Rfid Based Vehicle Tracking System
Rfid Based Vehicle Tracking System
Rfid Based Vehicle Tracking System
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INTRODUCTION TO RFID
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is an automatic identification method, relying on
storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags or transponders. The
technology requires some extent of cooperation of an RFID reader and an RFID tag.
An RFID tag is an object that can be applied to or incorporated into a product, animal, or
person for the purpose of identification and tracking using radio waves. Some tags can be
read from several meters away and beyond the line of sight of the reader.
An RFID tag is an object that can be applied to or incorporated into a product, animal, or
person for the purpose of identification and tracking using radio waves. Some tags can be
read from several meters away and beyond the line of sight of the reader.
What is RFID?
a) An antenna or coil
b) A transceiver (with decoder)
c) A transponder (RF tag)
Electronically programmed with unique information. There are many different types of
RFID systems out in the market. They are categorized according to there frequency
ranges. Some of the most commonly used RFID kits are as follows:
These frequency ranges mostly tell the RF ranges of the tags from low frequency tag
ranging from 3m to 5m, mid-frequency ranging from 5m to 17m and high frequency
ranging from 5ft to 90ft. The cost of the system is based according to there ranges with
low-frequency system ranging from a few hundred dollars to a high-frequency system
ranging somewhere near 5000 dollars.
Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has been in use for several decades to
track and identify goods, assets and even living things. Recently, however, RFID has
generated widespread corporate interest as a means to improve supply chain performance.
Market activity has been exploding since Wal-Mart's June 2003 announcement that its
top 100 suppliers must be RFID-compliant by January 2005. Mandates from Wal-Mart
and the Department of Defense (DoD) are making many companies scramble to evaluate,
select and implement solutions that will make them compliant with their customers' RFID
requirements and additional retailers and other large supply chain channel masters are
likely to follow suit.
COMPONENTS OF RFID
• An antenna or coil
• A transceiver (with decoder)
• A transponder (RF tag) electronically programmed with unique
information
1. ANTENNA
The antenna emits radio signals to activate the tag and read and write data to it. Antennas
are the conduits between the tag and the transceiver, which controls the system's data
acquisition and communication. Antennas are available in a variety of shapes and sizes;
they can be built into a door frame to receive tag data from persons or things passing
through the door, or mounted on an interstate tollbooth to monitor traffic passing by on a
freeway. The electromagnetic field produced by an antenna can be constantly present
when multiple tags are expected continually. If constant interrogation is not required, a
sensor device can activate the field.
Often the antenna is packaged with the transceiver and decoder to become a reader (a.k.a.
interrogator), which can be configured either as a handheld or a fixed-mount device. The
reader emits radio waves in ranges of anywhere from one inch to 100 feet or more,
depending upon its power output and the radio frequency used. When an RFID tag passes
through the electromagnetic zone, it detects the reader's activation signal. The reader
decodes the data encoded in the tag's integrated circuit (silicon chip) and the data is
passed to the host computer for processing.
2. TAGS (Transponders)
Data capacity
The amount of data storage on a tag can vary, ranging from 16 bits on the low end to as
much as several thousand bits on the high end. Of course, the greater the storage capacity,
the higher the price per tag.
Form factor
The tag and antenna structure can come in a variety of physical form factors and can
either be self-contained or embedded as part of a traditional label structure (i.e., the tag is
inside what looks like a regular bar code label—this is termed a 'Smart Label') companies
must choose the appropriate form factors for the tag very carefully and should expect to
use multiple form factors to suit the tagging needs of different physical products and units
of measure. For example, a pallet may have an RFID tag fitted only to an area of
protected placement on the pallet itself. On the other hand, cartons on the pallet have
RFID tags inside bar code labels that also provide operators human-readable information
and a back-up should the tag fail or pass through non RFID-capable supply chain links.
“Passive” tags have no battery and "broadcast" their data only when energized by a
reader. That means they must be actively polled to send information. "Active" tags are
capable of broadcasting their data using their own battery power. In general, this means
that the read ranges are much greater for active tags than they are for passive tags—
perhaps a read range of 100 feet or more, versus 15 feet or less for most passive tags. The
extra capability and read ranges of active tags, however, come with a cost; they are
several times more expensive than passive tags. Today, active tags are much more likely
to be used for high-value items or fixed assets such as trailers, where the cost is minimal
compared to item value, and very long read ranges are required. Most traditional supply
chain applications, such as the RFID-based tracking and compliance programs emerging
in the consumer goods retail chain, will use the less expensive passive tags.
Frequencies
Like all wireless communications, there are a variety of frequencies or spectra through
which RFID tags can communicate with readers. Again, there are trade-offs among cost,
performance and application requirements. For instance, low-frequency tags are cheaper
than ultra high-frequency (UHF) tags, use less power and are better able to penetrate non-
metallic substances. They are ideal for scanning objects with high water content, such as
fruit, at close range. UHF frequencies typically offer better range and can transfer data
faster. But they use more power and are less likely to pass through some materials. UHF
tags are typically best suited for use with or near wood, paper, cardboard or clothing
products. Compared to low-frequency tags, UHF tags might be better for scanning boxes
of goods as they pass through a bay door into a warehouse. While the tag requirements
for compliance mandates may be narrowly defined, it is likely that a variety of tag types
will be required to solve specific operational issues. You will want to work with a
company that is very knowledgeable in tag and reader technology to appropriately
identify the right mix of RFID technology for your environment and applications.
EPC Tags
EPC refers to "electronic product code," an emerging specification for RFID tags, readers
and business applications first developed at the Auto-ID Center at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology. This organization has provided significant intellectual leadership
toward the use and application of RFID technology. EPC represents a specific approach
to item identification, including an emerging standard for the tags themselves, including
both the data content of the tag and open wireless communication protocols. In a sense,
the EPC movement is combining the data standards embodied in certain bar code
specifications, such as the UPC or UCC-128 bar code standards, with the wireless data
communication standards that have been developed by ANSI and other groups.
3. RF Transceiver:
The RF transceiver is the source of the RF energy used to activate and power the passive
RFID tags. The RF transceiver may be enclosed in the same cabinet as the reader or it
may be a separate piece of equipment. When provided as a separate piece of equipment,
the transceiver is commonly referred to as an RF module. The RF transceiver controls
and modulates the radio frequencies that the antenna transmits and receives. The
transceiver filters and amplifies the backscatter signal from a passive RFID tag.
3. Improved read rates: RFID tags ultimately offer the promise of higher read
rates than bar codes, especially in high-speed operations such as carton
sortation.
4. Greater data capacity: RFID tags can be easily encoded with item
details such as lot and batch, weight, etc.
5. "Write" capabilities: Because RFID tags can be rewritten with new data as
supply chain activities are completed, tagged products carry updated
information as they move throughout the supply chain.
Some common problems with RFID are reader collision and tag collision. Reader
collision occurs when the signals from two or more readers overlap. The tag is unable to
respond to simultaneous queries. Systems must be carefully set up to avoid this problem.
Tag collision occurs when many tags are present in a small area; but since the read time
is very fast, it is easier for vendors to develop systems that ensure that tags respond one at
a time. See Problems with RFID for more details.
BLOCK DIAGRAM OF PROJECT
Display Vehicle
No. and Owner’s
Name
Tx
PORT
8051 2
Rx DATA PIN