Think Innovation

Think RFID
Contents
RFID Explained
Introduction 4

Where is RFID used? 6

Implementing/Deploying RFID 7

The Use of RFID 9

Research Activities
Queen’s University Belfast 18

University of Ulster 20

Case Studies
Ulster Carpets (Compete) 24

Kilpatrick (PPD) 25

Ashdale Engineering (SMART) 27

Invest NI and R&D Financial Assistance

START Programme 30

Compete Programme 31

Product and Process Development Programme 32

Knowledge Transfer Partnership Programme 33

SMART Award 34

Managment Information System Programme (MIS) 35

Business Improvement Training Programme 36

RFID Explained

Introduction
Introduction to Radio Frequency
(RF)
Radio frequency (RF) refers to electromagnetic
waves that have a wavelength suited for use
in radio communication. Radio waves are
classified by their frequencies, which are
expressed in kilohertz, megahertz or gigahertz.
Radio frequencies range from very low frequency
(VLF), which has a range of 10 to 30 kHz,
to extremely high frequency (EHF) which has
a range of 30 to 300 GHz. RF Technology is
used in many different applications, such as
television, radio, mobile phones, radar and
automatic identification systems.
Introduction to Microwave
(MW)
The electromagnetic spectrum shown in the
figure below covers a wide range of waves with
different properties depending on the frequency,
f, of the wave. The wavelength, Ï is related to
frequency through the speed of propagation
(c = Ï·f) where c equals the speed of light in
free space.
Microwaves are usually defined as electromagnetic
waves in the frequency region from 300 MHz
to 30 GHz. This means that the wavelength in
free space has the same order of size as the
components used for generation and detection
of microwaves.

RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. There are both active and passive tags.

It uses radio frequency to identify objects. In its Passive tags do not have their own energy source,

most basic form, RFID requires two components: they are activated by the radio frequency field

from the antenna of the RFID reader. These chips

• a Radio Signal Transponder, or tag, that is

are intended for use in the consumer goods

attached to an object and contains identifying

industry and the trade sector.

information about the object to which it is

attached and an antenna to communicate Active tags have a power supply, which means data

that information via radio waves; stored can be read at a much greater distance.

• a reader, which creates a radio frequency field Many toll systems, for example, function on

that detects radio waves to obtain information this principle. See Appendix 1 and 2 for

in a tag. further information.

In an RFID system, there is no line of sight

requirement for product identification because
the tags do not need to be seen by a scanner.

Some form of number code is generally stored

on the transponder. It encrypts information
which is recorded in a database for access by
authorised users. International organisations
such EPCglobal are working to establish uniform
worldwide standards for this number code.

Where is RFID used?

RFID is already widely used across a broad range of industries. This table shows some RFID applications.

Industry Sector Specific Use Examples

Retail • Track and trace
• Product recalls
• Streamlined shipping and receiving
• Automated invoice reconciliation
• Shrinkage reduction
• Improved demand planning
Healthcare • Red Cross: monitoring blood banks
• Hospitals: monitoring medication routes from medicine cabinet to patient
• Pharmacy: drug recall (product pedigree)
• Prescription drugs: identifying counterfeit or falsely labelled medications
Logistics • Asset utilization: asset (e.g., containers, trucks, etc.) management,
tracking and maintenance
• Improving operational efficiencies: volume planning and automated
data capture through shipping route
• Safety and security: shipment route tracing and positive identification
of package contents
• Automated customs
Automotive • Capital asset management: container and tool management
• Part tracking: inventory management; assembly; theft control;
brand authentication; distribution; recall; recycling
• Vehicle related: car identification; access control; tire pressure
Food Industry • Mad Cow Disease/Bird Flu: cow/bird pedigree, herd/flock history
and details about the release into the food chain (Traceability)
• Restaurants: responding to outbreaks of food poisoning
Department of Defence • Supplies and materials management: track and trace;
streamlined receiving; etc.
• Military assets management: asset utilisation, tracking and maintenance
Security/Policing • Passport
• ID’s
• Criminal tracking
Airline • Baggage handling

