Technology
RFIDs for resturants
What is RFID?
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a radio wave based technology that has existed since the 1970's. RFID is a general term which can be used to identify nearly any object by radio waves. Consisting of an antenna and microchip, RFID tags, or transponders, can be placed on an object such as a food item, crate, or container to uniquely identify the item. The transponder broadcasts the unique serial number, representing the item that it is placed upon, to a device designed to read the transmitted frequency. Modern tags can broadcast reasonable distances and are small in size ranging from a few centimeters (2.5cm x 3cm) to a few inches.
How does it work... where's the beef?
RFID is a system of transponders, tags, and receivers. It is the receiver's task to pickup the transmitted frequency and process the tag's data, such as a unique serial number. The first step for a receiver to get information from a tag is for the receiver to actually broadcast an electromagnetic wave, which powers the passive tags. The antenna of the tag is configured to receive these magnetic waves. The microchip then alters the wave to reflect its data, which the receiver then picks-up. Once the wave has been received, the unique number can be processed by a computer for tasks such as database entry. At about 2kb maximum of data per tag, each one can hold more than a simple serial number, think about dates or expiration times.
How do you power RFID?
A passive RFID tag is powered by the electromagnetic wave which the receiver broadcasts. The passive tag can reflect the electromagnetic wave back to the reader with an altered signal resulting in the transmission of its unique data. Another technique in the scope of passive RFID is energy harvesting, which allows a passive tag to temporarily store enough energy to send its signal back to the receiver, thus possibly providing a stronger signal over the non-energy harvesting implementations. Therefore, a passive RFID tag, whether using energy harvesting or simple electromagnetic reflection, is essentially powerless, and does not need a battery. Another breed of RFID tags known as activeRFID tags are battery powered. The third type of RFID tag, known as semi-passive, consists of a battery and energy harvesting technology, or electromagnetic reflection. These tags use a battery to power the microchip, while it gathers power from the reader’s transmitted electromagnetic waves
RFID Benefits
RFID, unlike barcodes, do not require a direct line of sight. This is much more convenient, because the user can be within the proximity of many RFID tags, and pull-in all of their data at once, versus scanning each individual item's barcode with a scanner. RFID tags can be hidden, in boxes, or at the back of refrigerators, which makes obtaining their data much simpler than having to move items, in order to do an inventory barcode scan. These tags can also be used in extreme temperature zones such as refrigerators, with an incredible working temperature range of about -60C to 199C!
What is the Range and Drawbacks?
The environment's condition is a prime factor in broadcast range for a tag. Metal and water respectively reflect or absorb the frequency, thus reducing its effectiveness. Low frequency passive tags can penetrate objects, respectively metal, better than the higher frequency tags, but they have a shorter range, which maxes-out at around one foot. A higher frequency passive tag could net the user about three feet, while an ultra high frequency (UHF) tag could have a range up to 20 feet, but might have some trouble penetrating solid objects. These higher frequency tags typically cost a little more than the lower frequency tags. Higher frequencies require more power, but can transfer data faster. With data as small as 2KB, speed is not really an issue. Active tags, on-the-other-hand, could essentially broadcast to a range of about 300 feet, and will require a battery and some serious cash flow. Bottom line is this: less power, less money, less range.
Cost
Lower frequency passive tags have a typical cost of about 5 to 20 cents per tag, and passive UHF tags are a little more expensive at about 50 cents each. Active tags are much more expensive starting at about six dollars each.
Conclusion… NO RFID (in a kitchen)!
RFID can truly benefit the restaurant industry. An RFID system can make doing an inventory check or item update painless and quick. Although the tags are cheap, compared to barcodes, they are extremely expensive.Not to mention, barcodes are much simpler. You do not have to set a frequency for a barcode. To instantiate a barcode, simply have the system update the database while the barcode prints out. RFID is more overhead in the development of a barcode driven system. Not only would the customer have to manage a barcode system, but now they would have to manage another aspect altogether, an RFID system. Not to mention, managing a RFID system has its own drawbacks, not only would you have tags that have a limiting range you also have to endure an entire system of RFID scanners, and writers (you do have to set the frequency on the tag)…AND if that is not enough, you have the whole integrity/redundancy factor, if one tag gets stepped on, spilled on, sat on, or even eaten, its GONE. RFIDs can be useful, but in the fast paced and price burdened restaurant industry, it is not worth the headache of incorporating another system in conjunction with the much simpler barcode system.