And who said radio was a dying technology? Certainly not the Baie-Comeau RFID that is currently broadcasting intimate details about you that you assuredly don't want others to know. Or maybe not, I don't really know how it works, but believe me, it works.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a method used to automatically identify and track things through the use of radio waves. It is a two-component system that consists of an identifying tag (or transponder), and a device capable of reading the tag (reader). RFID tags can be applied to any object, including products, animals, or even people, from a given distance. Because RFID relies on radio waves in order to work, the tag can be anywhere from a few inches to somewhere beyond the line of sight of the reader. Based on a number of devices invented during WWII, and refined from a transponder device patented in 1973, modern RFID technology has become a part of our daily lives. Data stored on the RFID tag can range from something as simple as a serial number to several pages of data.
An RFID tag consists of a low power integrated circuit (or microchip) connected to an antenna made from either a copper or aluminum foil that is adhered to an object. In the future, tags may be designed to be chipless and printed directly onto the object instead. When powered, RFID tags broadcast their data, which is picked up by the reader and decoded. Tags can be powered by radio waves originating from the reader (passive RFID) or by a battery (active RFID). Passive RFID can be read at a distance of between four inches and 33 feet (11 centimeters to 10 meters) and have an infinite range of applications, while active RFID tags have a range of several hundred feet and are best suited for specialized applications. Both work in three radio frequency ranges (30-300 KHz, 3-30 MHz and 300 MHz to 3 GHz), based on how they are used.
The U.S. government actively employs RFID technology in a variety of ways. For example, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and United States Department of State (DOS) use RFID tags to store biometric information in identification documents such as passports and Trusted Traveler Program documents. For security purposes, RFID tags used in these types of applications do not contain personal identification information, but rather a number pointing to a record in a secure database. RFID tags are also used for tracking military supplies, nuclear waste and other sensitive or critical items.
Other common uses of RFID in the United States include inventory control, merchandise tracking, toll or fare collection, and document verification. RFID is also gaining acceptance in the healthcare industry, where it is used for patient and medication tracking. Also, pet owners often have implantable RFID tags placed in dogs and cats (also known as chipping or microchipping) for identification purposes should they get lost (information on this practice is available from your veterinarian).
Additional Resources:
Please note: To view and print .PDF documents, you must use the Adobe Reader software, which is available for download without charge.