A typical Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system consists of a small computer chip known as a tag or transponder, a reader or scanning device, and a computer. Information is stored on the tag to be read by the scanner or reader. RFID tags can be attached to objects such as merchandise, packages or vehicles, or embedded in the tissue of animals or sometimes people, allowing the tagged object to be identified, located and tracked.
Asset Tracking
RFID technology is widely used in the private and public sectors for asset tracking and inventory management. Attaching RFID tags to items that need to located quickly or that are frequently lost or stolen can improve business efficiency and protect against theft. Indeed, one of the first commercial applications of RFID was an anti-theft system widely employed in stores. A simple RFID tag -- featuring just a single bit, which can be turned on or off -- is attached to merchandise in a store and read at store exits. When you pay for the item, the bit is switched off. An item not paid for causes an alarm to sound when the tag is read at the exit.
Supply-chain Management
For many years, RFID has been used for supply-chain management in the manufacturing and retailing industries. The low cost, invisibility, and ease of deployment of an RFID system makes it more appealing than alternative technologies, such as bar codes. In manufacturing, RFID technology is used to track individual parts, helping to reduce defects and increase throughput. In retailing, evolution of the Electronic Product Code (EPC) standard -- a universal identifier with digits for manufacturer, product category, and item -- has led many leading retailers to use RFID to track shipments from suppliers.
Access Control
Another popular application of RFID technology is the provision of keyless electronic access to buildings or secure areas within buildings. The main advantage of RFID in these situations is that employees can simply wave an RFID tag in the vicinity of a door to unlock it. This faster and more convenient than keys or magnetic swipe cards, and because there is no physical contact between the tag and the reader, there's less wear-and-tear.
Motor Vehicles
Active RFID tags that are battery powered can be installed in motor vehicles and read, typically at a distance of 100 feet or more, by a reader mounted in a highway toll booth. This allows vehicles to pass through the toll booth without stopping, reducing traffic congestion; such technology is also being investigated by fast-food restaurants as a potential drive-through payment method.
Tags: RFID tags, RFID technology, RFID system, toll booth
