Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is a ethod of identifying unique items using radio waves that communicate between RFID tags and readers without line-of-sight readability. RFID technology provides great potential in many industries and a wide spectrum of possible uses. Areas of application include person identification, logistics, pharmaceutical, access control, security guard monitoring and asset management. One of the areas where RFID is being used and where it promises excellent results is the retail industry. While RFID systems have the potential to revolutionise the way products and goods are tracked and traced in the retail supply chain, barriers to its widespread adoption exist: for example; technical constraints, return on investment constraints, a lack of awareness and education and as well as privacy and security issues. The research aims to identify the barriers to the adoption of RFID and to investigate the perceptions of RFID held by members of the retail sector in South Africa (SA). Current research and available literature are used to identify RFID adoption barriers and a conceptual framework on this subject is proposed, which is then verified by SA retailers’ perceptions, established by means of a survey. Initial barriers to widespread adoption include a shortage in skills, a lack of standards, high costs associated with RFID devices, the difficulty of integrating with current legacy systems, and a lack of familiarity with the system. Finally, an enhanced framework is proposed, describing RFID adoption barriers within the South African retail sector. In summary, the framework is an outline of the barriers impacting RFID adoption in the SA retail sector that need to be considered and addressed. The framework identifies six categories of RFID adoption barriers, with each category containing two or more barriers relating to that particular category. These categories are Technological, Cost and return on investment, Privacy and security, Implementation, Organisational factors and People.

Surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors offer a wireless, passive sensor solution for use in numerous environments where wired sensing can be expensive and infeasible. Single carrier frequency SAW sensor embodiments such as delay lines, and resonators have been used in single sensor environments where sensor identification is not a necessity. The orthogonal frequency coded (OFC) SAW sensor tag embodiment developed at UCF uses a spread spectrum approach that allows interrogation in a multi-sensor environment and provides simultaneous sensing and sensor identi- fication. The SAW device is encoded via proper design of multiple Bragg reflectors at differing frequencies. To enable accurate device design, a model to predict reflectivity over a wide range of electrode metallization ratios and metal thicknesses has been developed and implemented in a coupling of modes (COM) model. The high coupling coefficient, reflectivity and temperature coefficient of delay (TCD) of YZ LiNbO3 makes it an ideal substrate material for a temperature sensor, and the reflectivity model has been developed and verified for this substrate. A new concept of pseudo-orthogonal frequency coded (POFC) SAW sensor tags has been investigated, and with proper design, the POFC SAW reduces device insertion loss and fractional bandwidth compared to OFC. OFC and POFC sensor devices have been fabricated at 250 MHz and 915 MHz using fundamental operation, and 500 MHz and 1.6 GHz using second harmonic operation. Measured device results are shown and compared with the COM simulations using the iii enhanced reflectivity model. Additionally, the first OFC devices at 1.05 GHz were fabricated on 128o YX LiNbO3 to explore feasibility of the material for future use in OFC sensor applications. Devices at 915 MHz have been fabricated on YZ LiNbO3 and integrated with an antenna, and have then been used in a transceiver system built by Mnemonics, Inc. to wirelessly sense temperature. The first experimental wireless POFC SAW sensor device results and predictions will be presented.

