RFID Report 2006-2011: Opportunities and challenges with cellular RFID

Chapter 1 Introduction

1.1  Creating a standards-based, global network
Chart 1.1:  Annual RFID transactions (US)
1.2  Efficiency gains are matched by the size of the obstacles
1.3  RFID background and brief history
1.4  Market evolution
1.5  RFID offers multiple benefits

Chapter 2 Strategic overview

2.1  How RFID works
2.1.1  Typical RFID implementation
Figure 2.1:   RFID configuration
2.1.2  Prioritization through QoS techniques
2.2  UPC and EPC
Figure 2.2:  EPC number
2.2.1  Gen2
Figure 2.3:  Reader interference
2.2.1.1  Gen2 specification
Table 2.1:  Gen2 features
2.3  Tags
2.3.1  Passive tags
2.3.1.1  Passive tag deployments
2.3.2  Active tags
2.3.2.1  Active tag applications
2.3.2.2  Active tag deployments
Figure 2.4:   Exxon/Mobil Speedpass Configuration
2.3.3  New tags coming to market
Table 2.2:  Tag development by vendor
2.3.3.1  SAW tags
2.3.3.2  Backscatter tags
2.3.3.3  Mu-Chip
2.3.3.4  Wi-Fi tags
2.4  Readers
2.4.1  Fixed and mobile 
2.4.2  Reader costs
2.4.3  Implementation options
2.4.4  Factors affecting tag-reader communication
2.4.4.1  Range
2.4.4.2  Tuning
2.4.4.3  Propagation
2.4.4.4  Directionality
2.4.4.5  Multi-frequency support
2.4.4.6  Interoperability
2.4.4.6  Scalability
2.4.4.6.1  Achieving successful scalability
2.5  Spectrum issues
2.5.1  HF vs UHF
2.5.2  Global RFID frequency regulation
Table 2.3:  US unlicensed spectrum regulations
2.6  Network interconnection and middleware
2.6.1  Early deployments
2.6.2  Savant will ease enterprise integration
Figure 2.5:  Middleware migration towards next-generation deployments
2.6.3  Managing the volume of readers vying for network access
2.6.4  Other issues
2.7  RFID in wireless
2.7.1  WLAN and RFID are beginning to merge
2.7.2  Which protocol is best for which application?
Table 2.4:  Short-range communication standards
2.7.3  Mobile phones represent a logical extension of RFID
2.7.3.1  Case study: Allevo
2.7.3.2  Nokia’s RFID strategy
Figure 2.6:  Nokia field force solution

Chapter 3 Market evolution

3.1  In search of a compelling business base
Chart 3.1:  What has stifled RFID uptake so far?
3.1.1  Justifying a ROI
3.2  Market drivers
3.2  Cellular RFID applications
3.2.1  Cellular RFID trials
Table 3.1:  RFID trials, deployments and applications
3.2.1.1  Trials have met with a mixed response
3.3  Market trends
3.3.1  Tag prices will fall significantly in the medium term
3.3.2  Item-level tagging will begin in earnest by   2012
3.3.3  Consolidation
3.3.4  New applications will blossom
3.3.5  Greater emphasis on enterprise uptake as Gen2 rolls out
3.3.6  The pallet- and case-level tagging market will peak by 2010

Chapter 4 Issues and market barriers

4.1  Spectrum utilization
4.1.1  Interference
4.1.2  Interference problems will increase
4.1.3  Mitigating the problem
4.2 IP  Addressing
4.2.1  Will there be enough IP addresses to go around?
4.2.2  IPv6 as a long-term solution
4.2.2.1  RFID will benefit from the deployment of IPv6
Table 4.1:  Critical Changes in IPv6
4.3  Enterprise network integration and bandwidth management
4.3.1  Can cellular networks cope to meet the demand for cellular RFID?
4.3.2  RF network engineers
4.4  Global integration and developments
4.4.1  Interoperability is critical
4.4.1.1  China
4.4.1.2  Japan
4.4.1.3  South Korea
4.4.1.4  Taiwan
4.4.1.5  European Union
Table 4.2:  EU RFID trials
4.5  Security
4.5.1  Consumer privacy fears
4.5.2  The pharma industry’s stance to RFID
4.5.3  Transportation
4.5.3.1  C-TPAT provides a win-win situation
Chart 4.1:  Impact of RFID on number of container inspections entering the US
4.5.4  Human RFID tag implants
4.5.4.1  Chip implants for healthcare
Table 4.3:  RFID in healthcare
4.5.4.2  Public paranoia is unfounded
4.5.5  Supply chain security issues
4.5.5.1  Vendor response to security
4.6  Cost
Table 4.4:  Tag and reader costs
Chart 4.2:  RFID spend breakdown (%)
Chart 4.3:  Total estimated cost to equip retailers

Chapter 5 The Infrastructure Market

5.1  Hardware
5.1.1  Smart tags
5.1.2  Handsets
Chart 5.1:  Mobile phones with NFC capability, 2006-2011
5.1.2.1  Falling costs will drive shipments of NFC-capable handsets
Chart 5.2:  NFC vs Bluetooth chipset costs, 2006-2011
5.1.2.2  Lack of applications is slowing progress
5.1.2.3  Integrating RFID functionality into  handsets
Table 5.1:  RFID-enabled handsets and cellular systems
5.1.2.4  Most promising cellular RFID applications
5.2  Software
5.2.1  FeliCa encompasses a new approach
Figure 5.1:  FeliCa system architecture
5.2.2  RFID as an intuitive user interface 
5.2.2.1  Verizon Wireless sets the mark
5.2.3  Tag and reader software requirements
5.2.4  Software applications
5.2.5  Challenges associated with software implementations
5.2.5.1  Substantial modifications are required
5.2.5.1  Data mining
5.2.5.1.1  Data mining will realize the return on RFID systems
5.3  Professional Services
5.3.1 Professional Services vendors stand to benefit most from RFID
5.3.2  Vendor positioning
5.3.2.1  How can professional services companies take advantage of RFID?
5.3.3  The role of telecoms service providers
5.4  Network services
5.4.1  Point solutions fit well in the cellular market but a software platform standard is needed
5.4.2  Complexity in success
5.4.3  RFID spending
Chart 5.3:   Wireless CapEx vs RFID spend, 2005-2011

Chapter 6 Conclusions and recommendations

6.1  Conclusions
6.2  Recommendations
6.2.1  For enterprises
6.2.2  For equipment and software vendors
6.2.3  For service providers

Appendix A Lead author’s profile

Appendix B About visiongain

Appendix C Report evaluation form