WHAT IS RFID AND HOW DOES IT WORK
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a method of identification which utilizes a signal transmitted between an electronic device (known as a "tag", "transponder") and a reading device (transceiver). The information provided by the transmitted signal identifies the transponder and, from by reference to stored data (a "database" or "registry"), identifies that which is connected to the transponder.
RFID can be used to identify almost anything, be it car, animal, fish, bird, box, industrial sub-assembly or waste container. There is a range of RFID systems, and the nature of the thing to be identified and the circumstances under which the signal is transmitted determine the type of system used.
In situations where long distance identification is required, a battery operated device is preferred, as in tracking wild animals from a helicopter etc. This article does not deal with these "active" devices.
The RFID devices most widely used in animals are passive in nature. They have no battery or source of power of their own, but pick up the energy they require from the transceiver. Devices of this type are called transponders. This method of energizing the transponder severely limits the effective operating distance between the transceiver and the transponder.
The transceiver creates an energy field when it is turned on, and the transponder picks up energy when its antenna enters the energy field. The transponder uses the energy to power an integrated circuit attached to its antenna. The integrated circuit (the actual microchip) creates a signal of specific characteristics including the transponder’s identification data and transmits it using the same antenna.
The signal is then received by the transceiver, either by the same antenna that created the energy field or by a separate receiving antenna. The transceiver interprets the signal, converting it from binary data to decimal or other format, and then sends it to a display, a computer, or other device. In some cases, transponder data alone is sufficient to identify whatever is carrying the transponder. However, in many other situations, and in particular the identification of domestic animals, it is necessary to refer to information stored in a database registry to effect identification.
UNDERSTANDING ISO STANDARDS
The International Standards Organization (ISO) is an international association of national standards bodies. It has no regulatory authority. It limits itself to producing guidelines, procedures and policies on a wide range of issues and applications. These international standards provide a template for member bodies to develop their own standards. Regulators may adopt these ISO standards unchanged, or modify them to suit local conditions or requirements. The result is standards that are internationally compatible, consistent and clear.
ISO standards have no legal status on their own. When countries, regulators or users specify that products or services must confirm to a standard, these organizations give their legal authority to the standard and they are responsible for enforcing the use of the standard, not ISO itself.
The ISO system does however provide for some degree of quality assurance. ISO may appoint other organizations to assess products or services and certify that they comply with particular standards. In this situation, it is the registration organization which bears the legal responsibility for the correctness of such certification.
This international standard describes the structure and the information content of the radio-frequency identification code for animals.
It sets the length of the 64 bit binary message sent by the transponder to the transceiver and the meaning of every bit in it. The message is split into several sections with the specific meanings, including indication whether the transponder is for animal use, manufacturer and/or country code and the fixed transponder identification code. There is also an error detection section to ensure the message is read correctly by the transceiver and some sections that are reserved for future use.
ISO 11784 states that it is a national responsibility to ensure that transponders carry a unique number within that country, and says that ideally every country should maintain databases of information about all issued codes and the associated animals. Number uniqueness is supported by the use of a country code or a manufacturers code.
This international standard defines the technical aspects of communication between the transponder and the transceiver.
It sets the frequencies of activation and response, the encoding format, and the precise interaction between the transceiver and the transponder. This standard permits either one-way at a time signal transmission (Half Duplex) or simultaneous two-way signal transmission (Full Duplex). It is necessary to have the combination of the two systems into one transceiver to be an ISO compliant transceiver.
No. There is a range of transponder size, type and intended use. Within each type, there will also be variations in terms of performance. Importantly, they will all transmit the same format of message at the same frequency, though they could be either FDX or HDX.
All transponders contain an integrated circuit (microchip) but these can differ widely in complexity and performance. They are made to specification in a specialized factory (a wafer fabricator) which makes chips for many other applications. These microchips are then assembled into transponders including an antenna of some type and packaged in the format required: glass tube, plastic ear tag, rumen-bolus etc.
Some of the variations in construction will confer variations in performance characteristics such as read speed and distance – see 5. These variations will probably be reflected in value added pricing.
No. An ISO reader must read both HDX and FDX transponders according to the ISO communication protocols. It may also read other types, but each additional technology will most likely reduce the overall efficiency of its operation (speed, range etc.) For a given transponder, transceiver read distance can be enhanced by having a larger antenna. Since the size and features of transceivers can vary greatly, so does their cost.
ISO does not guarantee or regulate anything. The ISO standards and associated protocols provide a mechanism whereby countries can guarantee number uniqueness utilizing country and manufacturer codes together with an animal code through effective database management.
If country codes are used, they are issued in accordance with a separate standard ISO 3166; Codes for the Representation of the Names of Countries.
ISO has appointed the International Committee on Animal Recording (ICAR) to issue manufacturer codes to manufacturers who can demonstrate their transponders comply with the standards. The contract permits ICAR to check on any complaints, or randomly inspect transponders sold by the manufacturer. In addition, the contract requires the manufacturer to guarantee that all transponders he sells will have unalterable and unique code numbers. The manufacturer code is included in the message sent by the transponder instead of a country code. If anyone copies his manufacturer code, legal remedies are available based on product misrepresentation etc.
