New Passive Long-Distance RFID Technology to replace active tags

New Passive Long-Distance RFID Technology to replace active tags

IFSEC Exhibition Business Development Area

Thursday, 19th May 2005

Michael Szücs (Area Sales Manager)

Idesco OyTeknologiantie 9, FIN-90570 OuluTel: +358 (0)20 743 4175; Fax +358 (0)8 551 4176www.idesco.fi

Content:

1. Long-distance RFID applications

2. Active RFID technology

3. Passive RFID technology

4. UHF technology from Idesco Oy

5. Future implications, insights, EU legislation

6. Conclusion


Examples of long-distance RFID

Mass transportation traffic control

AVI = Automated Vehicle Identification;

Trains & Trucks: Parking


Person identification

Active RFID Passive LF/HF RFID, e.g. I-Code


Features: Active RFID technology�Powered by an internal battery

�Operates on 2,45 GHz or 5,8 GHzBenefits:

• relatively long reading distance 5-10 meter (15-30 feet)

Weaknesses:

• Expensive

• Finite battery lifetime

• No ‘end-off life’ indication

• Larger size of tags

• Highly sensitive against humidity


Problems of active tags in AVI (Automatic Vehicle Identification):

� Battery lifetime limited:Batteries eventually drain and need replacing, limited lifetime of 3-6 years, usually replacement of whole tag required

� Backfire problem:e.g. two vehicles in row and second is identified first can cause problems when system is anti-passback programmed

� Crossfire problem:e.g. reader in line 1 identifies car in line 2

� Entry Exit fire problem:e.g. entry reader reads tag of an exiting vehicle

� Removable tags:reduce security as the tag can be moved from a vehicle to another


Available Active RFID Technologies

Amtech SmartPass:• 2,45 GHz

• reading distance 3-6 meter (9-18 feet)


Tagmaster Confident:• 2,45 GHz

• reading distance 6 meter (18 feet)

Balogh HyperX:• 2,45 GHz

• reading distance 2-5 meter (6-15 feet)

Baumer OIS-P:• 2,45 GHz


Nedap Trans-IT:• 2,45 GHz


Androdat Telides:• 5,8 GHz

• reading distance >10 meter (30 feet)


Features: Passive RFID technology� Operates without a power source

� Obtains operating power generated from the reader

Benefits:• no battery required• virtually unlimited life time• price attractive

Weaknesses:• limited reading distance

• LF, HF: up to 1m (3 feet)

• UHF: 4-8 meters (12-24 feet)


What is passive UHF RFID?

• Passive radio frequency identification at ultra high frequency

– Frequency area for UHF RFID varies from 800MHz to 1 000 MHz depending on continent/country

• Tag doesn’t transmit anything, but backscatters the signal, which is transmitted by reader

– Tag operates as a mirror

• Operation is based on modulating the carrier frequency, not in induction as in low and middle frequency systems

– Same operation idea as in mobile phones


Why passive UHF RFID?

Benefits compared to LF and HF systems:+ Longer operating distance, today up to 4 meters, in future up to 8 meters + Smaller antenna sizes for reader+ Smaller tag sizes

Benefits compared to active RFID systems:+ No battery, unlimited lifetime of tags+ Reduced mainenance costs+ Reduced investment costs

Weaknesses:− More sensitive to environment− New technology, not many installations yet − No mass production for tags yet.


Benefits of passive UHF tags forAVI (Automatic Vehicle Identification):

� Savings in investment costs and maintenance as no battery is required

� Nowadays long reading distanceup to 4 meter (12 feet) is very suitable for AVI in Parking applications

� Adjustable reading distance and reading direction defining exact read zone avoids Backfire, Crossfire and Entry Exit fire

� Tags usually fixed permanently on wind screenincreasing security, as the tag cannot be removed

� Tag formats available for outside usage


4. UHF technology from IDESCO Oy

IR 8000 and IR 8000 w

• Operating frequency 869MHz,

• Transmitted power 0,5W erp

• Operates with Atmel’s TAGIDU chip

• Read/write, security options

• Anti-collision

• By-pass speed up to 50km/h

� Reading distance up to 4 meters (12 feet)� Writing distance up to 3 meters (9 feet)


IR 8000 and IR 8000 w cont.

• Combined TX/RX antenna

• Protection class IP67

• Temperature area -30ºC - +70 ºC

• Connections:

• RS-232 and RS-485 (IR 8000)

• 26bit Wiegand (IR 8000 w)


MTag2 and WSTag

WSTagFor installation on vehicle windshield (inside)Tag size (110x30x0,5) mm

MTag2For installation on metal surfaceTag size (180x14x8) mm


Atmel’s TAGIDU chip

• User memory size 1024bit + control memory 320 bit

• Supports different ID structures – ePc, ISO 15961 etc.

• Read & write, security options

• Anticollision

• Operates in all parts of world with correctly tuned antenna– Manages also changes in power level

• Smallest power consumption when compared to other UHF chips� Longer operating distances

� More reliable operations


Identification of vehicles• WSTag is installed in car windshield

inside the car with two-side tape• By-pass speed up to 50km / h• Maximum reading distance up to 3m• Suitable for access control in parking

houses etc.

WSTagSize (3x11) cm

Reader antennaSize (25 x 25) cm



Regulations in Europe

• ”Old” regulations: 864 – 870 MHz, 0,5W erp– Operating distance up to 4 meters– One channel; channel bandwidth: 250 kHz

• New regulations: 865 – 868 Mhz, 2W erp– Operating distance up to 8 meters!– 15 channels; channel bandwidth: 200 kHz


• USA– 902-928 MHz, 2.4 W erp– Up to 50 channels; channel bandwidth: up to 1 MHz

� Higher data speeds possible � More efficient anticollision (>300 pcs/s)

• ASIA (Japan/Korea/China)– Under development– Frequency (Japan) close to 950 MHz

Regulations in USA and in Asia


Forecast


• IS0 18000 ff will be defined– ISO 18000-6 A & B already defined– ISO 18000-6 C going to be defined according to EPC in

autumn 2005

• Significant silicon manufacturers entering market (Philips, EM Microelectronic, Atmel, etc.)

�mass production of tags

�increase of reader availabilty�� price decrease

Market estimation Insight Research (12/2003)

• RFID tags will increase considerably by 2006, especially in logistics applications.

• During 2008-2012 (UHF) RFID tags will be used simultaneously with bar codes in asset tracking and logistics.

• By 2013 (UHF) RFID tags will replace barcodes totally– Amount of RFID tags in the world will increase from today’s

less than 1 billion to more than 10 billion

– Prices of RFID tags have to decrease to less than 0,1 cents


Payment

Temperature

Pressure

Humidity

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�� £

37 C2,5 kbar85 %


Future?

6. Conclusion

Points to consider for AVI

• Do you identify vehicles or other objects at high speed?

• Are the vehicles approaching a gate or barrier that requires them to stop?

• Do you need 8 meters (20 feet) reading distance or is up to 4 meters (10 feet) enough?

• Battery tags on passive tags?

• Budgetary issues?

• Integration into current access controller via RS232 and or Wiegand?

6. Conclusion

“ New Passive Long-Distance RFID Technology to replace active tags”

6. Conclusion

Your opinion?

Questions?