22 February 2008

EU YouTube Video - RFID: The future begins now!

The Eurpopean Commission have put a video about Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) on their YouTube page.

Much RFID currently operates in the Amateur Radio 70 cm band, 433.92 MHz, but other frequencies are also used. Unfortunately there is a lack is harmonisation around the world and there is no single standard frequency at UHF. Europe chose to use 865 - 868 MHz instead of the 902 - 928 MHz band used in North America.

2.45 GHz is available for RFID applications across much of the world but the high price of tags coupled with their limited range - just a few metres instead of up to 10 metres at UHF - has limited the use of that band.

The European Commission video description reads:
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a technology that allows automatic identification and data collection through radio frequencies. RFID technology allows to follow products from production to consumer, to track lost luggage, identify real from counterfait medicines and much more.



The EU Commission has launched an online consultation on "implementation of privacy, data protection and information security principles in applications supported by RFID", see http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/ipm/forms/
dispatch?form=RFIDRec

RFID used to crack 'Secure' passports
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/november2006/
rfid_crack_secure_passports.htm

Source: www.southgatearc.org