1. RFID used for real-time tracking Physics 490 seminar 4/15/2019
- Dylan Leintz
- Dr. Davies

2. In this talk... What is RFID What it can look like My experiment
Why it is important
Applications
Summary

3. What is RFID? Radio Frequency Identification Been around since WWII
Most people use it everyday and don’t realize it
Mostly used today for keeping track of any physical item, digitally

4. What is RFID?
It allows for any item to be tracked by a small radio device
The system is comprised of devices
Tags
Cards
Readers
Sensors
PDAs

5. Tags Each tag has a unique ID Tags can be passive or active
Passive tag
Tags
Each tag has a unique ID
Tags can be passive or active
Passive tags use the readers radio waves to power itself and activate
Can send up to 128 bytes of information
Small range
Up to 20 year life span

6. Tags Active tags Are powered by a battery
Always on and have a large range
Up to 128 kb of complex information
5-10 year life span
Active tag

7. Tags Appearance Buttons Discs Cards Labels Capsules PIT tags
Passive integrated transponder
Used for small animals

8. Readers/antenna Collects/sends signals from nearby tags
At certain frequency
Depending on the size and shape of the antenna
Whenever a tag is in range, the signal is sent back
Modulated with the tag ID

9. Readers/ antennas
The readers send information to the computer via USB or SD

10. Readers
Examples
Toll ways
Forklifts
Shelves
Handheld
Handmade boards

11. RFID middleware/software
Arduino software
Just download from website
From this you can operate the board
Make changes to the RFID code
For homemade boards

12. Tracking bird patterns
Feeding patterns
Nest behavior
PIT tag attached to leg
Reader location
Feeders
Bird house

13. Tracking Bird Patterns
Homemade bird feeder
Antenna located at perch
Reader located under
Encased in waterproof cover
Long lasting portable battery

14. Tracking bird patterns
Antenna collects data from birds
Reader receives
Time of arrival
Keeps collecting until tag is out of range
After data collection
Reader plugged into computer via usb/sd
Data logs can be uploaded and read on arduino software

15. Finding effective range
Range depends on the frequency and inductance of the antenna coil
Measured the range with a ruler
Found it was about 1.5 cm all around the antenna
Except for when the tag was parallel to the antenna
There was no range

16. Finding effective range

17. Measuring Inductance (L)
Using magnetic flux density (B)
Number of turns (N)
Area (A)
Current (I)

18. Coupling Transfer of energy between two circuits
Capacitive coupling (close)
Uses electrodes insteads of antennas
Connected through a capacitor
Inductive coupling (remote)
Uses magnetic field to power tag
Backscatter coupling (long range)
Reflects same frequency signal back

19. Coupling

20. Effective range The range for the antenna I used was small (125 kHz)
Low frequency: 125 kHz kHz
Range: centimeters
High frequency: MHz
Range: up to 1 meter
Ultra high frequency: 433, and 860 MHz MHz
Range: up to 50 feet

21. Frequency uses Low frequency is used for: Animal tracking
Access control
High frequency:
Library tracking, patient tracking, transit tickets
Ultra high frequency:
toll ways, warehouse docks, races

22. Why RFID is important Enable tracking for any items
Allows businesses to digitally sort and file
Creates opportunities for further advancements
Components are cheap
Technology is simple to learn

23. Why RFID is important Anyone can find it useful DIY projects
Animal tracking
The tags are small enough to track smaller animals
Alternate for GPS tracking
Discover more about animal patterns/behaviors

24. Other applications Shipping Track packages Sort Retail Prevent theft
Smart cards
Smart storage

25. Other applications Healthcare Patient ID wristband Tollways
Pet feeders
Key fobs

26. Other applications Vehicle tracking Schools and universities
Museums and galleries
libraries
Military
Farms
Trains

27. Growth Cheaper materials Advance in technology
Many businesses starting to apply RFID
Ease of adapting to smarter technology

28. Future uses Connecting to the cloud Larger, more complex information
Defending privacy concerns

29. Summary
RFID uses radio frequencies to track and communicate with physical item
RFID has been around for a long time
Tags can be put on or integrated into most items
Tags can be passive or active
With varying ranges and uses
Readers send and receive radio waves with the tags

30. Summary RFID is a great tool to learn about animal patterns
Especially smaller animals
RFID is already all around us in various industries
Materials are cheap and easy work work with
Keeps businesses and the world organized
Makes tracking many items at a time easy