer
Long range
Non-water or tissue penetrating
Non-regulated in some regions
expensive
Where can RFID add value?
 From Manufacturing
 Through Distribution
 Transportation
 Into a Store’s Back Room
Inventory
 On the Shelf
 At the Cash
Register
 Out the Door
as an anti-theft
device
RFID Video
Portal Applications
Bill of Lading
Material Tracking
Portal Applications
Limited number items at forklift speeds
8’ X 10’ doorways
Electronic receipt & dispatch
Wrong destination alert
Electronic marking
Pallet/container item tracking
Conveyor / Assembly Line
Read / Write Operations
Higher Accuracy than Bar Code
Conveyor / Assembly Line
Up to 450 fpm
60+ items per container
Inexpensive tunnels
Longer tunnel more items
Electronic receipt
Sorting
Electronic marking
Hand Held Application Categories
Batch
Wireless
Fixed Station
Application Examples
Wireless / Batch
Inventory Management
Where is it? What is it?
What is inside the box?
Material Handling
Aggregate / De-aggregate
What have I assembled or disassembled?
How many do I have? Do I have enough?
Material Handling
By Destination
Where is it going? Where has it been?
Should it be here?
Material Handling
Inspecting / Maintaining
Has this been repaired?
Is this under warrantee?
Has this been inspected?
Is this complete?
What is the asset’s status or state?
Shipping Validation
Intelligent Labels
The HazMat Label
HazMat Smart Label
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Low power > long range
1024 bit memory
Read/write/lock on 8 bits
Advanced protocol
 Efficient multi-id
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 12 ms/8 byte read 
 Group select
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 40 tags/second

Lock data permanently
25ms/byte write
Broadcast write
Anti-collision
Application Requirements
© Q.E.D. Systems 2003
 Wal-Mart - Suppliers will mark inbound cases and
pallets with RFID - 1 January 2005 - May, 2003
specification calls for ≈256 bit read/write tag
 U.S. Department of Defense - Draft RFID policy to
be completed by 18 September 2003 - To issue
final policy in July of 2004 that will require
suppliers to put passive RFID tags on selected
case/pallet packaging by January of 2005. Draft
policy calls for passive tags (est. 256 byte) and
active tags
Is RFID GPS? NO!
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Electronic Article Surveillance
 Typically retail theft deterrence
applications
 Arguably first and most widespread
commercial use of RFID
 “1-bit” tag
 Cheap, passive
Electronic Toll Collection
 Toll tags speed
regular users through
toll gates
 RFID tag on
windshield identifies
vehicle and enables
toll deduction from
account
Railcar Tracking
 99% of every North American railcar in
interchange service equipped with RFID
Access Control
 The ubiquitous
employee badge is
RFID
photo by HID Corporation
 Vehicle access
– NEXUS border
inspection program at
Peace Arch
Product Recall
 Remember Ford and Firestone?
 TREAD Act
 RFID pilots underway to track tires from
manufacturer to
vehicle
Baggage Tracking
 Positive PassengerBag Matching
initiatives (PPBM)
 Bar code systems
work today but lineof-sight requirements
make complicated
solutions
 1 to 2 billion tags/year
 Many pilots to date
 Tag price is key
Medicine
Counterfeits
Top 100 Suppliers:
 Suppliers will mark inbound cases and pallets with
RFID - 1 January 2005 - May, 2003 specification calls
for ≈256 bit read/write tag
• 1 EPC tag per carton – 100% read on conveyor
• 1 EPC tag per pallet – 100% read at Inbound dock
• Conveyor speed of up to 600 feet per minute
• 3 Texas Distribution Centers
• January 2005
Why???
• Stock management /perishables (field to
fork)
• In-stock levels
• Invoice reconciliation: damaged,
deductions, performance penalties, etc.
• Scan Based Trading or VMI
• Improved analytics & POS data
• All reads available to suppliers within 30
minutes
Metro Future-Store
• Video RFID Retailing
RFID & Retailing
PRADA
Guidelines for using RFID
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Bar codes cannot be used
Counting versus identification (reverse logistics)
Use of 3Party logistics and suppliers
Data collection is chaotic (battlefields, hospitals,
retails shops)
Exact configuration of the good must be
maintained
Counterfeit protection
High Risk scenarios, drugs, hospitals
Collecting data outside of retailer (smart
refrigerators, medicine cabinets, etc)