RFID Environment Research Articles

Quantitative Experimental Evaluation of RFID Propagation Loss with Wooden and Metal Bookshelves

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is wireless multimedia applications for bookshelves experimental system to replace the barcodes media technology. The RFID propagation channel characteristics and environment effect should be known. In this study to evaluate the RFID propagation loss with wooden and metal bookshelves based on data of measurement. Experimental study evaluation of RFID multimedia system with bookshelves is using vector network analyzer (VNA) and the microstrip patch antennas of transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx) antennas at a frequency range from 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz. The results of experiment are considering the path loss, received signal strength (RSS), and comparison the path loss differences with cumulative distribution function (CDF) to evaluated, respectively. In this research work are necessary for RFID antenna design and evaluate the RFID multimedia systems.

Capture-Aware Identification of Mobile RFID Tags With Unreliable Channels

Radio frequency identification (RFID) has been widely applied in large-scale applications such as logistics, merchandise and transportation. However, it is still a technical challenge to effectively estimate the number of tags in complex mobile environments. Most of existing tag identification protocols assume that readers and tags remain stationary throughout the whole identification process and ideal channel assumptions are typically considered between them. Hence, conventional algorithms may fail in mobile scenarios with unreliable channels. In this paper, we propose a novel RFID anti-collision algorithm for tag identification considering path loss. Based on a probabilistic identification model, we derive the collision, empty and success probabilities in a mobile RFID environment, which will be used to define the cardinality estimation method and the optimal frame length. Both simulation and experimental results of the proposed solution show noticeable performance improvement over the commercial solutions.

An Ultra-Lightweight Mutual Authentication Protocol Based on LPN Problem with Distance Fraud Resistant

RFID tags are one of the main enablers of the internet of things. All objects have to be equipped with an electronic product code such as RFID tags. Because of minimizing the price, RFID environments are resource-scarce, then designing ultra-lightweight authentication protocols is of great importance. Many ultra-lightweight authentication protocols such as HB family protocols are proposed. One of the most important threats against HB family protocols is a type of man-in-the-middle attack called GRS. Also, in the real world, IoT requires mutual authentication that traditional HB protocols do not support it. Besides, misconceptions about reader-tag distance could create problems in several applications especially in contactless systems such as access control and electronic payment systems, which could be damaged by distance-based frauds. In the present work, we have proposed a novel distance bounding protocol based on HB family protocols with four major characteristics: (1) it can resist terrorist, mafia, and distance fraud attacks; (2) it is a lightweight mutual authentication protocol capable of being used in low-cost IoT equipment such as NFC and RFID; (3) it employs a hard problem that be post-quantum resistant, and (4) it identifies and solves the weaknesses of HB protocols including GRS attacks. The proposed protocol has also been shown to be able to address the known weaknesses and attacks in distance frauds and HB family protocols.

SCLA-RTI: A Novel Device-Free Multi-Target Localization Method Based on Link Analysis in Passive UHF RFID Environment

RFID, a key enabling technology of Internet of Things (IoT), has a broad development prospect in the device-free localization (DFL). The RFID-based radio tomographic imaging (RTI) method has received great attention from scholars, owing to its properties of good real-time performance, low computational complexity, high localization accuracy. However, RTI suffers from the influence of multipath and noise, which results in the artifacts and false targets appearing in the imaging result and, in turn, decreases the positioning performance significantly, especially when there are multiple targets. Therefore, how to recognize the locations and number of true targets from the imaging result becomes an urgent problem in multi-target positioning. To solve this problem, we propose a novel scanning circle link analysis (SCLA-RTI) method to eliminate false targets and locate real targets in UHF RFID scenario. First, scanning circle method is introduced to detect the line-of-sight (LOS) links through the detecting region of the local maximum pixel in the imaging result. After feature analysis and selection of the RSS change of links, the random forest classifier is used to determine the location and number of real targets. Experiments demonstrate that SCLA-RTI method has superior performance in an indoor environment, which can accurately identify true and false targets and obtain high localization accuracy.

The Gray Analysis and Machine Learning for Device-Free Multitarget Localization in Passive UHF RFID Environments

The device-free localization (DFL) has promising application prospects in intrusion detection, emergency rescue, and smart homes, because it does not require the target to carry any auxiliary positioning equipment. Radio tomographic imaging (RTI) is one of the most potential DFL techniques and has many advantages over other methods. However, in passive ultrahigh frequency radio frequency identification scenario, there are few researches and many problems to be solved. The difficult but urgent matter is how to identify the locations of multiple targets from many false targets and artifacts. This paper proposes a novel method based on cross-sectional scan (CSS), gray value distribution analysis (GVDA), and naive Bayes classifier to solve this problem. The CSS obtains the gray value distributions of the local maximum pixel in an RTI reconstructed image. Then, the GVDA extracts several characteristic parameters from gray value distributions, such as the size, height, and shape of the peak. Finally, the naive Bayes classifier utilizes these series of characteristics to judge whether local maximum pixels are false targets or real targets. The method can also recognize the number of targets that are very close to each other. Simulation and experimental results show that this method can accurately determine the locations and the number of targets.