Implementing/
Deploying RFID
RFID is a technology from which many uses
and applications can be found that can add
value to a business. It also requires special skills.
Several companies in Northern Ireland have
already adopted and implemented RFID
successfully. Success stories are included
later in this document.
Both local universities have extensive experience
in RFID ranging fundamental research and design
to application. Queen’s University Belfast and
University of Ulster are the best source to supply
RFID skills to the local industry. Their laboratories
can be used to analyse and characterise devices.
The first step in deploying RFID is to map out
requirements and to consider if other technologies
may be more suitable. A. SWOT analysis can
help to tease out requirements.
Some organisations will factor RFID into their
strategy, as RFID can be seen as part of the
Six Sigma process of continuous improvement.
The most important factor to any organisation
is Return on Investment.
7
To successfully implement/deploy RFID the
following should be considered:
• Planning
Careful planning is essential to ensure that
the organisation benefits and to avoid risks.
It will require creation of a new policy to adopt
the technology. Communication, education
and training plans must also be in pace.
• Physics
Physics is a very important factor in the
implementation process. Selecting the right
hardware (tags, reader, range of frequencies,
number of reader etc) and designing the
software are crucial. Therefore, the design
stage and understanding the business model
are important factors for decision making
exercises. It is essential to identify/select
the right partner to supply the hardware
to provide the right solution.
• Pilot
The pilot phase is critical. This phase is a test
for project planning. It is important to carry
out pilot trials before full scale implementation,
in order to ensure that the hardware and
software works to plan. This phase can be
used as a training step to familiarise staff
with the technology prior to full deployment.
It is essential to review the design and
specification at this stage.
• Production
The production phase or full scale phase is
the methodical scaling up of a well designed
system. If the Planning and Pilot phases were
completed with clear objectives and goals in
mind, the implementation process can be
very smooth. Project management coupled
with clear goals is a key factor. Contingency
and flexibility need to be built into the project
as this technology is new to most companies.

ODIN technologies developed the following

model to implement/deploy RFID solution.

Figure 1, illustrates 4 Ps to deploy RFID

technology - source ODIN technologies.

8
The Use of RFID
The Use of RFID and its applications in
manufacturing, logistics and supply chain
management, retailing etc.
RFID is a flexible technology that is convenient,
easy to use, and well-suited for automatic operation.
It combines advantages not available with other
identification technologies. RFID can be supplied
as read-only or read/write, does not require
contact or line-of-sight to operate, can function
under a variety of environmental conditions,
and provides a high level of data integrity.
In addition, because the technology is difficult to
counterfeit, RFID provides a high level of security.
RFID is similar in concept to bar coding. Bar code
systems use a reader and coded labels that are
attached to an item, whereas RFID uses a reader
and special RFID devices that are attached to
an item. Bar code uses optical signals to transfer
information from the label to the reader;
RFID uses RF signals to transfer information
from the RFID device to the reader.
Radio waves transfer data between an item
to which an RFID device is attached and an
RFID reader. The device can contain data about
the item, such as what the item is, what time
the device travelled through a certain zone,
perhaps even a parameter such as temperature.
RFID devices, such as a tag or label, can be
attached to virtually anything – from a vehicle
to a pallet of merchandise.
The once obscure acronym RFID (Radio Frequency
IDentification, the use of electromagnetic waves
to identify a physical object) has recently been
in the news in many contexts. In this document,
we will try to explain how that single acronym
is used for a number of different, but related,
technologies with distinct characteristics,
and examine some of the unique analog and RF
problems encountered in designing RFID systems.
• Unlike the barcode where identification is
limited by line-of-sight, RFID technology and
its reliance on radio waves does not require
a line-of-sight for identification or a straight-
line alignment between the tags and readers.
• As new applications develop, the technology
will continue to evolve. Growth beyond today’s
user-specific systems will occur as RFID is
deployed across the marketplace and the
related hardware and software achieve
a high degree of harmonization.
Opportunities
• As the technology matures and applications
proliferate, RFID will facilitate global commerce
and spur innovation and competitiveness.
• RFID technology increases visibility and
accountability in the supply chain. RFID will
allow manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers
to efficiently collect, manage, distribute,
and store information on inventory, business
processes, and security controls.