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Biometrics are widely used in identification systems, such as face, fingerprint, iris, etc. Polar code is the only code that can be strictly proved to achieve channel capacity, and it has been proved to be optimal for channel and source coding. In this degree project, our goal is to apply polar codes algorithms to biometric identification systems, and to design a biometric identification system with high identification accuracy, low system complexity, and good privacy preservation. This degree project has carried out specific and in-depth research in four aspects, following results are achieved: First, idea of polar codes is learnt, for example channel combination, channel splitting, successive cancellation decoding. The successive cancellation and successive cancellation list algorithm are also applied to encoding, which further realizes polar codes for source coding. Second, using autoencoder to process biometrics. Autoencoder is introduced to compress fingerprints into binary sequences of length 1024, it has 5 encoding layers and 12 decoding layers, achieved reconstruction error is 0.03. The distribution is close to Gaussian distribution, and compressed codes are quantized into binary sequences. Properties of sequences are similar with random sequences in terms of entropy, correlation, variance. Third, the identification system under Wyner-Ziv problem is studied with fingerprints. In enrollment phase, encoding algorithms are designed to compress biometrics, and in identification phase, decoding algorithms are designed to estimate the original sequence based on decoded results and noisy sequence. Maximum mutual information method is used to identify users. Results show that with smaller number of users, longer code length, smaller noise, then recognition error rate is lower. Fourth, human faces are used in the generated secret key system. After fully considering the trade off to achieve optimal results, in enrollment phase both public data and secure data are generated, in identification phase user’s index and secret key are estimated. A hierarchical structure is further studied. First, CNN is used to classify the age of faces, and then the generated secret key system is used for identification after narrowing the range. The system complexity is reduced by 80% and the identification accuracy is not reduced. / Biometriska kännetecken används i stor utsträckning i identifieringssystem, kännetecken såsom ansikte, fingeravtryck, iris, etc. Polär kod är den enda koden som strikt bevisats uppnå kanalkapacitet och den har visat sig vara optimal för kanal- och källkodning. Målet med detta examensarbete är att tillämpa polära kodalgoritmer på biometriska identifieringssystem, och att designa ett biometriskt identifieringssystem med hög identifieringsnoggrannhet, låg systemkomplexitet och bra integritetsskydd. Under examensarbetet har det genomförts specifik och djupgående forskning i fyra aspekter, följande resultat har uppnåtts: För det första introduceras idén om polära koder, till exempel kanalkombination, kanaluppdelning, successiv annulleringsavkodning. Algoritmerna för successiv annullering och successiv annulleringslista tillämpas även på kodning,vilket ytterligare realiserar polära koders användning för källkodning. För det andra används autoencoder för att bearbeta biometriska uppgifter. Autoencoder introduceras för att komprimera fingeravtryck till binära sekvenser med längden 1024, den har 5 kodningslager och 12 avkodningslager, det uppnådda rekonstruktionsfelet är 0,03. Fördelningen liknar en normaldistribution och komprimerade koder kvantiseras till binära sekvenser. Egenskaperna för sekvenserna liknar slumpmässiga sekvenser vad gäller entropi, korrelation, varians. För det tredje studeras identifieringssystemet under Wyner-Ziv-problemet med fingeravtryck. I inskrivningsfasen är kodningsalgoritmer utformade för att komprimera biometriska kännetecken, och i identifieringsfasen är avkodningsalgoritmer utformade för att estimera den ursprungliga sekvensen baserat på avkodade resultat och brusiga sekvenser. Maximal ömsesidig informationsmetod används för att identifiera användare. Resultaten visar att med ett mindre antal användare, längre kodlängd och mindre brus så är identifieringsfelfrekvensen lägre. För det fjärde används mänskliga ansikten i det genererade hemliga nyckelsystemet. Efter att noggrant ha övervägt kompromisser fullt ut för att uppnå det optimala resultatet genereras både offentlig data och säker data under registreringsfasen, i identifieringsfasen uppskattas användarens index och säkerhetsnyckel. En hierarkisk struktur studeras vidare. Först används CNN för att klassificera ålder baserat på ansikten och sedan används det genererade hemliga nyckelsystemet för identifiering efter att intervallet har begränsats. Systemkomplexiteten reduceras med 80% men identifieringsnoggrannheten reduceras inte.

Thesis ( M. Tech. (Business Administration )) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2014 / Fast and secure public service delivery is not only a necessity, but a compulsory endeavour. However, it is close to impossible to achieve such objectives without the use of Information Technology (IT). It is correspondingly important to find proper sustainability frameworks of technology. Organisations do not only need technology for efficient public service; the constant upgrading of systems and cautious migration to the newest IT developments is also equally indispensable in today’s dynamic technological world. Conversely, countries in Africa are always lagging behind in technological progresses. Such deficiencies have been identified in the passport processing of Lesotho and South Africa, where to unequal extents, problems related to systems of passport production have contributed to delays and have become fertile grounds for corrupt practices. The study seeks to identify the main impediments in the adoption of Management Information Systems (MIS) for passport processing. Furthermore, the study explores the impact MIS might have in attempting to combat long queues and to avoid long waiting periods – from application to issuance of passports to citizens. The reasonable time frame between passport application and issuance, and specific passport management systems, have been extensively discussed along with various strategies that have been adopted by some of the world’s first movers in modern passport management technologies. In all cases and stages of this research, Lesotho and South Africa are compared. The research approach of the study was descriptive and explorative in nature. As a quantitative design, a structured questionnaire was used to solicit responses in Lesotho and South Africa. It was established that both Lesotho and South Africa have somewhat similar problems – although, to a greater extent, Lesotho needs much more urgent attention. Although the processes of South Africa need to be improved, the Republic releases a passport much faster and more efficiently than Lesotho. Economic issues are also revealed by the study as unavoidable factors that always affect technological developments in Africa. The study reveals that the latest MIS for passport processing has facilitated modern, automated border-control systems and resultant e-passports that incorporate more biometric information of citizens to passports – thanks to modern RFID technologies. One can anticipate that this study will provide simple, affordable and secure IT solutions for passport processing. Key words: Information Technology (IT); Management Information Systems (MIS); E-Government; E-Passport; Biometrics; and RFID.

Thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Master's Degree of Technology: Information Technology, Durban University of Technology, 2008. / Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) allows for the wireless transfer of data between a small electronic transmitting tag and a reader without the necessity of line-of-sight. A feature of RFID, is that this read operation may occur over long distances and that multiple reads may occur. The aim of this study is to analyse the nature and extent of RFID adoption in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. The study fits within the theory of innovation diffusion and is concerned with issues around technology diffusion, adoption rates, and its associated critical success factors. The estimation of RFID diffusion rate in the study is based on a telephonic survey of 140 companies. The respondents were chosen from a marketing database that had extensive information on South African companies. Size was determined to be the selection criterion as the literature indicates that size is the most compelling concomitant to innovativeness. In this study, size was deemed to be companies that had more than 50 PC’s in one geographic unit, of the company, in KwaZulu-Natal. The key research result locates the RFID diffusion rate in KwaZulu-Natal to be around 19% which corresponds to points beyond the “chasm” as defined by innovation diffusion theory. The second phase of the study comprised the administration of a questionnaire to two groups of IT professionals with the aim of comparing perceptions and other characteristics between the two groups. The 140 respondents were asked to submit as many professional staff as they could for an in-depth interview. The result was that 21 companies submitted 30 candidates. This yielded the two groups: the Adopter sample with 14 respondents, and the non-adopter sample with 16 respondents. The analysis of results shows the two groups have similar views on many strategic factors such as privacy, security, cost and standards etc. Adopters perceive that the following factors impacts RFID adopting decisions more (than non-adopters): Turnover, Having labour cost savings, RFID ubiquity, It will take as long for my company to adopt RFID as it did for barcode, RFID cost awareness. On the other hand non-adopters felt that the following factor impacts non-adoption of RFID Technology unproven or immature, Human skills non-availability, Implementation costs, Corporate resistance, and, Support Concerns.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: RFID technology may be the most capable technology to address the track and trace requirements within the Agri-food supply chain. RFID technology has become a prominent research area in recent times, with multiple benefits being promised and envisaged. The list of applications and deployments within the supply chain is numerous, with the ambassadors of this technology promising increased supply chain effectiveness, inventory management capabilities and enhanced information visibility. Deregulations within the South African citrus industry created changes to the internal structure of the industry, with the requirements of enhanced information visibility for traceability becoming a high priority. Current information structures and initiatives are providing the basic requirements for the changing business environment, with limitations to real-time and visible information for improved decision-making and planning initiatives. The purpose of this exploratory study was to identify the critical success factors for RFID technology deployment in supply chains in general and to identify the critical success factors relevant to the South African citrus industry. The study also researched the benefits and challenges of deploying RFID technology within the South African citrus industry, relating to citrus supply chain performance improvements of RFID adoption. The research indicates that certain limitations and challenges pertinent to the citrus industry exist, which would require industry level priority for successful implementation of RFID technology within the South African citrus industry. This study provides the South African citrus industry with a guideline to address the current non-collective management of information, information systems and requirements and collaboration initiatives. The use of this research should be of great assistance to the South African citrus industry role-players by providing a strategic framework for addressing information improvement initiatives. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: RFID tegnologie kan moontlik die mees bevoegde tegnologie wees om die naspeurbaarheid vereistes van n Agri-voedsel voorsiening ketting aan te spreek. RFID tegnologie is huidiglik 'n prominente navorsingsgebied, met beloofde meervoudige voordele. Die lys van aanwendings en toepassings binne die voorsiening ketting is veelvoudig, met beloftes van die ambassadeurs van die tegnologie, vir verbeterde voorsienings ketting doeltreffendheid, inventaris bestuur en verhoogde inligtings sigbaarheid. Deregulasie van die Suid Afrikaanse sitrus industrie het interne strukturuele veranderinge in die industrie teweeg gebring, met prioriteit fokus vir verhoogde inligting sigbaarheid vir naspeurbaarheid doeleindes. Huidige inligting strukture en initiatiewe verskaf die basiese grondslag vir die deurlopende veranderende besigheids omgewing, met intyd en sigbaarheids inligtings beperkinge, vir verbeterde besluitneming en beplanning initiatiewe. Die doel van die ondersoekende studies was om die generiese kritieke sukses faktore van RFID tegnologie implementering en die kritieke sukses faktore direk verwant tot die Suid Afrikaanse sitrus industrie te identifiseer. Die studie het ook die voordele en uitdagings van RFID implementering binne die Suid Afrikaanse sitrus industrie nagevors, spesifiek verwant tot die prestasie verbeterings van RFID implementering in die sitrus voorsienings ketting. Die navorsing dui aan dat sekere beperkinge en uitdagings spesifiek tot die sitrus industrie bestaan wat industrie vlak prioriteit vereis, vir suksevolle implementasie van RFID tegnologie binne die Suid Afrikaanse sitrus industrie. Die resultate van die studie verskaf die Suid Afrikaanse sitrus industrie met 'n riglyn om die uitdagings van die huidige nie-kollektiewe bestuur van inligting, inligting stelsels en vereistes en samewerkings initiatiewe aan te spreek. Die gebruik van die navorsing behoort van groot waarde te wees vir die rolspelers van die Suid Afrikaanse sitrus industrie, in die verskaffing van 'n strategiese raamwerk vir die aanspreking van inligting verbeterings intiatiewe.

