Mitsubishi 

RFID technology in warehouses. Inside Look: RFID and Other Tags

From everyone’s favorite (at least I really hope so) series “A View from the Inside” - more than six months. It’s not that there wasn’t anything to write or talk about, it’s just that I was overwhelmed by things that will become the subject of one of my next articles on Habré (I hope that it won’t be scrapped, since it won’t be devoted entirely to IT topics). In the meantime, we have a free minute, let's figure out what RFID (Radio-frequency identification) is - they will be joined by simpler tags - or how one small step in technology has dramatically changed the lives of millions and even billions of people around the world.

Preface

I would like to make a reservation right away.

Before starting work on this article, I really hoped that from microphotographs, and especially from optics, information found on the Internet, and some knowledge from past publications, it would be possible to determine where and what elements of the microcircuit are located. At least at the “everyday” level: they say, this is memory, this is the power supply circuit, and here information processing takes place. Indeed, it would seem that RFID is the simplest device, the simplest “computer” that you can think of...

However, life made its own adjustments and all that I managed to find: a general diagram of the device of a new generation of tags, photographs of what, for example, memory should look like - I don’t even know why I didn’t pay attention to this in the article about RAM (maybe I’ll see an opportunity to improve?!), and scandals, intrigues, revelations of A5 processors from chipworks.

Theoretical part

By tradition, let's start with some introductory part.
RFID
The history of radio frequency recognition technology - perhaps this is how all conceivable and inconceivable variants of RFID (radio-frequency identification) can be called - goes back to the 40s of the 20th century, when the development of all types of electronic equipment was actively carried out in the USSR, Europe and the USA .

At that time, any product powered by electricity was still a novelty, so the scientists faced an unplowed field: wherever you poked, as in the Black Earth Region, a shovel handle - a tree would grow. Judge for yourself: Maxwell proposed his laws only half a century ago (in 1884). And theories based on these equations began to appear 2-3 decades later (between 1900 and 1914), including the theory of radio waves (from their discovery, to signal modulation models, etc.). Plus, the preparation and conduct of the Second World War left its mark on this area.

As a result, by the end of the 40s, “friend or foe” recognition systems were developed, which were somewhat larger than those described in this article, but worked on virtually the same principle as modern RFID tags.

The first demonstration of close to modern RFID was carried out in 1973 at the Los Alamos Research Laboratory, and one of the first patents for this kind of identification system was received a decade later - in 1983. More details about the history of RFID can be found on Wiki and some other sites ( and ).

Due to the built-in battery, active tags have a significantly larger operating radius, dimensions, more complex “filling” (you can add a thermometer, hygrometer, or even a whole GPS positioning chip to the tag) and an appropriate price.

Tags can be classified in different ways: by operating frequency (LF – low-frequency ~130KHz, HF – high-frequency ~14MHz and UHF – ultra-high-frequency ~900MHz), by the type of memory inside the tag (read-only, write-once and write-once). By the way, NFC, so beloved and promoted by all manufacturers, refers to the HF range, which has a number of well-known problems.

Other tags
Unfortunately, the cost of RFID tags compared to other types of identification is quite high, so, for example, we still buy food and other “traditional” goods using barcodes (or barcodes), sometimes QR codes, and protection so-called anti-theft tags (or EAS - electronic article surveillance) provide protection against theft.

The three most common types (all photos taken from Wiki):

There are many wonderful discoveries ahead of us, sometimes completely unexpected and of course hard geek porn in the format HD!

If the theory is not enough for someone, welcome to this English-language site.

Practical part

So, what marks were found in the world around us:


Left column from top to bottom: Moscow metro card, Aeroexpress pass, plastic card for access to the building, RFID tag presented by the Perekrestok company at the RosNanoForum-2011 exhibition. Right column from top to bottom: radio frequency EAS tag, acoustomagnetic EAS tag, bonus ticket for Moscow public transport with a magnetic stripe, RFID visitor card of RosNanoForum even contains two tags.

The first to be announced is the Moscow Metro card - let's get started.

In the first circle. Moscow metro ticket
First, soak the card in plain water to remove the paper layers that hide the very heart of this “mark.”


