Active Tag Zoo (Active RFID Summit 2005)

Active tags are generally defined as radio transponders with an onboard power source and transmitter. Given this loose definition, a wide variety of wireless technologies have emerged to serve the need for medium range identification, tracking and sensing. In addition to various proprietary protocols, several international standards now exists, including IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.15.4 (Bluetooth, Zigbee), and EPC Class 3/4.

 

In this talk, we compare the available open-standard wireless technologies and their suitability for use as active RFID tags. In particular, we analyze the following features: frequency characteristics, cost, security features, power consumption, network topology, data rate, and interoperability/interference with other networks.

 

Based on this analysis, we argue that the newer implementations of the IEEE 802.15.4 standard is most generally suitable for building low-power, secure and low-cost active tag systems. We present some of our experiences using this technology in logistics and security applications.

Deva Seetharam leads the Active Tag business at Tagsense Inc. Deva has five years industry experience developing active tags and multi-hop sensor mesh networks. Before joining TagSense, Deva spent several years as a senior engineer for Millennial Net, a wireless sensor network company also based in the Boston area. Deva has developed data transport algorithms and protocols for low-power wireless sensor networks and has designed and developed systems for several Fortune 500 companies including Rockwell Automation, Northwestern Mutual, Target Corporation and Safeway Inc. Deva holds a Masters degree from the MIT Media Lab where he developed an operating system and a high-level programming language for miniature high-density embedded networked systems. Deva has also served on international Zigbee and IEEE 802.15.4 standards committees.

With over 12 years experience in RFID technologies, TagSense, Inc. designs and develops custom RFID systems for identification and wireless sensors. TagSense provides product design and testing services to a number of Fortune 500 companies in the areas of asset tracking, people tracking, security, anti-counterfeiting, tamper-detection, mobile payment, smart shelves, and supply chain management. TagSense offers unique technologies in the areas of active and passive RFID sensors, chipless RFID, capacitively-coupled RFID tags, printed electronic inks, antenna design, and electromagnetic materials testing. TagSense also offers a select number of OEM modules and reference designs which are licensed to technology partners in vertical markets.