Enhanced Decision Making with RFDS Search Key in RFID Environments

Enhanced Decision Making with RFDS Search Key in RFID Environments

A Secure Partial RFID Ownership Transfer Protocol with Multi-Owners.

Mobile radio frequency identification (RFID) has been extensively applied in a wide range of fields. In supply chain management, RFID is used to more efficiently manage the ownership transfer of cargo. The transfer of a group of tags belonging to multiple owners is often required at the front end of a supply chain. This study, therefore, proposes a secure, high-performance threshold multi-owner partial tag ownership transfer protocol that supports a mobile RFID environment and features the capabilities and security required for supporting existing ownership transfer environments (e.g., application for different authorities, designation of the transfer target, and ownership transfer of a group of tags). Moreover, the proposed protocol can resist against most of the known attacks on RFID.

RFAS Key Generation to Enhance Authentication and Search in RFID Environments

the proposed method unite RFID tag information and sensor values into a 16-bit key to the authentication named as Radio Frequency Authentication Search Key (RFAS), which shows improvement in efficiency. The different strategies used in RFID environment, various parameters in human monitoring systems, classification on encryption techniques, the search techniques with decision making, and the need of optimization techniques. In this paper, the structure of RFAS key and its use in the monitoring scheme is explained. The workflow of RFAS key in monitoring and search inside a jail environment is also presented. Different key generation techniques are compared with RFAS key formation in this work.

Prototype Device With Lightweight Protocol for Secure RFID Communication Without Reliable Connectivity

The increased use of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has made it difficult to maintain secure operations in RFID environments. In addition, establishing a secure system when the internet is unavailable and finding a secure method to share keys are challenges that must be addressed. Considering the limitations of RFID tagging in terms of space, power, and storage, there is a need for practical low-power hardware microcontrollers with lightweight encryption methods suitable for implementation. Our secure system, which is based on the use of hardware-embedded RFID tags, is a novel approach that employs four initialization vectors (IVs) and key pairs to develop solutions for the secure storage, distribution, and alteration of the IVs and keys for use with the MICKEY 2.0 stream cipher. We propose the use of a low-power RFID-compatible device to provide a secure solution for exchanging and storing IVs and key pairs in the absence of an internet or wireless connection. We call this device the near-field secure data extractor (NFSDE). In addition, we demonstrate its operation in a practical eHealth scenario. Software emulation of the device is used to test the related processes and evaluate their efficiency and security. The use of this simple RFID-compatible prototype device with a lightweight encryption system, which provides public-key-like security but is not internet-dependent, alleviates healthcare security issues and encourages the development of similar tools that can be adapted for use in other fields that require sensitive data to be securely handled.