Stripped map of the Moscow metro

Now let’s carefully look at it at low magnification using an optical microscope:


Microphotographs of a card chip for access to the Moscow metro

The chip is fixed quite firmly and I would like to point out that all 4 “legs” are attached to the antenna - this will be useful to us later for comparison with another RFID tag. By folding the plastic base in half where the chip is located and slightly shaking it from side to side, it is easily released. As a result, we have a chip the size of a needle eye:


Optical micrographs of the chip immediately after separation from the antenna

Well, let's play with the trick:


Changing the focus position from the bottom layer to the top layer

Now for a little intrigue.

There are rumors that Mikron is developing and producing chips for the Moscow metro in-house using similar Mifare technology (at least the attachment to the antenna is different - the legs are of a different shape). On August 22, BarsMonster, without declaring war and treacherously, sent an appeal to Mikron for clarification on whether this chip could in principle be seen somewhere; by 3.11 there was no response. One of the journalists (namely, Alexander Erlikh) on the IXBT forum was also going to clarify this information with Mikron representatives, but at the moment things are still there, that is, Mikron official representatives are avoiding answering the directly posed question.

The ticket discussed above was apparently manufactured (or just mounted on the antenna?) at the Mikron enterprise (Zelenograd) - see links below - using technology from NXP, a well-known company in RFID circles, which is clearly hinted at by 3 huge letters and the year of release of the technology (and maybe the year of production) on the top metallization layer of the chip. If we assume that 2009 refers to the year the technology was launched, and the abbreviation CUL1V2 is deciphered as Circuit ULtralite 1 Version 2 (this assumption is also confirmed by this news), then on the NXP website you can find a detailed description of these chips (the last two lines in the list)

By the way, last year an excursion to the Micron plant (photo and video reports) was organized for the participants of the Internet Olympiad on Nanotechnology, so it makes no sense to say that the equipment there is idle, but also the statement of the “guy in a white coat” that they produce tags by 70 nm standards, I would question it...

According to statistics collected by BarsMonster after analyzing the chips of 109 metro tickets (a fairly representative sample), according to the normal distribution, the chances of finding an “unusual” ticket are ~109^1/2 or about 10%, but they disappear with each opened ticket...

A careful eye has already noticed the main difference between the two Mifare chips - the Philips2001 inscription. In fact, back in 1998, Philips bought the American microelectronics manufacturer Mikron (not to be confused with our Zelenograd Mikron). And in 2006, NXP spun off from Philips.

It is also easy to notice the mark CLU1V1C, which, based on the above, means Circuit ULTralite 1 Version 1C. That is, this tag is the predecessor of Mifare, used by the Moscow metro, and, therefore, is compatible with it in its main parameters. However, as in the previous case, 2001 is an indication of the year of development and implementation of the technology or the year of production. It’s strange that Aeroexpress uses outdated tags...

In the third circle. A plastic card
One day, I decided to show one of my friends articles and photographs on Habrahabr. Then he asked if she had any unnecessary card for the next article about RFID. By that time, she had just moved to study at EPFL and gave me a card that allows access to one of the buildings of Moscow State University. The card, accordingly, is without any markings, and I’m not even sure that anything is written on it, except for the usual key to enter the building.
The card is completely plastic, so we immediately put it in acetone for literally a couple of tens of minutes:


Taking acetone baths

Everything inside is pretty standard - an antenna and a chip, however, it turned out to be on a small piece of PCB. Unfortunately, without any identification marks - a typical Chinese noname. The only thing you can know about this chip and card is that they are made/belong to some TK41 standard. There are a lot of such cards at sales like ali-baba and dealextreme.

In the fourth circle. Crossroads
Next, I want to look at two tags presented at the RosNanoForum 2011 exhibition. The first of them was presented with great pathos, saying that it was almost a panacea for thieves and shoplifting. And in general, this label will allow stores to completely switch to self-service. Unfortunately, the effective manager turned out to be little more than completely incompetent in matters of school physics. And after the proposal to test the effectiveness of it and the tag using a strong magnet attached to the tag, he quickly hushed up the topic...

