Table of Contents

RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFIER TECHNOLOGY IN LIBRARIES

By Noble
Introduction

Radio Frequency Identifier Technology popularly known as RFID is a wireless technology that helps us to detect, track, and identify an object or a person using electromagnetic radio waves.
. The chip at maximum is capable to carry 2,000 bytes of data. A radio frequency signal is transmitted through RFID enabled object(tag) and is picked up by a receiver. Radio waves transmitted from an antenna interact with an integrated circuit embedded on an RF(radio frequency) tag, which sends radio waves back to a reader.

The reader turns those waves into digital information, allowing the item that responds to be instantly identified. RFID is mainly used for security purposes. An RFID system consists of an antenna and a transceiver which reads the radio frequency and transfers it to the processing device and a transponder, or a tag, which is an integrated circuit with RF circuitry and the information to be transmitted.

RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFIER TECHNOLOGY: a brief History

Radio Frequency Identifier Technology has its long back history from World War II. Sir Robert Alexander Watson-Watt, a Scottish physicist, in 1935 invented a radar detector. This technology was used to detect the aircraft. Later on, Germany and Japan including America and Britain also used this technology. But at that time it didn’t work accurately. It was used solely for detecting purpose. This is popularly known as passive RFID system as it was just capable of identifying the objects from signal reflection. At the end of World War II, Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) (known as an active RFID tag) system became more popular, which was used to detect theft. In 1973, Mario W. Cardulla invented an Active RFID tag with re writable memory.

In the same year, he also invented a passive tag with Door Locking system basically called Key Card System. Later, IBM invented Ultra-high frequency RFID. It was able to receive a signal at a mere distance up to 20 feet. It worked much faster. Till 1999, UHF Radio Frequency Identifier Technology became widely spread. Till date, Radio Frequency Identifier Technology is gaining much popularity with more features, new inventions and being applied in every field.

RFID and Barcode: a comparison

Basis of comparison	Radio Frequency Identifier Technology	Barcodes
Line of sight	RFID readers do not require a direct line of sight either active tag or passive tag	Bar-code reader requires a direct line of sight.
Range	RFID tags can be read at much greater distances up to 300 feet	Bar-codes can be read at a range which is typically not more than 15 feet.
Reading Speed	Read rate of RFID tags is 40 or above tags per second.	Whereas while reading Bar-code it takes a minimum of half a second to read a single tag. So, it is a time-consuming process.
Ruggedness/Durability	RFID objects are more rugged (durable) as these are applied inside the object and its electronic components are protected with plastic sheets.	Bar-codes are applied at the outer part of objects, which leads to more wear and tear So, are less Durable.
Re-usability	RFID tags are Reusable	Whereas Bar-codes can’t be reused
Read/Write capability	RFID tags can be read/write objects.	But Bar-codes do not have read/write capability
Cost	These are much costly.	Bar-codes are not as expensive as RFID tags
Data Protection	Data connected can be encrypted, and the actual tag and transfer of data can be encrypted	Data connected to the bar code can be encrypted, but the actual bar code cannot be protected
Impact of environmental variables	Metal, liquid, snow, and humidity can affect performance.	Not affected by many environmental variables, so long as they do not affect the line of sight

Faster check-out and 24/7 self-return service
Fast and automated sorting of returned books
Reliable theft protection
Self charging-discharging
Integration with LMS(Library Management Software)
Reduction in workplace injuries
Automated materials handling
Easy stock verification
External Book Return
Improved tracking of high-value items
Reduce Shrinkage errors
Technology standards to drive down cost Reduce materials cost and handling
Automated issue/return
Automated sorting of books on return
Inventory visibility accuracy and efficiency
Improved Production planning
Enhanced tracking
increases the security of the product.
The Radio Frequency Identifier Technology tags can store data up to 2 KB whereas, the bar code can read just 10-12 digits

Benefits of Radio Frequency Identifier Technology for Libraries:

Fulfills Ranganathan’s fourth and fifth law of Library Science.
Improves staff productivity
Improves patrons service
Easy inventory checking
Easy book identification for shelving process
Easy to trace book allocation
Enhance book return processes by fully automatic check-in and self-return
Increase accuracy in book collection management, resulting in reduced book purchase
Lessens duplication of work
Simultaneous check-in and check-out at the same time
Line of sight not required, items can be placed without too much care
Faster inventory process
Ability to locate specific items.  Reduce queues at the front desk
Decrease repeatable tasks
Increase interaction with patrons
Extend internal security
lower the cost of manipulating and managing collections
raise the efficiency of inventory and arrangement

Disadvantages of Radio Frequency Identifier Technology

High cost
Vulnerability
Removal of tags

Components of Radio Frequency Identifier Technology

The following are the components of RFID utilized in Libraries:-

Radio Frequency Identifier Technology Tags:

 Tag is that the heart of any Radio Frequency Identifier Technology system. The Tag uses an electronic transmitter comprising of a microchip, an antenna and a small battery fixed on thin plastic sheet which is electronically programmed with unique information.

 Basically, an Radio Frequency Identifier Technology tag may be a microchip combined with an antenna that is further attached to an object or person to be tracked. The antenna picks up signals from an RFID reader or scanner and returns them to the reader with a number of the extra data. These tags are often very small in size.

Based on the facility supply tags are often classified into three types i.e., Active, Passive, and Semi-active. Active tag, which features a battery that supplies power to all or any functions; Semi-active tag, which features a battery used only to power the tag IC, and not for communication and Passive tag, which has no battery thereon . The absence of a power supply makes passive tags less expensive and more reliable than active tags.