Security Authentication Technique using Hash Code in Wireless RFID Environments

Security Authentication Technique using Hash Code in Wireless RFID Environments

New IoT proximity service based heterogeneous RFID readers collision control

Purpose Internet of Things’ (IoT’s) first wave started with tracking services for better inventory management mainly using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. Later on, monitoring services became one of the major interests, including sensing technologies, and then more actuation for remote control-type of IoT applications such as smart homes, smart cities and Industry 4.0. In this paper, the authors focus on the RFID technology impairment. They propose to take advantage of the mature IoT technologies that offer native service discovery such as blutooth or LTE D2D ProSe or Wifi Direct. Using the automatic service discovery in the new framework will make heterogeneous readers aware of the presence of other readers and this will be used by the proposed distributed algorithm to better control the multiple RFID reader interference problem. The author clearly considers emerging Industry 4.0 use case, where RFID technology is of major interest for both identification and tracking. To enhance the RFID tag reading performance, collisions in the RFID frequency should be minimized with reader-to-reader coordination protocols. In this paper, the author proposes a simple distributed reader anti-collision protocol named DiSim that makes use of proximity services of IoT network and is compliant with the current RFID standards. The author evaluates the efficiency of the proposal via simulation. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, the author proposes a simple distributed reader anti-collision protocol named DiSim that makes use of proximity services of IoT network and is compliant with the current RFID standards. The author evaluates the efficiency of the proposal via simulation to study its behavior in very dense and heterogeneous RFID environments. Specifically, the author explores the coexistence of powerful static readers and small mobile readers, comparing the proposal with a standard ETSI CSMA method. The proposal reduces significantly the number of access attempts, which are resource-expensive for the readers. The results show that the objectives of DiSim are met, producing low reader collision probability and, however, having lower average readings per reader per time. Findings DiSim is evaluated with the ETSI standard LBT protocol for multi-reader environments in several environments with varied levels of reader and tag densities, having both static powerful RFID readers and heterogeneous randomly moving mobile RFID readers. It effectively reduces the number of backoffs or contentions for the RFID channel. This has high reading success rate due to the avoided collisions; however, the readers are put to wait, and DiSim has less average readings per reader per time. As an additional side evaluation, the ETSI standard LBT mechanism was found to present a good performance for low-density mid-coverage scenarios, however, with high variability on the evaluation results. Research limitations/implications To show more results, the author needs to do real experimentation in a warehouse, such as Amazon warehouse, where he expects to have more and more robots, start shelves, automatic item finding on the shelve, etc. Practical implications Future work considers experimentation in a real warehouse equipped with heterogeneous RFID readers and real-time analysis of RFID reading efficiency also combined with indoor localization and navigation for warehouse mobile robots. Social implications More automatization is expected in the future; this work makes the use of RFID technology more efficient and opens more possibilities for services deployment in different domains such as the industry which was considered not only in this paper but also in smart cites and smart homes. Originality/value Compared to the literature, the proposal offers the advantage to not be dependent on a centralized server controlling the RFID readers. It also offers the possibility for an existing RFID architecture to add new readers from a different manufacturer, as the readers using the approach will have the possibility to discover the capabilities of the new interaction other RFID readers. This solution takes advantage of the available proximity service that will be more and more offered by the IoT technologies.

The RFID Propagation Scenario

Measurement campaigns have been conducted in order to characterize the RFID propagation channel. A number of propagation scenarios have been exploited, including both outdoor and indoor environments in typical manufacturing plants. Field data are then analyzed and a path loss model is proposed. Such a model is based on an improvement of the classical two-ray path loss mechanism, additionally adjusted to encompass the effects of the inherently directional propagation properties of the RFID environment. The fading effect has also been characterized, and it has been observed that the Extreme Value Distribution may yield a good fitting to the experimental data. To the best of the authors’s knowledge, the scope and reach of the experiment as well as the proposed model are unprecedented in the literature.

Attacks on ownership transfer scheme for multi-tag multi-owner passive RFID environments

Sundaresan et al. proposed recently a novel ownership transfer protocol for multi-tag multi-owner RFID environments that complies with the EPC Class1 Generation2 standard. The authors claim that this provides individual-owner privacy and prevents tracking attacks. We show that this protocol falls short of its security objectives, and describe attacks that allow: (a) an eavesdropper to trace a tag, (b) the previous owner to obtain the private information that the tag shares with the new owner, and (c) an adversary that has access to the data stored on a tag to link this tag to previous interrogations (violating forward-secrecy). We analyze the security proof and show that while the first two cases can be addressed with a more careful design, strong privacy remains an open problem for lightweight RFID applications.

Applications of RFID Technology [Book\/Software Reviews

This book is intended for radiofrequency identification (RFID) system designers, program managers, and regulators. It covers broad aspects of RFID requirements and RFID environments. The first chapter of this book offers an introduction to radiofrequency identification (RFID) history, applications, business applications, and standards. The remaining chapters focus on: radio-frequency spectrum and propagation, the theory of electromagnetism and Maxwell’s equations, near field, far field, and EH field; automatic identification systems (AISs; RFID standards, air interface, key players, and an example of an ultrahigh frequency (UHF) tags; RFID near-field and far-field propagation of low-frequency systems and high-frequency/microwave systems; RFID system design requirements; integrating RFIDs and sensor networks; and RFID market trends, barriers to RFID adoption, security, privacy, health risks, ethics, and moral dilemmas of RFID technology.

Security Analysis of an Enhanced Mobile Agent Device for RFID Privacy Protection

ABSTRACTThe proxy agent is one of the approaches to solve security and privacy problems in a radio-frequency identification (RFID) system. In this paper, we will show that the mobile agent device in RFID environment reported by Yeo et al. has some security vulnerabilities, such as tracking and cloning. The adversary could easily eavesdrop, infer, and access the value to track and clone the tag.

