INGENIEUR
C o m pu t e r c o n n e c t s t o d a t a b a s e s
R e a d e r s e n d s d a ta t o h o s t
6 or i nterne t to s tore or upda te da ta
5 c o m p u t e r fo r pr o c e s s i n g
N e t w or k I n fr a s t r u c tu r e
C o m pu t e r s e nd s o p e r a t i n g
7 da ta to ta g through the re a de r
H os t C om pute r
Da ta ba s e s
R e a de r s e nds a que ry
2
1 to ta g through a nte nna
T a g r e c e i v e s th e R F
s i gn a l a n d g e t a c t i v e
Ante nna
C hip
S u bs tr a t e
R F ID T a g
Ante nna
R F ID R e ade r
T a gg e d O b je c t
T a g s e nds ba c k its
3 u n iq u e I D t o t he r e a d e r
A n t e n n a c o ll e c t s t h e I D
4 a n d t r a n s fe r s t o r e a d e r
Figure 2: RFID Operation System
To achieve the objectives of the traceability
system, we need to provide the product with a
unique identification number and some required
information. We need also a system to capture
the information from the object, identify the
object uniquely and manage the whole system.
In this article, we investigate the two most
popular technologies in traceability systems.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Quick
Response (QR) code are separately investigated
as identification technologies. Their advantages
in the traceability system and a comprehensive
comparison between the RFID and QR are provided.
OVERVIEW OF RFID TECHNOLOGY
RFID provides a unique identification for tagged
objects by transmitting radio signals. Tags, reader,
antenna and the host computer are the four
essential components of an RFID system. RFID
technology provides a fast, reliable and flexible
identification process for all tagged objects.
Objects emit their unique ID trough the radio
signals by utilizing the tag antenna. Transmitted
signals are collecte, interpreted by the reader and
transferred to the computer application, where the
database or any specific applications that manage
all the identification process. RFID technology is
widely utilized in different scientific and industrial
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VOL 61 JANUARY – MARCH 2015
VOL 55 JUNE 2013
projects such as: tracking systems, supply
chain management, warehouse and inventory
management, manufacturing, construction,
transportation, toll collections and so on.
How Does an RFID System Work?
In RFID systems the reader initiates the
identification process. First the reader broadcasts
the query to the tags through the antennas. The
tags receive the RF signals; where, the RF signals
induct the electric current through the coil antenna
inside the tags. Next, a RFID chip utilizes the
induced current to send back its unique ID to the
reader through the antennas. Reader antenna
collects the emitted data and transfer to the
reader. The Reader sends all the data to the host
computer for processing. Then the host computer
connects to several databases or Internet at the
same time, and sends the event based data to
be stored on the tag. Figure 2 demonstrates the
whole operation process of RFID systems.
OVERVIEW OF QR TECHNOLOGY
QR code is also known as a two dimensional
barcode. It was developed in 1994 by DENSO
Corporation of Japan to provide fast identification
and track objects by scanning a tag optically. The
general idea of the QR and barcode are the same.