Created by: Samantha Conrad

 What is an RFID?  Where did they come from?  Active tags vs. Passive tags  RFID Systems  Who uses these?  What’s in the future of RFID devices?

 Radio Frequency Identification  RFID devices are used as a method to identify a given person/object by storing and remotely retrieving information from small transponders  Two Types: active and passive  Passive tags=no power source  Active tags=need a power source to function

 Related to technology used by Allies in WWII  IFF (Identification Friend or Foe)  RFID devices were tested after the war by scientists and researchers to explore their uses to store and relay information  It presented one major obstacle before it could become feasible technology

 Active Tags  Contain internal power source  Longer read range  Bigger memory  Larger than passive receivers  Advantages: accuracy, reliability, and superior performance  Passive Tags  No internal power source  Small electric current is created in the antenna when an incoming signal is received  Enough power to relay simple information like an ID number or product name  Very small, sometimes thinner than a piece of paper

RFID SYSTEMS include: -Tags, RFID readers, edge servers, middle ware, and a server RFID systems allow the data to be transmitted from the tag to the reader

 Many specialized components  The type of data that can be sent includes: location information, color, price, identification, and date of purchase  RFID’s can also be used as tracking devices for humans  Controversy about invasion of privacy  RFID’s work in stages

Medical Animal Identification Tracking Geology/Vulcanology Automotive Human Border Security

 Ultimate goal: replace all UPC and barcodes with RFID tags  Highly unlikely soon due to cost  Utilizing RFID devices to aid in combating theft of merchandise  Tracking the merchandise from location to location  Research is also being done to create an ink with RFID properties (sensors)

 Walmart is one of the strongest advocates for widespread use of RFID tags  Changes will eventually include RFID tags on ALL company inventory  Will save massive amounts of dollars in labor and product cost due  Study at the University of Arkansas proved that Walmart stores with RFID tags in use could have a better success rate of customer satisfaction  More available desired products

 RFID allows any inventory to be found instantly in a warehouse  Places that are at a high risk for security issues can constantly watch high risk situations  Lost pets can be returned home  Businesses are spending billions of dollars and thousands of man hours to make this technology what it needs to be to change the world  It is continuously changing, every day

“The purpose of this report is to explore the history and examine the practical applications of RFID.”