RFID | igogeer

Are there any RFID Privacy Concerns?

Posted on 1 Dec 2015
By igogeer
In RFID
Tags , biometric passports contactless smartcards credit cards emv mastercard microchip passports rf rfid rfid passports rfid privacy rfid readers rfid technologies smartcards target visa

Yes, there are Concerns about RFID Privacy!

Unsurprisingly, there are many privacy concerns surrounding RFID technologies. These concerns are particularly so when it comes to personal issues relating to the use of passports, smart cards and the advent of the contactless smart card.

Passports

In an effort to make passports more secure, many countries have implemented RFID (biometric microchips) into their passports. However, the encryption on the microchips has been broken. Leaving the biometric passport open to attack from potential criminals intent on stealing your personal information and identity.

There is also the concern that passport data can be scanned while the passport is being mailed to its owner. Where a criminal needed to secretly open and then reseal the envelope, now it can be done without detection, adding some degree of insecurity to the passport system.

Additionally, the RFID passports can be scanned by anyone with an RFID reader from as far away as several hundred feet. This can be a real security risk!

Smart Cards (Credit Cards etc…)

The most popular smart card today is the Credit/Debit Card with an imbedded microchip. Smart cards can provide identification, authentication, data storage and application processing. Smart cards may provide strong security authentication for single sign-on (SSO) within large organizations. These contact smart cards need to be inserted into a card reader to communicate and process transactions.

EMV (Europay MasterCard Visa) compliant cards and equipment are widespread and only since 2014 have been accepted into the United States. MasterCard was the first company that has been allowed to use the technology in the United States. In addition, Chase Bank has also received a contract to use the technology on some of their newer credit card plans.

The United States has felt pushed to use the technology because of the increase in identity theft. The credit card information stolen from Target in late 2013 was one of the largest indicators that its American credit card information was not safe. Target made the decision in April 2014 that they would implement the smart card microchip technology in order to protect themselves from future credit card identity theft.

Contactless Smart Cards

A second type of smart card is the contactless smart card. This type of smart card communicates with and is powered by the reader through RF induction technology (at data rates of 106–848 kbit/s). These cards require only proximity to an antenna to communicate.

Like contact smart cards, contactless cards do not have an internal power source. Instead, they use an inductor to capture some of the incident radio-frequency interrogation signal, rectify it, and use it to power the card’s electronics.

Smart cards have been advertised as suitable for personal identification tasks, because they are engineered to be tamper resistant. The chip usually implements some cryptographic algorithm. There are, however, several methods for recovering some of the algorithm’s internal state.

Thank You

That is the end of our series of articles that we trust have helped you understand what RFID is all about and the possible implications for you when using your credit/debit cards, passport or any other identity cards.

We always recommend that you stay protected at all times. Carry your passport, credit/debit cards and other identity cards in a secure RFID blocking wallet. They provide peace of mind for a very small investment.

Image: PayWave Payments

What is RFID Skimming?

Posted on 31 Oct 2015
By igogeer
In RFID
Tags , faraday cage identity theft money belt rfid rfid blocking rfid reader rfid scanner rfid wallet skimming waist bag

So, What is RFID Skimming?

RFID Skimming is the simple process of someone reading and copying the data contained on your bank or credit cards with an RFID reader or scanner. It is a quick and simple process that can be over and done within a matter of seconds without you having any knowledge it is happening.

How Can You Protect Yourself from RFID Skimming?

By now you’ve probably become quite paranoid about the safety of your numerous smart cards that you carry around with you every day – unprotected.

The Good News however is that there is a lot that you can do to protect yourself from RFID theft by the skimming of your smart card information and your identity.

The most effective way to protect you is to create a magnetic Faraday Cage. A Faraday Cage is a specifically designed magnetic mesh-like metal holder (cage) that essentially filters out certain electromagnetic frequencies and siphons them off to the ground. However, this is impractical when you’re out shopping or at the theater, or while your traveling on your vacation.

In short, nothing will work 100% to eliminate the possibility of your RFID cards being scanned. The safest way to protect you is to purchase a good quality RFID Blocking money belt, waist bag or wallet. These items are specifically designed and constructed to stop 99% of RFID readers scanning the smart card chips in your credit cards, passports and other identity cards.

