Radio Frequency Identification and Internet ofThings: A Fruitful Synergy

摘要

The interconnection of devices, mechanical and digital machines, objects, animals or people with the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction known as Internet of Things (IoT) can only be successfully achieved with the incorporation of some existing wireless technologies especially Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). RFID leverages on its ability to establish a wireless communication between its transponders or tags attached to objects; when these tags are interrogated by RFID transceivers or readers, identification indicators that could further provide needed information are deduced. This paper presents an overview of the possible synergy between RFID and IoT as it promises to expand the Internet and networks to places such as home, manufacturing floors, energy grids, healthcare facilities, agricultural farms and plantations, transportation, etc. Besides a brief introduction to the operating principles behind the technology, a detail review of the application of RFID technology across current and envisaged fields were carried out. The projection of a promising synergy between IoT and RFID technologies was also established. Though, some limitations of both IoT and RFID were uncovered, suggestions on likely improvements were proffered.