RFID BASED LBRARY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

RFID technology is being implemented in a number of industries. Supply chain

implementation is perhaps one of the most frequently mentioned applications of RFID
tags and equipment. Retailers such as “Wal-Mart” and grocery stores such as
“Albertson’s” have begun to make it mandatory for their suppliers to tag merchandise
destined for their stores. There is, however, a key difference to the library’s inventory as
compared to that of a warehouse or a retail outlet. In the warehouse and retail supply
chain, goods come in and leave. Only occasionally are they returned. The retail sector is
looking at RFID as a "throwaway" technology that hands an item to a customer which
gets discarded. Yet the item wise unit cost of including an RFID tag is much more than
the cost of printing a barcode on a package. In libraries, items are taken out and returned
many times. Thus the same RFID tag is re-used many times. The libraries across the
globe started to use RFID to speed up the self check in/out processes, to control the theft
and to ease the inventory control in library. The barcode technology is slowly getting
replaced by the RFID technology. The RFID tag does not have to be visible for detection.
It can be read even when it is embedded in an item, such as in the cardboard cover of a
book or in the packaging of a product. It can also store data such as stack number,
accession number, book number, author information etc., but barcode is limited to just an
identification number.
RFID in Library

A library is a collection of information, sources, resources, books, and services, and the
structure in which it is housed. Apart from books many libraries are now also repositories
and access points for maps, prints, or other documents on various storage media such as
microform (microfilm/microfiche), audio tapes, CDs, LPs, cassettes, video tapes, and
DVDs. Libraries have materials arranged in a specified order according to a library
classification system, so that items may be located quickly and collections may be
browsed efficiently. Reference stacks are different which has only reference books and
only selected members.
Our College Library is a large one having 17,000 books and staffed by both
paraprofessionals and professional librarians. The following are the tasks to be performed
in the library.
 Circulation: handling user accounts and issuing/returning and shelving of materials.
 Collection, development, order materials, maintain materials’ budgets.
 Technical Services work behind the scenes cataloguing and processing new materials
and de accessioning weeded materials.
Basic tasks in library management include the planning of acquisitions of materials,
arranging the acquired materials according to the library classification, preservation of
materials the de accessioning of materials, patron borrowing of materials, and developing
and administering library computer systems. Among these, the proposed system will
automate the following tasks using RFID technology,
 Accessing number of books at a time
 Searching a particular book to check its presence in the library
 Locating the physical location of the book
 Accounting/Stock verification of the materials
The RFID based LMS facilitates the fast issuing, reissuing and returning of books with
the help of RFID enabled modules. It directly provides the book information and library
member information to the library management system and does not need the manual
typing. It also provides monitoring and searching system. The monitoring module will
continuously monitor the movement of books across the gates, so that the books taken out
without prior issuing will be traced out easily and will alarm the librarians. The searching
module provides the fast searching of books using RFID handheld reader. The physical
location of the books can be easily located using this module.
Utmost care has been taken to provide following features to the Library using RFID
technology:
 To remove manual book keeping of records
 Traceability of books and library members as they move
 Improved utilization of resources like manpower, infrastructure etc.
 Less time consumption as line of sight and manual interaction are not needed for
RFID-tag reading.
 To provide 2 meters read range antennas
 To minimize the manual intervention
 To minimize the manual errors
 To provide the long lasting labels
 To provide fast searching of books
THE PROCESS
• Whenever a new book is acquired by the library, an RFID tag is attached into
the book with the relevant information like, call number, accession number, book
number, etc.
• The detailed information regarding the book is also captured in the computer
database.
• The computer database also stores all information for individual users (patrons)
of the library.
• Each patron is supplied with a smart card. These smart cards carry identification
data for each patron.
The efficacy of the above smart system is best utilized while searching for a book
or while issuing or returning a book:
• When a patron needs to get a book issued, he can get it done without any
manual intervention. He walks to the issue kiosk, flashes his smart card and the
system automatically opens his login account page.
• He then places the selected books, one by one on the RFID scanner.
• The computer records all these data against his name.
• When a patron wants to return books, he simply places the books in the book
drop counter and the books automatically are adjusted for return against the
patron’s name.
• Such a system is very useful for searching - any patron is able to search for a
book from any networked computer. He/she is also able to get all information
regarding how many copies of a book are presently available and when the
book will be again available for circulation.
INTRODUCTION TO RFID
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is an automatic identification method, relying on
storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags or transponders. The
technology requires some extent of cooperation of an RFID reader and an RFID tag.
An RFID tag is an object that can be applied to or incorporated into a product, animal, or
person for the purpose of identification and tracking using radio waves. Some tags can be
read from several meters away and beyond the line of sight of the reader.
An RFID tag is an object that can be applied to or incorporated into a product, animal, or
person for the purpose of identification and tracking using radio waves. Some tags can be
read from several meters away and beyond the line of sight of the reader.

