AIDC100 Evolution of an RFID Revolution Session 7 University/Industry Collaboration Panel Discussion RFID at Merrimack College by Charles R Kochakian Adjunct Professor Dept of EE

15 October 2008 RFID at Merrimack College Outline Our History Mission Statement Curriculum RFID capabilities Student Projects Academic/Industry partnership Research activities Points of LearningPoints of Learning 1) Evolution of and basic overview of RFID technology; compare and contrast with barcoding1) Evolution of and basic overview of RFID technology; compare and contrast with barcoding 2) RFID engineering: implementation of various tag and reader technologies2) RFID engineering: implementation of various tag and reader technologies 3) An understanding EPC and RFID standards3) An understanding EPC and RFID standards 4) Understanding integration of hardware, middleware and enterprise systems4) Understanding integration of hardware, middleware and enterprise systems 5) Understanding the planning process and physics required to evaluate potential RFID system solutions for both pilot and production applications 5) Understanding the planning process and physics required to evaluate potential RFID system solutions for both pilot and production applications 6) RFID system technology at present and its potential going forward. Global and societal impacts; security and ethical considerations.6) RFID system technology at present and its potential going forward. Global and societal impacts; security and ethical considerations.

15 October 2008 Our History RFID Seminar 2005 RFID Seminar 2005 RFID Short Course, Feb/Mar 2006 RFID Short Course, Feb/Mar 2006 First course given in Div of Cont Ed (DCE) Mar/May 2007 and again in 2008 First course given in Div of Cont Ed (DCE) Mar/May 2007 and again in 2008 Required course in EE curriculum this coming Spring semester Required course in EE curriculum this coming Spring semester

15 October 2008 Mission Statement Provide Electrical Engineering, Business School and Computer Science graduates a foundation in RFID Technology and Business Solutions Provide Electrical Engineering, Business School and Computer Science graduates a foundation in RFID Technology and Business Solutions Create a state-of the–art RFID Lab facility that will be used to support classroom lectures as well as provide a resource for conducting project development, pilot demos and specialized training Create a state-of the–art RFID Lab facility that will be used to support classroom lectures as well as provide a resource for conducting project development, pilot demos and specialized training

15 October 2008 RFID as part of the Curriculum The RFID offering is designed to provide a multi- disciplinary learning experience with Business and CS students The RFID offering is designed to provide a multi- disciplinary learning experience with Business and CS students The course focuses on a number of key goals The course focuses on a number of key goals –Provide a solid introduction to RFID technology, utilizing lectures, demos, and lab work –Provide exposure to industry experts –The need for standards, security and privacy –To teach how to use the technology to design RFID solutions

Format of course 2-credit course taken in 2 nd semester of junior year by EEs Required prerequisites: EE with E&M+Electronics, or CS major with junior standing, or business major with junior standing - enables multidisciplinary teams Three sets of learning outcomes, one for each major are being prepared Having EE, business and CS students included a multi-disciplinary team approach is realizable for senior projects

15 October 2008 Points of Learning Evolution and basic overview of RFID technology Fundamentals of RFID engineering and characteristics of various tags and readers An understanding of EPC and RFID standards Understanding RFID system integration; hardware, middleware, networks, IT and enterprise systems Understanding the planning process and physics RFID system technology at present and its potential going forward Global and societal impacts; security and ethical considerations

15 October 2008 The Benefit of RFID An educational opportunity that challenges our students with real-world problems An educational opportunity that challenges our students with real-world problems Learn how to synthesize solutions Learn how to synthesize solutions Advantages of RFID as a required course include using it to introduce systems engineering concepts and introducing economic considerations and business benefits Advantages of RFID as a required course include using it to introduce systems engineering concepts and introducing economic considerations and business benefits

15 October 2008 Our RFID Capabilities Several Companies (Symbol, Intermec, Tagsys, Zebra, Psion Teklogix, Fluke, Metrologic, Identec, Lairdtech and Radiance) have donated equipment Several Companies (Symbol, Intermec, Tagsys, Zebra, Psion Teklogix, Fluke, Metrologic, Identec, Lairdtech and Radiance) have donated equipment –Readers, Tags, Antennas, SW Active and Passive RFID Systems Active and Passive RFID Systems RFID lab that enables hands-on training RFID lab that enables hands-on training Facilities that can be used for customized training and pilot testing and analysis Facilities that can be used for customized training and pilot testing and analysis

15 October 2008 Student Projects Types Senior Project, Course Project, Work Study Senior Project, Course Project, Work Study Planning Requirements What are the technical and business benefits? What are the technical and business benefits? What is the basis for the RFID solution and the ROI? What is the basis for the RFID solution and the ROI? Which RFID technology is most appropriate? Which RFID technology is most appropriate? Define the project schedule including major milestones Define the project schedule including major milestones Identify required resources, materials and cost Identify required resources, materials and cost Metrics for measuring system performance Metrics for measuring system performance

15 October 2008 Projects: Past/Present Projects: Past/Present Completed Several Course Projects Several Course Projects HF/UHF ACS Feasibility Study and P-o-C Demo for Massport HF/UHF ACS Feasibility Study and P-o-C Demo for Massport In-Process - RFID pilots on campus College library College library ACS and RTLS for Mendel S&E Bldg ACS and RTLS for Mendel S&E Bldg Cafeteria: Ease of entry and automated POS Cafeteria: Ease of entry and automated POS

15 October 2008 RFID-Educated Graduates Our juniors get trained in spring semester and prepared to do their senior project on a faculty-approved RFID topic Our juniors get trained in spring semester and prepared to do their senior project on a faculty-approved RFID topic We are producing well trained graduate engineers with RFID experience to take a leading role in designing/developing RFID solutions We are producing well trained graduate engineers with RFID experience to take a leading role in designing/developing RFID solutions

15 October 2008 Academic/Partnership Establish collaborative with MIT Auto- ID Lab, UML and MCC Establish collaborative with MIT Auto- ID Lab, UML and MCC Develop working relationships with other universities Develop working relationships with other universities Seek opportunities to work on university/industry initiatives Seek opportunities to work on university/industry initiatives

15 October 2008 Industry Partnership Massport – ACS and Baggage Recovery System Massport – ACS and Baggage Recovery System Tagsys – UHF/HF Tunnel and UHF EAS Tagsys – UHF/HF Tunnel and UHF EAS Lairdtech – Test/evaluate antennas Lairdtech – Test/evaluate antennas Utilize Lab facility to support project development and testing Utilize Lab facility to support project development and testing Can lead to job opportunities for students Can lead to job opportunities for students

15 October 2008 Going Forward Next generation technological developments we are interested in pursuing through university/industry partnership Next generation technological developments we are interested in pursuing through university/industry partnership –Printable chip-less RFID tags –High performance printable antennas –Low-priced RFID reader chips –RFID tags with sensors –Item-level tags and smart shelves –Library and Security systems

Continuing Support The AIDC 100 membership has provided a great deal of help, many having donated to our RFID Lab The AIDC 100 membership has provided a great deal of help, many having donated to our RFID Lab We look forward to their continued support We look forward to their continued support Thank You 15 October 2008