Review Paper on RFID and its Application in Laptop Tracking
Abhishek Gupta
MBA Tech (Telecommunication)
MPSTME, NMIMS
abhi.gupta18@yahoo.com
Abstract:
RFID technology is being used for asset tracking and
supply chain management. It is considered as a
replacement to bar-code systems. Unlike supply
chain management solutions, embedded scenarios
require intimate knowledge of the environment and
use case in order to optimize a manufacturer’s return
on investment. This paper explores the capability of
RFID technology in Laptop tracking system
compared to conventional manual Laptop tracking
system, which involves frisking of bags and personal
belongings. The paper is based on the live experience
of Implementation of the laptop tracking solution at
L&T. Regardless of passive or active RFID, the
service offered should be affordable to all industries.
There are many new solutions, new income
opportunities and sometimes-complicated business
models for each type of RFID Solution. In this paper,
we have also discussed the application of RFID in
asset management and attendance systems. The
different architectures of RFID Solutions have been
examined and we propose an economical and viable
infrastructure for deploying RFID.
Keywords: RFID (Radio Frequency
Identification), Replacement, Laptop
Tracking System
1. Introduction:
Applying RFID technology strategically to business
challenges and leveraging its data has the potential to
optimize critical processes, enhance business
Arjit Johri
MBA Tech (Telecommunication)
MPSTME, NMIMS
arjitalokjohri@gmail.com
intelligence, and improve collaboration across
industries.
RFID Technology has been steadily growing at a
steady pace. With a momentum that is replacing
earlier methods of tagging and tracking, at all levels,
ranging from supply chain management to asset
management. Although the technology might have
some disadvantages that may prevent it from being
globally appreciated; its steady growth has already
created quite a revolution in the field of electronics
and telecommunication.
2. Technology1:
An RFID system uses wireless radio communication
technology to uniquely identify tagged objects or
people. There are three basic components to an RFID
system.
1. A tag (also called a transponder), which is
composed of a semiconductor chip, an antenna, and
sometimes a battery
2. An interrogator (also called a reader or a read/write
device), which is composed of an antenna, an RF
electronics module, and a control electronics module
3. A controller (also called a host), which most often
takes the form of a PC or a workstation running
database and control (often called middleware)
software
The tag and the interrogator communicate
information between one another via radio waves.
When a tagged object enters the read zone of an
interrogator, the interrogator signals the tag to
transmit its stored data. Tags can hold many kinds of
information about the objects they are attached to,
including serial numbers, time stamps, configuration
instructions, and much more. Once the interrogator
has received the tag’s data, that information is
relayed back to the controller via a standard network
interface, such as ether net LAN or even the internet.
The controller can then use that information for a
variety of purposes. For instance, the controller could
use the data to simply inventory the object in a
database, or it could use the information to redirect
the object on a conveyor belt system. An RFID
system could consist of many interrogators spread
across a warehouse facility or along an assembly line.
However, all of these interrogators could be
networked to a single controller. Similarly, a single
interrogator can communicate with more than one tag
simultaneously. In fact, at the present state of
technology, simultaneous communication at a rate of
1,000 tags per second is possible, with an accuracy
that exceeds 98%.8 Finally, RFID tags can be
attached to virtually anything, from a pallet, to a
newborn baby, to a box on a store shelf.
2.1. RFID Transponder
The basic function of an RFID transponder (tag) is to
store data and transmit data to the interrogator. At its
most basic, a tag consists of an electronics chip and
an antenna encapsulated in a package to form a
usable tag, such as a packing label that might be
attached to a box. Generally, the chip contains
memory where data may be stored and read from and
sometimes written, too, in addition to other important
circuitry. Some tags also contain batteries, and this is
what differentiates active tags from passive tags.
Another differentiating factor between tags is
memory type. There are roughly two kinds: read-only
(RO) and read/write (RW).
2.2. RFID Interrogator
An RFID interrogator (reader) acts as a bridge
between the RFID tag and the controller and has just
a few basic functions.
- Read the data contents of an RFID tag
- Write data to the tag (in the case of smart
tags)
- Relay data to and from the controller
- Power the tag (in the case of passive tags)
RFID interrogators are essentially small computers.
They are also composed of roughly three parts: an
antenna, an RF electronics module, which is
responsible for communicating with the RFID tag,
and a controller electronics module, which is
responsible for communicating with the controller. In
addition to performing the four basic functions above,
more complex RFID interrogators are able to perform
three more critical functions:
- Implementing anti-collision measures to
ensure simultaneous RW communication
with many tags
- Authenticating tags to prevent fraud or
unauthorized access to the system
- Data encryption to protect the integrity of
data.
2.3. RFID Controller
RFID controllers are the “brains” of any RFID
system. They are used to network multiple RFID
interrogators together and to centrally process
information. The controller in any network is most
often a PC or a workstation running database or
application software, or a network of these machines.
The controller could use information gathered in the
field by the interrogators to:
- Keep inventory and alert suppliers when
new inventory is needed, such as in a
retailing application
- Track the movement of objects throughout a
system, and possibly even redirect them,
such as on a conveyor belt in a
manufacturing application
- Verify identity and grant authorization, such
as in keyless entry systems
 - Debit an account, such as in Point of Sale
(POS) applications
Active tags can be used to track high-value assets
such as rail cars and cargo containers that need to be
read from large distances. Since active tags have the
ability to initiate communication, they can be further
divided into two subtypes:

