CHAPTER 1

Introduction

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is an emerging technology and one of the

most rapidly growing segments of today’s automatic identification data collection
(AIDC) industry. However, this emerging technology is not new; in fact, it is cur-
rently being used, in numerous applications throughout the world. It was originally
implemented during World War II to identify and authenticate Allied planes, in an
identification system known as Friend or Foe, and is still being used today for the
same purposes.
RFID usage is steadily increasing, and companies across many industries are
now looking at RFID to streamline operations, meet regulatory requirements, and
prevent the introduction of counterfeit product into the supply chain to protect
both consumer safety and company profitability.
Today, industry experts view RFID not as a competition with but as a comple-
ment to bar code technology; in many cases, such as tracking pallets, cartons, and
cases in a warehouse, both technologies are used. RFID technology, in fact, over-
comes certain limitations found in some bar code applications. Because it is not an
optical technology like bar coding, no inherent line of sight is required between the
reader and the tagged RFID object. In addition, RFID transmits data wirelessly and
is a read/write technology, so it can update or change the data encoded in the tag
during the tracking cycle.
For an RFID project to be successful, it is necessary to approach any business
problems that may arise and any potential RFID solution by using a systems ap-
proach. In a design process, we need to look at all the processes, be forward think-
ing, and think creatively about how to improve each operation. Implementing an
RFID-based system is like implementing any new system: RFID systems should be
conceived, designed, and implemented using a systematic development process in
which end users and specialists work together to design RFID systems based on the
analysis of the business requirements of the organization.
One of the greatest obstacles to the wide adoption of any new technology is a
standardization process. The purpose of standardization is to define the most ef-
ficient platform on which an industry can operate and advance. For example, stan-
Copyright © 2012. Artech House. All rights reserved.

dardization would address the question of how to ensure that a tag manufactured
and installed in one part of the world will be readable and the product properly
identified on another side of the globe.
Several organizations are involved in drafting standards for RFID technology,
but in looking at the present status, it seems like it will be some time before all of

Lehpamer, Harvey. RFID Design Principles, Second Edition, Artech House, 2012. ProQuest Ebook Central,
http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/northwu-ebooks/detail.action?docID=903238.
Created from northwu-ebooks on 2025-02-16 21:09:52.
 2 ������������
Introduction

the details are agreed on. Because RFID standardization is a very dynamic process,
this book discusses only the present standards that were current at the time of this
writing in a brief section and then provide readers with directions for pursuing
further research.
Despite the considerable technical diversity of RFID technology, much of it is
largely transparent to prospective users and much can be done to promote aware-
ness of the technology’s attributes without going into considerable technical details.
However, some basic technical knowledge is necessary for making an informed
choice of products to meet particular application needs and to allow informed dis-
cussion among users, suppliers, systems integrators, and consultants.
This book introduces prospective users and system designers to the basics of
RFID technology, including applications, benefits, technical characteristics, securi-
ty and privacy, as well as technical and economic challenges of standardization, de-
sign, and implementation. As these technical, policy, and cost challenges are slowly
mitigated, RFID will likely become the system of choice for global commerce.
Numerous issues beyond the detailed technical and sheer operational capabili-
ties of RFID technology must be considered. Due to the large number of consid-
erations that must be undertaken, only a few intangible and theoretical consid-
erations, such as security, privacy, social, ethical, and future considerations, are
presented in this book.
In addition, this book mentions briefly a wide number of new and exciting top-
ics and concepts; some of them, at this point are only of marginal interest to RFID,
with the hope of piquing readers’ interest in pursuing these new technologies.
This book should become a valuable resource to a wide spectrum of readers
interested in exploring this new and exciting topic.
The first edition of this book was prepared and published almost four years
ago. Since then, principles of RFID operation have become widely utilized in many
branches of science and engineering, with biotech and medical applications being
just some of the examples. Although briefly mentioned in the first edition, an up-
date of the book was required in order to cover these new developments in more
details.
I believe that the coverage of medical applications in biomedical field will at-
tract additional audience to this book, including biomedical engineers, program
managers, and other professionals involved and/or interested in this new and fast-
developing field.
Because medical applications create many new ethical challenges, which at
some point, will inevitably have to be discussed, a substantial amount of material
Copyright © 2012. Artech House. All rights reserved.

has been added to the topic of ethical and moral dilemmas of technology.

Lehpamer, Harvey. RFID Design Principles, Second Edition, Artech House, 2012. ProQuest Ebook Central,
http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/northwu-ebooks/detail.action?docID=903238.
Created from northwu-ebooks on 2025-02-16 21:09:52.