Radio frequency identification technology has emerged from obscurity and into the mainstream in recent years, enabling applications that hasten the processing of materials and produced items. In contrast to older bar-code technology, RFID permits identification from a distance and does so without having a line of sight. We shall describe RFID, it’s applications and possible challenges in its usage and applications.

WHAT IS RFID?

The term “radio frequency identification” (RFID) refers to a type of wireless communication that uses electromagnetic or electrostatic coupling in the radio frequency region of the electromagnetic spectrum to specifically identify a person, animal, or item. This quickly developing technology use radio waves to wirelessly transport data.

The idea of RFID first appeared in the 1940s. A crude variant of RFID was soon employed by the US military as a surveillance tool. In the 1970s, RFID started to be used commercially, but only large firms and the government could afford it because to its high cost. By the 1990s, keyless entry systems for commercial vehicles were widely used, and it continued to get more compact and simplified.

How does RFID Technology Work? 

A scanning antenna, a transceiver, and a transponder are the three parts of every RFID system. An RFID reader or interrogator is the name given to the device that combines the scanning antenna and transceiver. RFID readers come in two different varieties: fixed readers and mobile readers. The transponder is in the RFID tag itself Any data that is stored on an RFID tag must be retrieved via a reader. A typical RFID tag includes a microchip that has a storage capacity of up to 2 megabytes. The chips utilized in this technique can be as little as a sand grain. An antenna and a tiny chip are included in the reader device to send data via the radio-frequency electromagnetic field. The reader is in charge of extracting personal data from package tags, such as the special serial number. The antenna, which broadcasts radio signals and collects signals from package tags, is used to gather the information.The kind of tag, reader, RFID frequency, and interference from other RFID tags and readers are some of the variables that affect the read range of RFID tags. The read range of stronger power source tags is likewise longer.

Without any physical touch between the reader operator and the tagged object, information is conveyed. Automatic identification technology, or RFID, is what it is typically referred to as. Barcodes, retinal scans, and optical character scanners are all examples of auto-identification technologies.

Features of RFID technology

There are some characteristics that make RFID a desirable technology to have in the world today. These include:

1. RFID is efficient. The RFID system’s reading and writing speeds are very quick, and a typical RFID transmission procedure typically takes less than 100 milliseconds. The efficiency of information transfer is substantially increased by the ability of high-frequency RFID scanners to recognize and read the content of several tags simultaneously.
2. It is quite simple to use. RFID tags feature a straightforward design, a high rate of recognition, and minimal reading requirements. Each user’s mobile phone will transform into the most basic RFID reader, especially as NFC technology progressively gains popularity on smartphones.
3. It offers a certain level of uniqueness. Every RFID tag is different. RFID tags and items have a one-to-one relationship, allowing for precise tracking of each product’s future circulation.
4. RFID technology is very applicable in spheres of life, especially business. With RFID technology, there is no need for direct physical touch because it uses electromagnetic waves instead. This enables it to connect and communicate immediately despite impediments like dust, fog, plastic, paper, and wood.
5. Security can be guaranteed when using RFID. The RFID Tags can be encased, making them considerably harder to tamper with. A variety of tag types are now additionally programmed with a serial identifying number, which is guaranteed to be unique globally.
6. Without a battery, a passive type RFID tag can be used sporadically. Additionally, the data may be rewritten because the tag has a memory. RFID exchanges and stores a far greater quantity of data than barcodes.

Applications of RFID Technology

Although RFID has been around since the 1940s, the 1970s saw an increase in its application. For a very long time, extensive commercial use was restricted due to the exorbitant cost of the tags and readers. RFID use has grown as hardware costs have fallen.

Typical applications for RFID technology include:

• RFID is used as a medium for numerous tasks including managing supply chains, tracking livestock, preventing counterfeiting, controlling building access, supporting automated checkout etc. 
• RFID is also used as a means of providing security to differentiate pirated copies of video and audio discs by sticking RFID stickers to the discs. 
• Another widely popular example for RFID application is RFID based toll gates.
• A latest enhancement to this technology is sending the bill details instantly to the user’s mobile phone. And this technique is also used to track stolen cars and other vehicles by police departments with the use of GPRS and RFID. 
• Another popular application of RFID is in animal tracking. Using RFID tags to track animals is not a new application, but it has evolved from the usage of detecting of missed cattle to the tracking of its movements and behavior. The RFID tags are even used to control outbreaks of animal diseases. 
• Today technology has transformed into human implantation of RFID tags. RFID based wristbands and clothes embedded with RFID tags are used to track prisoners. 
• The RFID tags are also used in the health care industry; an RFID tag is used to store the patient’s medical history. RFID tag is scanned each time to know the developments and changes of the patient’s health condition and medication. RFID tags are often used for medical transactions. 
• RFID tags can also be used in airline industry to track the baggage of the passengers. Walmart is conducting trials to explore a cart integrated with an RFID reader and a wireless mobile computer authorized to make payments as customers add items to the cart. The system displays prices and then authorizes a batch payment when the customer finishes shopping. If a customers RFID mobile is also tuned with credit details, the payment is also done electronically

Challenges of RFID technology

There is no technology without its challenges. In this case, the challenges in the uses and applications of RFID are stated thus:

• When too many tags broadcast data simultaneously, it causes tag collision, which confuses the RFID reader. This problem may be avoided by selecting a reader that only reads tags one at a time. 
• Using an anti-collision protocol to have RFID tags alternate which reader they transmit to prevents reader collision, which occurs when a signal from one RFID reader interferes with that of another.

RFID is still in a developing phase and more is in the pipeline in terms of new applications. RFID technology is expected to become economically and technically more viable and impact our daily lives as more applications are developed.