Optical RFID
Encyclopedia
Optical RFID is an alternative to RFID that is based on optical readers. Applications for optical RFID tags may be found in future supply chain scenarios. The main advantage in comparison to traditional RFID tags is their low price and the usually employed offline preaggregation of data to the class level.
Unlike most other RFID chips (which use radio frequencies of 0.125–0.1342, 0.140–0.1485, 13.56, and 868–928 MHz), optical RFID operates in the electromagnetic spectrum
between the frequencies
of 333 THz (3.33×1014 hertz
, 900 nm) and 380 THz (788 nm) and 750 THz (400 nm). The tag information is communicated to the reader by reflecting the read request. Parts of the incoming signal are filtered by the tag in a well-defined way as it is sent back to the reader. On the reader's side, the tag data can be deduced by analysing the pattern used for filtering. As an alternative to reflection mode, active circuits can be used, replacing awkward RFID antennae with photovoltaic components and IR-LED
s on the ICs.
Kodak has also announced a OPID product for tracking pharmaceuticals.
Regarding privacy, optical RFID provides much more protection against abuse than RFID based on common electromagnetic waves. This is mainly because line-of-sight
is required for malicious read out. Such an attack can easily be prevented with low cost optical RFID sight blockers. Nevertheless if needed some penetration of solids and liquids can be achieved e.g. with near-IR wavelengths.
Unlike most other RFID chips (which use radio frequencies of 0.125–0.1342, 0.140–0.1485, 13.56, and 868–928 MHz), optical RFID operates in the electromagnetic spectrum
Electromagnetic spectrum
The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of all possible frequencies of electromagnetic radiation. The "electromagnetic spectrum" of an object is the characteristic distribution of electromagnetic radiation emitted or absorbed by that particular object....
between the frequencies
Frequency
Frequency is the number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit time. It is also referred to as temporal frequency.The period is the duration of one cycle in a repeating event, so the period is the reciprocal of the frequency...
of 333 THz (3.33×1014 hertz
Hertz
The hertz is the SI unit of frequency defined as the number of cycles per second of a periodic phenomenon. One of its most common uses is the description of the sine wave, particularly those used in radio and audio applications....
, 900 nm) and 380 THz (788 nm) and 750 THz (400 nm). The tag information is communicated to the reader by reflecting the read request. Parts of the incoming signal are filtered by the tag in a well-defined way as it is sent back to the reader. On the reader's side, the tag data can be deduced by analysing the pattern used for filtering. As an alternative to reflection mode, active circuits can be used, replacing awkward RFID antennae with photovoltaic components and IR-LED
LEd
LEd is a TeX/LaTeX editing software working under Microsoft Windows. It is a freeware product....
s on the ICs.
Kodak has also announced a OPID product for tracking pharmaceuticals.
Regarding privacy, optical RFID provides much more protection against abuse than RFID based on common electromagnetic waves. This is mainly because line-of-sight
Line-of-sight propagation
Line-of-sight propagation refers to electro-magnetic radiation or acoustic wave propagation. Electromagnetic transmission includes light emissions traveling in a straight line...
is required for malicious read out. Such an attack can easily be prevented with low cost optical RFID sight blockers. Nevertheless if needed some penetration of solids and liquids can be achieved e.g. with near-IR wavelengths.