This research address the problem of inferring, through Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tracking data, the graph structures underlying social interactions in a group of rhesus macaques (a species of monkey). These social interactions are considered as independent affiliative and dominative components and are characterized by a variety of visual and auditory displays and gestures. Social structure in a group is an important indicator of its members’ relative level of access to resources and has interesting implications for an individual’s health. Automatic inference of the social structure in an animal group enables a number of important capabilities, including: 1. A verifiable measure of how the social structure is affected by an intervention such as a change in the environment, or the introduction of another animal, and 2. A potentially significant reduction in person hours normally used for assessing these changes. The behaviors of interest in the context of this research are those definable using the macaques’ spatial (x,y,z) position and motion inside an enclosure. Periods of time spent in close proximity with other group members are considered to be events of passive interaction and are used in the calculation of an Affiliation Matrix. This represents the strength of undirected interaction or tie-strength between individual animals. Dominance is a directed relation that is quantified using a heuristic for the detection of withdrawal and displacement behaviors. The results of an analysis based on these approaches for a group of 6 male monkeys that were tracked over a period of 60 days at the Yerkes Primate Research Center are presented in this Thesis.

The objective of this work is to enhance and advance sensing technologies with the design and development of novel radio frequency (RF) sensors based on far-field and near-field principles of the electromagnetic (EM) resonances. In the first part of this thesis, original design and development of a passive RF temperature sensor, a passive RF strain sensor, and a passive RF pressure sensor are presented. The RF temperature sensor is presented in Chapter 3. It is based on split ring resonators loaded with bimorph cantilevers. Its operating principles and equivalent circuits are discussed in Chapter 4, where the design concept is illustrated to be robust and highly adaptable to different sensing ranges, environments, and applicable to other type of sensing beyond temperatures. The passive RF strain sensor, based on a patch antenna loaded with a cantilever-integrated open loop, is presented in Chapter 5, where it is demonstrated to have the highest strain sensitivity in the same remote and passive class of sensors in the state-of-the-art. Chapter 6 describes the passive RF pressure sensor, which is based on a dual-band stacked-patch antenna that allows both identification and sensing to be embedded in its unique dual resonant responses. In the second part of this thesis, an original and first-of-its-kind RF transducer is presented that enables non-touch sensing of human fingers within 3 cm of proximity (based on one unit sensor cell). The RF transducer is based on a slotted microstrip patch coupled to a half-wavelength parallel-coupled microstrip filter operating in the frequency range of 6 – 8 GHz. The sensing mechanism is based on the EM near-field coupling between the resonator and the human finger. Fundamentally different from the electric field capacitive sensing, this new method of sensing, the first of its kind, based on near-field interference that produces a myriad of nonlinearities in the sensing response, can introduce new capabilities for the interface of electronic displays (the detection is based on pattern recognition). What set this sensor and its platform apart from previous proximity sensors and microwave sensing platforms is the low profile planar structure of the system, and its compatibility with mobile applications. The thesis provides both breadth and depth in the proposed design and development and thus presenting a complete research in its contributions to RF sensing.

This dissertation deals with the challenge of power utility in South Africa which is on proactive detection of fallen power line conductors and real time sagging measurement together with slipping of such conductors. Various methods which are currently used for sag detection were characterized and evaluated to the aim of the research. A mathematical reconstruction done to estimate the lowest point of the conductor in a span is presented. Practical simulations and application of radio frequency identification (RFID) for sag detection is attempted through matlab software. RFID radar system is then analyzed in different modes and found to give precision measurement for sag in real time as opposed to global positioning system (GPS) if one dimension of the tag assumed fixed on the power line. Lastly errors detected on the measurements are corrected using a trainable artificial neural network. A conclusion is made by making recommendations in the advancement of the research. / Electrical Engineering / M. Tech. (Electrical Engineering)