The fabrics used in these RFID blocking money belts, waist bags and wallets is a knitted or woven material containing copper, silver or stainless steel fibers. These fibers are designed to block the incoming RF frequencies from reaching the smart card chips imbedded in the credit cards, passports and identity cards.

RFID Blocking Technology is not Cheap

RFID blocking fabric technology is not cheap. The manufacture of these fabrics is a very expensive process. Many of these fabrics combine microscopic particles of the copper, silver or stainless steel knitted or woven in specific patterns. These patterns create an impenetrable barrier against the intrusion of RF frequencies. They help to keep your valuable smart cards, passports and other identity cards information, safe from potential theft and loss of your personal identity.

One in Four Americans will Experience Identity Theft

It has recently been reported that one in four Americans will experience identity theft in their lifetime. This clearly indicates that with the advent of RFID technologies, although they deliver enormous benefits, have also created significant risks for its users.

If you are one of the many who want the best protection against intrusive RF frequencies reaching your smart cards, then you should check out the range of RFID Blocking products available from IGOGEER™.

You will be surprised by the range of products that contain RFID Blocking materials to help protect you from potential identity theft.

Checkout the range on Amazon or the IGOGEER™ website: https://igogeer.com.

Upcoming Article:
Look out for our next article in this series – “Are There Any RFID Privacy Concerns ?” You will find it informative and fascinating reading.

If you’re concerned about protecting your Passports from RFID scammers this product will provide that protection!

Image: Different ways to pay on CTA or Pace by Steven Vance

What Can You Do About Radio Frequency Tracking?

Posted on 30 Sep 2015
By igogeer
In RFID
Tags , aluminum biometric passport copper passport passport wallet radio frequency tracking rfid rfid blocking material rfid devices rfid reader rfid skimming silver stainless steel

There are Many Things You can do About Radio Frequency Tracking

The most important thing to remember is that RFID technology is an amazing aid to business and consumers alike. It has made our lives so much easier in so many ways that it’s hard to imagine life without them. Having said that, it has without doubt, created some considerable risks to our privacy and safety.

Because of this risk, you need to be vigilant about the use and availability of RFID devices and other RFID items in your life. You need to know what you are carrying or using that is embedded with radio frequency identification information about you, is key to being able to protect that data and manage your personal security.

If you are concerned about possibility of theft, you may wish to limit the amount of RFID technology that you have in your life. However, you need to be aware that you may be presented with situations that are moving towards the use of RFID technologies (bridge and road tolls, or passports) and that you may not be able to avoid them entirely without making major changes to your behavior or giving up personal freedoms.

Protecting Passports

You can adopt methods to manage and control the RFID devices that are in your life. Protect passports when you are traveling. Keep the bridge toll fast pass in a shielding pouch in the glove box of the car when it’s not in use. Reduce the number of credit cards you have and shield the one’s you keep with you in an appropriately shielded wallet or purse.

Then, if you want to go “all out” there are a couple of technologies you can consider. You can get an RFID shielding paint that will block cell phone and other signals. It’s pricey but if you want a quiet family dinner without anyone’s cell phone interrupting, it’s a thought for when you redo the dining room decor. There is also a Wi-Fi/signal-blocking wallpaper that has been developed which can work to contain or block electromagnetic signals. This may seem to be an over reaction, but it demonstrates that there are ways to protect yourself from being tracked by RFID devices.

How to Secure and Protect an RFID Enabled Passport?

Many countries including the US, Canada, UK, Australia and the European Union now issue biometric passports that contain an RFID chip.

While this technology can help authenticate passports, reduce counterfeiting and speed up immigration clearance processing, it’s also made it possible for electronic thieves to ‘skim’ the information from your passport by scanning it using a simple RFID reader.

One simple way to stop your passport from being scanned without your knowledge is to be aware of your surroundings when opening your passport. While that isn’t always possible, especially in extremely busy and crowded places, don’t leave your passport exposed for any longer than you need to. Crowded places are the perfect cover for unscrupulous data thieves.

RFID Blocking Materials

Another way to keep your biometric passport secure is to store it in a passport wallet with RFID blocking materials. These RFID blocking materials are specially manufactured fabrics made from fine fibers of aluminum, copper, silver, stainless steel and other such conductive materials. Continue reading for more information about the availability of products containing these conductive materials.