What is RFID?

A basic RFID system consists of three components:

a) An antenna or coil
b) A transceiver (with decoder)
c) A transponder (RF tag)
Electronically programmed with unique information. There are many different types of
RFID systems out in the market. They are categorized according to there frequency
ranges. Some of the most commonly used RFID kits are as follows:

1) Low-frequency (30 KHz to 500 KHz)

2) Mid-Frequency (900KHz to 1500MHz)
3) High Frequency (2.4GHz to 2.5GHz)

These frequency ranges mostly tell the RF ranges of the tags from low frequency tag
ranging from 3m to 5m, mid-frequency ranging from 5m to 17m and high frequency
ranging from 5ft to 90ft. The cost of the system is based according to there ranges with
low-frequency system ranging from a few hundred dollars to a high-frequency system
ranging somewhere near 5000 dollars.

How RFID Is Changing the Business Environment

today

Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has been in use for several decades to
track and identify goods, assets and even living things. Recently, however, RFID has
generated widespread corporate interest as a means to improve supply chain performance.
Market activity has been exploding since Wal-Mart's June 2003 announcement that its
top 100 suppliers must be RFID-compliant by January 2005. Mandates from Wal-Mart
and the Department of Defense (DoD) are making many companies scramble to evaluate,
select and implement solutions that will make them compliant with their customers' RFID
requirements and additional retailers and other large supply chain channel masters are
likely to follow suit.

COMPONENTS OF RFID

A basic RFID system consist of three components:

• An antenna or coil
• A transceiver (with decoder)
• A transponder (RF tag) electronically programmed with unique
information

These are described below:

1. ANTENNA

The antenna emits radio signals to activate the tag and read and write data to it. Antennas
are the conduits between the tag and the transceiver, which controls the system's data
acquisition and communication. Antennas are available in a variety of shapes and sizes;
they can be built into a door frame to receive tag data from persons or things passing
through the door, or mounted on an interstate tollbooth to monitor traffic passing by on a
freeway. The electromagnetic field produced by an antenna can be constantly present
when multiple tags are expected continually. If constant interrogation is not required, a
sensor device can activate the field.
Often the antenna is packaged with the transceiver and decoder to become a reader (a.k.a.
interrogator), which can be configured either as a handheld or a fixed-mount device. The
reader emits radio waves in ranges of anywhere from one inch to 100 feet or more,
depending upon its power output and the radio frequency used. When an RFID tag passes
through the electromagnetic zone, it detects the reader's activation signal. The reader
decodes the data encoded in the tag's integrated circuit (silicon chip) and the data is
passed to the host computer for processing.

2. TAGS (Transponders)

An RFID tag is comprised of a microchip containing identifying information and an

antenna that transmits this data wirelessly to a reader. At its most basic, the chip will
contain a serialized identifier, or license plate number, that uniquely identifies that item,
similar to the way many bar codes are used today. A key difference, however is that
RFID tags have a higher data capacity than their bar code counterparts. This increases the
options for the type of information that can be encoded on the tag, including the
manufacturer, batch or lot number, weight, ownership, destination and history (such as
the temperature range to which an item has been exposed). In fact, an unlimited list of
other types of information can be stored on RFID tags, depending on application needs.
An RFID tag can be placed on individual items, cases or pallets for identification
purposes, as well as on fixed assets such as trailers, containers, totes, etc.
Tags come in a variety of types, with a variety of capabilities. Key variables include:
"Read-only" versus "read-write"
There are three options in terms of how data can be encoded on tags: (1) Read-only tags
contain data such as a serialized tracking number, which is pre-written onto them by the
tag manufacturer or distributor. These are generally the least expensive tags because they
cannot have any additional information included as they move throughout the supply
chain. Any updates to that information would have to be maintained in the application
software that tracks SKU movement and activity. (2) "Write once" tags enable a user to
write data to the tag one time in production or distribution processes. Again, this may
include a serial number, but perhaps other data such as a lot or batch number. (3) Full
"read-write" tags allow new data to be written to the tag as needed—and even written
over the original data. Examples for the latter capability might include the time and date
of ownership transfer or updating the repair history of a fixed asset. While these are the
most costly of the three tag types and are not practical for tracking inexpensive items,
future standards for electronic product codes (EPC) appear to be headed in this direction.

RFID TAGS

Data capacity

The amount of data storage on a tag can vary, ranging from 16 bits on the low end to as
much as several thousand bits on the high end. Of course, the greater the storage capacity,
the higher the price per tag.

