Rfid (radio Frequency Identification) Use in Logistics

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) Use in Logistics

Abstract:

RFID is not a new technology but one that is evolving to take its place in the supply chain business. RFID offers a unique set of solutions and new problems for supply chain logistics. The overall supply chain management issues will provide a broad backdrop for the use of RFID, who is using it, its advantages and privacy concerns. The uses of RFID will be refined to down encompass its use in the LTL shipping industry within the continental United States as directly researched via visits to Southeastern Freight and UPS shipping facilities in Greensboro NC. At its current levels RFID is not suitable form a price point or value added view in the LTL industry.

Review of research:

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) uses radio waves to transfer data from an electronic tag, called an RFID tag or label, attached to an object, through a reader for the purpose of identifying and tracking the object. Some RFID tags can be read from several meters away and beyond the line of sight of the reader. RFID technology is now becoming advanced enough to permit bulk reading which allows almost-parallel reading of tags.

The tag's information is stored electronically. The RFID tag includes a small RF transmitter and receiver. The RFID reader transmits an encoded radio signal to interrogate the tag. The signals used by RFID are static as opposed to the dynamic sync of a cell phone. The tag receives the message and responds with its identification information. Many RFID tag do not use a battery but utilize the radio energy transmitted by the reader as its energy source. The RFID system design includes a method of discriminating several tags that might be within the range of the RFID reader.

A number of organizations have set standards for RFID, including the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), ASTM International, theDASH7 Alliance and EPCglobal. (Refer to Regulation and standardization below.)There are also several specific industries that have set guidelines including the Financial Services Technology Consortium (FSTC) have set a standard for tracking IT Assets with RFID, the Computer Technology Industry Association Comp TIA has set a standard for certifying RFID engineers and the International Airlines Transport Association IATA set tagging guidelines for luggage in airports.1

RFID can be used in many applications. A tag can be affixed to any object and used to track and manage inventory, assets, people, etc. For example, it can be affixed to cars, computer equipment, books, mobile phones, etc. The Healthcare industry has used RFID to reduce counting and keep tabs on equipment. Many financial institutions use RFID to track key assets and automate compliance. Also with recent advances in social media RFID is being used to tie the physical world with the virtual world. RFID in Social Media first came to light in 2010 with Facebook's annual conference. RFID chips were passed out to attendees and events they attended and photos snapped at booths were all automatically uploaded to their Facebook page.

RFID has proven itself to be a superior and more efficient way of identifying objects than manual systems or use of bar code systems. Bar codes systems can operate at around 300 line of sight scans per hour whereas RFID has capabilities as great as 20,000 reads per hour. Passive RFID can be read if passed close enough to an RFID reader. Because of the radio signal emitted from the tag there is no need to swipe or show the tag to the reader device, as with a bar code. No line of sight is needed to the tag can be read inside a case, carton, box or other container. Unlike barcodes RFID tags can be read hundreds at a time in a batch. Bar codes can only be read one at a time.

RFID tags can be either passive, active or battery assisted passive. Passive RFID does not use a battery. Passive tags can be read up to 20 feet (six meters) away. These tags will typically have lower production costs and be manufactured to be disposable, along with the packaging they are attached to.

An active RFID tag will have a battery incorporated into its design and will continuously broadcast its beacons or signal to a reader. A semi-passive tag relies on the reader to supply its power for broadcasting just like the passive tag. The difference in these tags is they contain more hardware than passive RFID tags, they are more expensive. Active and semi-passive tags are reserved for costly items that are read over greater distances -- they broadcast high frequencies from 850 to 950 MHz that can be read 100 feet (30.5 meters) or more away. If it is necessary to read the tags from even farther away, additional batteries can boost a tag's range to over 300 feet (100 meters).6 Table 1 illustrates class definitions of RFID tags as updated by EPCglobal in 2007.3

Another factor that influences the cost of RFID tags is data storage. There are three storage types: read-write, read-only and WORM (write once, read many). A read-write tag's data can be added to or overwritten. Read-only tags cannot be added to or overwritten -- they contain only the data that is stored in them when they were made. WORM tags can have additional data (like another serial number) added once, but they cannot be overwritten.

Most pass¬ive RFID tags cost between seven and 20 cents U.S. each.7 Active and semi-passive tags are more expensive, and RFID manufacturers typically do not quote prices for these tags without first determining their range, ¬storage type and quantity. The RFID industry's goal is to get the cost of a passive RFID tag down to five cents each once more merchandisers adopt it.

Most RFID tags contain at least two parts: one is an integrated circuit for storing and processing information, modulating and demodulating a radio-frequency (RF) signal, and other specialized functions; the other is an antenna or receiving and transmitting the signal.

Depending on mobility, RFID readers are classified into two different types: fixed RFID and mobile RFID. If the reader reads tags in a stationary position, it is called fixed RFID. These fixed readers are set up specific interrogation zones and create a "bubble" of RF energy that can be tightly controlled if the physics is well engineered. This allows a very definitive reading area for when tags go in and out of the interrogation zone. On the other hand, if the reader is mobile when the reader reads tags, it is called mobile RFID. Mobile readers include hand helds, carts and vehicle mounted RFID readers from manufacturers