After a couple of purchases at SmartShop, I had a few tags left at my disposal. Having cleared one of them from glue and the white protective layer, we see the following:


New label for the Perekrestok chain of stores

We do the same as Mifare, carefully disconnect it from the polymer base and antenna and place it on the table of the optical microscope:


Optical microphotographs of a tag intended for use in SmartShop

By a lucky coincidence (either the glue let us down, or this was intended), the mark was quickly torn off from the base, and its surface remained without any traces of glue. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that if Mifare has all 4 contacts attached to the antenna (2 contacts at each end), here we see that two contacts are connected to two small pads that are not in contact with the antenna.

Let's play a little with focus in different parts of the label:


Changing focus...


Maximum magnification of an optical microscope

The last photo at the top left apparently shows an EEPROM memory module, since it occupies about a third of the surface of the chip and has a “regular” structure.

16.01.2014

The abbreviation RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a technology that uses radio waves to automatically identify objects. It can recognize not only living beings, but also inanimate objects, for example, vehicles, containers, clothing and much more. Other examples of Auto-ID are barcodes or biometric methods (retinal scanning, fingerprints), as well as optical character recognition and voice identification.

RFID technology was widely used during the Great Patriotic War. At that time, the first identification systems had just appeared on airplanes, which made it possible to recognize and distinguish friendly air forces from enemy troops. After the war ended, the technology was no longer a commercial success, but things have changed dramatically in recent years. Transport and logistics companies became interested in it, which brought the standard to a new level.

Where is RFID technology used?

RFID based solutions can be used:

  • In the retail industry: to control the movement of goods between the warehouse and the store, prevent theft, and make inventory easier.
  • In the industry of production and sale of fur products: for mandatory marking of fur coats and fur products with a control identification mark.
  • In warehouse and logistics complexes: to track the movement of goods, increase the speed of acceptance and shipment, reduce the influence of the human factor.
  • In production: to control personnel and transport, ensure safety and prevent emergency situations, and account for raw materials.
  • In access control systems and payment systems: to implement contactless automatic access, payment for services using terminals.

Application of RFID technology:

  • access control applications;
  • applications for monitoring and recording working hours;
  • vehicle identification;
  • production automation;
  • automation of warehouse processing.

Working principle of RFID

The basis of the technology: the interaction of an RFID tag (RFID tag) and an RFID reader (RFID reader). An RFID tag is a miniature chip that stores a unique tag number and information and has the ability to transmit data to an RFID reader. As soon as an RFID tag falls within the coverage area of ​​the RFID reader, the reader records the fact of data transmission, reads the information from the tag and transmits it to the accounting system, which analyzes the data using predefined algorithms.

In this case, there can be a distance of up to 300 meters between the RFID tag and the RFID reader (systems operating at a distance from 5 to 300 meters are classified as long-range identification systems, from 20 cm to 5 m - medium-range identification, up to 20 cm - short-range systems identification).

Benefits of RFID Technology

  • Long reading distance
  • Independence of tag and reader orientation
  • Speed ​​and accuracy of identification
  • Ability to work through materials that transmit radio waves, no line of sight required
  • Possibility of reading a tag from a moving object
  • Ability to store additional information on the tag and rewrite it
  • The difficulty of counterfeiting RFID tags
  • Simultaneous reading of several marks (with anti-collision function)
  • Resistant to environmental influences, long service life

The RFID system consists of:

  • RFID Reader;
  • RFID Tag;
  • Software.

The reader is engaged in the generation and propagation of electromagnetic waves into the surrounding space. This signal is received by the RFID tag, which creates a return signal that is captured by the antenna of the reading device, then the received information is decrypted and processed by the electronic unit. An object equipped with an RFID tag is identified using a unique digital code that is stored in the memory of the electronic tag. For example, you can obtain individual user data or the identification number of a particular product in a matter of seconds.

RFID tags: classification

Power supply

The main classification of RFID tags used is based on the power source - according to it, tags are divided into passive, active and semi-passive.

Passive RFID tags do not have their own power source and use the energy of the reader's field to operate. Depending on the architecture of the RFID tag and the type of reader, passive tags only work over a short distance - up to 8 meters, but are compact and affordable.

It is passive low-frequency RFID tags that we most often encounter on goods in stores - representatives of the world's leading retail chains are working to increase the compactness of tags and reduce their cost.

Active RFID tags are equipped with their own power source, so they can receive additional functions, operate over a greater distance and are less demanding on the reader. Their disadvantages, compared to passive tags, include their large size and limited operating time of the power source (however, today we are talking about a battery life of up to 10 years), however, they are irreplaceable where a large operating radius is required (up to 300 meters).

Active RFID tags are rightfully considered more reliable; they can transmit a signal even through water or metal, and they can also be equipped with built-in sensors to assess temperature, humidity, light level and other environmental parameters. Thus, RFID tags can help monitor, for example, compliance with storage conditions for certain categories of goods.

Semi-passive RFID tags work on the same principle as passive ones, but have a battery to power the chip. We can say that this solution is a compromise in terms of cost, size and characteristics of RFID tags.

Execution

In terms of design, RFID tags can be plastic cards, key fobs, body tags, as well as self-adhesive labels made of paper or thermoplastic. There is also an “invisible” label format, which is actually sewn into the product packaging directly at the production stage.

Memory type

Based on the type of memory, RFID tags are divided into those intended only for identification (RO, Read Only), designed to read a block of information (WORM, Write Once Read Many) and rewritable (RW, Read and Write).

RO RFID tags are used solely for identification - the unique identifier data is recorded when the tag is manufactured, so it is almost impossible to copy it and fake the tag.

WORM RFID tags allow you to record any data once, which can later be read and used many times. This allows the user, upon receipt, to supplement the tag with his own information, which will then be used when reading.

RW RFID tags contain a memory block that allows information to be written and read repeatedly. The RFID tag identifier remains unchanged.

Operating frequency

The classification of RFID tags by operating frequency is as follows:

  • LF range marks (125-134 kHz)

They are characterized by affordable prices and certain physical characteristics that allow the use of such RFID tags for microchipping animals. Typically these are passive systems that operate only over short distances.

  • HF band tags (13.56 MHz)

RFID tags of this frequency are used mainly for personal identification, in payment systems, and for solving simple business problems (for example, to identify products in a warehouse). Most RFID systems operating at a frequency of 13.56 MHz operate in accordance with the ISO 14443 (A/B) standard - it is this standard that, for example, operates the payment system for public transport in Paris.

The disadvantages of RFID systems in the described range include the lack of a decent level of security, as well as possible problems with reading at long distances, in conditions of high humidity, through metal conductors.

  • UHF band tags (860-960 MHz)

Designed specifically for working with goods in warehouses and logistics systems, RFID tags in this range initially did not have their own unique identifier. It was assumed that the EPC product number would be used as it, but this would not allow monitoring the authenticity of the tag, so the development of systems based on the UHF range made it possible to improve the system.

At the same time, the features of RFID tags in the specified range include high range and speed of operation and the presence of anti-collision mechanisms. Today, the cost of RFID tags in the UHF range is minimal, but the price of other equipment for working in the designated range is quite high.

A separate category of UHF RFID tags includes near-field tags. Using the magnetic field of an antenna, they are not technically RFID tags and can be read in high humidity and in the presence of metal. Massive use of near-field tags is expected, for example, in working with pharmaceutical products that require authenticity control and strict accounting.

Types of RFID tags

Electronic tags can be active or passive. Active identifiers are equipped with their own power source; the reading range of such devices does not depend on the reader’s energy. Passive tags do not have their own power source, so they are powered by the energy of an electromagnetic signal distributed by the reader. The identification range of these tags directly depends on the energy emitted by the reader.

Each of these types of devices is characterized by its own advantages and disadvantages. Passive tags are good for their long service life, as well as their low cost compared to their active counterpart. In addition, passive identification devices do not require battery replacement. The disadvantage of the device is the need to use more powerful readers.

Active identification devices are characterized by a high information reading range, in contrast to passive tags, as well as the ability to recognize and read data when the electronic tag moves at high speed relative to the reading device. The disadvantage of active tags is their high price and bulkiness.