Form factor

The tag and antenna structure can come in a variety of physical form factors and can
either be self-contained or embedded as part of a traditional label structure (i.e., the tag is
inside what looks like a regular bar code label—this is termed a 'Smart Label') companies
must choose the appropriate form factors for the tag very carefully and should expect to
use multiple form factors to suit the tagging needs of different physical products and units
of measure. For example, a pallet may have an RFID tag fitted only to an area of
protected placement on the pallet itself. On the other hand, cartons on the pallet have
RFID tags inside bar code labels that also provide operators human-readable information
and a back-up should the tag fail or pass through non RFID-capable supply chain links.

Passive versus active

“Passive” tags have no battery and "broadcast" their data only when energized by a
reader. That means they must be actively polled to send information. "Active" tags are
capable of broadcasting their data using their own battery power. In general, this means
that the read ranges are much greater for active tags than they are for passive tags—
perhaps a read range of 100 feet or more, versus 15 feet or less for most passive tags. The
extra capability and read ranges of active tags, however, come with a cost; they are
several times more expensive than passive tags. Today, active tags are much more likely
to be used for high-value items or fixed assets such as trailers, where the cost is minimal
compared to item value, and very long read ranges are required. Most traditional supply
chain applications, such as the RFID-based tracking and compliance programs emerging
in the consumer goods retail chain, will use the less expensive passive tags.

Frequencies

Like all wireless communications, there are a variety of frequencies or spectra through
which RFID tags can communicate with readers. Again, there are trade-offs among cost,
performance and application requirements. For instance, low-frequency tags are cheaper
than ultra high-frequency (UHF) tags, use less power and are better able to penetrate non-
metallic substances. They are ideal for scanning objects with high water content, such as
fruit, at close range. UHF frequencies typically offer better range and can transfer data
faster. But they use more power and are less likely to pass through some materials. UHF
tags are typically best suited for use with or near wood, paper, cardboard or clothing
products. Compared to low-frequency tags, UHF tags might be better for scanning boxes
of goods as they pass through a bay door into a warehouse. While the tag requirements
for compliance mandates may be narrowly defined, it is likely that a variety of tag types
will be required to solve specific operational issues. You will want to work with a
company that is very knowledgeable in tag and reader technology to appropriately
identify the right mix of RFID technology for your environment and applications.

EPC Tags

EPC refers to "electronic product code," an emerging specification for RFID tags, readers
and business applications first developed at the Auto-ID Center at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology. This organization has provided significant intellectual leadership
toward the use and application of RFID technology. EPC represents a specific approach
to item identification, including an emerging standard for the tags themselves, including
both the data content of the tag and open wireless communication protocols. In a sense,
the EPC movement is combining the data standards embodied in certain bar code
specifications, such as the UPC or UCC-128 bar code standards, with the wireless data
communication standards that have been developed by ANSI and other groups.

3. RF Transceiver:

The RF transceiver is the source of the RF energy used to activate and power the passive
RFID tags. The RF transceiver may be enclosed in the same cabinet as the reader or it
may be a separate piece of equipment. When provided as a separate piece of equipment,
the transceiver is commonly referred to as an RF module. The RF transceiver controls
and modulates the radio frequencies that the antenna transmits and receives. The
transceiver filters and amplifies the backscatter signal from a passive RFID tag.
Typical Applications for RFID

• Automatic Vehicle identification

• Inventory Management
• Work-in-Process
• Container/ Yard Management
• Document/ Jewellery tracking
• Patient Monitoring

The Advantages of RFID Over Bar Coding

1. No "line of sight" requirements: Bar code reads can sometimes be limited

or problematic due to the need to have a direct "line of sight" between a
scanner and a bar code. RFID tags can be read through materials without
line of sight.

2. More automated reading: RFID tags can be read automatically when a

tagged product comes past or near a reader, reducing the labor required to
scan product and allowing more proactive, real-time tracking.

3. Improved read rates: RFID tags ultimately offer the promise of higher read
rates than bar codes, especially in high-speed operations such as carton
sortation.

4. Greater data capacity: RFID tags can be easily encoded with item
details such as lot and batch, weight, etc.

5. "Write" capabilities: Because RFID tags can be rewritten with new data as
supply chain activities are completed, tagged products carry updated
information as they move throughout the supply chain.

Common Problems with RFID

Some common problems with RFID are reader collision and tag collision. Reader
collision occurs when the signals from two or more readers overlap. The tag is unable to
respond to simultaneous queries. Systems must be carefully set up to avoid this problem.
Tag collision occurs when many tags are present in a small area; but since the read time
is very fast, it is easier for vendors to develop systems that ensure that tags respond one at
a time. See Problems with RFID for more details.
BLOCK DIAGRAM OF PROJECT

Display Book
Name and
Student ID no.

Student
ID
(RFID)
8051
Tx
PORT
2

Rx DATA PIN

Book with RFID Tag

RFID BASED LIBRARY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM