High Frequency Radio Identification Research Articles

Exploring the correlation between drug formulation and radio frequency performance in RFID-enabled pharmaceutical products

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a burgeoning technology pivotal for optimizing intricate supply chains. Although its potential benefits in healthcare and pharmaceuticals are substantial, RFID implementation in these sectors has been slow-moving. Surprisingly, limited research has probed RFID performance on pharmaceutical products and their packaging. This study aims to explore the influence of diverse liquid drug formulations on RFID performance, utilizing a pre-optimized Ultra High Frequency (UHF) RFID tag. Five distinct drug formulations, encompassing water, saline, and lipids, were studied, alongside deionized (DI) water and empty vials as control subjects. The products were transferred to separate vials, each affixed with a pre-optimized UHF RFID tag. Performance evaluations, including Threshold Sweep, Orientation Sweep, and Population Analysis, were conducted to assess tag readability, focusing on sensitivity, backscatter, and theoretical read range. The results underscore how the composition of different pharmaceutical drug formulations significantly impact RFID tag readability in a controlled, reflection-free environment. These findings provide valuable insights for designing intelligent packaging to enhance the readability of RFID-tagged pharmaceutical products.

Evaluation of landfill leachate biodegradability using IOT through geotracking sensor based drone surveying

In specific this work focuses on designing and developing a trial model first of its kind which is chemically non reactive using Urea Formaldehyde (UF) and a value added flat board that is to be prepared from solid waste. The display setup is to be monitored by Arduino Controller which incorporates the assessment of numerical factors and measurable compositions in the board. The compilation of manufactured goods from organic waste is a course of development network that is centrally operated by Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tools. Preservation of database from the organic fraction is managed through software guidelines, the fifth generation radio technology with lower economic can cover communication over a larger radio spectrum with the support of ultra high frequency RFID Tags and systems, which assure the most favourable management of valuable products from the storage unit. Sensors attached with board and cloud platform supports collection of data from the huge solid waste yard. The current leachate management has a desire to suggest a strong resolution in handling solid waste that is elaborated with a novel methodology, where we suggest the radiofrequency identification of leachate monitoring by the use of modern versions of unmanned aerial vehicle the drones. At some stage in neutralizing the toxic waste the risk of life may be eliminated and accumulated waste were identified and with the support of advanced techniques and instruments like drones are used in managing wastes.

Health Monitoring of Conveyor Belt Using UHF RFID and Multi-Class Neural Networks

Conveyor belts in mining sites are prone to cracks, which leads to dramatic degradation of overall system performance and the breakdown of operation. Crack detection using radio frequency identification (RFID) sensing technology is recently proposed to provide robust and low-cost health monitoring systems for conveyor belts. The intelligent machine learning (ML) technique is one of the most promising solutions for crack detection and successful implementation within the IoT paradigm. This paper presents a conveyor belt structural health monitoring (SHM) model using ML and Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity. The model is extensively tested, and the classification is conducted based on simulated data obtained from an Ultra High Frequency (UHF) RFID sensor. Here, the sensor is laid on a belt, and the data are obtained at different crack orientations of vertical, horizontal, and diagonal cracks, for varying crack widths of 0.5 to 5 mm at 10 different locations on the sensor. The ML model is tested with different input features and training algorithms, and their performances are compared and analysed to identify the superior input feature and training algorithm. This method produces high accuracy in determining crack width, orientation, and location. The findings show that the proposed detection system based on ML modelling could detect cracks with 100% accuracy. The proposed system can also distinguish between vertical, horizontal, and diagonal cracks with an accuracy of 83.9%, and has a significant identification rate of 84.4% accuracy for detecting crack-width as narrow as 0.5 mm. Moreover, the model can predict the region of the crack with an accuracy of 95.5%. Overall, the results show that the proposed model is very robust and can perform SHM of conveyor belts with high accuracy for a range of parameters and classification scenarios. The method has huge industrial significance in coal mines.

Designing UHF RFID tag antennas with Barcode shape for dual‐technology identification

In this paper, a novel methodology to design Ultra High Frequency Radio-Frequency IDentification (UHF RFID) tag antennas with Barcode layout is proposed with the challenging goal of “fusing” both technologies in a single device. Specifically, after a brief recall of the well-known barcode standard, a procedure to design meandered barcode-shaped UHF RFID tags is introduced and discussed leveraging on electromagnetic evidence. The main steps of the proposed method are described by highlighting the constraints inherited by both the adopted technologies, as well as the useful opportunities to automatise the entire antenna design process after a preliminary simulation campaign through a full-wave simulator. Different RFID-Barcode tag antennas are designed, manufactured, and characterised in terms of maximum reading range and tag sensitivity. Obtained results demonstrate the validity of the proposed approach.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) based wireless manufacturing systems, a review

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is one of the most promising technological innovations in order to track and trace products as well as material flow in manufacturing systems. High Frequency (HF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) RFID systems can track a wide range of products in the part production process via radio waves with level of accuracy and reliability. As a result, quality and transparency of data across the supply chain can be accurately obtained in order to decrease time and cost of part production. Also, process planning and part production scheduling can be modified using the advanced RFID systems in part manufacturing process. Moreover, to decrease the cost of produced parts, material handling systems in the advanced assembly lines can be analyzed and developed by using the RFID. Smart storage systems can increase efficiency in part production systems by providing accurate information from the stored raw materials and products for the production planning systems. To increase efficiency of energy consumption in production processes, energy management systems can be developed by using the RFID-sensor networks. Therefore, smart factories and intelligent manufacturing systems as industry 4.0 can be introduced by using the developed RFID systems in order to provide new generation of part production systems. In this paper, a review of RFID based wireless manufacturing systems is presented and future research works are also suggested. It has been observed that the research filed can be moved forward by reviewing and analyzing recent achievements in the published papers.

HF RFID Tag Chip Impedance Measurements

This work provides the measurement data of 16 high-frequency (HF) radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder (tag) chips. In particular, the chip input impedance was characterized versus chip input voltage at 13.56 MHz. The measurement is based on the radio frequency current–voltage impedance measurement method and achieves, compared to previous work, higher measurement accuracy of better than 1.5%. Along with the measurement data, the work presents a detailed analysis of six specific proximity and vicinity HF RFID chips, including a tag performance analysis of their magnetic field strength, their resonance frequency, and their quality factor, considering a typical credit-card-sized tag antenna.

Stretchable Textile Yarn Based on UHF RFID Helical Tag

In the context of wearable technology, several techniques have been used for the fabrication of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags such as 3D printing, inkjet printing, and even embroidery. In contrast to these methods where the tag is attached to the object by using sewing or simple sticking, the E-Thread® technology is a novel assembling method allowing for the integration of the RFID tag into a textile yarn and thus makes it embeddable into the object at the fabrication stage. The current E-Thread® yarn uses a RFID tag in which the antenna is a straight half-wave dipole that makes the solution vulnerable to mechanical strains (i.e., elongation). In this paper, we propose an alternative to the current RFID yarn solution with the use of an antenna having a helical geometry that answers to the mechanical issues and keeps quite similar electrical and radiative properties with respect to the present solution. The RFID helical tag was designed and simulated taking into consideration the constraints of the manufacturing process. The helical RFID tag was then fabricated using the E-Thread® technology and experimental characterization showed that the obtained structure exhibited good performance with 10.6 m of read range in the ultra high frequency (UHF) RFID band and 10% of tolerance in terms of elongation.

Factors Affecting Self-Localization in UHF RFID Tag Networks

Accuracy of mobile objects self-localization in radio frequency identification (RFID) tag networks depends on many environmental and design factors. This paper analyzes effect of such factors on estimates of the mobile object location. As an estimator, we use the extended finite impulse response (EFIR) filter. It is shown that accuracy of self-localization in the ultra high frequency (UHF) RFID tag networks can be increased by the factor of several times if to optimize design of the tag and network environment and obtain the optimal angle of arrival and viewing angle. Many other factors are also considered.

Supermarket Operators’ Perception of Effects: Shoplifting Crimes Within the CBD In Nairobi County, Kenya

This paper established prevalence of the characteristics in the shoplifting crimes and determined the supermarket operators’ perception of the effects of shoplifting crimes on society. The study was guided by three objectives: to establish offender characteristics of the shoplifting crimes, to establish prevalence of the characteristics in the shoplifting crimes and to determine the supermarket operators’ perception of the effects of shoplifting crimes on society. The study was guided by Rational Choice and the Routine Activity Theories. The study used a census sampling technique with a sample size of a hundred respondents. These included 90 junior employees of Tuskys, Uchumi and Naivas Supermarkets, 3 branch managers, 3 police officers within the area of the study and 4 officials of the Nairobi Supermarkets Association. Interview schedule was used to collect data. Data collected was organized, summarized and interpreted thematically by use of graphs, frequency tables, and percentages. The findings revealed that the prevalence of shoplifting was 1-2 incidences in a week. The results also revealed that the most commonly used method was concealing of items which were majorly done by women. Further, whereas there are other types of shoplifters, a concern raised by 30% of the respondents is that significant number of criminals has made shoplifting a career. This should inform policy makers, especially in this era of unprecedented unemployment. Additionally, as indicated by 55% of the respondents, staff colluded with criminals to steal from the supermarkets. This should appeal to supermarket operators as this may have an implication on supermarket businesses in the CBD. The study recommends several target hardening strategies to counter shoplifting crimes that included using high Radio-frequency identification (RFID) and Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) programmed surveillance and records linked to the law enforcement through alarm trigger alerts in case of suspicious activities, with high-quality identifiable traceable images of shoplifters, to local law enforcement agencies.

Flexible RFID Tag for Sensing the Total Minerals in Drinking Water via Smartphone Tapping

The recent advances in energy-efficient electronics and sensor fabrication techniques have reshaped the way of sensing and communication, which have nurtured many novel applications. Among the emerging sensing techniques, wirelessly powered sensing and communication enhanced by Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) has gained increasing popularity. In this investigation, we propose a novel flexible RFID sensor tag powered and interrogated by a smartphone with its in-built High-Frequency (HF) RFID module, which can be applied for convenient non-contact analysis of liquids. In this work, the evaluation of total minerals in drinking water is conducted as a proof-of-concept demonstration. The main contributions include: (1) modeling and theoretical analysis of a planar capacitive sensor for liquids analysis by sensing the dielectric properties; (2) design of a flexible capacitive sensor tag that can be conformally mounted on the sidewall of containers for the liquid analysis; (3) a power-efficient hardware scheme for HF RFID powered battery-less sensing via smartphone tapping; (4) a Near Field Communication (NFC) data transmission method for convenient measurement without added software in smartphone devices. Finally, the developed sensor tag is calibrated by multi-piece linear function fitting. Experimental results and quantitative analysis demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed methodology.

Screen Printed Antennas on Fiber-Based Substrates for Sustainable HF RFID Assisted E-Fulfilment Smart Packaging.

Intelligent packaging is an emerging technology, aiming to improve the standard communication function of packaging. Radio frequency identification (RFID) assisted smart packaging is of high interest, but the uptake is limited as the market needs cost-efficient and sustainable applications. The integration of screen printed antennas and RFID chips as smart labels in reusable cardboard packaging could offer a solution. Although paper is an interesting and recyclable material, printing on this substrate is challenging as the ink conductivity is highly influenced by the paper properties. In this study, the best paper/functional silver ink combinations were first selected out of 76 paper substrates based on the paper surface roughness, air permeance, sheet resistance and SEM characterization. Next, a flexible high frequency RFID chip (13.56 MHz) was connected on top of screen printed antennas with a conductive adhesive. Functional RFID labels were integrated in cardboard packaging and its potential application as reusable smart box for third party logistics was tested. In parallel, a web-based software application mimicking its functional abilities in the logistic cycle was developed. This multidisciplinary approach to developing an easy-scalable screen printed antenna and RFID-assisted smart packaging application is a good example for future implementation of hybrid electronics in sustainable smart packaging.

An Enhanced Secure Authentication Scheme With One More Tag for RFID Systems

Currently, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is one of the key technologies to realize the Internet of Things (IoT), which is widely used in our daily life. However, there are some security threats such as impersonation attack, replay attack in existed RFID systems. In addition, most physical-layer authentication methods for RFID systems are mainly to authenticate tags without authenticating the user. In this paper, we present the design and implementation of Au-Hota, a system that can authenticate the tag and the user simultaneously, and can resist replaying attack and impersonation attack that cannot be solved by most physical-layer methods. Our idea is to assign a unique identifier to the user based on the inductive coupling between two adjacent tags. When the user draws the identity identifier on the tag, different identity identifiers correspond to unique phase features so that simultaneous authentication of the tag and the user can be achieved under the premise of ensuring security. The system is fully compatible with Ultra High Frequency (UHF) RFID systems without any modification. We implement a prototype of the system and conduct extensive experiments to evaluate performance. Our results demonstrate that the system has good authentication performance.

Advancing the Ultra High Frequency RFID in Industrial Applications: A Review

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology transmits data wirelessly and falls under the broad classification of Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC). The advances in RFID technology continue to be accepted worldwide for various tracking and monitoring type applications. This paper reviews the principle of RFID system operation using an extensive search of relevant articles from technology management and related journals, over the past two decades. It explores 1) the RFID tags operating in the ultra-high frequency (UHF) band, 2) analyses some of the major advancements of this technology in the field of sensor tagging solutions in the past two decades, and 3) discusses industry-based applications utilising UHF RFID sensor tagging solutions for process measurement data acquisition. The main challenges identified are privacy and security concerns on their applications in industry. The paper contributes to amalgamating a list of UHF RFID industry-based applications. It is expected that the findings from this review exercise would shed light on critical areas of the UHF RFID Technology.

High Frequency RFID Module Design and Performance Comparison between Different Antenna Geometries for TV Applications

This paper examines the design of a 13.56 MHz Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader that is used in secure TV access applications. It also presents the performance analysis between different geometry and sizes of the reader’s antennas in order to achieve the optimum operational excellence. Four different antenna geometries and sizes are designed and analyzed; square (4 loop and 6 loop), rectangular, and circular antennas. In order to find the best way for achieving the optimum performance, simulations, calculations, and measurements have been implemented by comparing the antennas in terms of gain, read distance, and cost performances with the availability of proximity of metals and smart cards, considering accuracy and reliability. The reader design for secure TV access is aimed to work with a passive tag. The rectangular antenna operated at the 13.56 MHz of frequency level with a return loss of -27 dB. The 6 loop square antenna and circular antenna operated with frequencies different than the optimum frequency of 13.56 MHz for the desired application, so the adjustments and other tests were not necessary for such antennas. It has been observed that for such TV applications, the best performance in terms of read range and gain, is achieved for a read distance up to 5 cm using the 4 loop square antenna operating at the 13.56 MHz of frequency level with a return loss of -30 dB. Some enhancement techniques to optimize system performance against the capacitive effects of close proximity to metals and smart cards are also discussed like detuning the capacitor values in the matching circuit. This paper aims to fill the gap in literature in observing RFID systems’ performance with comparison of different size and geometry antennas by setting forth the best antenna geometry with metal and smart card effects.

Passive HF RFID Repeater for Communicating With Tags in Metal Housings

This letter presents, for the first time, a custom-built high frequency (HF) radio frequency identification (RFID) system that enables the communication with an RFID transponder (tag), which is attached to an object located in an enclosed metal housing. Proof-of-concept measurements of the custom-built HF RFID system show a good system performance and a favorable extension of the read range in the metal environment by 19% in comparison to the read range of the free space system. These results are realized by a novel passive repeater structure, which is included in the system (i.e., reader-repeater-tag). The passive repeater consists of an arrangement of two booster antennas and ferrite material. Next to simulation and measurement results, this letter provides an equivalent circuit model of the reader-repeater-tag system for system design.

Design of UHF RFID Baseband Chip with Temperature Sensing

The radio frequency identification (RFID) with temperature sensor can achieve accurate management and body temperature measurement in animal husbandry. It also can improve the efficiency and epidemic prevention. A ultra high frequency (UHF) RFID chip baseband integrated with a specific temperature sensor is designed compliant with “Information Technology Radio Frequency Identification 800/900MHz Air Interface Standard” (GB/T 29768). Firstly, according to the overall function, the unit division and structure design of digital baseband are given. Secondly, a baseband temperature sensor control unit connected with temperature sensor is proposed. Finally, the whole function simulation and experiments on FPGA are completed. The experimental results show that the designed UHF RFID baseband can satisfy the communication of both sides and realize the interaction with the temperature sensor.

A Ultra High Frequency (UHF) RFID Antenna Design for Food Quality and Safety

In this proposed review paper an antenna design for Ultra High Frequency Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is presented. We discuss various applications of RFID antenna: meat freshness monitoring application, RFID card, RFID bracelets, in food containers for catering business and methods to measure dielectric properties on agri food materials. Modeling and simulation results are also presented.

A Passive RFID Temperature Sensing Antenna With Liquid Crystal Elastomer Switching

An autonomous and continuously operating Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) temperature sensor is designed, manufactured, and tested. This sensor is battery-free and can detect temperature threshold crossings for multiple (room-to-cold and cold-to-room) temperature cycles, respectively. The proposed sensor conveys temperature threshold crossings through the controlled switching of its operating frequency within the 902-928 MHz Ultra High Frequency (UHF) RFID band. For the first time, shape morphing cold-temperature reactive Liquid Crystal Elastomers (LCEs), which provide reversible actuation, are utilized. The proposed sensor design consists of a patch antenna with a customized slot. A passive mechanical switch is connected across this slot and provides the frequency switching as it is activated and deactivated. The integration of this switch with the antenna is achieved using a co-simulation method. Furthermore, the cold-temperature reactive LCE triggers the switch when a temperature violation has occurred, thereby switching the operating frequency of the sensor based on temperature changes. Additionally, a high-dielectric constant substrate and a single matching network that operates at two discrete frequencies are used to design our compact frequency-domain temperature sensor. Moreover, based on the RFID platform, this sensor operates effectively in close-proximity to other sensors. Also, is provides identification and temperature information through an autonomous, continuous, and cost-effective design. Therefore, the proposed sensor has the potential for operation in the Internet of Things (IoTs) applications, where large amounts of data is collected from numerous sensors to extract valuable information for the benefit of users, manufacturers, and delivery companies in the virtual domain of the internet. Finally, ANSYS HFSS and Circuit Designer are used for the simulation modeling. The performance of our sensor is validated using measurements and simulations that agree very well.

The Use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Track and Trace Technology in Reducing the Risks and Cost of Sperm Cryopreservation

Study question: Can the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) and track and trace technology reduce the risks and cost of sperm cryopreservation? Summary answer: The use this system is more efficient and accurate with no biosafety issue when compared with the manual method. What is known: The use of the manual system for auditing of cryopreserved samples is tedious and expensive, with high rate of mix-up in ART settings. No documented evidence about any biohazard effect of high frequency RFID tags (13.56 MHz) on gametes and embryos. Study design: A prospective study cohort study using 20 sperm samples. Only samples with initial good quality were used, and the study lasted for 6 weeks. Methods: Reliability of the system was evaluated by doing multiple reads and percentage accuracy recorded. The prepared samples were exposed to continuous RFID radiation over 24 hours and their motility and speed checked serially using computerised assisted semen analysis (CASA). Comparison was made with a control group and secondarily with samples on heated block at 36°C. Statistical analysis was done between the groups. Results: Reliability of 100% as a witnessing system was practically recorded. No significant effect of RFID radiation on sperm motility, however increased temperature significantly reduced both sperm motility and velocity with time (p<0.0001). Limitations: Small sample size of 20. Technical errors and challenges of a new system affected extensive biosafety evaluation Wider implication: Better structured studies are needed to confirm these findings

On Remote Temperature Sensing Using Commercial UHF RFID Tags

With the fast-growing adoption of the radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology, RFID-based sensors have attracted great interest. Due to the limitation of RFID tags, most existing RFID-based temperature sensing works rely on hardware modification, which increases the cost and hampers its deployment. In this article, we propose RFThermometer, a remote temperature sensing system with commercial ultra high frequency (UHF) RFID tags. We first investigate the effect of temperature on RFID phases. To alleviate the precision deterioration caused by missing phase measurements, a tensor completion method is proposed to restore missing phases and a Gaussian process model is leveraged to construct a phase-temperature map in the offline stage. In the online stage, the unknown temperature is estimated by a dynamic time warping (DTW)-based greedy method. Extensive experimental results are presented to validate the performance of RFThermometer with off-the-shelf RFID devices.