Upcoming Article:
Look out for our next article in this series – “What is RFID Skimming?” You will find it informative and fascinating reading.

If you’re concerned about protecting your Passports from RFID scammers this product will provide that protection!

Image: Visualizing the Invisible RF field by Philippe Teuwen

Should I be Concerned About My Privacy from RFID?

Posted on 29 Aug 2015
By igogeer
In RFID
Tags , bank cards clipped tags credit cards data thieves microchips passport personal identity cards rfid controversy rfid devices rfid tag surveillance

Yes, You Should be Concerned About Your Privacy from RFID Devices!

As more and more forms of personal identity and credit cards become enabled with radio frequency identification chips, it’s becoming easier to not only access our own data but also to have that data stolen by data thieves.

It may be extremely convenient to simply swipe or wave a card to do your business. But how do you feel about someone being able to get all your information just as quickly and quietly, without you ever knowing about it?

Imagine the situation where someone can simply walk past you and within a few seconds have copied all the information stored on your personal identity cards, passport, bank cards and credit cards? How would you feel about a total stranger (or the government) being able to follow you down the street and see where you go and what you do all day? Just Like Big Brother!

Those are the darker and less convenient concepts that arise from the application of RFID to everyday consumer items. On the positive side, it makes for ease of transactions and enables a lot of information to be stored in the smallest of spaces. On the negative side, it’s broadcasting that information out to anyone who has the means to read it. Good or bad!

RFID Controversy

The use of RFID has engendered considerable controversy and even product boycotts by consumer privacy advocates

The two main privacy concerns regarding RFID are:
• Since the owner of an item will not necessarily be aware of the presence of an RFID tag and the tag can be read at a distance without the knowledge of the individual, it becomes possible to gather sensitive data about an individual without consent.
• If a tagged item is paid for by credit card or in conjunction with use of a loyalty card, then it would be possible to indirectly deduce the identity of the purchaser by reading the globally unique ID of that item (contained in the RFID tag). This is only true if the person doing the watching also had access to the loyalty card data and the credit card data, and the person with the equipment knows where you are going to be.

Most concerns revolve around the fact that RFID tags (microchips) affixed to products remain functional even after the products have been purchased and taken home and thus can be used for surveillance and other purposes unrelated to their supply chain inventory functions.

The concerns may be addressed in part by use of the ‘Clipped Tag’. The Clipped Tag is an RFID tag designed to increase consumer privacy. After the point of sale, a consumer may tear off a portion of the tag. This would be beneficial for consumer goods like clothing, household goods, etc…but does not provide protection for the credit or debit card used to purchase the goods.

However, the ‘Clipped Tag, does allow the transformation of a long-range tag into a proximity tag that still may be read, but only at short range – less than a few inches. The modification of the tag may be confirmed visually. The tag may still be used later for returns, recalls, or recycling.

Protect your RFID data devices from data theft. We recommend this product.

Upcoming Article:
Look out for our next article in this series – “What Can You Do About Radio Frequency Tracking?” You will find it informative and fascinating reading. Click HERE to read this article.

If you’re concerned about protecting your Smartcards from RFID scammers this product will provide that protection!

Image: MF380: Figure 9.7 by Rosenfeld Media

How can I Shield my RFID Devices?

Posted on 29 Jul 2015
By igogeer
In RFID
Tags , highfid tags lowfid tags rf rfid rfid microchip rfid scanner rfid tag shielding skimming smart cards ultra highfid tags

RFID Devices can be Shielded from Skimming

The U.S. Government has acknowledged the many operational concerns over the biometric passport and the smart cards. In an effort to prevent the passive “skimming” of RFID-enabled cards or passports, the U.S. Government’s General Services Administration (GSA) issued a set of test procedures for evaluating electromagnetically opaque sleeves. Electromagnetic opaque sleeves are devices that contain special materials (aluminum, etc…) to prevent the microchip in the passport or smart card from being read.

Shielding products must meet or exceed published standards. The United States government requires that when new ID cards are issued, they must be delivered with an approved shielding sleeve or holder.

