An RFID reader consists of a transceiver,
decoder, and antenna. The transceiver emits a RF signal at a
specified frequency and receives response signals from RFID tags for
decoding. Standard frequency bands are low (100-500 kHz), Medium
(10-15 MHz) and High (850-950 MHz, 2.4-5.8 GHz).
When the object containing RFID tag comes
within the range of radio signals emitted by the reader, the tag is
activated and it starts sending the information stored in it in the
form of radio signals.
The reader captures the radio signals, decodes
it to a byte stream, and sends the information for further
processing to the host system connected to it.
Principal areas of applications for RFID
include: Transportation and logistics, Manufacturing and processing,
and Security. Example applications: Tool Usage in numerically
controlled machines, Identification of product variants and process
control in manufacturing systems.
No standardization exists for RFID. RFID
Readers and tags are fairly expensive but the mandate by US
Department of Defense and major department stores is providing the
impetus for driving the tag costs down. The International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) is working on standards for
tracking goods in the supply chain. Socket Communications, Symbol
and Intermec are working hard to provide support and solutions for
RFID on Windows CE devices. Socket has announced software
development kits to assist in integration of RFID technology in
mobile applications on Pocket PC. Symbol Technologies is an active
member of EPCglobal, a non-profit organization for developing RFID
standards.
