Tutorial Title: RFID state of the art, current applications, and future trends

Speaker: Plamen Doynov

Senior Engineer, Midwest Research Institute

Abstract: Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a general term that is used to describe the implementation of radio waves to transmit the associated identity of an object wirelessly, in the form of a unique code (number of bits). RFID technologies are grouped under the more generic Automatic Identification (Auto ID) technologies. The traditional and familiar barcode labels triggered a revolution in identification systems. They are inexpensive and widely used but inadequate in an increasing number of cases. The major disadvantage is the need for line of sight access of the coded information. The ideal solution is contactless transfer of data between the data carrying device and its reader. A feasible solution was putting the data on silicon chips and using radio waves to operate the electronic data transfer between the carrier and the reader using contactless technology. These procedures give RFID its name. The big idea that drives the RFID is the commercial vision to change the way any demand-supply chain operates. In a not so distant future, RFID enabled wear houses, stores, and refrigerators will monitor the consumption in real time. A shelf will signal the inventory when it needs more stuff and inventory (autonomous data base) will pull supplies from the manufacturer based on its level of stock. The shopping cart will display all needed information and the checkout lines will be thing of the past. RFID is a simple concept, not-so-difficult to implement and with revolutionary results. In order to understand the technology, it is essential to understand how Radio Frequency communication occurs. By generating a specific electromagnetic wave at the source, its effect can be noticed at the receiver far from the source, which then identifies it and thus the information. The RFID tag which contains the associated data of the object generates a signal containing the respective information which is read by the RFID reader. The reader then may pass the obtained information for that particular application. Thus, an RFID System can be visualized as the sum of the following three components: RFID tag or transponder, RFID reader or transceiver, and Data processing subsystem. The content of the tutorial will focus on details of each one subsystem. The outline will follow Introduction; Technology architecture and standards; Major current applications; Deficiencies and future developments. Tutorial includes hand on demonstration of working passive and active tags and handheld readers.

Prospective Audience: This tutorial is designed for students, technical personal and researchers working in the area of supply and demand chain infrastructure and wireless data processing. It is to help computer and database professionals/business analysts, such as, system administrators, designers, project and technical managers, and for people involved in planning, designing, developing, implementing, administrating wireless inventory monitoring and control applications. It is also intended to trigger interest for students of computer and information science who are pursuing or planning to pursue a career in further developing RFID.

Presenter’s Biography: Plamen Doynov is a Senior Engineer at Midwest Research Institute in Kansas City, Missouri, USA. He is currently a graduate student in ECE department of UMKC. His research interests and expertise include biomedical engineering, remote sensing, and design of specialized instrumentation. In his career Mr. Doynov has worked in multiple scientific and industrial projects, including the implementation of RFID for live stock tracking and control. He is currently a consultant for implementation of RFID for real time inventory control. Mr. Doynov has 15 publications and three US patents. He is IEEE Member.