Scansource, Inc. · NASDAQ:SCSC
Scansource — Technical Presentation (2006)
40 slides from Scansource's technical presentation, Oct 19, 2006
Slide 1: RFID Tags and Labels
REIDEDGE Knowledge « Solutions * People RFID Tags and Labels Scan Source INC.
Slide 2: Session 1 Overview
Session 1 Overview • Many Opportunities – Compliance – Closed Loop – Beyond Compliance • Demonstrate ROI – Matching Solution with environment
Slide 3: Topics of Discussion
Topics of Discussion • RFID Tags and Labels – Types of Tags – Tag Friend vs. Tag Foe – Tag Placement
Slide 4: Tag Types
Tag Types Battery Assist Passive Active Tags Passive Tags Tags - Battery Powered -RF Powered - Similar to Passive - 100’s of KB Memory inductive circuit1 - Slightly More Range - Expensive 64–256 Bytes of - Limited Battery Life -Battery Life limits tag memory -Reader Talks First life - Inexpensive (R
Slide 5: Active Tags
Active Tags • Active Tags – Tag Talks First – TTF • Tag constantly transmitting “Hello” signal • “Hello” heard by reader • Reader responds with “I hear you” signal (handshaking) • Data is transferred – Can communicate up to 300 ft. • 10 to 30 Ft. typical – Cost can be $5-$150 per tag
Slide 6: Passive Types
Passive Types • Passive Tags – Reader Talks First – RTF • Reader transmits “Wake up” signal – Only transmits when tag presence indicated by sensor • Tag responds with “I hear you” signal (handshaking) • Data is transferred – Can communicate up to 20+ ft. • Varies with frequency – Cost can be $.20-$4
Slide 7: How Passive UHF Tags Work
How Passive UHF Tags Work • Electromagnetic waves transmitted from the reader induces a current in the tag’s antenna. • The tag uses this energy to power the chip and talk back to the reader. Talk back is also called “backscatter”. *The reflected power from the tag is much less than the original tra
Slide 8: Passive Tag Types – Antenna Design
Passive Tag Types – Antenna Design Two types of Antenna Designs: • Single Dipole: Could be subject to orientation issues when using linear polarized reader antennas. • Dual Dipole: Orientation issues are a non issue due to two antenna fields. * Linear and Circular antennas will be discussed in the A
Slide 9: Inlays
Inlay IC Chip s Antenna Substrate
Slide 10: Types of Inlays
Types of Inlays • Many Types of Inlays (antenna + chip) – Several antenna designs based on application requirements – Several chip manufacturers such as : Alien, TI, Matrics, ST Micro, Impinj, Philips also based on application requirements.
Slide 11: What is a Smart Label?
What is a Smart Label? • Smart Label is a type of tag encapsulation • A smart label is a label with an integrated circuit embedded within the label substrate – This integrated circuit, known as an inlay (or inlet) adds the “smart” component • A smart label combines the traditional barcode, human rea
Slide 12: RFID Frequencies
RFID Frequencies • Low Frequency – 125kHz – Short read range – contact to a few inches • High Frequency – 13.56MHz – Short read range – contact to ½ meter • Ultra High Frequency – 860 – 960Mhz – Longest read range for passive tags – Usually 3 meters – Susceptible to liquid and metal • Microwave Freq
Slide 13: UHF RFID Physics
UHF RFID Physics RFID Friendly •Paper RFID Unfriendly •Glass •Water •Cardboard •Metal •Fiberboard •Foil lined packages •Plastics •Carbon-Impregnated (Most) Plastic •Wood •Green wood
Slide 14: Tag for all Environments
ScanSource Tag for all Environments
Slide 15: Physical Tag Types
Physical Tag Types • RFID Tags come in many different sizes and shapes due to some of the following use Requirements: – Supply Chain (Cases and Pallets) – Environmental Concerns – Reusable – Size – Range – Special Encapsulation
Slide 16: Supply Chain
Supply Chain • Supply Chain: – Placing a Smart Label on a case of products or a pallet of products.
Slide 17: Environmental Issues
Environmental Issues • Environmental Issues: – Some tags are designed for certain harsh environments or that may be subjected to whether conditions. Tire Tag
Slide 18: Metal Surfaces
Metal Surfaces • Metal Surfaces: – Some tags are produced with the knowledge they will be applied to a particular surface. For example tags designed for metal surfaces would have some type of insulating material around the antenna specifically tuned at a certain frequency range. Metal Mounted Tag
Slide 19: Tag Analysis - Mounting & Housing Considerations
Tag Analysis - Mounting & Housing Considerations • Environmentals • Asset Composition Top View • Housing Material • Attachment Methods • Tag Insert Type • Attachment Costs Side View • Material Costs • Number of assets requiring a unique mounting solutions Asset
Slide 20: Reusable Tags
Reusable Tags • Reusable Tags: – Placing tags on Totes will allow tracking those totes and their associated contents throughout a manufacturing plant or distribution center. – Would usually be a Read Only tag and will stay with the tote Reusable Plastic Container Tag
Slide 21: Size Requirements
Size Requirements • Size Requirements: – Some applications may require tags of a certain size. A good example would be the keyfob. – These are usually associated with the lower frequency tags (LF, HF).
