Application and Security Constraints in Practical RFID Systems
Prof. Peter H. Cole, Director of Auto-ID Lab, University of Adelaide

The talk provides an introduction to RFID systems with an illustration and explanation of the need for multiple tag reading, some practical applications and of the fundamental problem of weak replies with passive tags. The characteristics of electromagnetic fields relevant to propagation loss at various frequencies of operation are explained. Issues facing designers in the construction of RFID systems are described and the generally employed backscatter principle is outlined. Electromagnetic coupling in both the far field and the near field are analysed, and coupling volume theory for the comprehensive treatment of both cases is presented. Important figures of merit for coupling strength and operating bandwidth are quoted. Problems of small tags in difficult situations are explained. Examples of small tag design are given. The Auto-ID Center and EPCglobal history, structures and current concepts outlined. Current networking concepts are described. Protocols in RFID reading of the tree scanning and adaptive round are described with emphasis on the EPCglobal Class 1 Generation 2 protocol. A survey of the extent to which counterfeit products are clouding the supply chain, and the potential role of RFID systems in combating this problem are given. Solutions are discussed for the hardware level and the network level. Some lightweight cryptography concepts that appear promising in passive RFID systems are outlined.