CHAPTER - 1

INTRODUCTION

RFID is one of these technologies that change how we interact with other electronic devices and things in our environment. It is used in every application where some unique identifier is required from retail to security and is also leading the path along several futuristic innovations with RFID based human implants among others. This wide range of applications makes RFID desirable and useful for several Arduino projects.

On our schools and colleges, we have to answer our roll calls, and then the teacher marks us present. Have you ever wonder that what if we have a smart card to mark our attendance? The project which we have done does this- RFID based Attendance System using Arduino. The students can enroll themselves by just placing their smart cards on/near the reader module.

1.1 What is RFID?

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) refers to a wireless system comprised of two components: tags and readers. The reader is a device that has one or more antennas that emit radio waves and receive signals back from the RFID tag. Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are a substantial part of everyday life and the use of the technology continues to grow. RFID tags are a type of tracking system that uses radio frequency to search, identify, track, and communicate with items and people.

Essentially, RFID tags are smart labels that can store a range of information from serial numbers, to a short description, and even pages of data. Some RFID tags include cryptographic security features for a high level of verification and authentication. RFID tags are usually identified by their radio frequencies: low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), and ultra-high frequency (UHF).

RFID tags allow businesses to run efficiently with little cost and positive results. There are multiple options, including physical access cards, inlays, tags, labels, or touchless solutions, and adding tamper functionality can transform an RFID tag into a smart seal. Identifies portfolio offers a wide range of RFID solutions for any application imaginable - it even includes Eco-Friendly RFID Tags that boast the lowest carbon footprint in the industry.

An RFID reader is a radio frequency device that emits a signal through an antenna. This signal is received by RFID tags that respond to interrogation by the reader. Responses are read by the reader, and through a variety of protocols the reader can communicate with all the RFID tags in its field. The most common RFID applications in hospitals are inventory tracking, control access, staff and patients tracking, tracking tools, tracking disposable consumables, tracking large/expensive equipment, laundry tracking, etc.

1.2 What’s Driving RFID?

The introduction of radio frequency devices to tag and identify items is growing because it provides a low cost, effective way to connect IT systems with the assets, materials, staff and locations of businesses. In recent years, greater standardization and reduced costs have made RFID an attractive proposition for many businesses, making more applications technically feasible and economic.

RFID and NFC offer ways to electronically identify people, places and things. Computer systems can know about things in the real world, collecting information about where they are, how they are used and whether they need attention. These technologies reduce the costs of data collection and improve its accuracy. They can help to automate processes that today depend on pencil and paper or manual data entry.

Sometimes RFID can seem complicated with a wide range of choices devices with many different capabilities. Core RFID are experts in selecting and supplying RFID systems and can build the applications that make use of the technology. We can help any business that is planning the introduction of RFID.

NFC and RFID are just the latest technology in the field of asset management. Barcodes perform some of the functions made possible by RFID. So how different is RFID to Barcodes in terms of function? Watch the animated video above to understand more about the differences between the two technologies.