Types of RFID identifiers depending on operating frequency:

  • (HF) High frequency RFID tags operating at 13.56 MHz;
  • (UHF) Ultra-high frequency RFID tags operating in the frequency range 860-960 MHz. This range is used in Russia; in Europe, RFID tags operate in the range 863-868 MHz.

Methods for recording information on an identifier (tag):

  • ReadOnly devices - identifiers on which information can be written only once; further modification or deletion of information is impossible;
  • WORM devices are RFID tags that allow you to write data once and read it multiple times. Initially, no information is stored in the device’s memory; all necessary data is entered by the user, but after recording, it is impossible to overwrite or delete the information;
  • R/W devices are identifiers that allow you to repeatedly read and write information. This is the most progressive group of devices, since such tags allow you to overwrite and delete unnecessary information.

RFID technology is widely used in manufacturing, retail, access management and control systems, anti-counterfeit systems and other fields. It saves time and minimizes the use of manual labor.

Peculiarities

Despite the fairly high cost of using RFID systems, their implementation is advisable wherever a high level of security and quick identification of objects are important. In this case, special attention should be paid to the choice of a specific solution, which will depend on many factors:

    Distance between RFID tags and readers

    Presence of shielding surfaces (for example, metal)

    The need to simultaneously read data from several tags (collision protection)

    The need for secure execution of tags, hidden placement of tags

    High requirements for tag security

    Data storage and rewriting

    Easy integration with your infrastructure

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RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects. Tags contain electronically stored information. Passive tags collect energy from radio signals from a nearby RFID reader. Active tags have a local power source (such as a battery) and can operate hundreds of meters from the reader. Unlike a barcode, the tag does not need to be within view of the device, so it can be embedded in the object being tracked. RFID is one of the methods for automatic identification and data collection.

Application

RFID tags are used in many industries. For example, an RFID reader attached to a vehicle during production can be used to track progress along an assembly line. Labeled pharmaceuticals can be tracked through warehouses. Implanting RFID microchips into livestock allows animals to be identified.

Because RFID tags can be attached to money, clothing, and property, or implanted in animals and people, the ability to read personal information without the user's consent raises a serious privacy concern. These risks have led to the development of standard specifications addressing personal data security issues. Tags can also be used in stores to speed up checkout and prevent theft.

Story

In 1945, Leon Theremin invented a listening device for the Soviet Union that retransmitted radio waves with added audio information. Sound vibrations during vibration influenced the diaphragm, which slightly changed the shape of the resonator, modulating the reflected radio frequency. Although this device was a covert eavesdropping device rather than an ID tag, it is considered a precursor to the USB RFID reader because it was activated by audio waves from an external source. Transponders are still used by most operating aircraft. Previously, similar technology, such as RFID tag readers, was regularly used by the Allies and Germany in World War II to identify aircraft.

Mario Cardullo's device, patented on January 23, 1973, was the first true predecessor of modern RFID, as it was a passive radio receiver with memory. The original device was passive, powered by a polling signal. It was demonstrated in 1971 to the City of New York and other potential users and consisted of a transponder with 16-bit memory for use as a toll device. Cardullo's core patent covers the use of radio frequencies, sound and light as transmission media.

Area of ​​use

The original business plan presented to investors in 1969 demonstrated the following applications for the RFID reader:

  • use in transport (vehicle identification, automatic payment system, electronic license plate, electronic manifest, vehicle routing, vehicle performance monitoring);
  • banking (electronic checkbook, electronic credit card);
  • personnel, automatic gates, surveillance); medical industry (identification, patient history).

An early demonstration of reflected power (modulated backscatter) of RFID tags, both passive and semi-passive, was performed by Stephen Depp, Alfred Koelle and Robert Fryman at Los Alamos National Laboratory in 1973. The portable system ran at 915 MHz and used 12-bit tags. This method is used by most modern UHFID and microwave RFID readers. In modern life, such devices are in great demand.

Specification

RFID uses tags attached to identifiable objects. When making your own RFID reader, keep in mind that two-way radio transmitter-receivers, called interrogators or readers, send a signal to the tag and read its response. RFID tags can be passive, active or passive. The active tag has a built-in battery and periodically transmits its ID signal. The battery passive (BAP) has a small battery on board and is activated by the presence of an RFID reader. A passive tag is cheaper and smaller because it does not have a battery. Instead, the tag uses a radio wave transmitted by the reader. However, for a passive tag to operate, it must be illuminated at a power level approximately one thousand times stronger than to transmit the signal. This affects interference and irradiation.


