RFID System for HospitalRFID System for HospitalCityU Technology Transfer ForumCityU Technology Transfer Forum

Advances in Wireless CommunicationsAdvances in Wireless Communications

Edward Kai-Ning YungEdward Kai-Ning Yung

Department of Electronic EngineeringDepartment of Electronic Engineering

City University of Hong KongCity University of Hong Kong

15 September, 201015 September, 2010

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A Vibrant CityA Vibrant CityNever-ending construction everywhereNever-ending construction everywhere

Dusty, noisy, breezeless, hot & humid environmentDusty, noisy, breezeless, hot & humid environmentHigh pollution, high UV & radon radiationsHigh pollution, high UV & radon radiations

Hustling markets, bustling streets, & congested highwaysHustling markets, bustling streets, & congested highwaysCompetitive market & equally competitive officeCompetitive market & equally competitive office

24-hour working day, 7 days a week24-hour working day, 7 days a weekHigh-calorie diets, junk food, & irregular meals High-calorie diets, junk food, & irregular meals

No regular exercise nor vacationNo regular exercise nor vacation

Crowded and tiny living spaceCrowded and tiny living space04/10/23 2

Unique Health CareUnique Health CareNew drugs from everywhere New drugs from everywhere

Advanced facilities for better diagnosisAdvanced facilities for better diagnosis

Well-trained professionals with the latest skillsWell-trained professionals with the latest skills

Variety of sophisticated medical supportsVariety of sophisticated medical supports

Complementary herbal medicineComplementary herbal medicine

Excellent private hospitalsExcellent private hospitals

Trustworthy safety net: public hospitalsTrustworthy safety net: public hospitals

Exceptionally long life expectanceExceptionally long life expectance

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Public HospitalsPublic HospitalsHigh medical bills and expensive medicinesHigh medical bills and expensive medicines

Highest Gini coefficient in the first world Highest Gini coefficient in the first world

Ill-affordable medical insuranceIll-affordable medical insurance

Everyone goes to public hospital, eventuallyEveryone goes to public hospital, eventually

Overburdened staffs in public hospitalsOverburdened staffs in public hospitals

Overloaded facilities in public hospitalsOverloaded facilities in public hospitals

Erroneous drug dispense, injection, & surgeryErroneous drug dispense, injection, & surgery

Errors in transfer of patients (living or not)Errors in transfer of patients (living or not)

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Miracle “Drug”Miracle “Drug”Reduces loadReduces load

Minimizes errorMinimizes error

Enhances performanceEnhances performance

Provides value-added services Provides value-added services

Introduces innovative applicationsIntroduces innovative applications

Saves livesSaves lives

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Band WagonBand WagonRFID has been identified by the National GovernmentRFID has been identified by the National Government as one of the areas of intensive development as one of the areas of intensive development

It has also been identified by the Federal GovernmentIt has also been identified by the Federal Government (USA) as one of the areas of intensive development (USA) as one of the areas of intensive development

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RFIDRFIDRadio Frequency IdentificationRadio Frequency Identification

Is it a new technology?Is it a new technology?

New wine in old bottle?New wine in old bottle?

Old wine in new bottle?Old wine in new bottle?

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AIDCAIDCAuto Identity and Data CaptureAuto Identity and Data Capture

Hollerith’s Punch Card, 1889Hollerith’s Punch Card, 1889

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Logistics ManagementLogistics ManagementJoe Woodland’s bull’s eye, 1949Joe Woodland’s bull’s eye, 1949

Forrest Parry’s magnetic stripe, 1966Forrest Parry’s magnetic stripe, 1966

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UPC barcode, 1973UPC barcode, 1973

EAN-14 Standard, 1974EAN-14 Standard, 1974

Electronic AgeElectronic AgeSmart Card with microprocessorsSmart Card with microprocessors

Cryptography: credit card, ATMCryptography: credit card, ATM

SIM CardSIM Card

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Contactless CardContactless CardInductive and capacitive couplingsInductive and capacitive couplings

Frequency: 125kHzFrequency: 125kHz

Unique ID numberUnique ID number

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Wireless AlternativeWireless AlternativeElectronic article surveillance: 134.2kHzElectronic article surveillance: 134.2kHz

Proximity card: 125kHz, 128kHzProximity card: 125kHz, 128kHz

Ampoule for animal tracking: 134.2kHzAmpoule for animal tracking: 134.2kHz

Friend-of-Foe, WWIIFriend-of-Foe, WWII

Leon Theremin, audio frequencies, 1946Leon Theremin, audio frequencies, 1946

Harry Stockman, back scattering, 1948Harry Stockman, back scattering, 1948

Steve Depp, demonstration, 1973Steve Depp, demonstration, 1973

Charles Walton, RFID, 1980Charles Walton, RFID, 1980

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RFID SelectionRFID SelectionPassive RFID:Passive RFID:

