people or objects. There are several methods of identification, but most common is to store a serial number that

identifies a person or object, and perhaps other information, on a microchip that is attached to an antenna (the chip and

antenna together are called an RFID transponder or an RFID tag. Visit http://www.bigsquid.org for more information on this).

The antenna enables chip to transmit identification information to a reader. The reader converts radio waves

reflected back from RFID tag into digital information that can then be passed on to computers that can make use of

it.

Objective The objective of any RFID system is to carry data in suitable transponders, generally known as tags, and to retrieve data, by

machine-readable means, at a suitable time and place to satisfy particular application needs. Data within a tag may provide

identification for an item in manufacture, goods in transit, a location, and identity of a vehicle, an animal or individual.

By including additional data prospect is provided for supporting applications through item specific information or

instructions immediately available on reading tag.

The system requires, in addition to tags, a means of reading or interrogating tags and some means of communicating

data to a host computer or information management system. A system will also include a facility for entering or programming

data into tags. Quite often an antenna is distinguished as if it were a separate part of an RFID system. While its

importance justifies attention it must be seen as a feature that is present in both readers and tags, essential for

communication between two. To understand and appreciate capabilities of RFID systems it is necessary to consider

their constituent parts. It is also necessary to consider data flow requirements that influence choice of systems and

the practicalities of communicating across air interface. By considering system components and their function within

the data flow chain it is possible to grasp most of important issues that influence effective application of RFID.

However, it is useful to begin by briefly considering manner in which wireless communication is achieved, as

techniques involved have an important bearing upon design of system components.

Components of RFID

RFID Reader : The Reader is a radio frequency device used to read data from microchip contained in RFID tag. RFID readers use a

variety of methods to communicate with tags. The most common method for reading passive tags at close range is called

inductive coupling. Simply put, coiled antenna of reader creates a magnetic field with coiled antenna of tag.

The tag draws energy from this field and uses it to send back waves to reader, which is turned into digital information -

the tag's electronic product code. A Reader comprises of a transmitter, receiver, control module and communication functions, sometimes called a transceiver in

radio terms for it to link to a controlling PC. Readers should have an attached antenna, which is used to transmit and

receive radio frequency signal. Each reader is accompanied with PC compatible software that allows user to read and

program tags. Win 2K, XP, ME are some of operating systems compatible with our Readers.

RFID Tag : An RFID tag or transponder is a wireless system composed of an electronic chip (semi-conductor device) with a memory where

data can be stored. The memory can be permanent or volatile. They are classified within two frequency ranges, namely 125 KHz

(low frequency) and 13.56 MHz (high frequency).