Radio-frequency identification (
RFID) is the wireless use of electromagnetic fields
to transfer data, for the purposes of automatically identifying and
tracking tags attached to objects. The tags contain electronically
stored information. Some tags are powered by electromagnetic induction
from magnetic fields produced near the reader. Some types collect
energy from the interrogating radio waves and act as a passive
transponder. Other types have a local power source such as a battery and
may operate at hundreds of meters from the reader. Unlike a barcode,
the tag does not necessarily need to be within line of sight of the
reader, and may be embedded in the tracked object. Radio frequency
identification (RFID) is one method for Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC).
The main industries using RFID tags are
- Government Identification ( ID, Passport, driving license, health card...).
- Public transport (Tram, Subway, train, bus)
- Animal tagging ( cattle, pets, or even bees)
- Payment (vending machines,cantine, point of sales, Contactless bank cards)
- Various industrial environments (logistics, maintenance, ...)
- Company cards (Access control, Time & attendance, Parking, logical access to computer applications...)
Examples: An RFID tag attached to an automobile during production can
be used to track its progress through the assembly line.
Pharmaceuticals can be tracked through warehouses. Livestock and pets may have tags injected, allowing positive identification of the animal.
Since RFID tags can be attached to cash, clothing, possessions, or
even implanted within people, the possibility of reading
personally-linked information without consent has raised serious privacy
concerns.
The RFID world market is estimated to surpass US$20 billion by 2014.
