What is RFID? Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a wireless form of automated identification technology. RFID is sometimes called dedicated short-range communication (DSRC).

The Beginning of RFID RFID was invented in 1948 by Harry Stockman and after several years of explorations and development RFID was patented in 1973

RFID Chips and Tags RFID chips and tags come in all different sizes and frequencies An RFID system consists of three components: an antenna and transceiver (often combined into one reader) and a transponder (the tag).

RFID Starter's Kit Both Kits Contain: Reader/Writer with integrated Antenna - AC Power Supply - Many different Tag Samples - CD-ROM to interface Reader to your PC, Terminal Program - Or customize your own kit by choosing a different Reader, quantities of particular Tags - Extremely easy to use - Plug & Play system - Some SDK files available, this is not intended to be a SDK

World’s First open highway Electronic Tolling System An RFID tag used for electronic toll collection RFID was first used 1991 in Oklahoma, where vehicles could pass toll collection points at highway speed

Big Bad Wal-Mart When Wal-Mart talks, suppliers listen. When Wal-Mart talks, suppliers listen. When Wal-Mart wanted a better way to manage inventory, bar codes became the required. The same thing is happening today with RFID                              

RFID vs. Barcodes Are bar codes being replaced by RFID? Not yet, the two complement each other. RFID can store more data than a bar code, but bar codes are much cheaper.

Wal-Mart’s Implementation January 1, 2005 Wal-Mart mandated that its top 100 North American suppliers begin using RFID on their pallets and products.

Top 100 Suppliers include:                                                  

Investing in RFID Wal-Mart is expecting to spend an estimated $3 Billion to integrate this new system.

RFID vs. ROI RFID tags currently cost about $.30 - $.45 a piece At this cost, there is no ROI for low cost goods. Currently a consumer can only find tags on items such as VCR’s and X-boxes.

Achieve ROI RFID tags would need to come down to a $.15 - $.10 range to be cost effective enough to achieve ROI. At a cost of about $.05, consumers would see tags used on items such as: milk, toilet paper, and bags of chips.

Wal-Mart uses RFID Wal-Mart uses the RFID technology to track their inventory as it moves through the supply chain, from the manufacture to the distribution center, to the retailer stock room, to the shelf on the sales floor of the store.

Electronic Inventory Management RFID tags allow companies to track each pallet, lot, and unit long after it has left the factory or warehouse. This helps Wal-Mart avoid stock outs and loss of perishable goods

Passive RFID Passive RFID are not powered by batteries, but powered by the radio signal that provides enough power for the tag to send a response and have low-frequency RFID systems that have short transmission ranges, generally less than six feet.

Active RFID Active RFID are power by batteries and have high-frequency RFID systems that offer longer transmission ranges, more than 90 feet

Saving Time is Saving Money Another RFID idea in development is based around a forklift Placing an RFID reader in a forklift will enable it to read pallets (as it transports them) and transmit the information.

No Empty Shelves allowed RFID helps the Supply Chain by keeping track of in-store inventory to ensure that a full range of products are available to its customers at all times

Next Generation Tags Next generation tags will also be able to expand RFID technology globally. These tags will be equipped with ultra-high frequency signals and be able to span the globe.