Radio-Frequency Identification Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Radio-Frequency Identification - Essay Example Radio waves found to be useful in many other fields and identification and tracking of objects is one among them. The technology used for the identification or tracking of objects with the help of radio waves is called Radio frequency identification or RFID. More precisely, radio frequency identification (RFID) describes a â€Å"system that transmits the identity of an object or person wirelessly, using radio waves† (What is RFID?, n. d). This paper briefly analyses history and various features of RFID. History and Evolution of RFID During the middle half of twentieth century, barcode technology has evolved to identify objects using some printed lines. During the same period itself, researches to develop RFID tags were started and â€Å"the first active form of RFID was developed by British scientist, Watson-Watt and his team during this period (Roberti, 2011). Commercial use of barcodes started in the 1960’s. In the 1970’s universal grocery product identificati on codes and universal product codes were introduced. In the early part of 1990’s IBM developed an ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID system. This technology contributed heavily to the development of electronic product coding (EPD) technology. The present Universal Product Code and bar code technologies were evolved from EPD. Between 1999 and 2003, EPD technology developed a lot and the current form of bar codes to identify products evolved out of it (Roberti, 2011). RFID tags and barcodes appear to be similar in its functioning. Both are used for identifying objects. At the same time there are certain differences in the functioning of barcodes and RFID tags. While bar codes need printed lines for identification, RFID tags needs nothing like that. RFID tags can be used to identify even distant objects whereas barcodes have limitations in doing so. Moreover RFID tags work much faster than barcodes. In short, bar codes and RFID tags have different uses and both are used for differ ent purposes. Components of RFID Tags/transponders, Readers/Antennas/transceivers, Middleware etc are the major components of RFID. Tags are the major part or heart of any RFID system. It stores information about the object being tracked in its memory. RFID readers read this information from the tag memory to identify the objects. Data transfer between tag and memory is taking place with the help of radio waves of suitable frequency. Readers and antennas are used for the transmission and reception of radio waves between tags and Middleware software. â€Å"Middleware software is responsible for data retrieving from readers, data filtering, monitoring of tags, storing tracking histories etc† (Overview of RFID Components, 2006, p.1-2). Tags or transponders consist of an integrated electronic circuit in which a capacitor is enclosed to send and receive signals from the object. The electronic circuit of the tag could be read only and in some cases it could be used to read or write information. Antennas are usually powered by batteries or usual power supply. These antennas will be connected to a laptop using wireless technologies so that the computer can send and receive instructions to it (Basic RFID Components, 2003). RFID tags are usually enclosed in a plastic container in order to avoid any damages to different climatic conditions. It is capable of reading signals from any objects irrespective of whether the objects are dirty or covered with paints or grease. The memory capacity of RFID tag can be even up to one

Reflectionson culture diversity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Reflectionson culture diversity - Essay Example This exposure to direct, first hand experience is the only way I have learned about cultural diversity, as there is limited education and training from school or healthcare institutions available. 2). Reflections: Cultural Aspects of Epidemiology( This subscale concerns practitioners’ knowledge of cultural, environmental and related etiologic factors that contribute to disease. It probes health disparity and risk and protective factors for underserved groups and communities. Part of the admission assessment in the questionnaire given to our patients that include etiologic factors that contributed to their disease as well as different indicators on well being. I learned that there is such a big difference between cultures. For example, majority of health concerns such as back pain, Cancer, Alzheimers’ disease, are from the Caucasian group which implies that their environment and lifestyles have something to do with it. Being aware of the factors that contribute to their disease is as important as knowing their cultural background. However, sensitivity and privacy should be considered when it comes to interviewing a patient during the admission process. Health care providers must be knowledgeable in asking the right questions without being offensive or else they might overlook related factors or symptoms of the prevailing condition making diagnosis and treatment more difficult. 3) Reflections: Clinical Decision-Making.( This subscale concerns practitioner’s knowledge of culturally-defined health beliefs and practices, and the ability to integrate this knowledge in approaches to health care delivery.It addresses intake, assessment,/diagnosis,treatment/discharge planning and use of community-based resources. Many factors affect clinical decision-making. Some cultures make decisions for treatment of the patient as a group consensus.