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[R10]Radio Frequency Identification Technology

by James Hunt, Jam

Radio Frequency Identification or RFID is the use of radio waves to identify objects. This means, unlike a barcode, one can track an item without actually having to come in contact with it. The way it works is that an identifying serial number is stored in a microchip which is then attached to an antenna. (Together these are called the transponder or tag.) The chip is now able to transmit any identifying information to the receiver. The reader will convert the information to a digital format to be read by computers.

Radio Frequency Identification isn't new. It's been around since the 80's and is already being used in toll booths, automotive ignitions, and security access badges. Businesses that use this system will be able to track products throughout the whole manufacturing process, from the beginning of the conveyor belt to the packaging and beyond. These items can also be tracked while being shipped, received, and even sitting on the store shelves.

Benefits of RFID include:

-The ability to eliminate time consuming bar-coding or other tracking processes. Instead, all data can be collected along the production line. This also helps to lower production costs.
-Prevention of the distribution of counterfeit products.
-Elimination or reduction of theft and loss.
-Reduction of supply chain cost.
-Elimination of data entry and other tedious manual business process transactions.
-Increase in order fulfillment time
-Less time spent in check out lines, as consumers will only have to push their shopping carts in front of the readers.

On the downside is the high cost of the RFID hardware. Tags alone can cost twenty five cents each or more which means many retailers won't get much of a return, if any, on their investment. Is this the wave of the future? Many think so. The real test will be in 2005 when Wal-Mart begins to implement an RFID system. It's hoped that with Wal-Mart as well as the Department on Defense using RFID, the prices of the tags will drop to five cents each will making it a more affordable solution for many.

The future of identification technology is long and rich, just as its history. From the days of not even being able to read finger prints, we've come to retinal scans, fingerprint identification and even body scans. And as identification technology continues to evolve, it will become increasingly more sophisticated.

Today we traditionally use a laminated ID card alone or in conjunction with biometric technologies of all types, depending on the situation and industry. The increased use of ID cards with biometric technologies is in direct response to higher security concerns and an atmosphere that greatly values identity.

A huge part of the identification technology of the future is RFID, or radio frequency identification technology. Using RFID technology, a number of things are possible, including full body scans—at home. For example, say you and your family are going away for the weekend and you've engaged your neighbor to care for your animals, but want to ensure only your neighbor can enter.

Instead of a key, all you'd need to do is program their body information into your scanner and set it exclusively to them. Upon scanning, your door would open. While this sounds like science fiction, it is a very real possibility that, according to popular science, will be available in the 2020's.

Or how about the already available laptops that offer biometric security technology? All you do is place your thumb on the reader and your laptop is unlocked or locked, allowing for maximum security even if it's lost or left somewhere.

Additionally, experts are predicting that within the next ten years, the US will see a national identification card system. It's conceivable that such an ID card would use various technologies together, such as RFID, thumbprint identification, and a rewritable microchip that contains your history, medical background, insurance information and other statistics combined into one license or national ID card that would outdate even a license.

Thus, the future of ID technology is rapidly expanding and growing at a startling rate. Within the next ten to twenty years, advances in biometric and RFID technology may grow to the point that even regular homes will have technologies like body scanning and much, much more.

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Both James Hunt & Marcela Devivo are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

James Hunt has sinced written about articles on various topics from History, Virtual Private Network and Mobile Phone Reviews. James Hunt has spent 15 years as a professional writer and researcher covering stories that cover a whole spectrum of interest.Read more at . James Hunt's top article generates over 2240000 views. to your Favourites.

Marcela Devivo has sinced written about articles on various topics from Legal Matters, Entertainment Guide and Legal Matters. . Marcela Devivo's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.