Countries can guarantee uniqueness by utilizing country and manufacturer codes, database management and national laws and regulations. The national body may control the distribution of transponders under its jurisdiction, or it may have a contractual arrangement with all approved suppliers, and an approval system. It may require that all numbers to be used be recorded first on a national database, and then only eligible numbers can be registered. In any case, it must provide itself with legal remedies if any crime is committed, whether it is fraud, misrepresentation or other.
5. Performance
Some consumers have been reluctant to change from existing non ISO-compliant technologies of proven performance capabilities. ISO has authorized ICAR and other laboratories to test the field performance of ISO compliant transponders and transceivers for which manufacturer numbers have been issued. When this process is complete, consumers should have objective analysis of the performance capabilities of these products.
There are obvious differences in performance due to differing design. The most important variable is the antenna size and configuration, which determines the amount of energy captured (field strength) by the transponder to operate the microchip. This in turn affects the strength of the signal transmission and hence the read distance.
Considering that ISO compliant products are made with the most recent components, are distributed in a rapidly expanding world market where product innovation and improvement are proceeding at a rapid pace, it is reasonable to expect improvements in performance. Intense competition enhances the likelihood of that outcome, and also reduces the price.
Registries and data base management are integral to the actual functioning of the system in the field, including ensuring uniqueness of code numbers. There is little merit in knowing the animal’s number if that number cannot be linked to the owner or other data. Since animal RFID exists to provide this link, it is essential that there be an integrated system of access to the other data needed to make use of the number. Moreover, as indicated above in section 4, The database plays a very important role in preventing number duplication. Of course, the species and other circumstances will affect how the registry or database is used.
Some consumers have expressed concerns as to whether manufacturer’s claims of ISO compliance are valid. As discussed in point 4, ISO has appointed ICAR to examine products submitted by manufacturers to ensure that they comply with ISO 11784 and 11785. Products that comply will be issued a manufacturer number under contract to ICAR, who will be responsible for guaranteeing compliance as described under point 4.
See also point 11, below.
The ISO standards provide assurance that animals can be identified by any ISO transceiver, anywhere, anytime. There are obvious implications for international livestock trade, commerce, residue management and disease control. Animal owners as consumers can be assured of several suppliers competing for their business with fully compatible products, rather than being limited to one manufacturer. Owners of companion animals can be assured that when all clinics, shelters, and border officials are equipped with ISO transceivers the chance of missing or lost identification will be virtually eliminated; of course, there will be a long transition period as previous technologies gradually disappear.
While it is true to a certain extent that having fixed standards is intrinsically limiting to technological development, there is still room for some development within the parameters defined in the standard.
Manufacturers now face a real challenge. As an increasing number of users insist on ISO products, some manufacturers are losing their proprietary markets that have yielded maximum profits. They now have to compete with other ISO compliant manufacturers. However, since the market for ISO products is expanding, due to confidence that compatibility is assured, other manufacturers choose to join the race to serve them. They must all compete on quality, features, and price.
Yes, it already does. However, manufacturers have development cost to recoup. There is of course quite a price range relating to product design and hence performance.
This is the area of major new technological development. The key elements are additional functions of the transponder like read/write capability, integrated sensors, methods for authentication, etc. in ISO 11784. It permits the development of a virtually limitless number of new types of transponders with an enormous range of potential applications. A new standard which builds on ISO 11784 & 11785 is now under discussion to facilitate this progress.
At this point in time, there seems to be little relevance to most consumers for these products. The development of these new standards is being pushed by the manufacturers involved in the ISO process, in order to avoid future incompatibility among devices. However they are reluctant to build new products until it is clear that there is a market for them.
It is quite possible that at least some type of "authentication" will be added to some transponders for very valuable animals in order to further reduce the possibility of fraud. ("Authentication" is a technique whereby a transceiver can determine whether the transponder is actually what it seems to be, or possibly a duplicate or fake.) The risk of such illegal products is very low now, but may rise as the technology becomes much better known and widely used.
Another possible type would allow the addition of other data to the message, perhaps management information, after the transponder is attached to the animal. The animal’s number could not, however, be altered, and it could be still read by a simple transceiver which might not be able to read the additional data.
Yes. There seems no doubt that ISO is coming, but while most countries are committed to the adoption of ISO, some are taking their time to make the transition.
Companion animals dominate the RFID market in most countries and so are the first animals to face the need to convert. Commonly expressed concerns are lack of an ISO transceiver network and non-conforming installed bases. There are few instances of compulsory RFID, but even amongst those countries that have formally endorsed ISO, only a few are implanting ISO transponders en masses at the present time. The stimulus for widespread ID implantation in Europe is the implementation of the policy for free movement of animals within the EU and the need for rabies control. In Europe, the sales of non-ISO transponders for companion animals have virtually stopped.
By comparison to companion animals, use of RFID technology in the livestock industries is limited and much of it is proprietary technology. Although a lot of testing and trials of ISO technology are being conducted around the world, continued growth is expected as the performance and benefits of this technology becomes more widely accepted through education and awareness in other animal enterprises.
