Abstract
The report analyzes the RFID landscape by examining the current state of the
technology, standards, market and the industry. The study looks to provide a
deeper understanding to wide audience RFID specifics, advantages and
limitations. It is concentrated on the successes and limitations encountered
with the current iterations of available RFID products. It also looks
further, until 2010, with market forecast and technologies on the horizon.
In particular, this report goal was to addresses the following RFID aspects:
- RFID market characteristics, their specifics, and market segmentation
- Technology for RFID, technological trends, standards and associated issues
- Sociological RFID issues
- Market barriers
- Applications
- Current implementation
- Market players and their products.
Update includes new materials, such as RFID networking and stresses the
importance of this technology to improve Homeland Security.
There are two major parts of this report: Technologies and Markets.
In the Technology part, the report discusses RFID standards, regulatory
issues, and shows differences in regional developments of RFID. This part
also researches various RFID technologies, networking, processes, types of
these devices and their characteristics. Limitations and advantages of each
type are addressed.
In the Market part, the report discusses RFID applications, market
characteristics and provides the market forecasts. It also summarizes a survey
of the major industry players with detailed analysis of their portfolios.
This report also provides a Summary of the authors' findings.
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction 9
- 1.1 Scope9
- 1.2 Structure10
- 1.3 Importance10
- 1.4 Research Methodology10
- 1.5 Target Audience10
2.0 RFID -- What it is about 12
- 2.1 RFID Communications Channel12
- 2.1.1 Information12
- 2.1.2 Characteristics13
- 2.2 RFID and Bar Code13
- 2.3 RFID Benefits14
- 2.4 History15
3.0 Applications-RFID Everywhere 19
- 3.1 Examples: Who's using RFID?19
- 3.1.1 Application Categories20
- 3.2 Commercial21
- 3.2.1 Healthcare21
- 3.2.2 Manufacturing Processes22
- 3.2.3 Retail22
- 3.2.4 Animal identification23
- 3.2.5 Intelligent Highway24
- 3.2.6 Security25
- 3.2.7 Libraries25
- 3.3 Military26
- 3.3.1 Sensors26
- 3.3.2 Movement and Inventory26
- 3.3.3 IDs26
- 3.4 Homeland Security27
- 3.5 Summary30
4.0 Technology 31
- 4.1 Components31
- 4.1.2 Tag32
- 4.1.2.1 Importance32
- 4.1.2.2 Structure32
- 4.1.2.3 Air Interface32
- 4.1.2.4 Types33
- 4.1.2.4.1 Passive Tag33
- 4.1.2.4.2 Active Tag34
- 4.1.2.5 Memories34
- 4.1.3 Communications Media34
- 4.1.3.1 Inductive Coupling34
- 4.1.3.2 Backscatter Coupling35
- 4.1.3.3 Classifications36
- 4.1.4 IG37
- 4.1.4.1 General38
- 4.1.4.2 Types38
- 4.1.5 RFID Channel Frequencies38
- 4.1.6 Antenna (Tag)41
- 4.2 RFID Laws: Standards and Regulatory41
- 4.2.1 General41
- 4.2.2 Competing Standards41
- 4.3 Examples: RFID Systems42
- 4.3.1 Electronic Articles Surveillance43
- 4.3.2 Disposables43
- 4.3.3 Chipless RFID44
- 4.4 System Parameters45
5.0 RFID and Society 46
6.0 RFID Networks 48
- 6.1 General48
- 6.2 RFID "Network" Requirements48
- 6.2.1 Wired48
- 6.2.2 Wireless48
- 6.2.3 Specifics49
- 6.2.4 Reader Control49