Shielding Controversy

There are many contradicting opinions as to whether aluminum can prevent reading of RFID microchips. Some claim that aluminum shielding, essentially creating a Faraday cage, does work. Others claim that simply wrapping an RFID card in aluminum foil only makes transmission more difficult and is not completely effective at preventing it.

A Faraday cage is essentially a grounded metal cage that protects the microchip in the passport or smart card. The theory is that the Faraday cage will absorb the RF (Radio Frequency) microwaves coming from the RFID scanner/reading device. The effectiveness of the shield all depends on the frequency being used to the read the microchip.

Shielding Effectiveness

Shielding effectiveness depends on the frequency being used.

Low-frequency LowFID tags, like those used in implantable devices for humans and pets, are relatively resistant to shielding though thick metal foil will prevent most reads.

High frequency HighFID tags (13.56 MHz—smart cards and access badges) are sensitive to shielding and are difficult to read when within a few centimeters of a metal surface.

UHF Ultra-HighFID tags (pallets and cartons) are difficult to read when placed within a few millimeters of a metal surface, although their read range is actually increased when they are spaced 2–4 cm (1 – 2 inch) from a metal surface due to positive reinforcement of the reflected wave and the incident wave at the tag (microchip).

Improved methods of RFID shielding are now available with the development of an array of copper, silver, and stainless steel based woven fabrics. Uses of these fabrics range from window screens, bed canopies to clothing and other garments, all designed to shield you from RF frequencies that may affect your health or what you are carrying on you.

Upcoming Article:
Look out for our next article in this series – “Should I be Concerned About My Privacy from RFID?” You will find it informative and fascinating reading. Click HERE to read this article.

Smartcard RFID Shielding is crucial for the protection of stored personal data. This product will provide that protection!

Image: Stop RFID

Is Your Smart Card Safe?

Posted on 30 Jun 2015
By igogeer
In RFID
Tags , biometric passport digital theft rfid rfid chip rfid devices rfid enhanced rfid reader rfid skimming skimming smartcard

Is Your Smart Card Vulnerable to Skimming?

Like every new technology that comes along with good intentions to keep us and our information safer. There are legions of people out there willing to show us that it isn’t always safe. Really though, what is 100% safe? Nothing! We just have to have an acceptable level of security and, for all intents and purposes.

RFID chips in our smart cards are reasonably secure. Yet, they can still be surreptitiously read, decoded, and used in crimes against you!

You may have seen videos of people using card readers bought online to brush up against a purse or wallet, or from a safe distance, thus harvesting the information from the RFID chip inside. The person then takes that harvested information and decrypts information to literally make copies of your bank debit or credit cards. At which point the Rolex shopping spree begins and you get stuck with the tab. This is RFID card skimming at work.

RFID Card Skimming

RFID Skimming is a form of digital theft, which enables information from RFID based smart cards to be read and duplicated.

It can be used as a form of wireless identity theft or credit card theft among other forms of information theft. Typically it works by illegitimate reading of RFID microchips at a distance using a cheap RFID reader device, which downloads the card information. From there, it can be written to a new blank card, which then operates in the same manner as the original legitimate card. Because the data is identical on both cards, and the information is only copied, it makes no difference if the original data is encrypted or not.

RFID skimming has been demonstrated as far back as 2008 to be a personal security risk and as recently as 2014. However levels of theft are difficult to determine, as victims typically do not know how their card data was compromised!

While there are currently over 100 million RFID-enhanced credit and debit cards and passports, it is important to insure the safety of your personal information and financial resources. You have to be proactive in protecting yourself.

In our next article we will discuss how users of biometric passports and smart cards can protect themselves against the many potential threats to RFID devices.

Upcoming Article:
So look out for our next article in this series – “How can I Shield my RFID Devices?” You will find it informative and fascinating reading. Click HERE to read this article.

Protect your Smartcards from skimming with an RFID Blocking product from IGOGEER.

Image: RFID-1

Is the Biometric Passport Safe?

Posted on 29 May 2015
By igogeer
In RFID
Tags , biometric passport chip contactless card microchip passport rfid security smartcard

Are you concerned about the Security of your Biometric Passport?

Although most governments claim that their biometric encoded passports are safe from attack. However, many such attacks have been documented over the years since the introduction of the biometric chip passport. This is a real concern to Passport Holders!

