Modernising security and operations with RFID

In past years, Omnia Technologies a certified company for design and manufacture of RFID tags; provider of embedded electronics, has been developing a solution that employs passive ultrahigh-frequency (UHF).  RFID tags and sensors to capture and transmit data regarding railcars, such as their location, and to indicate their identity in a system used for condition monitoring. 

 They have adopted a real-time location system (RTLS) that guarantees the best use of resources, while reducing costs and risks. Access control, vehicle tracking and speed monitoring are performed through real-time data generation. Internal operations can be monitored and ramp-up data can be displayed on a screen that provides key performance indicators (KPIs) at any given time.

RFID works by sending radio signals between a reader and a tag. The reader transmits a radio signal and when a tag comes within range, it receives the signal and sends feedback that enables the reader to identify it and receive other data that it contains. As each tag has its own unique code, readers can track and communicate with multiple tags at the same time.

Readers come in a variety of forms including hand-held scanners, access control door scanners and even mobile phones. Tags are small chips that can be embedded into objects such as smart cards, key fobs and sticky labels. They come in two versions: a passive tag which is powered by the radio waves sent by a reader and active tags, which have their own battery and can, therefore, operate over a longer distance.

The data collected from tags can be passed via cable or wireless (including Bluetooth) to computer systems where it can be processed, actioned and stored. RFID readers are installed at all access points to the "air sector" of the airport—that is, access areas to the boarding and disembarkation room. Readings are performed by eight antennas at the loading gate, four at the landing gate, four at the personal access gate to the ramp, two at the baggage gate return door, two at the freight gate, four at the west gate vehicle access area and two at the east gate for vehicle access. GTP-EazyComm provides all tags, including approximately 30,000 disposable RFID badges annually, as well as 2,000 non-disposable RFID badges, 500 passive RFID tags for equipment and 400GPS tags for tracking vehicles.

Challenges:

The greatest challenges facing the deployment, according to the companies, were to install and maintain the equipment within an airport environment, and to meet safety requirements and regulations. In addition to the large coverage area, equipment was exposed to such environmental conditions as rain, sunlight and wind.

Benefits:

The main benefit of using RFID badges is in the automatic registration of access areas for security purposes, which allows for the analysis and identification of all individuals. Already, the use of GPS tags to track vehicles allows real-time monitoring for safety purposes, and better manages fleet use for the optimization of operations. This allows for the identification of persons, dates, times and places of access; as well as the registration of granted or denied passage; the identification and real-time monitoring of vehicles; and the identification of each vehicle's company, license plate, type, location, date, time and speed.

Future with RFID and its promises:

 Thus, the RFID system allows the automatic capture of information simultaneously through radiofrequency sensors, which does not require direct contact with scanned items. Previously, access to restricted areas was done only manually, through physical verification, and now this new technology joins the other existing systems for automated control over access to the ramp.

Promises - The technology employed will provide real-time information regarding location, speed, conditions and movements, helping to control people's access to restricted areas.