Active RFID tag reader authentication using fast fourier transforms of fixed frequency signals and spectrum analysis

• Main Authors: Almera, Jeimee S., Sumaya, Xavier John S., Velasco, Patrick Ian B.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2013
• Subjects: Radio frequency identification systems; Fourier analysis; Frequency spectra; Spectrum analysis
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/9856
• Institution: De La Salle University

RFID is an identification process that is very fast, cheap, uses very little space and does not require line of sight that can someday, replace existing identification methods such as barcodes, QR codes and manual ID inspections. Because of these advantages, RFID is a fast growing field and many institutions are currently shifting to the use of RFID. The researchers maximized this opportunity to address problems regarding privacy and security and contributes to the already existing body of knowledge that addresses such concerns. This thesis paper is about how the researches designed a mediator between an active RFID tag and a reader by using fixed frequency signals as authenticating signals and a MATLAB program that does the authentication. Once authenticated, an external hardware triggers the supply for the active RFID tag, causing it to transmit normally. Through the researchers' experiment, it can be concluded that the scheme is indeed possible and although it still needs major improvements over the cost, size and speed of the current system, the system is still functional and is capable of making generic active RFIDs more secure.