RFID: the controversial technology of the future

It is unlikely that any of the people who follow technical innovations have yet come across the abbreviation RFID. Today, RFID technologies are penetrating various areas of our lives. They open up enormous opportunities, but also pose many unknown dangers. Meanwhile, even many electronics engineers find themselves in a difficult position when asked to explain how RFID chips work. Let's figure it out together.

Definition

RFID (from English Radio Frequency IDentification, radio frequency identification) is a method of automatic identification of objects in which data stored in so-called RFID tags is read and/or written using radio signals. Any RFID system consists of a reading device (reader, also known as reader) and an RFID tag. An RFID tag consists of two parts:

Integrated circuit (microchip) for storing and processing information, modulating and demodulating a radio frequency signal;
- antennas for receiving and transmitting signals.

Story

In 1948, the theoretical foundations of RFID technology were outlined by Harry Stockman in his work Communication by Means of Reflected Power. The theory was put into practice in 1973, when in the USA Mario Cardullo received a patent for a “Passive radio transmitter with memory” - the patent essentially described modern RFID technology. Cardullo's patent provides for the use of radio waves, light and sound as a means of transmitting information.

The first demonstration of working prototypes of modern backscatter RFID chips, both passive and active, was conducted at the Los Alamos Research Laboratory in 1973. The portable system ran at 915 MHz and used 12-bit tags. The first patent to explicitly mention the acronym RFID was issued to Charles Walton in 1983.

There are several ways to systematize RFID tags and systems - by operating frequency, power source, memory type and form factor. For example, the following RFID tags are distinguished by the type of memory used:
- RW (Read and Write) – such tags contain an identifier and a memory block for reading/writing information. The data in them can be overwritten many times;
- WORM (Write Once Read Many) – in addition to a unique identifier, such tags contain a block of memory that can be written once, which can then be read many times;
- RO (Read Only) – data is written only once, during production. Such marks are suitable for identification purposes only. No new information can be written into them, and they are almost impossible to fake.

Active and passive RFID tags

Today, the most widely used RFID tags are passive ones that do not have a built-in energy source. The operation of the silicon CMOS chip of the tag and the transmission of the response signal are ensured by the electric current induced in the antenna by the electromagnetic signal from the reader. Passive low-frequency RFID tags are usually embedded in a sticker (a sticker on a product in a store) or implanted under the skin. The maximum reading distance for passive tags is from 10 cm to several meters, depending on the selected frequency and antenna size.

Passive RFID tags can be very small: in 2006, Hitachi developed a passive µ-Chip (mu-chip), measuring 0.15x0.15 mm (excluding antenna) and thinner than a paper sheet (7.5 microns). This level of integration is enabled by silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology. The µ-Chip can transmit a 128-bit unique identification number written into the chip at the time of manufacture. The number cannot be changed in the future, that is, it is strictly tied to the object in which this chip is embedded. The reading radius of the Hitachi µ-Chip is 30 cm.

Their other advantage is their low cost. The minimum cost of RFID tags, which have become a standard for retail chains, is approximately 5 cents per SmartCode tag (for purchases of 100 million or more pieces).

Low-cost, non-silicon passive tags are made from polymer semiconductors. Tags operating at frequencies of 13.56 MHz were demonstrated in 2005 by PolyIC (Germany) and Philips (Holland). In industrial conditions, polymer tags are produced using the rolling printing method (the technology resembles printing). Thanks to this, in the near future, tags will be printed as easily and cheaply as barcodes for most applications.

Active RFID tags have their own power source, that is, they do not depend on the reader’s energy. Accordingly, the signal from them is read at a great distance, and the chips themselves are large and can be equipped with additional electronics.

Active tags are more reliable than passive tags because they use special communication sessions between the tag and the reader. In addition, active tags, having their own power source, provide a higher output signal than passive ones. This allows them to be used in water, the body of people and animals, metals (ship containers, cars), and for long distances in the air.