- 6.2.5 Similarities50
- 6.2.6 Challenges50
- 6.2.7 Goal52
- 6.2.8 Traffic and Layers52
- 6.2.9 Management Issues54
7.0 Market: Drivers, Barriers and Forecast 55
- 7.1 Market Drivers55
- 7.1.1 Operational Expense (OPEX) Savings55
- 7.1.2 CAPEX Considerations55
- 7.1.3 Technological Factor55
- 7.2 Market Specifics56
- 7.3 Market Barriers and Issues56
- 7.4 Market Forecast58
- 7.4.1 Model Assumptions58
- 7.4.2 Equipment59
- 7.4.2.1 Tags59
- 7.4.2.2 Interrogators63
- 7.4.3 Systems64
- 7.4.4 Services65
- 7.4.5 Regional Differences65
- 7.4.6 RFID Networks65
- 7.4.7 Sensitivity Analysis66
- 7.4.8 Major Applications: Summary66
8.0 Technical and Economical Characteristics of RFID System Components:
Summary 68
- 8.1 Technical68
- 8.2 Economics72
9.0 Market Players 73
- 9.1 Applications Segmentation73
- Allflex73
- Argent74
- Avante75
- Data Technology Group75
- Deuteron Acquisition75
- Mannings RFID76
- TI76
- Philips Semiconductor77
- Quelis ID Systems78
- RFIDlogic79
- ActiveWave80
- IBM81
- Cathexis82
- EMS83
- EMS Technology84
- MVS84
- CheckPoint85
- PDC86
- ST Logitrack87
- 9.2 Passive Tag Vendors87
- Alien Technology87
- Avante International88
- CES89
- Hitachi89
- Matrics89
- MPI Labels91
- RFSaw92
- UPM Rafsec93
- 9.3 Software93
- 9.4 Systems95
- Innovision95
- Reva96
- Savi96
- TAGSYS98
- TranScore100
- RFID, Inc.101
- 9.5 IGs102
- AWID102
- CopyTag103
- ID Systems103
- RFIDGraphics104
- 9.6 Active Tags105
- Axcess105
- DTE108
- Intermec109
- 9.7 ICs111
- Atmel111
- EM Microelectronics112
- Infineon113
- 9.8 Electronic Articles Surveillance113
- 9.9 RFID Networks114
- Applied Logistics114
- Blue Vector115
- Cisco116
- ConnecTerra117
- Auto-ID Center118
- GlobeRanger120
- iAnywhere122
- ProdexNet124
- Sun124
- Suvy and HPH125
- 9.10 RFID and Homeland Security126
10.0 Sample of Patents 128
11.0 Trials and Projects 130
- 11.1 Wal-Mart130
- 11.2 Mark & Spencer130
- 11.3 Tesco131
- 11.4 Other132
12.0 Competition 133
- 12.1 General133
- 12.2 Standards134
- 12.2.1 Proximity Cards ISO/IEC 14443135
- 12.2.2 Vicinity Cards (ISO 15963)135
- 12.2.3 Close-coupled Cards136
13.0 Findings and Conclusions 137
Appendix 1. RFID Standards 139
List of Figures
- Figure 1: RFID Communication Link12
- Figure 2: RFID Simplified31
- Figure 3: RFID Near-field and Far-field37
- Figure 4: RFID Channels Classification37
- Figure 5: Tag Market Estimate ($M)60
- Figure 6: RFID Tag Market Estimate (Qty. in Millions)60
- Figure 7: RFID Passive Tag Market estimate ($M)61
- Figure 8: RFID Passive Tag Market Estimate (Qty. in Millions)61
- Figure 9: RFID Active Tag Market Estimate ($M)62
- Figure 10: RFID Active Tag Market Estimate (Qty. in Millions)62
- Figure 11: RFID Interrogator Market Estimate ($M)63
- Figure 12: RFID Interrogator Market Estimate (Qty. in Millions)64
- Figure 13: Estimate: RFID Network Equipment Market (M)66
List of Tables
- Table 1: RFID Frequencies40
- Table 2: RFID Frequency Plans by Regions41
- Table 3: Geographical Segmentation65
- Table 4: Example: Passive Tag with Small Range69
- Table 5: Example: Active Tag69
- Table 6: Required Tag Specification70
- Table 7: IG Characteristic (library applications)71
- Table 8: IG for Harsh Environment (Characteristics)71
- Table 9: Smart Cards Standards134
