RFID Library with HF and UHF Technology - National RFID Centre

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Our in LibrariesSingapore:• National Library Board, Singapore - 42 Public Libraries• Library Supply Centre• Singapore Management University• Republic Polytechnic• Millennial Institute• SAFTI Military Library• Ngee Ann Polytechnic• INEAD Singapore Campus• National Cancer Center• Other High School LibrariesMalaysia:• Multimedia University• TPM Academy• Palace Of Justice, Putrajaya• Kementerian Kebudayaan, Kesenian dan Warisan Malaysia• Institute of Diplomacy And Foreign Relations Malaysia (UHF)• Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malacca City Campus• Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Primary Campus, Johor• National Craft Institute Malaysia (IKN)• Bank Negara Malaysia – Central Bank Library (UHF)Hong Kong:• City University ofHong KongIndonesia:• PNRI, National Lib• MK, LibraryThailand:• Thailand Creativeand Design CenterTaiwan:• Naval Base Library• Fagu Library (UHF)Nigeria:• Federal College ofEducation

Our HF Libraries (60+ sites)• Frequency – 13.56MHz• Tag uses• NXP ICode1, ICode SLi• Infineon MyD, Tag-it• EAS Bit, AF bit• Read Range: 1.2m• Operation: Multiple and SingleItem reading• Stations:Self-Check, Staff Station, EASGate, Bookdrop, Sorting, Tagging,Stocktake, Smart Shelf…

Our UHF Libraries (3 sites)• Frequency – 850 - 960MHz• Tag uses• NXP Gen2 XM• Alien Higgs• EAS – Defined Bit set• Read Range: 2.5m – 5m• Operation: Multiple and SingleItem reading• Stations:Self-Check, Staff Station, EASGate, Bookdrop, Tagging,Stocktake…

Tagging Challenge (1)HF RFIDTagUHF RFIDTagHF TagTag are bulky and obviousShort reading distance – 1.2mUnregulated FrequencyOrientation coverage; highLow false read at gateTag cost still higher than UHFUHF TagSmall and slimLong distance – 2.5 to 5mRegulated FrequencyOrientation coverage; highModerate false read at gateLower tag cost

Tagging Challenge (2)HF Tag on BookUHF Tag on BookGood No Good Moderate

Self-Check ChallengeHF StationLimited multi items check due to limit indist (4-6)Well control read/write zoneCD/DVD still not goodGood location reading on shelfUHF StationNo Limit, as long as reader power supportmass tags readingDifficult to control consistence read/writezoneCD/DVD still not goodDifficult to identify item location on shelf

EAS Gate ChallengeHF GateLimited detection rangeWell control read zoneCD/DVD still not goodClose body reading – goodLow false readBulky PanelsUHF Gate1.5 to 3.5m depend on tag orientationDifficult to control consistence read zoneCD/DVD still not goodClose body reading – poorModerate false read especially itemswithin 3-5 meter rangeAntennas can be easily hide (widewalkway)

Market ImplementationsHFUHFNumber of Libraries implementation on RFID ~ 3000 ~ 15System integrators specialized in Library ~ 50 ~ 6RFID deployed in Libraries 500 M 3 MLabel Manufacturers for Library Tag 20 4ISO Data Model for Library Yes Not yetSource: NXP Semiconductors RFID

Frequency Fields CharacteristicHFReading range Moderate HighUHFEnvironmental influence and fluid Less affected Easily affectedbut near-fieldcan resolveNational Regulatory No YesEffective on-field coverageRF WaveBy readerantenna designMagnetic (NearField)Data Transfer Speed Moderate HighBy Tag antennadesignElectric,Magnetic (FarField)Field CharacteristicSource: NXP Semiconductors RFIDHomogeneousfieldHighly reflective,field holes

Field PatternsHF Wave PatternUHF Wave PatternSource: NXP CAS training material

So, which is good?Near FieldHFNF UHFFar FieldUHFBest of both TechnologiesAndrew Nathanson (Venture Development Corp), predicts that the availability of EPC Gen 2 near-field UHFhardware will change that scenario, since the technology operates well in liquids and metals and reads moreitems at a faster rate (about 500 percent faster) than HF. It can encode RFID tags at a rate 75 percent fasterthan HF, Nathanson said, but the technology has not caught up with science.

NF UHF, HF 13.56MHz or UHF 860-960MHzTechnology Strengths WeaknessesNF UHFHF Works good in metal fluid Low tag cost Good protocol, anti-collision Fast data transfer Less interference by noise Can be both near and far field EPC Gen 2 Moderate data transfer Moderate tag cost (not true) Unregulated frequency Read through human body Higher equipment cost Regulated frequency NF/FF tag limited variety RFID Tag is too big to behidden Can be shielded by metalUHF Longer read range Small tag size Lower tag price Fast data transfer EPC Gen 2 Sensitive to tag orientation Regulated frequency Sensitive to liquid and metal Higher equipment cost UHF signals can be reflectedby environmental objects

A Simple NF UHF Test110 x 5Book thickness = 2.5cmNo of Antenna = 2Tx. power = 2W120mm120 – 170 mm 40 mm0 mm100mm

My 5 cents worth commentsNF UHF - higher advantage than HF and UHF on Item TaggingPotential of NF UHF still not fully explore;lower cost with more adoptions,(NF) distance still short,not too many players in market,limited tags applicable for libraryLack of market knowledge on NF UHFNo one Tag fix all items; thickness, material, characteristic willaffect its effective read/write distancePatented technology but still okLack mature application, coming development of NF UHFdetermine market share of item taggingLack of Tag suppliersLack of additional functions on NF UHF, sure as security, EAS,memory space

ConclusionHF is still currently most mature and popular solution forLibraryHF still have wider range of products and vendor choices,largely proven in term of operation and cost savingUHF faces many challenge in RFID libraryNF UHF potential, but need more time, sitesimplementation to prove its capabilitiesAlthough UHF/NF UHF tag is slightly cheaper than HF,later will have cheaper or sameHF will still be dominate in library for few more years, withNF UHF technology getting mature then, will see the shift ofmarketUsers need to be more receptive and patient to give spacefor such technology to mature

Thank You! See u at Booth 15Nick Lee 李 诚 荣CEOWavex Technologies Pte Ltdnick.lee@wavex-tech.comhttp://www.wavex-tech.com