Slide 22: Range Requirements
Range Requirements • Range Requirements: – Some applications may require tags that limit the range of operation. Examples could be access control or library applications. – These are usually associated with the lower frequency tags (LF, HF).
Slide 23: Tag Encapsulation
Tag Encapsulation To meet specific applications and environmental needs RFID tags are designed to precisely fit their intended application. • Mechanical and environmental robustness • On-metal preparation • Extreme temperature resistance • Recycled •HARSH ENVIRONMENTS - Industrial Laundries, Medical
Slide 24: Tag Read/Write Capabilities
Tag Read/Write Capabilities
Slide 25: Tag Read/Write Capabilities
Tag Read/Write Capabilities Read Only Write Once Read/Write Read Many (WORM) • Programmed • Typically • Programmed & when made programmed reprogrammed • Data is static when attached to “on the fly” and cannot be asset • Data is altered after • Data is static and dynamic and manufacturing cannot be a
Slide 26: Where do I use tags?
Where do I use tags? • Applications Examples • Read Only: • Totes: Tagging totes in a manufacturing or warehouse • Pharmaceutical products to help prevent counterfeiting • Inventory of Assets • WORM: • Supply Chain:Traditionally associated with supply chain applications. Smart Labels are created bef
Slide 27: Writing to Tags
Writing to Tags • To Write a Tag Means “Read/Write/Verify” • Write Is An Order of Magnitude Slower Than Read – 200 ms for Read – 200 ms for Write = 600 ms to write 96-bit – 200 ms for Verify • Write Range is about 30% of Read Range
Slide 28: Tag Memory
Tag Memory Data storage on RFID Tags vary from a few bits to 1,000s of bits. •EPC Tags: Usually associated with 64, 96, 128, 256, 512 bits of data storage. •ISO Tags: ISO tags has higher memory offerings 1,000-2,000 bits.
Slide 29: Tag Selection & Placement
ScanSource Tag Selection & Placement
Slide 30: Tag Placement
Tag Placement • Placing the tag at a certain location on a product may cause better or worse read ranges, determine the best location to place tags based on your pilot testing. Bad Location – Liquid Better Location – Above behind the tag. liquid level
Slide 31: Tag or Label Placement
Tag or Label Placement Reader Location Package Orientation Packaging Materials Pallet Loading Package Contents Handling Package Design\ Requirements Branding Customer Requirements
Slide 32: Factors Affecting Performance
Factors Affecting Performance • Tag Sensitivity: – The greater the chip sensitivity, the longer the read range. • Tag Size: – larger tag/antenna generally means longer range and better performance • Tag Shape: – Different tag/antenna shapes provide different levels of performance.
Slide 33: Evaluating Tag Placement
Evaluating Tag Placement • Placing the tag at a certain location on a product may cause better or worse read ranges, determine the best location to place tags based on your pilot testing • Ensure product testing is thorough. Do not assume all RFID tags perform the same.
Slide 34: Evaluation Tag Placement
Evaluation Tag Placement • Test Stations – Tag Placement – This station will be for determining the proper location for the tag for each carton. – Equipment needed: Reader, antenna, tags, laptop, product.
Slide 35: Tag Stacking or Spacing
ScanSource Tag Stacking or Spacing
Slide 36: Tag Stacking
Tag Stacking • Inner packed products and various product materials, vastly alter readings based on tag type and placement.
Slide 37: Tag Interaction
Tag Interaction • Tags in close proximity may experience “coupling” • Coupling may cause tag range to decrease • Coupling may “HIDE” tags within an array of tags RF field Hint: Keep tag spacing to a sphere not less than the diameter of the tag
Slide 38: Conclusion
Conclusion • Passive vs. Active Tags • Read only; Worm; Re-Writable • Things to consider when selecting tags – Environment – Tag Size – Tag Placement – Tag Type
Slide 39: Want to learn more?
Want to learn more? • RFID Edge Technical Training – One class per month, 9 students per class – 4 ½ days; hands on, Memphis – Certifications on twelve manufactures – $2500 per student – June is sold out • Next Class is July 17-21 • ScanSource Web Series – Readers, printers, antennas – June 1 @ 1pm
Slide 40: Questions?
ScanSource Questions?