Radio-Frequency Identification (rfid)

Section 1:

Radio-frequency Identification, also referred as RFID, is a technology which encodes digital data into RFID tags or smart labels that are read through Radio waves. [1] It incorporates the electromagnetic waves in the radio frequency to identify an objects. It works in the similar manner as barcodes, they store the data into database by capturing labels or tags, and is a more refined and better technology than barcode because it can read even if the object is not in the line-of-sight. [1] RFID technology consists of three components; an antenna and transceiver, and a transponder. [2]

RFID is a sub branch of Automated Identification and Data Capture, it automatically identifies objects, collects their information and enter it into the systems without human intervention. This technology works with a RFID tag, RFID reader and an antenna. RFID tags have an antenna which transmits data to RFID reader and the reader converts the waves into data form for storage. RFID is an efficient method of managing and tracking data.

RFID technology is mainly used in data storage and inventory management either of movies, books or products. One example of RFID technology is in the grocery store/super-markets. The super-markets will store more data regarding a product and finding the product in the whole supermarket will be easy. Through RFID, the store can provide an alternate to the required product.

The are numerous advantages of RFID; they can store more data by following the instructions of the reader, they are also capable of providing information to the reader and the tags are damage prone, unlike barcode, so there is no chance of data loss. But, with so many advantages, there are many disadvantages of RFID technology. [3]

Since, RFID technology is based on radio waves so there are plenty of issues that arises with it. One major reason is that there is no general or generic system being followed so one company implements a different way of RFID system than the other which creates a problem because other companies may have to pay a company for their standard of RFID otherwise people may have to carry more than one devices for different purposes. [4]

Another drawback of RFID technology is, again, related to the radio waves on which is operates. It uses electromagnetic spectrum which if matched at the right frequency using energy then It can cause signal jam. This can create severe inconvenience in grocery stores and places where RFID technology is increasing such as hospitals and military fields. The more the RFID in the environment, the more it will cause jamming and problem for people to match the object. [4]

There are security issues involved with the use of RFID technology, one issue is that the data can be accessed by anyone. Anyone can create, delete or edit the data of the tags. The data is not secure in this technology. [18] For example, a reader can change the data of the tag in the grocery store so when someone captures it, the system will show some other product which will create a problem for a consumer to purchase a product. Another security threat is that; a reader can intervene in the RFID tag through a network. Once, the tags are communicating with the network, a third party can listen and extract valuable information. There are devices which can extract confidential information even outside a grocery store which implies that the information can be fetched from such a range. [5]