I am Eric Heiser , a student at IUPUI who has studied the physics and systems of RFID.  I am currently developing a system for the School's of Engineering and Technology at IUPUI that will be used as a real - time personnel ID system.  The project will incorporate real - time image acquisition and display programs in addition to the RFID interrogation.

Most Blogs are being written in conjunction with the RFID project that is currently being prototyped and developed. Entries will focus on the technology, the system, software, future development, and challenges. 

This is a three part series covering the three main pieces to an RFID system: 

Three main Components:

Hardware (1/3)     
Middleware (2/3)     
Back - End Software (3/3)

Middleware (2/3):     {Getting the Tag ID and Reader info. to your system}

All systems need to be equipped with a middleware application.  Middleware is software that talks to the RFID readers.  It is this application that bridges the RFID system.  The middleware connects the reader to possible back - end software , while managing the system data and business logic

Most middleware programs are add - ons to an application server. 

“An application server (or app server) is a component-based product that resides in the middle-tier of a server centric architecture. It provides middleware services for security, state maintenance, along with data access and persistence.”          (Courtesy of Barry and Associates)

Price becomes a factor when choosing the right middleware to use.  Larger companies who are already using advanced applications may be able to find an add-on or tool-kit for their system; however, a smaller company may need to look into the open-source market.

Integrating the RFID middleware is an extensive project that may require software solution consulting.



A few examples of RFID middleware apps. (* signifies open source)

** Blue Bean offers RFIDSimpleware which is an easy way to connect quickly and effectively to your RFID reader, they can further deliver middleware needs as required **

SunRFID* - Sun Microsystems 
Microsoft - Biz Talk  - Article Covering Business Aspects
Oracle* 
IBM Websphere
Singularity*

This is a three part series covering the three main pieces to an RFID system: 

Three main Components:

Hardware (1/3)     
Middleware (2/3)     
Back - End Software (3/3)


Hardware (1/3):
The hardware is the RF - analog side to the RFID system.  It is here where the tag information will be read and sent to the interrogator for analysis.

Readers:

Readers handle the tags and also manage the power, number of reads, and also I/O's that may be added to the system.

Readers come in many flavors and the right reader is a preference to the application’s needs.

- - An ALIEN 9800 reader is being used for my RFID project - -

Tags:

There are many ways to read and represent an RFID tag, and the technology continues to grow and advance.  The fundamental ways to read a tag is to have the tags passively or actively perform.  The active tag is equipped with an internal power source as to transmit who it is when it is needed.  The passive approach may use power from the reader, or could also manipulate the readers signal as to distinguish its identity.  Class 1 Generation 2 tags are a newer more secure class for tagging.

- - Class 1 Generation 2 is being used in the project - -

Antennas:

Antennas are what send and receive the RF information.  Most systems use at least two antennas to handle the transmitting and receiving.  The pattern of the antennas transmission and reception is design to get the most reads for the amount of power being used; providing the largest reception band possible.  The most popular pattern is a circular pattern, to create a spherical zone of interrogation.