Where might I find active or battery-assisted tags that are really small—say, 1.5 inches in diameter? —Name withheld ——— There are a wide variety of active tags on the market, and they are getting progressively smaller and thinner. Axcess International has created a...
Are RFID readers intelligent enough to determine whether a tagged object is entering or exiting a dock door? —Name withheld ——— Some are and some aren't. Last year, Alien Technology introduced its Intelligent Tag Radar, which enables users to determine the direction,...
How can I connect radio frequency identification readers to programmable logic controllers? —Name withheld ——— Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) run the automation systems that operate many assembly lines and conveyors in distribution centers. With the...
What poses a threat to radio frequency identification? —Name withheld ——— I assume the question relates to threats to adoption—that is, where there are factors or technologies that might supplant RFID as an important tracking and identification technology. On a broad...
A bill proposed in the U.S. Congress would provide funding for research into the feasibility of taxing individuals based on how much they use roads.
I would like to use RFID as part of an interactive game. Can it be implemented to identify a player quickly, and to give feedback that affects computer output? —Name withheld ——— Yes. The velocity of radio waves is slightly less than the speed of light (186,000 miles...
Are there any radio frequency identification tags designed for use in environments with high levels of humidity? —Name withheld ——— Almost any RFID tag, if encapsulated in plastic for protection, will work in a highly humid environment. If you're interested in tags...
Please provide some information regarding where I might obtain application software for radio frequency identification. —Name withheld ——— There are a few companies that only sell RFID application software, such as OATSystems. There are firms that market software,...
What is the total time needed for an RFID reader to interrogate passive UHF tags, and for the tags to respond? ——— To answer this question, I reached out to Susan Flake, Motorola's senior manager of retail RFID business development. According to Susan, the minimum...
Can you please offer a list of the top providers of radio frequency identification technologies? —Name withheld ——— That's a difficult question to answer without sounding biased. The response depends on whether you are talking about tags, fixed readers, handheld...
I am developing a Web site with JSP/Servlets. One of the requirements is to use RFID cards to log in, but the reading distance should be limited to 15 centimeters (6 inches), in order to allow two users to be at the same workstation without confusing the reader. How...
Is it possible to utilize radio frequency identification within pipes made of steel? —Name withheld ——— The answer depends on what you want to achieve. If you are looking to read tags inside a pipe from the outside, the answer is likely no, as the reader's energy...