How RFID Technology is impacting Internet of Things(IoT) applications

Introduction

Radio frequency identification (RFID) systems are expanding rapidly with their applications in a wide range of areas. RFID systems consist of radio frequency (RF) tags and RF readers or interrogators. These systems are used for a wide range of applications that track, monitor, report, and manage items as they move between different physical locations. The tags consist of integrated circuits and an RF antenna. A wide range of extensions such as memory, sensors, encryption, and access control can be added to the tag. The interrogators query the tags for information stored on them, which can include items like identification numbers, user written data, or sensory data. The major areas that drive the commercial deployment of RFID technology are logistics, supply chain management, library item tracking, medical implants, road tolling building access control, aviation security, and homeland security applications.

Asset Management

Organizations are already using RFID tags combined with a mobile asset management solution to record and monitor the location of their assets, their current status, and whether they have been maintained.

Inventory Systems

An advanced automatic identification technology based on RFID technology has significant value for inventory systems. The system can provide accurate knowledge of the current inventory. The RFID can also help the company to ensure the security of the inventory. With the just in time tracking of inventory through RFID, the computer data can show whether the inventory stored in the warehouse is correct with quantity currently. Other benefits of using RFID include the reduction of labor costs, the simplification of business processes, and the reduction of inventory inaccuracies

Product Tracking

RFID use in product tracking applications begins with plant-based production processes, and then extends into post-sales configuration management policies for large Buyers. In this application the companies use RFID to track the quantity of material used to make a specific product to how many copies of that product was sold at a specific time.

Supply-Chain Merchandize Tracking

RFID can also be used for supply chain management in different industries. The RFID label is attached to the product at production can be read/traced throughout the entire supply chain and is removed at the POS. This is common in the garment industry.

Access Control

RFID tags are widely used in identification badges, replacing earlier magnetic stripe cards. These badges need only be held within a certain distance of the reader to authenticate the holder. Tags can also be placed on vehicles, which can be read at a distance, to allow entrance to controlled areas without having to stop the vehicle and present a card or enter an access code.

Transportation and Logistics

Logistics and transportation are major areas of implementation for RFID technology. Yard management, shipping and freight, and distribution centers use RFID tracking technology. In the railroad industry, RFID tags mounted on locomotives and rolling stock identify the owner, identification number, and type of equipment and its characteristics. This can be used with a database to identify the lading, origin, destination, and so on of the commodities being carried.

In commercial aviation, RFID technology is being incorporated to support maintenance on commercial aircraft. RFID tags are used to identify baggage and cargo at several airports and airlines. Some countries are using RFID technology for vehicle registration and enforcement. RFID can help detect and retrieve stolen cars.

Animal Identification

RFID tags for animals represent one of the oldest uses of RFID technology. Originally meant for large ranches and rough terrain, since the outbreak of mad-cow disease, RFID has become crucial in animal identification management. An implantable RFID tag or transponder can also be used for animal identification.

Sports

RFID for timing races began in the early 1990s with pigeon racing. RFID can provide race start and end timings for individuals in large races where it is impossible to get accurate stopwatch readings for every entrant.

Telemetry

Active RFID tags also have the potential to function as low-cost remote sensors that broadcast telemetry back to a base station. Applications of tagometry data could include sensing of road conditions by implanted beacons, weather reports, and noise level monitoring.