Based on the Radio-frequency, tags are often classified into five categories i.e., High Frequency (HF)
13.56 MHz; Microwave 2.45 GHz; Ultra High Frequency (UHF) 868-930 MHz; Low Frequency
(LF) 125-135 KHz and Microwave 5.8 GHz.

Based on the modification ability, these are often of three types i.e., Read-only, Write-only(WROM) and Read/Write. Read-only tags are those which are encoded at the time of producing and these aren’t re writable. WORM tags are those which are programmed by the using organization and can’t be rewrite them later. Read/write tags are preferred by the majority of Radio Frequency Identifier Technology libraries because the knowledge which is stored therefore are often modified whenever required.

The major advantages of a lively RFID tag are:

It are often read at distances of 1 hundred feet or more, greatly improving the utility of the device
It may produce other sensors which will use electricity for power. the issues and drawbacks of a lively RFID tag are:
The tag cannot function without battery power, which limits the lifetime of the tag.
The tag is usually costlier, often costing $20 or more each

The tag is physically larger, which can limit applications.
The long-term maintenance costs for a lively RFID tag are often greater than those of a passive
tag if the batteries are replaced.
Battery outages in a lively tag may result in expensive misreads.

Active Radio Frequency Identifier Technology tags may have all or a number of the subsequent features:
longest communication range of any tag
the potential to perform independent monitoring and control
the potential of initiating communications
the potential of performing diagnostics
the very best data bandwidth
active Radio Frequency Identifier Technology tags may even be equipped with autonomous networking; the tags autonomously determine the simplest communication path.
The major disadvantages of a Passive RFID tag are:

The tag is often read-only at very short distances, typically a couple of feet at the most. This greatly limits the device surely applications.
it’s going to not be possible to incorporate sensors that will use electricity for power.
The tag remains readable for a real while, even after the merchandise to which the tag is attached has been sold and is not any longer being tracked
The advantages of a passive tag are:
The tag functions without a battery; these tags have a useful lifetime of twenty years or more.
The tag is usually much less costly to manufacture
The tag is far smaller (some tags are the dimensions of a grain of rice). These tags have almost unlimited applications in commodity and other areas.
 Smart Card: open-end credit is differently to ask a contact less open-end credit . This term refers to identification cards (for example, some credit cards) that don’t got to make contact with the reader to be read, or swiped during a special slot. This capability is implemented employing a tiny RFID tag within the card; the intent is to supply the user with greater convenience by speeding checkout or authentication processes. Such cards help in easy self check-in and check-out. Smart cards also improve accuracy and help user identification. Functions become more convenient.

 Reader or Sensor: An Radio Frequency Identifier Technology reader may be a device that’s wont to interrogate an RFID tag. The reader has an antenna that emits radio waves; the tag responds by sending back its data. Several factors can affect the space at which a tag are often read (the read range). The frequency used for identification, the antenna gain, the orientation and polarization of the reader antenna and therefore the transponder antenna, also because the placement of the append the thing to be identified will all have an impression on the RFID system’s read range.

 Radio Frequency Identifier Technology Antenna: The antenna in a Radio Frequency Identifier Technology tag may be a conductive element that allows the tag to exchange data with the reader. Passive RFID tags make use of a coiled antenna which will create a magnetic flux using the energy provided by the reader’s carrier signal.

 Radio Frequency Identifier Technology label printer: RFID label printer helps in printing unique barcodes simultaneously programmed with data within the chip. Which is further applied to the thing .

 Handheld reader: handheld reader helps in scanning 50 books in 5 seconds with 100% accuracy insisting in faster shelve checking and rectifying.

 Self-check-out stations: these are devices with touch screen and receipt which helps patron to self-issue books using id cards secured with unique password with none assistance

 ILMS server: it’s the link between the coupler and your library automation system. The Server/ PC is the heart of a comprehensive RFID system. it’s the communications gateway among the varied components. It receives the knowledge from the antennae and exchanges information with the circulation database. The server typically includes a transaction database in order that reports are often produced.

 Auto sorting station: Automated sorting station take documents from the checked-in/returned station, checks them in, sorts and redistributes those materials in predefined sort setup. This helps in re-shelving documents on their location on the shelves within less time and with fewer staff efforts.

 Book drop: book drops helps patrons in faster and straightforward book return just by dropping the book in Book Drop box at the varied corners in campus or library. After returning a book it either gives print receipt or a text message thereto user.

 Security Gates: Security Gates are the most component of an RFID system. These are fitted with RFID active tags which beep when any item isn’t legitimately issued passes through the Gates.

Conclusion

Radio Frequency Identifier Technology features a big potential within the near future. at the present , it’s already being widely utilized in libraries for library operation because it offers many advantages to the library and library staff. It saves time of users also as staff, and therefore the same saved time are often productively used on providing value-added services to its patrons. RFID also provides the patron with self-service check-in and checkout options. No doubt, an RFID system is one among the newest , advanced, reliable and secure technologies in Library also as within the Commercial sector also.

It reduces the physical efforts and increases reliability, accuracy effectiveness simultaneously for various activities as we mentioned earlier. The High cost is its main obstacle for the medium and little organization to put in it. we will say this technique or technology brings a revolution in terms of the library’s clerical and hectic jobs. within the end, it are often said that hopefully, technologist will confine mind the drawbacks of this subset systems in order that it are often more usable and acceptable by all types of libraries.