HF RFID—13.56MHzHF RFID—13.56MHz

UHF RFID—900MHzUHF RFID—900MHz

Active RFID:Active RFID:

LF—125kHz, 134.2kHzLF—125kHz, 134.2kHz

HF—13.56MHz, HF—13.56MHz,

UHF—UHF—315MHz315MHz, , 433MHz433MHz, 900MHz, 2450MHz, 900MHz, 2450MHz

SHF—5800MHzSHF—5800MHz

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PreferencesPreferencesAbsolute reliability, time-proven technology Absolute reliability, time-proven technology

Maximum flexibilityMaximum flexibility

High security for drug control and prisonersHigh security for drug control and prisoners

Upward, downward, and lateral adoptabilityUpward, downward, and lateral adoptability

Speedy location of equipmentSpeedy location of equipment

Fast search of professionalsFast search of professionals

Low-cost tags with adequately long lifeLow-cost tags with adequately long life

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RequirementsRequirementsMinimal changes to the existing practicesMinimal changes to the existing practicesNo health hazard to patients with pace makersNo health hazard to patients with pace makersNo interference on medical equipmentNo interference on medical equipmentAdvantages of other RFID systems retainedAdvantages of other RFID systems retainedWeaknesses of other RFID systems addressedWeaknesses of other RFID systems addressedFast responseFast response

Life and death issues-cannot waitLife and death issues-cannot wait

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HF RFIDHF RFIDCategory: passive RFIDCategory: passive RFID

Principle of operation: electromagnetic couplingPrinciple of operation: electromagnetic coupling

Frequency: 13.56MHzFrequency: 13.56MHz

Characteristics: RF lucent, Characteristics: RF lucent,

Range: 70-200 mmRange: 70-200 mm

Competitive edge: small and light tagsCompetitive edge: small and light tags

Inexpensive tag: ~RMB-1Inexpensive tag: ~RMB-1

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ApplicationsApplicationsPublic transport: Octopus, OysterPublic transport: Octopus, Oyster

Access control: estate, office, school, garageAccess control: estate, office, school, garage

Personnel management: conference, examinationPersonnel management: conference, examination

Electronic cash: parking meter, convenience storeElectronic cash: parking meter, convenience store

Inventory control: librariesInventory control: libraries

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UHF RFIDUHF RFIDCategory: passive RFIDCategory: passive RFID

Principle of operation: back scatteringPrinciple of operation: back scattering

Frequency: 900MHzFrequency: 900MHz

Smaller and lighter tagsSmaller and lighter tags

Faster reading speedFaster reading speed

Larger memoryLarger memory

Inexpensive tag: < RMB-1Inexpensive tag: < RMB-1

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Cutting EdgesCutting EdgesAntenna: directionalAntenna: directionalPower output: 4W, EIRPPower output: 4W, EIRPRange: ~10 metersRange: ~10 meters““Simultaneous” tag readingsSimultaneous” tag readingsSlow moving targetsSlow moving targetsNon-line-of-sight detectionNon-line-of-sight detection

Role ReversalRole Reversal

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Pioneer ProjectsPioneer ProjectsTrace and trackTrace and track

Real-time inventory checkReal-time inventory check

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Fantasy RealizationFantasy RealizationTheft-retardantTheft-retardantCounter-forgeryCounter-forgeryAnti-counterfeitAnti-counterfeitExpiry controlExpiry controlSurveillanceSurveillanceAccountabilityAccountabilityUse in harsh ambienceUse in harsh ambience

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WeaknessWeaknessProlonged exposure to strong EM fieldProlonged exposure to strong EM field

Electromagnetic interferenceElectromagnetic interference

Ubiquity of used tags — privacyUbiquity of used tags — privacy

Tags could only be made at the chip levelTags could only be made at the chip level — lack of flexibility — lack of flexibility

Coupling between the strong output andCoupling between the strong output and the weak feedback signals — expensive reader the weak feedback signals — expensive reader

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Active RFIDActive RFIDEnergy source: battery, vehicle, power supply, …Energy source: battery, vehicle, power supply, …Range: from a meter to kilometersRange: from a meter to kilometersCoverage: omnidirectional, focused and confinedCoverage: omnidirectional, focused and confinedMemory: hugeMemory: hugeProtocol: to be determinedProtocol: to be determinedEncryption: proprietaryEncryption: proprietary

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WeaknessWeakness1.1. Larger, heavier, and more expensive tagsLarger, heavier, and more expensive tags

2.2. Frequent battery replacementFrequent battery replacement

3.3. Electromagnetic interferenceElectromagnetic interference

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RecommendationRecommendation

applicationsapplicationspersonnelpersonnelvenuesvenuesobjectsobjectsOccasions and conditionsOccasions and conditions

