Challenges In Implementation Of RFID Technology

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• Technical Challenges

One of the main technical challenges in implementing RFID technology is its unreliability in a retail environment. It is very difficult to read ultra high frequency tags near a human body because of the interference from the high water content of humans . Tags on the products with large amount of liquid or metals can not be read easily because liquids absorb signals while metals reflect them. Some of the other technical challenges in implementing RFID technology are discussed subsequently.

• Read Range

Most of the low frequency RFID systems have an operating range of about 1m and ultra high frequency systems extend the operating range to 3m to 4m. Reliable RFID readers with longer operating ranges will result in the widespread adoption of RFID technology.

• Read Accuracy

Although RFID readers do not require line of sight of the object for operation, the reader cannot communicate accurately with a rfid tag, which is oriented perpendicular to the antenna of the reader. If a number of tagged objects are placed together randomly, some of them will be oriented in a direction that makes them invisible to the reader. This problem could be overcome either by changing the position of the reader or using antennas that are less sensitive to orientation. Most RFID readers do not operate properly in the presence of another reader. As RFID technology becomes widespread, the readers might interfere with each other. Each other read tags at different times rather than simultaneously.

• Nonuniform Standards

There are differences in frequencies allocated for RFID applications because frequency allocation is generally managed by regulations of individual countries. For example, Europe uses 868MHz for ultra high frequency whereas 915 MHz is used for ultra high frequency in the United States. Thus, a tag operating at a certain frequency in one country might not be readable in another country, which uses the same frequency for a different purpose. The lack of standardized frequency on a global basis is hampering the implementation of RFID technology for different applications. RFID standards for some applications such as supply chain (ISO 18000-3 and ISO 18000-6) have been developed.
The ISO 18000 standard defines the air interface standards (protocols by which readers and tags communicate) for various frequencies used around the world.

• Cost

Cost is a major hurdle in the widespread use of RFID technology. Passive tags, which have some data storage capability, cost between 5 to 10 cents each when ordered in large quantities.
However, they are still expensive as compared to a barcode label, which costs less than 1 cent. The cost of active tags, which are used for tagging high value items, can be up to $5 per tag even more. The higher cost of the tags makes it uneconomical to incorporate tags into every retail item. Reduction in the price of the tags with improved manufacturing technologies and high volume usage might result in widespread adoption of RFID technology (Roberts 2006). The cost of implementing RFID technology can be reduced by printing a barcode, an RFID tag, and a human-readable text on one label.

• Recycling Issues

Adhesives, computer chips, pieces of metal from antennae, and conductive inks of an RFID tag can affect the process of recycling paper, glass, plastic, and metal. Copper used to make the antenna adversely changes the chemical and structural properties of steel during recycling of steel containers. Excess copper contamination during recycling of steel can result in soft steel making it unusable for its intended purpose . During recycling of plastics, metal can contaminate polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The impact on recycling can be minimized using alternative adhesives, using different metal for antenna, or by removing the tag before the package is recycled.

• Privacy And Security Concerns

Consumer concern about privacy is a hindrance in public acceptance of RFID technology. Consumers are concerned about automatic tracking of their movement and buying habits. Use of kill switches to disable the tag at the point of sale can counter such privacy concerns regarding RFID technology. Security is another challenge in implementation of this technology. An unauthorized user can scan tags to access private information such as details of shipments and inventory. Companies and government agencies should address these concerns to make consumers and the food industry more comfortable in implementing this technology.