- Active transponders these tags are activated only

when they receive a signal from a reader. This way
the tags prolong their battery life. These tags can be
used in applications such as toll collection systems
and checkpoint control systems.
3. Working of active RFID tags2:
- Beacons A beacon is a tag that emits a signal at
An active tag is a tag that has its own power source predetermined intervals.
such as a battery and can initiate communication by
sending its own signal. It does not rely on the power Beacons are mostly used in real-time locating
from the reader to run its circuitry or to create the systems (RTLS). Possible application for beacons
signal. It does not need a wakeup call from the includes the following:
reader. The characteristics of an active tag include the
- Tracking parts in large manufacturing facilities
following:
- Marine and aircraft rescue operations
- Operation: Because an active tag has its own power
source, it has the choice of staying up all the time or
4. Case study3:
waking up when a signal is received. A tag that is
operating all the time can broadcast its location at Laptops are an important asset to industries, and
predetermined intervals. industries have always faced the problem of laptop
thefts. To overcome this, the company issues a
- Size: Because of their power sources (batteries),
document to each employee carrying the laptop. The
active tags are the largest in size. Typical sizes are
document bears the validation period for the laptop,
(1.5 x 3) x 0.5 inch3. However, with the advancement
the details of the laptop and the id of the laptop
of technology, the smallest active tags could be the
bearer. At the security checkpoint, the security
size of a coin.
checks the document, the laptop and the identity of
- Read range: Because an active tag has its own the laptop bearer. This process of laptop tracking is
power source for circuitry and for generating signals, tiresome, inefficient and inconvenient to employees.
it can achieve the greatest read range. Some active
tags have the ability to send a signal across a distance
of 1 km. However, confined to standards and
regulations, many active tags have read ranges of tens
of meters. Due to its larger read range, an active tag
can be integrated with a global positioning system
(GPS) to pinpoint the exact location of an object.

- Lifespan: Finite but long enough battery lifetime. It

can be as long as 3-5 years.

