Sewer and oil pipeline spillage issues have become major causes of pollution in urban and rural areas usually caused by blockages in the water storage and drainage system, and oil spillage of underground oil pipelines. An effective way of avoiding this problem will be by deploying some mechanism to monitor these installations at each point in time and reporting unusual liquid activity to the relevant authorities for prompt action to avoid a flooding or spillage occurrence. This research work presents a low cost energy efficient liquid level monitoring technique using Radio Frequency Identification Technology. Passive UHF RFID tags have been designed, modelled and optimized. A simple rectangular tag, the P-shaped tag and S-shaped tag with UHF band frequency of operation (850-950 MHz) has been designed and modelled. Detailed parametric analysis of the rectangular tag is made and the optimised design results analysed and presented in HFSS and Matlab. The optimised rectangular tag designs are then deployed as level sensors in a gully pot. Identical tags were deployed to detect 4 distinct levels in alternate positions and a few inches in seperation distance within the gully pot height (Low, Mid, High and Ultra high). The radiation characteristic of tag sensors in deployment as modelled on HFSS is observed to show consistent performance with application requirements. An in-manhole chamber antenna for an underground communication system is analysed, designed, deployed and measured. The antenna covers dual-band impedance bandwidths (i.e. 824 to 960 MHz, and 1710 to 2170 MHz). The results show that the antenna prototype exhibits sufficient impedance bandwidth, suitable radiation characteristics, and adequate gains for the required underground wireless sensor applications. Finally, a Linearly Shifted Quadrifilar Helical Antenna (LSQHA) designed using Genetic Algorithm optimisation technique for adoption as an RFID reader antenna is proposed and investigated. The new antenna confirms coverage of the RFID bandwidth 860-960 MHz with acceptable power gain of 13.1 dBi. / Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA).

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Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a new technology which allows people to identify objects automatically but there is a suspicion that, if people are tracked, their privacy may be infringed. This raises questions about how far this technology is acceptable and how privacy should be protected. It is also initiated a discussion involving a wide range of technical, philosophical, political, social, cultural, and economical aspects. There is also a need to consider the ethical and theological perspectives. This dissertation takes all its relevant directions from a Judeo-Christian theological perspective. On one side the use of technology is considered, and on the other side the value of privacy, its infringements and protection are investigated. According to Jewish and Christian understanding human dignity has to be respected including the right to privacy. As a consequence of this RFID may only used for applications that do not infringe this right. This conclusion, however, is not limited to RFID; it will be relevant for other, future surveillance technologies as well. / Philosophy & Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Theological ethics)

This study investigated the factors, best practice, advantages and disadvantages that influence the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) self-help circulation services for service delivery by South African academic libraries with specific emphasis on the University of South Africa (Unisa) Library. Unisa Library Services is the only library service in South Africa that has implemented a fully-fledged RFID self-help circulation service. There must therefore be reasons why other libraries in South Africa have not implemented this type of service. Accordingly, a need was identified to investigate the aspects that should be considered before a library decides to implement such a circulation service. There was also a need to identify the factors, best practice, advantages and disadvantages that influence the use of RFID self-help circulation services. The study gives a brief overview of RFID technology and its use in libraries internationally with specific emphasis on its use for self-help circulation purposes. Through a literature study, certain factors, best practice, advantages and disadvantages that influence the use of RFID self-help circulation services were identified. The identified factors, best practice, advantages and disadvantages were subsequently used to compile questionnaires to obtain information from Unisa library users (students and staff). Only Unisa staff and students who were situated close to Unisa campuses with RFID self-help circulation services were included in the study. During the analysis of the data collected additional factors, best practice, advantages and disadvantages were identified. Recommendations were compiled regarding the factors, best practice, advantages and disadvantages that influence the use of RFID self-help circulation services. These recommendations are meant as a guide for South African libraries when making decisions on the possible implementation and use of RFID self-help circulation services. / Information Science / M.A. (Information Science)

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a new technology which allows people to identify objects automatically but there is a suspicion that, if people are tracked, their privacy may be infringed. This raises questions about how far this technology is acceptable and how privacy should be protected. It is also initiated a discussion involving a wide range of technical, philosophical, political, social, cultural, and economical aspects. There is also a need to consider the ethical and theological perspectives. This dissertation takes all its relevant directions from a Judeo-Christian theological perspective. On one side the use of technology is considered, and on the other side the value of privacy, its infringements and protection are investigated. According to Jewish and Christian understanding human dignity has to be respected including the right to privacy. As a consequence of this RFID may only used for applications that do not infringe this right. This conclusion, however, is not limited to RFID; it will be relevant for other, future surveillance technologies as well. / Philosophy and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Theological ethics)

A utilização de etiquetas RFID UHF passivas para localização indoor vem sendo amplamente estudada devido ao seu baixo custo. Porém ainda existe uma grande dificuldade em obter bons resultados, principalmente devido à variação de rádio frequência em ambientes que possuem materiais reflexivos, como por exemplo, metais e vidros. Esta pesquisa propõe uma arquitetura de localização para ambientes indoor utilizando etiquetas RFID UHF passivas e técnicas de mineração de dados. Com a aplicação da arquitetura em ambiente real foi possível identificar a posição exata de objetos com a precisão de aproximadamente cinco centímetros e em tempo real. A arquitetura se demonstrou uma eficiente alternativa para implantação de sistemas de localização indoor, além de apresentar uma técnica de derivação de atributos diretos que contribui efetivamente para os resultados finais. / The use of passive UHF RFID tags for indoor location has been widely studied due to its low cost. However, there is still a great difficulty to reach good results, mainly due the radio frequency variation in environments that have materials with reflective surfaces, such as metal and glass. This research proposes a localization architecture for indoor environments using passive UHF RFID tags and data mining techniques. With the application of the architecture in real environment, it was possible to identify the exact position of objects with the precision of approximately five centimeters and in real time. The architecture has demonstrated an efficient alternative for the implantation of indoor localization systems, besides presenting a derivation technique of direct attributes that contributes effectively to the final results.

A utilização de etiquetas RFID UHF passivas para localização indoor vem sendo amplamente estudada devido ao seu baixo custo. Porém ainda existe uma grande dificuldade em obter bons resultados, principalmente devido à variação de rádio frequência em ambientes que possuem materiais reflexivos, como por exemplo, metais e vidros. Esta pesquisa propõe uma arquitetura de localização para ambientes indoor utilizando etiquetas RFID UHF passivas e técnicas de mineração de dados. Com a aplicação da arquitetura em ambiente real foi possível identificar a posição exata de objetos com a precisão de aproximadamente cinco centímetros e em tempo real. A arquitetura se demonstrou uma eficiente alternativa para implantação de sistemas de localização indoor, além de apresentar uma técnica de derivação de atributos diretos que contribui efetivamente para os resultados finais. / The use of passive UHF RFID tags for indoor location has been widely studied due to its low cost. However, there is still a great difficulty to reach good results, mainly due the radio frequency variation in environments that have materials with reflective surfaces, such as metal and glass. This research proposes a localization architecture for indoor environments using passive UHF RFID tags and data mining techniques. With the application of the architecture in real environment, it was possible to identify the exact position of objects with the precision of approximately five centimeters and in real time. The architecture has demonstrated an efficient alternative for the implantation of indoor localization systems, besides presenting a derivation technique of direct attributes that contributes effectively to the final results.

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.