April 7, 2009
With RFID UHF tags, there is a general rule of the thumb: The larger the tag, the longer the read range. This is generally true when comparing tags from the same time period. As with any technology, performance improves while the size decreases over time. Therefore, a 4′ x 4″ tag from 2005 will generally not perform as well as a 2″ x 2″ tag from 2008.
A critical component is the antenna design. Unfortunately, there is no one best antenna design. The optimal design is dependent on the application which includes form factor, size limitations, dielectric characteristics of the material to which it is being attached, frequency optimization, etc.
Another general rule of thumb is that a single dipole tag properly lined up with a linear antenna will have a longer read range than a dual dipole tag with a circular antenna. In my earlier post about RFID antennas, I discussed the difference betwen linear and circular antennas.
Although this is a high-level view, the basic RFID tag factors which affect read range are:
1. size
2. antenna design
3. type
The next in this series will discuss how the item itself affects the read range.
April 3, 2009
As the mom of two little girls, I am becoming increasingly aware of environmental issues and steps that I can take to make a difference for them and future generations. I use energy-efficient lightbulbs, reuse plastic containers and bags as much as I can, turn off the lights when I don’t need them on and we always make a point to recycle. So when I saw this article about Kraft and its recycling program I was thrilled. Here’s a big manufacturer taking steps to help our environment.
Check it out. Kraft foods has started a pilot program where they reward people for recycling! According to RFID Journal, “Kraft is the “official food sponsor” of RecycleBank, which has been expanding its offering across the United States with technology to weigh recycling bins as they are lifted into the recycling truck, while also recording whose recyclables are being weighed. The consumer can then use that record to download a variety of coupons and other rewards, based on the amount of recycling they did.” Read the article.
So how does RFID play a role? Each bin has a RFID tag and each customer has a unique ID code on their bin and to use when they log in online.
How awesome is that?!? Let’s hope some other manufacturers join in the program too.
March 30, 2009
As RFID technology matures and the capabilities of RFID equipment improves
new and interesting applications arise. BlueBean has recently started a project using active RFID for a electronics retail chain that wants to correlate the amount of time its sales people spend on the show room floor in their respective departments to actual sales.
Hmmm…who would have thought that RFID could drive more sales? We all know how Wal Mart is improving out of stocks by utilizing passive RFID to improve its supply chain but to improve people utilization is an interesting idea. If you have have not spent
time in electronics retail you would be surprised how real-time it is. Managers look at sales and other metrics by the hour so adding an additional metric of sales people location utilization to this mix will allow them to keep optimizing the same resources to drive more sales. MAN I LOVE THIS TECHNOLOGY!
March 28, 2009
Did you know that in many countries, RFID is being used on vehicle license plates in order to ensure drivers are registering their cars appropriately?
It’s true. These systems are called electronic vehicle registration (EVR) or electronic vehicle identification (EVI). How does it work? RFID tags are embedded in decals on windshields or license plates. Then, RFID readers are set up at intersections and officials can even use handheld RFID readers when they make a traffic stop. The system allows these countries to make sure that the vehicles are insured, the registration is up to date and any taxes or fees are up-to-date.
And, according to the RFID Journal, “Another potential benefit of deploying EVR and EVI systems is their ability to count the number of cars that drive on a particular roadway during a specified period of time. Many cities worldwide have increasing levels of traffic, but were not designed to accommodate vehicles.”
RFID’s use is indeed widespread. What do you think? Should the US consider a similar program? Let me know your thoughts!
March 25, 2009
In the early days of RFID, RFID tags were placed haphazardly on the cases and packages with no thought on how it would affect the read range. Now we know better!
We now know that there are locations on every package that are hostile to RF and others that are friendly. This is important to not only the individual package, but also when the packages are stacked or in a line. Why does this happen? Packaging material and item materials play a major role. For example, if you have a case of liquid laundry detergent, the tag will perform better when away from the liquid. There is RFID software that shows you the RF-friendly locations (in green) and the RF-hostile locations (in red).
This is a small but critical step in any RFID solution. After all the time, money and resources utilized in the design and implementation of an RFID solution, wouldn’t it be a shame if the warehouse personnel placed the tag right in that big red spot?
Next time I will discuss the challenges of metals and liquids.
March 23, 2009
As Americans, we all remember 9/11 too well. The great thing is that the Freedom Tower is now being built where the Twin Towers once stood. And, did you know that RFID is an integral part of that building process?
Active RFID tags are being placed in the concrete foundation so that the builders can monitor the concrete’s complicated curing process. Different grades of concrete are being used in the Tower and each cures differently. And, the concrete must be cured before it can bear a load. For some types of concrete and curing process can take weeks.
Prior to the use of RFID tags being placed in the concrete, mathematical models were used and they unfortunately had a high error margin so builders would err on the side of caution and let the concrete sit longer to make sure it was definitely cured. Now, a handheld reader is used to read the tags and make sure the concrete is ready.
Another cool use of RFID! So, now when you visit the Freedom Tower in NYC you’ll know that RFID was an integral part of its construction. God Bless America!
March 20, 2009
We have all heard and witnessed that RFID has not exploded onto the scene like initially predicted. It has seen steady growth but no big breakthroughs…why?
