What is RFID?

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a method of uniquely identifying an object using a tag that carries a unique code or identification.

RFID chip [4]

Origin of RFID:

Most of people believe that radio frequency identification technology can be traced back to World War II for war purpose by a Scottish physicist called Sir Robert Alexander Watson-Watt. His first invention before inventing radio frequency identification technology is defined is radar. And many countries at war used this invention mainly to detect approaching planes. The problem with this invention at that time was it could only detect a plane existence, yet it couldn’t identify if it is an enemy or a comrade returning from a mission. Finally, the first radio frequency identification technology emerged, as Watson-Watt led a secret project and developed first active identify friend system for Britain. The idea of Watson-Watt’s identify friend system closely resembles to the idea of RFID system. Just like RFID system that needs RFID tag, in order for the identify friend system to work, each of British planes has to install a transmitter so when these planes are close enough to where the radar station can recognizes existence of a plane, transmitter on the plane can signal the radar stations to show their real identity. [3]

Watson-Watt with the first radar apparatus [3]

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