At the same time, active tags are more expensive to produce ($3-15 per piece) and are larger in size - usually the size of a tablet.

Advantages and Disadvantages of RFID

Advantages:

Possibility of rewriting. Data stored in RFID chips can be rewritten and supplemented many times, thereby maintaining its relevance. - Large amount of stored data. An RFID tag can store many times more information than a barcode. A chip with an area of ​​1 cm2 can store up to 10,000 bytes of information, while bar codes can store units of bytes.

No need for line of sight. Unlike a barcode, the mutual orientation of the tag and the reader does not matter - the tag only needs to briefly enter the registration zone, moving at a fairly high speed. Tags can be read through packaging, allowing them to be placed discreetly.

Long reading distance. An RFID tag can be read at a much greater distance than a barcode. Depending on the tag model and reader, the reading radius can be up to several hundred meters.

Resistance to external factors. Special RFID tags are highly durable and can withstand harsh operating environments. In applications where the same item can be used multiple times (for example, container identification), RFID is the most cost-effective means of identification. And passive RFID tags have an almost unlimited service life.

Intelligence. An RFID tag can not only carry data, but also perform other tasks. The data on the tag can be encrypted. An RFID tag can password-protect data recording and reading operations, as well as encrypt their transmission. One label can simultaneously store open and closed data.

Flaws:

Relatively high cost of the system.
- Vulnerability to electromagnetic interference.
- Possibility of using RFID to illegally collect information about people.
- Insufficient openness of existing standards.

Application

RFID is used to associate some physical object with its digital attributes. In this sense, RFID is similar in function to a barcode, but has significant operational advantages and allows the use of more complex, cryptographically secure protocols. According to analysts at Deutche Bank Research, by 2010 the global market for RFID systems will reach 22 billion euros. One of the sources of growth is the use of RFID technologies in passports and other personal documents, as well as in medicine and veterinary medicine. In addition, the widespread use of RFID technologies in retail chains has already begun.

Logistics

The use of RFID systems allows you to optimize outbound and inbound logistics. In logistics, there are examples of complex developments using RFID - for sea container transportation. Each container is equipped with an RFID tag containing information about the cargo and combined with sensors (for example, opening, oxygen content, etc.) and transmitting the data to a central data collection station on board the container ship, which in turn transmits the data via satellite communications. This way the cargo owner gets the opportunity to track the location and safety of the cargo.

Public transport

T-money payment cards are used in public transport in Seoul and surrounding cities. In some cities in South Korea, the T-money system has been replaced by the Upass system using MIFARE. This system was first used for transport payments in 1996. In Japan, there is a system called Suica (Super Urban Intelligent Card) for paying for train fares. In Hong Kong, freight charges are paid using RFID technology called Octopus Card. It was launched in 1997 to collect tolls, but has grown to become a regular payment card that can be used in vending machines and supermarkets. The card can be topped up at special machines or in stores. In Singapore, public transport buses and trains use passive radio frequency cards called EZ-Link. Traffic into crowded business districts is regulated through variable tolls collected through active tag systems and stored value (CashCard) systems. In Malaysia, RFID is used to pay for travel on the Malaysian Expressway System. The system is called Touch"nGo. RFID smart cards were introduced in the Moscow metro in 1998.

Trade

In Germany, radio frequency tags are being implemented in all stores of the Metro AG hypermarket chain. In the future, hand-held readers for cashiers will practically cease to be used. In the case when the goods are marked with RFID tags, the buyer, having loaded the products into the cart, takes it through a special turnstile at the cash register. Scanners automatically read all information about the product in the basket via radio channel, and a receipt is immediately printed. If the buyer pays using a payment card, then the presence of a cashier is not required at all. Similar systems are being implemented in other major retail chains in the world (Wal-Mart, DoD, Target, Tesco).

Libraries

The introduction of RFID in libraries speeds up the inventory and search of books, automates book lending and helps combat theft. One of the largest library applications of RFID to date is the Vatican Library, which has more than two million books in its collection. In general, more than 700 of the world's largest libraries are already using or implementing RFID technologies.

