OVERVIEW

     Recent advances in RFID system technology extend beyond the RFID tag, and the improvements in information technology and RFID standardization will have profound impact on the commercial application of RFID systems.  An RFID tag’s capability and cost vary widely with application, however, at the basic level it consist of a computer chip, transmitter and antenna.  RFID tag readers are used to read the chip remotely, and specialized software (middleware) is used to interpret the received information, collate it, and transmit it to the organizations supply chain management system. The RFID transmitter/antenna operates at very low powers and over short distances and can be battery powered or use the RF energy of the reader (via RF induction) as its transmit power source. 

    The computer chip and its associated 96-bit Electronic Product Code (EPC) allows for product identification down to the individual level and tracking other information about the product.  Readers typically interrogate RFID chips, prompting transmission of EPC data retained on the computer chip.  Middleware interprets, sorts and filters the raw RFID tag information at warehouse, then passes the compiled data onto the firm’s supply chain management software.  Near worldwide acceptance of RFID tag capabilities and transmission protocol, and the open-end architecture design for transmission and use of EPC information will result in the data transmitted by RFID tags seamlessly flowing through the worldwide web and promises to markedly improve supply chain management efficiency and reduce cost.