Why are Biometric Microchips Used in Passports?

The RFID biometric microchip provides an additional way to verify and authenticate a passport and the information it contains. It can help expedite the processing of passport holders entry and exit applications at immigration and customs offices at airports. It also helps to make passports more difficult to counterfeit.

To illustrate some of the concerns about the Biometric Passport we are presenting a few reported examples.

Since the introduction of biometric passports several attacks have been presented and we demonstrated them here:

Non-traceable chip characteristics. In 2008 a Radboud/Lausitz University team demonstrated that it’s possible to determine which country a passport chip is from without knowing the key required for reading it. The team fingerprinted error messages of passport chips from different countries. The resulting lookup table allows an attacker to determine from where a chip originated. In 2010 Tom Chothia and Vitaliy Smirnov documented an attack that allows an individual passport to be traced, by sending specific BAC authentication requests.

Passive Authentication (PA). In 2006 Lukas Grunwald demonstrated that it is trivial to copy passport data from a passport chip into a standard ISO/IEC 14443 smartcard using a standard contactless card interface and a simple file transfer tool. Grunwald used a passport that did not use Active Authentication (anti-cloning) and did not change the data held on the copied chip, thus keeping its cryptographic signature valid.

In 2008 Jeroen van Beek demonstrated that not all passport inspection systems check the cryptographic signature of a passport chip. For his demonstration Van Beek altered chip information and signed it using his own document signing key of a non-existing country. This can only be detected by checking the country signing keys that are used to sign the document signing keys. To check country signing keys the ICAO PKD can be used. Only 5 out of 60+ countries are using this central database. Van Beek did not update the original passport chip: instead an ePassport emulator was used.

Also in 2008, The Hacker’s Choice implemented all attacks and published code to verify the results. The release included a video clip that demonstrated problems by using a forged Elvis Presley passport that is recognized as a valid US passport.

Active Authentication (AA). In 2005 Marc Witteman showed that the secret Active Authentication key can be retrieved using power analysis. This may allow an attacker to clone passport chips that use the optional Active Authentication anti-cloning mechanism on chips – if the chip design is susceptible to this attack. In 2008 Jeroen van Beek demonstrated that optional security mechanisms can be disabled by removing their presence from the passport index file. This allows an attacker to remove – amongst others – anti-cloning mechanisms (Active Authentication). The attack is documented in supplement 7 of Doc 9303 (R1-p1_v2_sIV_0006) and can be solved by patching inspection system software. Note that supplement 7 features vulnerable examples in the same document that – when implemented – result in a vulnerable inspection process.

As these cases demonstrate biometric passport technology is not infallible and all users must take extreme care when using their personal passport.

Upcoming Article:
Look out for our next article in this series – “Is Your Smartcard Safe?” You will find it informative and fascinating reading. Click HERE to read this article.

Protect your Biometric Passport from unauthorized scanning by electronic criminals. This product will provide that protection.

Image: USA Passport with Microchip

What is a Biometric Passport?

Posted on 2 May 2015
By igogeer
In RFID
Tags , biometric passport counterfeit passports digital passport e-passport epassport facial fingerprint icao icao9303 iris microchip passport pki rfid smartcards us visa free usa passport vwp

The Biometric Passport

The biometric passport is also known as an e-passport, ePassport or a digital passport. It is a combined paper and electronic passport that contains biometric information that can be used to authenticate the identity of travelers. It uses contactless smart card technology, including a microprocessor chip (microchip) and antenna (for both power to the chip and communication) embedded in the front or back cover, or center page, of the passport.

Document and chip characteristics are documented in the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Doc 9303. The passport’s critical information is both printed on the data page of the passport and stored in the chip. Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is used to authenticate the data stored electronically in the passport chip making it expensive and difficult to forge when all security mechanisms are fully and correctly implemented.

Facial, Fingerprint and Iris Recognition

The standardized biometrics used for this type of identification system is facial recognition, fingerprint recognition, and iris recognition. These were adopted after assessment of several different kinds of biometrics including retinal scan.