We need to look back a couple of years and look at the market in 2003. Proprietary RFID equipment (RFID Readers and RFID Tags) were being sold in small quantities but obviously no company was going to invest a large amount of money in proprietary RFID hardware – result: no market movement
In 2005 the EPCglobal Gen 2 standard was passed. Finally the RFID market would explode…wrong. It took most of this year to get the Gen 2 compliant RFID equipment into the hands of integrators and early adapters. Intermec was claiming it owns the RFID patents and wants everyone to pay royalties – result:unsteady market and only pilot programs
In 2006 the results are being published of tests performed with the first release of Gen2 compliant RFID Readers and Passive RFID Tags. The test results are not spectacular. Wal-Mart slows its roll-out plans – result: slow market growth
In 2007 (of late 2006) the second generation of RFID Hardware was released. Performance was much improved and prices have dropped for both readers and tags – result: closed loop applications have become more common
In 2008 what will happen? The performance of RFID equipment is excellent for pallet and case applications. RFID Tag and Reader prices have dropped and are very affordable. Performance is good enough for item level applications to be considered. What is the key to unlock the door that is holding back the RFID market? One word…Volume! If you talk to any of the RFID chip companies (i.e. Alien, Impinj…). They need volume to drive down prices. It is no longer an issue of technology it is an issue of economies of scale. They need volume to drive down tag prices thus making item level applications (pharma, clothing …) become cost justifiable. Wal Mart, DoD and other retailers need to keep the pressure on and the FDA needs to mandate that all drugs sold in the United States be serialized with a RFID tag.
Wow! Looking back on what I just wrote I was only planning on writing a quick post but I really got into this topic:)
March 18, 2009
We have all heard and witnessed that RFID has not exploded onto the scene like initially predicted. It has seen steady growth but no big breakthroughs…why?
We need to look back a couple of years and look at the market in 2003. Proprietary RFID equipment (RFID Readers and RFID Tags) were being sold in small quantities but obviously no company was going to invest a large amount of money in proprietary RFID hardware – result: no market movement
In 2005 the EPCglobal Gen 2 standard was passed. Finally the RFID market would explode…wrong. It took most of this year to get the Gen 2 compliant RFID equipment into the hands of integrators and early adapters. Intermec was claiming it owns the RFID patents and wants everyone to pay royalties – result:unsteady market and only pilot programs
In 2006 the results are being published of tests performed with the first release of Gen2 compliant RFID Readers and RFID Tags. The test results are not spectacular. Wal-Mart slows its roll-out plans – result: slow market growth
In 2007 (of late 2006) the second generation of RFID Hardware was released. Performance was much improved and prices have dropped for both readers and tags – result: closed loop applications have become more common
In 2008 what will happen? The performance of RFID equipment is excellent for pallet and case applications. RFID Tag and Reader prices have dropped and are very affordable. Performance is good enough for item level applications to be considered. What is the key to unlock the door that is holding back the RFID market? One word…Volume! If you talk to any of the RFID chip companies (i.e. Alien, Impinj…). They need volume to drive down prices. It is no longer an issue of technology it is an issue of economies of scale. They need volume to drive down tag prices thus making item level applications (pharma, clothing …) become cost justifiable. Wal Mart, DoD and other retailers need to keep the pressure on and the FDA needs to mandate that all drugs sold in the United States be serialized with a RFID tag.
Wow! Looking back on what I just wrote I was only planning on writing a quick post but I really got into this topic:)
March 16, 2009
I sometimes wonder how successful companies got that way when I see some poor choices they make. In my previous post I discussed why the RFID market has not seen the dramatic growth that was predicted. There was another factor that has lead to the slow growth. The companies who tried to implement RFID and failed for all the wrong reasons. They hired a systems integrator or a consultant that was not a RFID expert.
BlueBean receives calls frequently from panicked project managers that has a failed RFID project on his or her hands and needs to be rescued. At this point their budget is usually busted, the project is not near completion and the read accuracy is poor. The only out for this project manager is to blame the technology. He tells his boss that RFID technology is not ready.
Result: RFID gets the bad rap for a company hiring an inexperienced RFID vendor.
The lesson is that RFID projects require an experienced RFID consultant or systems integrator. Companies beware of bar code companies or IT shops pretending to be RFID experts. They can hide behind their technical expertise and be convincing but RFID is a very different animal. I would recommend asking questions like:
1. What percentage of your annual revenue is from RFID projects?
2. How many complete implementations have you done?
3. How long have you been implementing RFID?
4. Do you have any RFID certifications?
There are few pure RFID consulting and integration companies in the United States. BlueBean is one of them with over 200 clients
March 13, 2009
While BlueBean mainly focuses on EPCglobal Gen2 RFID applications and some active RFID solutions the recent announcement from Hitachi about a new RFID Powder is very interesting. Leveraging the semiconductor industry advances in manufacturing smaller and smaller IC’s Hitachi has managed to strip out all unnecessary circuits to create the smallest RFID tag – .05 x.05 mm – WOW!
Their target market is mainly financial – anti-counterfeit – bonds, currency…
You could easily see where this technology could be embedded in different paper products. Legal companies, accounting companies and hospitals could take advantage of having RFID tags in every piece of paper. These organizations all face mountains of paperwork.
What about the jewelry industry? Another great opportunity for “Powder” RFID Tags.
It will be interesting to see what form factor the RFID Readers will take to read these little RFID tags.
Hitachi says the RFID Power will be commercially available in 2-3 years.