Medicine

In maternity hospitals, RFID bracelets are used to identify the baby with the mother. In regular hospitals, they are used to quickly find a patient who has left his room, requiring constant supervision (for example, with Alzheimer's disease), or an urgent need for a doctor.

The tags themselves or the database, the key to which is the ID number of the tag, can contain data necessary for treatment - blood type, information about allergies, prescribed medications, etc. And Siemens AG has developed an RFID chip with a built-in temperature sensor that can withstand sterilization and pasteurization, as well as acceleration up to 5000 g, developed in a centrifuge. The chip is intended, in particular, for use in blood banks.

Passports

In many countries, RFID chips are used as an element of passports and driver's licenses. The first RFID passports (e-passports) were introduced in Malaysia in 1998. In addition to the information stored on the visual page of the passport, Malaysian e-passports also contain the history (time, date and place) of entry and exit into the country.
Standards for RFID passports are defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). ICAO standards state that e-passports can be identified by a standard logo on the front of the passport.
RFID tags are also included in new passports from the UK, Germany and some other European countries. The US has produced up to 100 million e-passports; the chip built into them contains the same information as the printed version, as well as the owner’s digital signature. Passports include a thin metal gasket that makes it difficult to read when the passport is closed (the metal shields the radio signal).

Remote control

Since the 1990s, RFID has been used as a car key. Many automakers use RFID ignition keys as an anti-theft system. If the car reader does not “see” a certain identifier in its coverage area, the engine simply will not start. The key contains an active RFID chip that allows the machine to identify it from a distance of up to 1 meter from the antenna. The owner can open the door and start the car without removing the key from his pocket.

Agriculture

RFID tags allow you to track animals on their way from the farm to the consumer, and check the timeliness of mandatory vaccinations and treatment. By connecting the scanner to a computer, you can automate the keeping of records about the animal’s health, procedures used, breeding and feeding. Nowadays, microchips of the FDXB type measuring 12x2 mm, coated with biologically inert glass and having no moving parts and no battery, are usually used, implanted under the skin using a syringe. Stationary scanners located in places where livestock pass are connected to a computer that controls the movement of animals using electric gates.

Animal identification

Identification of animals using implanted microchips (or tags with microchips) is used to simplify their registration, for movement across borders, insurance, and to prevent substitution during breeding.

In the very near future, universal microchipping of pets will become a mandatory practice in Europe, America and Australia. Not long ago, the European Union completely banned the import of unchipped animals. In Russia, the use of microchips when breeding breeding animals is recommended by law.

Implantable RFID

One of the most controversial issues surrounding RFID technology is that implantable RFID tags, developed for tagging animals, are beginning to be used on humans. In 1998, British professor of cybernetics Kevin Warwick caused a lot of noise when he implanted a tag in his hand. Soon after, iconic nightclubs in Spain, the Netherlands and the United States began using the implantable RFID tag to identify their patrons, who in turn used them to pay at the bar. In 2004, the Mexican Ministry of Justice implanted VeriChip into its employees to control access to rooms with sensitive data.

There is a possibility that in the future, mandatory and universal tagging of people with RFID chips and assignment of a unique personal number will be introduced in different countries in order to “fight international terrorism” or “ensure personal security.” These are no longer idle fictions of science fiction writers: examples of “social advertising” of implanted RFID chips for monitoring people were shown in the acclaimed documentary “Zeitgeist”. RFID chips are inserted under the skin once and for life, since they are almost impossible to remove from the body without destroying the glass protective shell - this can lead to serious consequences. That is, a person practically cannot get rid of a radio tag with an identification number. Many religious people associate RFID tags with the “mark of the Beast” (Rev. 13:16-17): “And he will cause everyone—small and great, rich and poor, free and slave—to receive a mark on their right hand them [implantation of the mark] or on their foreheads [in the absence of a person's right hand or for the "safety and longevity" of the mark], and that no one will be able to buy or sell except the one who has this mark, or the name of the Beast or the number his name."

Fortunately, the human body contains various fluids, which greatly shields the radio signal. Therefore, the range of the implanted RFID does not exceed 5 cm (for passive tags).

Denis Lavnikevich