Access and privacy control enforcement in RFID middleware systems: Proposal and implementation on the fosstrak platform

Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) technology offers a new way of automating the identification and storing of information in RFID tags. The emerging opportunities for the use of RFID technology in human centric applications like monitoring and indoor guidance systems indicate how important this topic is in term of privacy. Holding privacy issues from the early stages of RFID data collection helps to master the data view before translating it into business events and storing it in databases. An RFID middleware is the entity that sits between tag readers and database applications. It is in charge of collecting, filtering and aggregating the requested events from heterogeneous RFID environments. Thus, the system, at this point, is likely to suffer from parameter manipulation and eavesdropping, raising privacy concerns. In this paper, we propose an access and privacy controller module that adds a security level to the RFID middleware standardized by the EPCglobal consortium. We provide a privacy policy-driven model using some enhanced contextual concepts of the extended Role Based Access Control model, namely the purpose, the accuracy and the consent principles. We also use the provisional context to model security rules whose activation depends on the history of previously performed actions. To show the feasibility of our privacy enforcement model, we first provide a proof-of-concept prototype integrated into the middleware of the Fosstrak platform, then evaluate the performance of the integrated module in terms of execution time.

A distributed multi-channel reader anti-collision algorithm for RFID environments

In Radio Frequency Identification environments, several readers might be placed in the same area to scan a large number of tags covering a wide distance range. The placement of the RFID elements may result in several types of collisions. This paper proposes a multi-channel algorithm to solve the reader collision problems in a sense or sparse RFID environment. We adapt a distributed approach that avoids the need of costly extra hardware for centralized control. In addition, the proposed approach does not require global synchronization in the RFID network. It introduces a multi-channel notification protocol to make RFID readers aware of the network resources utilization. We have evaluated the performance of the proposed approach using NS3 and compared it to several anti-collision solutions such as NFRA, Dica and McMac. Results show that the proposed algorithm reduces the time needed for tags’ identification, thus increasing the rate of successful interrogations while minimizing the network overhead.

A potential weakness in RFID-based Internet-of-things systems

In recent years, a large body of research has been devoted to the security and privacy of RFID that is expected to become a critical component of IoT (Internet of Things). Most of these studies have been conducted under the assumption that an RFID system consists of the following elements: RFID tags, a reader and a back-end server. However, in IoT scenario it is supposed that a high density of RFID readers will be deployed and networked to the system over the Internet. Hence, a multi-reader RFID environment circumstance, where readers may be mobile handsets like mobile phones, should be involved in the security analysis of RFID based IoT systems. In this paper, we point out that RFID authentication protocols in the IoT need new security mechanisms that consider untrustworthy RFID entities, compromised readers or insecure communication channel between the readers and the back-end servers. Thus, traditional RFID security schemes designed for closed-loop systems cannot fulfill security and privacy demands, if they are directly adapted to the IoT environment. To emphasize this discrimination, we demonstrate that a secure protocol in a closed-loop RFID system may jeopardize the security of the system in this new RFID concept. Furthermore, we address this fault by investigating the security of a recent IoT RFID authentication protocol, named as AKE-MRFID. We exploit security flaws that have gone unnoticed in the design and present three attacks: de-synchronization, replay and reader impersonation attacks. To defend against the aforementioned attacks, we amend the protocol with a stateful variant so that it holds the claimed security properties.

Group‐based key array authentication protocol in radio frequency identification systems

For the purposes of information security and privacy between readers and tags, identity authentication is a significant issue for radio frequency identification (RFID) systems. In this study, the authors propose a novel security group-based key array authentication protocol, which is suitable for a large scale RFID environment. Based on a key array, this protocol can generate an authentication key for each pair of reader and tag with lower storage. Adding an identifier update phase, they design the authentication process passing the formal analysis from GNY. The security and performance analysis results show that the protocol they present can achieve better security than previous protocols in resisting external and internal attacks, with lower storage and acceptable communication and computation load.

Secure ownership transfer for multi-tag multi-owner passive RFID environment with individual-owner-privacy

In this paper we propose a secure ownership transfer protocol for a multi-tag multi-owner RFID environment that provides individual-owner-privacy. To our knowledge, the existing schemes do not provide individual-owner-privacy and most of the existing schemes do not comply with the EPC Global Class-1 Gen-2 (C1G2) standard since the protocols use expensive hash operations or sophisticated encryption schemes that cannot be implemented on low-cost passive tags that are highly resource constrained. Our work aims to fill these gaps by proposing a protocol that provides individual-owner-privacy, based on simple XOR and 128-bit pseudo-random number generators (PRNG), operations that are easily implemented on low-cost RFID tags while meeting the necessary security requirements thus making it a viable option for large scale implementations. Our protocol also provides additional protection by hiding the pseudo-random numbers during all transmissions using a blind-factor to prevent tracking attacks.