RFID+ Prep Course Training Class

Interrogation Zone Basics

• 
  Interrogator functionality
  
  
  
  • 
    I/O capability
  
  
  • 
    Handheld interrogators
  
  
  • 
    Vehicle mount interrogator
  
  
  • 
    LAN/serial communications
  
  
  • 
    Firmware upgrades
  
  
  • 
    Software operation (GUIs)
  
  
  
  


• 
  Configuration of interrogation zones
  
  
  
  • 
    Interrogator to interrogator interference
  
  
  • 
    Optimization
  
  
  • 
    System performance and tuning
  
  
  • 
    Travel speed and direction
  
  
  • 
    Bi-static/monostatic antennas
  
  
  
  


• 
  Anti-collision protocols (e.g., number of tags in the field/response
  time)


• 
  Dense interrogator environment issues (domestic/international)
  
  
  
  • 
    Understand how a dense interrogator installation is going to affect
    network traffic
  
  
  • 
    Installation of multiple interrogators, (e.g., dock doors,
    synchronization of multiple interrogators, antenna footprints)
  
  
  
  

Testing and Troubleshooting

• 
  Troubleshoot RF interrogation zones (e.g., root-cause analysis)
  
  
  
  • 
    Analyze less than required read rate
    
    
    
    • Identify improperly tagged items
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • 
    Diagnose hardware
    
    
    
    • Recognize need for firmware upgrades
    
    
    • Equipment replacement procedures (e.g., antenna, cable, interrogator)
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • 
    Identify reasons for tag failure
    
    
    
    • Failed tag management
    
    
    • ESD issues
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  


• 
  Contrast actual tag data to expected tag data

Standards and Regulations

• 
  User requirements vs. standards
  
  
  
  • Regulations, standards that impact the design of a particular RFID solution
  
  
  
  


• 
  Differences between air interface protocols and tag data formats


• 
  Regulatory requirements - globally and by region


• 
  Safety regulations/issues regarding human exposure

Tag Knowledge

• Tag types
  
  
  
  • 
    Tag selection
    
    
    
    • 
      Pros and cons of tag types
    
    
    • 
      Tag performance
      
      
      
      • 
        Tag antenna to region/frequency
      
      
      
      
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • 
    Inductively coupled tags vs. back-scatter
  
  
  • 
    Active and passive tags
  
  
  
  


• Tag Placement
  
  
  
  • 
    Media and adhesive selection for tags
  
  
  • 
    Tag orientation and location
    
    
    
    • 
      Tag stacking (shadowing)
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • 
    Package contents
  
  
  • 
    Packaging
    
    
    
    • 
      Items
    
    
    • 
      Tags
    
    
    • 
      Labels
    
    
    • 
      Inserts
    
    
    • 
      Liquids
    
    
    • 
      Metal
    
    
    • 
      Polarization
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

Design Selection

• 
  Performance of a given frequency and power (active/passive) as it relates
  to: read distance, write distance, tag response time, storage capacity


• 
  System performance variables
  
  
  
  • 
    Antenna type
  
  
  • 
    Equipment mounting and protection
  
  
  • 
    Cable length/loss
  
  
  • 
    Interference considerations
  
  
  • 
    Tag type (e.g., active, passive, frequency)
  
  
  
  

Installation

• 
  Best practices
  
  
  
  • 
    Grounding considerations (e.g., lightning, ground loops, ESD)
  
  
  • 
    Testing installed equipment and connections (pre-install and
    post-install)
  
  
  
  


• 
  Site diagram of interrogation zone locations, cable drops, device
  mounting locations

Site Analysis (i.e., before, during, and after installation)

• 
  How to read blueprints


• 
  Sources of interference
  
  
  
  • Use analysis equipment such as a spectrum analyzer
  
  
  
  


• 
  Environmental conditions analysis

RF Physics

• 
  RF propagation/communication techniques


• 
  Antenna field performance/characteristics as it relates to reflective and
  absorptive materials


• 
  Radiated power output from antenna based on antenna gains, cable type,
  cable length, interrogator transmit power

RFID Peripherals

• 
  Installation and configuration of RFID printer


• 
  Ancillary devices/concepts
  
  
  
  • 
    RFID printer encoder
  
  
  • 
    Automated label applicator
  
  
  • 
    Feedback systems (e.g., lights, horns)
  
  
  • 
    RTLS
  
  
  
  

The EPCglobal Network: Future Real-Time Supply Chain

• EPCglobal, Inc organization and its structure


• 
  EPC (Electronic Product Code) - a global object numbering system


• 
  EPC network architecture


• 
  ONS (Object Naming Service) - "The Internet of Things"


• 
  EPC-IS - Distributed EPC information system


• 
  EPC-DS - Discovery service to track-and-trace objects


• 
  ALE (Application Level Events) - software to manage RFID readers


• 
  Benefits to supply chain

RFID Middleware Requirements

• Middleware components


• 
  Middleware requirements


• 
  Functions performed by RFID middleware


• 
  Standards under development to share and protect the data across
  enterprises


• 
  Scalability


• 
  Selection and deployment of RFID middleware

Auto-ID/networking professionals interested in enhancing their career with certifications; career