The ICAO defines the biometric file formats and communication protocols to be used in passports. Only the digital image (usually in JPEG or JPEG2000 format) of each biometric feature is actually stored in the chip. The comparison of biometric features is performed outside the passport chip by electronic border control systems (e-borders). To store biometric data on the contactless chip, it includes a minimum of 32 kilobytes of EEPROM storage memory, and runs on an interface in accordance with the ISO/IEC 14443 international standard, amongst others. These standards intend interoperability between different countries and different manufacturers of passport books.

Some national identity cards (e.g. in the Netherlands, Albania and Brazil) are fully ICAO9303 compliant biometric travel documents. However others, such as the USA passport card, are not.

E-Passports – History

First introduced by Malaysia in 1998, the RFID passport (“E-passport”) was issued to identify critical information about the passport holder. In addition to information also contained on the visual data page of the passport, Malaysian e-passports record the travel history (time, date, and place) of entries and exits from the country.

Many countries have now adopted the “E-passport” that insert RFID in passports include: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, European Union countries, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and the United States just to name a few. For security reasons, most developed nations have now adopted the e-passport.

The U.S. version of the biometric passport has descriptive data and a digitized passport photo on its contactless chips, and does not have fingerprint information placed onto the contactless chip.

A high level of security became a priority for the United States after the attacks of 11 September 2001. High security required cracking down on counterfeit passports. The production stages of this high-tech passport commenced as the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) opened a bidding program in October 2004.

The driving force of the initiative is the U.S. Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002 (also known as the “Border Security Act”), which states that such smartcard Identity cards will be able to replace visas. As for foreigners travelling to the U.S., if they wish to enter U.S. visa-free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), they are now required to possess machine-readable passports that comply with international standards. Additionally, for travelers holding a valid passport issued on or after 26 October 2006, such a passport must be a biometric passport if used to enter the U.S. visa-free under the VWP.

Upcoming Article:
Look out for our next article in this series – “Is the Biometric Passport Safe?” You will find it informative and fascinating reading. Click HERE to read this article.

Protect you Biometric Passport from scammers! This product is a simple and inexpensive solution.

Image: RFID Passport

What are the Uses of RFID Devices?

Posted on 1 Apr 2015
By igogeer
In RFID
Tags , access control animal identification asset tracking chip and card commerce human identification rfid devices rfid reader rfid tags sport uhf tags uses of rfid

The Uses of RFID Devices

In our previous article we briefly discussed the uses and major advantages of RFID devices. In this article we will be discussion more in-depth applications of RFID technologies.

Commerce

RFID provides a way for organizations to identify and manage tools and equipment (asset tracking), without manual data entry. RFID is being adopted for item level tagging in retail stores. This provides electronic article surveillance (EAS), and a self checkout process for consumers. Automatic identification with RFID can be used for inventory systems. Manufactured products such as automobiles or garments can be tracked through the factory, then through shipping and ultimately to the customer.
Casinos can use RFID to authenticate poker chips, and can selectively invalidate any chips known to be stolen.
Wal-Mart and the United States Department of Defense have published requirements that their vendors place RFID tags on all shipments to improve supply chain management.

Access Control

RFID tags are widely used in identification badges, replacing earlier magnetic stripe cards. These badges need only be held within a certain distance of the reader to authenticate the holder. Tags can also be placed on vehicles, which can be read at a distance, to allow entrance to controlled areas without having to stop the vehicle and present a card or enter an access code.

Animal Identification

RFID tags for animals represent one of the oldest uses of RFID. Originally meant for large ranches and rough terrain, since the outbreak of mad-cow disease, RFID has become crucial in animal identification management. An implantable RFID tag or transponder can also be used for animal identification. The transponders are more well known as passive RFID, or “chips” on animals. The Canadian Cattle Identification Agency began using RFID tags as a replacement for barcode tags. Currently CCIA tags are used in Wisconsin and by United States farmers on a voluntary basis. The USDA is currently developing its own program.
RFID tags are required for all cattle, sheep and goats sold in Australia.

Human Identification

Implantable RFID chips designed for animal tagging are now being used in humans. An early experiment with RFID implants was conducted by British professor of cybernetics Kevin Warwick, who implanted a chip in his arm in 1998. In 2004 Conrad Chase offered implanted chips in his night clubs in Barcelona and Rotterdam to identify their VIP customers, who in turn use it to pay for drinks.