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A unified system with a variety of A unified system with a variety of RFID systems custom-designed for differentRFID systems custom-designed for different

Semi-Active RFIDSemi-Active RFIDTag with wake-up and RFID partsTag with wake-up and RFID partsRFID Frequency: 900MHzRFID Frequency: 900MHzFixed and handheld RFID readersFixed and handheld RFID readers

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Directional antenna in SD cardDirectional antenna in SD card

Wake Up TechnologyWake Up TechnologyFrequency: 125kHzFrequency: 125kHz

Harmonics are well below that of medical equipmentHarmonics are well below that of medical equipment

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Semi-active TagsSemi-active TagsPower consumption in sleeping mode: Power consumption in sleeping mode: μμWW

Wake up upon detection of a 125 kHz waveWake up upon detection of a 125 kHz wave

Switched to the listen-before-talk modeSwitched to the listen-before-talk mode

Collision protocol: random delayCollision protocol: random delay

Return to sleeping mode:Return to sleeping mode: after each transaction or a short duration after each transaction or a short duration

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MemoryMemoryBio-data with recent photographBio-data with recent photographMedical history and list of allergiesMedical history and list of allergiesRelevant professionalsRelevant professionalsNext of kin and other relativesNext of kin and other relativesDate of registration, wards, payment methodDate of registration, wards, payment methodPrescriptions: medicine, operation, treatmentPrescriptions: medicine, operation, treatmentSpecial diet, personality, and othersSpecial diet, personality, and others

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Personal TagsPersonal TagsNot-too-small tag for patientsNot-too-small tag for patients

Two CR2025 batteries could last for monthsTwo CR2025 batteries could last for months

Battery-low indicationBattery-low indication

Name tag for staffsName tag for staffs

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WardsWardsWake-up energizer mounted on the ceilingWake-up energizer mounted on the ceilingWake up energizer turned on by demandWake up energizer turned on by demandRFID reader: SD for iPodRFID reader: SD for iPodDirectional antenna on the SD covering 1 meterDirectional antenna on the SD covering 1 meterTag matching of patient and medicineTag matching of patient and medicineLocation of staffs, patients, and accessoriesLocation of staffs, patients, and accessoriesReal-time inventory check of equipmentReal-time inventory check of equipmentTag matching before moving a patient outTag matching before moving a patient out

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Movement of PatientMovement of PatientDistinguish between the movement of a patient Distinguish between the movement of a patient through a door from those walking near the doorthrough a door from those walking near the door

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CorridorCorridorEnergizer turned on by motion detectionEnergizer turned on by motion detection

High gain antenna and low power outputHigh gain antenna and low power output

Multiple antennas for better coverage Multiple antennas for better coverage

Active signage: VIP acknowledgement Active signage: VIP acknowledgement

Walking instructions: emergence Walking instructions: emergence

Record of personnel movementRecord of personnel movement

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Operation TheaterOperation TheaterAccess for patient and staff at the right time onlyAccess for patient and staff at the right time only

Match of physicians and the patientMatch of physicians and the patient

Verification of the patient and the treatmentsVerification of the patient and the treatments

Double check of additional equipment neededDouble check of additional equipment needed

Account of accessories/consumables usedAccount of accessories/consumables used

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Other TagsOther TagsTags with GPS and GPRS for patientsTags with GPS and GPRS for patients with Alzheimer disease in infirmary with Alzheimer disease in infirmary Durable tags for equipmentDurable tags for equipmentPassive RFID tags for out-patientsPassive RFID tags for out-patients

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Mass ControlMass ControlReception hall for incoming patientsReception hall for incoming patientsMedical treatmentsMedical treatmentsPharmacy/dispenserPharmacy/dispenserPhysiotherapeutic servicesPhysiotherapeutic servicesShroff/bursaryShroff/bursaryCafeteria/canteenCafeteria/canteen

Disaster control/Escape routeDisaster control/Escape route

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Future DevelopmentFuture DevelopmentTag on soft waist-band or ankle-bandTag on soft waist-band or ankle-bandApplication specific integrated circuitsApplication specific integrated circuitsHandheld reader for active and passive tagsHandheld reader for active and passive tagsTag with organic liquid crystal displayTag with organic liquid crystal displayLithium polyester batteryLithium polyester batteryWireless battery chargerWireless battery chargerPassive tag on medicine for out-patientsPassive tag on medicine for out-patientsPassive tag on consumablesPassive tag on consumables

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Passive RFID TagsPassive RFID TagsPassive tags on medicine for out-patientsPassive tags on medicine for out-patients

Tiny passive tags for consumablesTiny passive tags for consumables

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Questions and AnswersQuestions and Answers

Thank YouThank You

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