- Memory: The memory capacity of passive tags

varies and can be greater than that of passive and
semi passive tags, partly due their larger size (more
room for components) and batteries.
GRE Global Systems has designed a laptop tracking
system using active RFID reader and tags. The read
range of the reader is approximately 30 meters. An
active tag is affixed on every laptop to be monitored.
The ID in the tag is linked to the employee to whom
the laptop has been issued. Whenever the laptop
comes into the vicinity of the reader, the image of the
assigned employee is displayed on a display unit at
the security gate. The security personnel check the
image and “OK’s” each display. The user id and the
date and time of authenticating the laptop is saved in
the system. If the security finds a problem, they
physically verify the laptop and the person carrying
it. The screen is refreshed every 15 secs, which is
parametric and can be adjusted. The deployment uses
UHF readers and tags and is running successfully for
the past 10 months.
4.1. Overall Architecture:
Figure 1. Overall Architecture
4.2. Hardware specifications:
- Active reader (uses frequency, 866Mhz)
- Active Tags
- External Antenna
- Ethernet cable
- System (computer)
4.3. Software specifications:
There is a module for the administrator to create
users and assign them passwords with a validity
period. The users can then log into the application
and view the images of the laptop owners. The
administrator can also set up parameters like the
screen refresh period, days after which tag data can
be flushed out of the system etc. There is be one
computer installed at the security where the database
in MySQL (or SQL Server) is installed and the RFID
reader is connected to its Ethernet serial port. The
module to read the tags and filter the data runs on this
machine. A windows based application in VB.Net
also runs on this machine and displays the employee
data for each tagged laptop as it comes in the vicinity
of the reader. The security personnel will have to
click on the “OK” button on each display image to
remove it in the next refresh cycle. The image will
not be cleared till the security physically clicks on the
“OK” button.
If the application has to be run on other machines,
they will have to be networked with the main
machine and the database will have to be multi-user.
Middle-ware software sits between the reader and the
database on main computer. It handles operations like
Reader Co-ordination, Data reading/writing, Anti-
collision.
Instant Display System (IDS): The IDS runs on a PC
connected to the reader. The IDS may also be put on
the LAN. When ever an ID card is detected by the
reader the user Id is sent by recorder module to IDS
using RS232 protocol. On start-up of IDS it loads all
the user personal details in the memory of the PC
from the local server. Once the tag ID is received by
the IDS it searches for the same in the memory. If the
searching is successful, it acknowledges the user
presence by displaying the user name, image and
current time. The system can display maximum 25
user’s images at a time. The program displays the
images one by one (in serial fashion) i.e. the tag
which is detected first is displayed first. The display
area window holds images multiple persons and is
limited to 25 images. In case of more than 25 images
they are cleared on a FIFO basis. The system also
checks for ID card expiry date. The user name, image
and current time are not displayed after the expiry
date of the card instead the detail is logged in for
further reference. The files are updated automatically
every day.
Figure 2. GRE Global Systems Application Software
4.4. Advantages:
- More ethical and efficient way to track
laptop movement in industry campus.
- Validity of laptop assigned to particular
employee can be verified
- Larger population of employees carrying
laptops can be tracked simultaneously
- Database can be recorded in relational
database. Therefore record maintenance is
easy.
4.5. Limitations:
- Employee may peel off the tag. in this case,
laptop will not be tracked.
- Excessive moisture or stray radiations may
affect reader efficiency.
- Tag may run out of battery.
4.6. Future Trends:
- RFID tag can be integrated in the laptop
while manufacturing. This will reduce the
risk of employee peeling off the tag.
- Software can be made web-based so that
other security points within the campus as
well as other branches of the organization
are connected over internet. They can have a
common server to store the data. Thus a
uniform system can be implemented across
the organization and employees can be
tracked in all its branches across all the
offices anywhere on the globe
5. Other Applications
5.1. Asset Management4
Companies across a broad spectrum of industries rely
on critical assets to drive their business.
Manufacturing companies rely on equipment
availability and uptime to keep production lines
moving and meet production goals. Transport
companies rely on fleets and containers for timely
cargo delivery. Financial services companies depend
on computer and networking systems to manage
transactions and keep customer data secure. And
while the asset types across industries may be varied,
there is still a common need for effective
management. Any item that is a part of the work
process but does not leave as part of a finished
product is a candidate for intelligent asset
management with RFID. RFID can help enterprises
automatically track and secure these assets — with
very little human intervention.
Advantages of RFID in Asset Management:
- Increased productivity — employees spend less
time tracking down missing or misplaced
equipment
- Improved asset maintenance and assured in depth study of the requirement considering the
adherence to critical and routine maintenance pros and cons of RFID. The scope of RFID largely
procedures such as calibration depends on the innovativeness of people.

- Secure, around-the-clock access to stock rooms 7. References

for improved efficiency — without human
intervention
- Increased utilization — improvements in asset
visibility and utilization reduce the need to
purchase or lease spare parts and equipment
- Reduced capital and operational costs — the
reduction in the loss of assets reduces the need to
purchase and manage additional assets
[1]. V. Daniel Hunt, Albert Puglia, Mike Puglia,
RFID: A Guide to Radio Frequency
Identification, Wiley Publishing, Inc.
[2]. Paul Sanghera, RFID+, Syngress Publishing
[3]. GRE Project Manual for Laptop tracking, GRE
Global Systems
[4]. RFID Asset Management Solutions, Motorola
Corp.
[5]. Atul Gupta, Introduction to RFID Technology

5.2. Attendance System5:

The management of workplace attendance is an

important aspect of supervision in the workplace.
The cost of absenteeism is greater than the direct
payment of wages and benefits paid during the
absence. Organizations must also consider the
indirect costs of staffing, scheduling, re-training, lost
productivity, diminished moral, turnover, and
opportunity cost. The indirect costs often exceed the
direct cost of absenteeism. Effective supervisory
efforts to manage attendance will affect a relatively
small percentage of employees, but will result in
substantial savings, increased productivity and
morale.

Attendance plays a very important role for any

student to go in for any examination. It takes a lot of
tracking to find out the attendance details in
practicals, theory lectures or library. RFID based
attendance systems solve lot of such problems.

Using RFID based Attendance Systems, the complete

staff data along with payroll system is managed
effectively. It is an efficient way of class allotment
and to know the academic details of all students.

6. Conclusion
RFID finds applications in a number of scenarios
ranging from tracking laptops to tracking people.
RFID has been a huge success in inventory control.
Various other applications have also been successful
while some have not been so much of a success. The
scope and expectancy of this technology depends on