RFID used for real-time tracking Physics 490 seminar 4/15/2019 - Dylan Leintz - Dr. Davies

In this talk... What is RFID What it can look like My experiment Why it is important Applications Summary

What is RFID? Radio Frequency Identification Been around since WWII Most people use it everyday and don’t realize it Mostly used today for keeping track of any physical item, digitally

What is RFID? It allows for any item to be tracked by a small radio device The system is comprised of devices Tags Cards Readers Sensors PDAs

Tags Each tag has a unique ID Tags can be passive or active Passive tag Tags Each tag has a unique ID Tags can be passive or active Passive tags use the readers radio waves to power itself and activate Can send up to 128 bytes of information Small range Up to 20 year life span

Tags Active tags Are powered by a battery Always on and have a large range Up to 128 kb of complex information 5-10 year life span Active tag

Tags Appearance Buttons Discs Cards Labels Capsules PIT tags Passive integrated transponder Used for small animals

Readers/antenna Collects/sends signals from nearby tags At certain frequency Depending on the size and shape of the antenna Whenever a tag is in range, the signal is sent back Modulated with the tag ID

Readers/ antennas The readers send information to the computer via USB or SD

Readers Examples Toll ways Forklifts Shelves Handheld Handmade boards

RFID middleware/software Arduino software Just download from website From this you can operate the board Make changes to the RFID code For homemade boards

Tracking bird patterns Feeding patterns Nest behavior PIT tag attached to leg Reader location Feeders Bird house

Tracking Bird Patterns Homemade bird feeder Antenna located at perch Reader located under Encased in waterproof cover Long lasting portable battery

Tracking bird patterns Antenna collects data from birds Reader receives Time of arrival Keeps collecting until tag is out of range After data collection Reader plugged into computer via usb/sd Data logs can be uploaded and read on arduino software

Finding effective range Range depends on the frequency and inductance of the antenna coil Measured the range with a ruler Found it was about 1.5 cm all around the antenna Except for when the tag was parallel to the antenna There was no range

Finding effective range

Measuring Inductance (L) Using magnetic flux density (B) Number of turns (N) Area (A) Current (I)

Coupling Transfer of energy between two circuits Capacitive coupling (close) Uses electrodes insteads of antennas Connected through a capacitor Inductive coupling (remote) Uses magnetic field to power tag Backscatter coupling (long range) Reflects same frequency signal back

Coupling

Effective range The range for the antenna I used was small (125 kHz) Low frequency: 125 kHz - 134 kHz Range: centimeters High frequency: 13.56 MHz Range: up to 1 meter Ultra high frequency: 433, and 860 MHz - 960 MHz Range: up to 50 feet

Frequency uses Low frequency is used for: Animal tracking Access control High frequency: Library tracking, patient tracking, transit tickets Ultra high frequency: toll ways, warehouse docks, races

Why RFID is important Enable tracking for any items Allows businesses to digitally sort and file Creates opportunities for further advancements Components are cheap Technology is simple to learn

Why RFID is important Anyone can find it useful DIY projects Animal tracking The tags are small enough to track smaller animals Alternate for GPS tracking Discover more about animal patterns/behaviors

Other applications Shipping Track packages Sort Retail Prevent theft Smart cards Smart storage

Other applications Healthcare Patient ID wristband Tollways Pet feeders Key fobs

Other applications Vehicle tracking Schools and universities Museums and galleries libraries Military Farms Trains

Growth Cheaper materials Advance in technology Many businesses starting to apply RFID Ease of adapting to smarter technology

Future uses Connecting to the cloud Larger, more complex information Defending privacy concerns

Summary RFID uses radio frequencies to track and communicate with physical item RFID has been around for a long time Tags can be put on or integrated into most items Tags can be passive or active With varying ranges and uses Readers send and receive radio waves with the tags

Summary RFID is a great tool to learn about animal patterns Especially smaller animals RFID is already all around us in various industries Materials are cheap and easy work work with Keeps businesses and the world organized Makes tracking many items at a time easy