RFID Performance in Localization Systems

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a technology widely deployed in access control of particular and professional places. Within this technology, individuals must carry a passive tag with them. When the tag is inside the area of influence of a RFID reader, the exchange information grant access to the carrier. As the individual must carry a tag, it is possible to track the tag around the place, with more readers, in order to provide more context information to an AAL (Ambient Assisted Living) system. While access applications can require interaction from the user, localization systems are more successful if they are completely passive, with no interaction from the user. We first find out what kind of tag is preferred in a concrete professional company. In addition we experimentally evaluate the performance of preferred tags in different parts of the user (pocket, wallet, shirt-pocket, etc.). The experiment try to find the distance that the reader can obtain the information from the tag in different scenarios, and view the influence of human body and metal over this read range, that we know are hostile enviroment. Analyzing the results, we suggest considerations to implement a passive RFID localization system: place the readers in vertical position (horizontal reading) and attach a non-metallic cover to the tag to guarantee a minimum separation between the tag and human body (minimum of 2 mm).

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