Sport

In the early 1990s the first use of RFID for timing pigeon racing began. The technology was introduced by the company Deister Electronics in Germany. RFID can provide race start and end timings for individuals in large races where it is impossible to get accurate stopwatch readings for every entrant.

In athletics, the runners wear tags that are read by antennae placed alongside the track or on mats across the track. UHF tags provide accurate readings with specially designed antennas. Rush error, lap count errors and accidents at start time are avoided since anyone can start and finish any time without being in a batch mode. This is ideal for handicap races.

The design of chip+antenna controls the range from which it can be read. Short range compact chips are twist tied to the shoe or velcro strapped to the ankle. These need to be about 400mm from the mat, giving very good temporal resolution. Alternatively a chip plus a very large (a 125mm square) antenna can be incorporated into the bib number worn on the athlete’s chest at about 1.25m height.

In snow skiing, a number of ski resorts in Europe have adopted RFID tags to provide skiers hands-free access to ski lifts. Skiers do not have to take their passes out of their pockets. Ski jackets have a left pocket into which the chip+card fits.

Upcoming Article:

Look out for our next article in this series – “What is a Biometric Passport?” You will find it informative and fascinating reading. Click HERE to read this article.

Protect your Smartcards and Passport from scammers! This IGOGEER product will provide that protection.

Image: 03-22-05_1932 by Amal Graafstre

How Does RFID Work?

Posted on 2 Mar 2015
By igogeer
In RFID
Tags , arat arpt barcodes chip credit cards microchip passport prat reader rfid rfid tag tag tracking uhf passive rfid

So, How does RFID Work? You Ask!

An RFID reader transmits an encoded radio signal to read the microchip (tag). The RFID microchip receives the message and then responds with its identification and other information. This may be only a unique microchip serial number, or may be product-related information such as a stock number, lot or batch number, production date, or other specific information. Or in the case of a credit card or bank card the personal information about the card holder and the access details of your accounts.

Readers

RFID systems can be classified by the type of Chip (Tag) and Reader

A Passive Reader Active Tag (PRAT) system has a passive reader which only receives radio signals from active tags (battery operated, transmit only). The reception range of a PRAT system reader can be adjusted from 1–2,000 feet (0.30–609.60 m), allowing flexibility in applications such as asset protection and supervision.
An Active Reader Passive Tag (ARPT) system has an active reader, which transmits interrogator signals and also receives authentication replies from passive tags.
An Active Reader Active Tag (ARAT) system uses active tags awoken with an interrogator signal from the active reader. A variation of this system could also use a Battery-Assisted Passive (BAP) tag has a small battery to power the tag’s return reporting signal.

Uses

The RFID tag can be affixed to an object and used to track and manage inventory, assets, people, etc. For example, it can be affixed to cars, computer equipment, books, mobile phones, consumer products, etc.

Major Advantages of RFID Devices

RFID offers advantages over manual systems and the use of bar codes. The tag can be read if passed near a reader, even if it is covered by the object or not visible. The tag can be read inside a case, carton, box or other container, and unlike barcodes, RFID tags can be read hundreds at a time. Bar codes can only be read one at a time using current available devices.

RFID can be used in a variety of applications including:
• Access management,
• Asset tracking,
• Tracking of physical goods,
• Tracking of persons and animals,
• Toll collection and contactless payment.
• Machine readable travel documents – passports, etc…,
• Smartdust (for massively distributed sensor networks),
• Tracking sports memorabilia to verify authenticity,
• Airport baggage tracking logistics,
• Timing sporting events,
• Passport authentication,
• Credit Card identification,
• Personal Identification cards.
In recent years three factors have driven a significant increase in RFID usage:
• Decreased cost of equipment and microchips,
• Increased performance to a reliability of 99.9%, and
• A stable international standard around UHF passive RFID.
The use of RFID technologies continues to grow as industries find new ways to utilize this amazing technology.

However, all new technologies have their risks. RFID is no exception.

Upcoming Article:

Again, look out for our next article in this series – “What are the Uses of RFID Devices?” You will find it informative and fascinating reading. Click HERE to read this article.

Protecting your RFID device from scammers is easy! This product is your solution.

Image: MF381: Figure 9.8 by Rosenfeld Media