RFID

Technology for

the Cultural

Sector22 Sept 2016 Axiell Conference, Canberra

What is RFID?

Radio Frequency Identification

An RFID system uses an RFID tag

(transponder) to communicate with an

RFID reader (receiver)

Basic RFID system

Types of RFID

Active (100m or more) e.g. Security solutions

Semi-Active (ca 10-20m) e.g. e-way tags

Passive (<6 m) e.g. asset tracking

Low Frequency (LF) e.g. Stock control

High Frequency (HF) e.g. Libraries

Ultra High Frequency (UHF) e.g. Assets

Types of RFID

Active

Extended read range (up to 100m or further)

Can incorporate sensors

Relatively large tags

Can be expensive

Life limited by battery (<10 years)

Ideal for security/monitoring situations

Passive

Small form factor

Cheap

‘unlimited’ life

limited read range (<5 m or less)

Ideal for item level tracking

Why use RFID in

Museums/Galleries?

No line of sight required

Can be read through most materials

Hundreds of tags can be read per second

Vastly increased efficiencies

Can automate many collection activities

Hardwearing

Two Systems

Fortecho:

Active RFID system used to provide security and environmental monitoring for high value artworks, display cases, and objects

Smarttrack RFID:

Passive UHF RFID system for tracking collections of

artworks and objects.

Fortecho System

Fortecho RFID Readers

433 MHz

Cell phone size (84mm x 40mm x 19mm) – 45g

Receives encoded transmissions

Range adjusted from software

System detects radio jamming

Fortecho “Active” RFID Tags

433 MHz

Ultra-long range – up to 100m

25 billion unique IDs per customer

Ultrasonically sealed

Low power consumption

Encoded transmissions

Environmental (temp. rH) monitoring

The Fortecho System

Real-time alarm information

Security for individual art objects, display cases & guards

Ca 6000 ‘audits’ per day

Monitor “knock” damage to artworks

Wireless solution at the artwork/display case

24/7 security

CCTV and SMS integration

Heritage Buildings

minimal impact on building fabric; walls

covert: no impact on viewing experience

Fortecho system – Laser ‘Curtain’

Fortecho – Volumetric Monitoring

Smarttrack RFID

Passive UHF RFID system for tracking collections of artworks and objects.

Range of UHF tag types for different applications

Handheld readers – Android app-based

Portal/track-point fixed readers

Browser-based software interface

Smarttrack RFID – Key Benefits

Fast-track collection audits and stock-takes

Improve collection preservation through reduced object

handling

Quickly and easily find misplaced objects

Automatically track the movement of objects and

artworks

Alert when artworks moved by unauthorized personnel

Smarttrack RFID Tags

SmARTtrack self-adhesive tags

Self-adhesive tag which can be attached to an object directly (acid-free, reversible self-adhesive), to swing tags, or on to a layer of Paraloid B72. Tags come in a range of sizes

Other tags

A wide range of other tags are also available for specialised purposes, incl:

Works on paper - tags encapsulated in Japanese tissue for direct attachment to the back of a paper-based artwork

Metal tags – for direct attachment to metal objects

Tag Size and Functionality

Larger tags = Longer Read Range

Small tags = Short Read Range

BUT, highly dependant on antennae design, chip quality/generation, environmental factors.

0.46mm square, 2mm read range

Larger tags can be read up to 10m away.

Metallic Surfaces and mesh – operate like an RF shield but can also operate like a mirror, reflecting and enhancing the RF signal

RFID Hardware – Handheld

Reader

Key Features

Read range up to 6 metres

Reads up to 200 tags per second

Wi-fi, Bluetooth, USB, 3/4G connectivity

Barcode reader incorporated

Android operating system

Used for reading tags to identify objects, inventory, record locations, search for misplaced objects

Uses Locafi app.

Smarttrack Fixed Portal

1, 3: Infra-Red or Microwave Sensors

2: RFID Reader

4. LED Light

5. Antennas (7, 8 also)

6. Tagged objects

7, 8: Alternate antenna location

With UHF RFID portal can be up to 5 m wide x 3 m high (loading dock size)

Using Personnel tags, the system can generate alerts when items are moved without authorized personnel.

Most hardware can be hidden within ceilings/walls.

Smarttrack Portal

Smarttrack Portal

Smarttrack RFID

Process

Diagram

Collection Management Systems

Shared

Database

Communication using Web

Services, HTTP requests, API,

.csv or text files.

Smarttrack RFID – Preserve

Collections

Risk minimisation - assurance that collections are where they’re meant to be

Reduced handling and OH&S issues (eg large objects in storage)

Reduces need to ‘leaf’ through other objects to find one object (eg plan drawers)

Reduces error from data-entry

Smarttrack RFID

Secure collections by reducing risk of loss

Track collections automatically through high-traffic areas

Audit collections quickly, easily and comprehensively

Preserve collections through significantly reduced need for handling

Other RFID Applications

LoRA – Long Range Radio for external assets.

Other RFID Applications

NFC – tapit.com.au for Visitor Interaction / Tours

Other Applications

Beacon Technology

WiFi tags and WiFi triangulation

Data dots

And more