RFID, one of today's most discussed retail technologies, uses radio frequency communication to automatically identify, track and manage objects, people and animals. It works by using two or more devices - a reader and tag. The devices are paired and able to recognise each other through the transmission of radio waves.
Various private sector and government agencies, particularly the country's correctional institute, during yesterday's luncheon talk hosted by the French Brunei Business Association (FBBA) showed interest in the technology and asked whether RFID can be used on humans.
Fritz Lauren, representing the Mission Economique, French Embassy in Singapore, while delivering her talk on "Smart Tags: Next Generation or Next Bubble", highlighted the growing RFID global trend and outlined North America which accounted for 50 per cent of the market as well as Europe and Asia Pacific that accounted for 35 per cent and 25 per cent, respectively.
On the development in Asia, Hong Kong and Singapore are the leading RFID market in Asia with Singapore as the regional hub for RFID in Asia, followed by Malaysia then Thailand.
In Singapore, RFID is used for public transportation that is, Ezlink, Library, Airport for luggage and boarding ticket.
Some government agencies, according to online reports, also employ RFID to monitor offenders at home.
Other examples of how RFID is used are inventory control, access control, asset tracking (exports), or pharmaceutical industry for counterfeit protection.
The advantage of RFID over bar codes, especially in the inventory control and supply chain management applications, is that RFID tag can contain far more detailed information than bar codes. RFID can also be sized and shaped in different way that allows greater freedom of movement and there is no need for direct contact for both devices.
How RFID works is that the tag or transponder, which contains an electronic circuit, is attached to the object that requires a unique identification code.
When the tag comes near the reader the RF field generated by the reader will power up the tag, which will cause it to continuously transmit its data by pulsing the radio frequency.
The reader will then capture the data. However, one of the main challenges for this technology is the lack of common standards in the industry whereby interoperability is the key issue that needs to be discussed.
Fritz-Lauren was the guest speaker at yesterday's FBBA luncheon talk supported by the French company, Alcatel.
During her three-day working visit in the Sultanate, she met several government agencies and learnt about the development of the country's e-government.
Autor: CT Hj Mahmod
Quelle: Brunei Direct, 02.03.2005
