What is RFID Technology?

RFID stands for Radio-Frequency Identification, which is a device used to transmit the identity of any object or human being via radio waves. The RFID device is made in the form of a unique serial number small enough to fit on the tip of a human finger.

It is important to understand what an RFID is because it is used around us everyday in places some people would not even think of. The device is used for pets given ID tags, the EZPass express lanes via toll booth, and even using the SpeedPass at your local gas station. More and more organizations are getting used to this technology and using it for security purposes along with biometric technologies.

RFID is much more convenient than a normal UPC bar-code device, because the RFID technology does not require face to face contact of any kind, everything is done through wireless communications. This device can be easily read and communicated with through almost anything. Some organizations use the RFID device in order to read through human bodies, or clothing and non-metallic materials.

This device sounds fairly new however, its been around for quite sometime but not in the same shape or form. RFID was originally used for the identification of air-crafts during the Second World War. The reason why many of us are only hearing about it now is because the device was always too expensive for organizations to use.
Due to the technology advancements and reduced cost, numerous organizations are deciding to use RFID technology. For example organizations such as Wal-Mart and the US Defense Department, have made it part of their jobs to use the RFID through out their whole organization.

An RFID device consists of 3 parts: a tag, a reader, and an infrastructure. The reader is the part that is used in order to communicate with the RFID tag. The tag receives a radio wave signal coming from the reader which enables it to do its job.

Some readers are either portable devices or stationary ones that organizations might keep in their transport trucks or shipping bays. The tag component is usually a small piece of material that has an antenna, and a microchip unit with memory storage.
The reason why the RFID uses tags is because its the most efficient way to transmit information to a portable device. The data that is transmitted to the RFID device might hold an identification or information about the product such as price, color, and even the date it was p u rchased. It is able to provide all of the specifics needed to know about the product. The RFID device is becoming more and more popular because of its unique ability to track moving objects.

Currently, many retailers such as Best Buy, Metro, Target, and Tesco have adapted to the RFID technology; just to name a few other organizations. Numerous organizations today are growing more concerned with improving their supply chain efficiency and security. The RFID device would make sure their products are stored safely on the shelves where their customers can purchase them.



In order to further understand how the technology works for the RFID device, please visit http://docs.sun.com/source/819-4684/RFID-intro.html.

Sources:

Nelson,M. What is RFID? Retrieved April 4, 2010, from the Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility: http://www.aimglobal.org/technologies/rfid/what_is_rfid.asp

Stodart,J. (2006, January 23). RFID Technology. Retrieved April 4, 2010, from Privacy Commissioner: http://www.priv.gc.ca/fs-fi/02_05_d_28_e.cfm