Challenges • The collection and use of personally identifiable

• As is common with emerging technologies,
several challenges must be overcome for
the technology to mature to its full potential.
In the case of RFID, these challenges include:
information through RFID technologies
represents a key public policy challenge to
the deployment and use of RFID technologies.
Much of this concern is with the collection,

maturation of RFID technology, harmonization use, and storage of the data rather than the

of standards for hardware/software and technology itself. Industry-driven solutions

wireless spectrum operations, privacy and are beginning to include a combination of

security concerns, and implementation operational guidelines, technical solutions,

cost barriers. As these technical and policy and educational campaigns.

challenges are addressed, RFID will likely

An RFID system consists of tag, antenna and reader,
become the system of choice for
which is illustrated below.
global commerce.

• Interoperability across various RFID systems,

companies, and countries is critical to achieving
wide-scale deployment of RFID technology.
Development of technical standards for tags,
readers, and interface systems; and allocation
of operational limits for frequency and
transmission power will determine global
interoperability.

• Initial system and implementation costs

are still being refined; in the near-term
this could prove to be an impediment to
large-scale adoption. Within small and
medium-sized enterprises, although RFID
provides them with new opportunities to
compete in the global market, limited budgets,
lack of in-house expertise, and a lack of access
to new technologies could act as barriers
to adoption.
Antenna
Each RFID system includes at least one antenna
to transmit and receive the RF signals. In some
systems, a single antenna transmits and
receives the signals; in other systems, one
antenna transmits and one antenna receives
the signals. The quantity and type of antennas
used depend on the application.

10

Reader
The RFID reader directs the RF transceiver to
transmit RF signals, receives the encoded signal
from the tag through the RF transceiver,
decodes the tag’s identification, and transmits
the identification with any other data from the
tag to the host computer. The reader may also
provide other functions. The user can change
or customise the reader’s operations to suit
a specific requirement by issuing commands
through the host computer or a local terminal.
Tag
RFID ‘tags’ are tiny microchips, in some cases
as small as a grain of sand, which hold unique
data identifying the object tagged. These tags,
which have a small antenna attached, are read
remotely by an RFID reader. Depending on
the radio frequency used and the type of tag,
RFID tags can be read in some instances up
to several kilometres away, although it is more
typical for RFID to be used in situations where
shorter transmission distances are adequate.
Tags can be passive (activated when read)
or active, equipped with their own micro-battery
and a transmitter.
An RFID device that did not actively transmit
to a reader was known as a tag. An RFID device
that actively transmitted to a reader was known
as a transponder (Transmitter + responder).
11
However, it has become common within the
industry to interchange the terminology and refer
to these devices as either tags or transponders.
For the purposes of this overview, an RFID device
that actively transmits to a reader is termed an
“active” tag; an RFID device that only reflects
or backscatters transmission from a reader
is termed “passive.”
The tags are programmed with data that identifies
the item to which the tag is attached. Tags can
be either read -only, volatile read/write, or write
one/read many (WORM) and can be either active
or passive. In general, active tags use batteries
to power the tag transmitter (radio) and receiver.
These tags usually contain a greater number
of components than do passive tags.
Therefore, active tags are usually larger in
size and are more expensive than passive tags.
In addition, the life of an active tag is directly
related to battery life.
Passive tags can be either battery or
non-battery operated, as determined by the
intended applications. Passive tags reflect the
RF signal transmitted to them from a reader or
transceiver and add information by modulating
the reflected signal. A passive tag does not use a
battery to boost the energy of the reflected signal.
A passive tag may use a battery to maintain
memory in the tag or power the electronics that
enable the tag to modulate the reflected signal.

Passive Tag
Passive tags have neither a battery nor a
radio transmitter. Power to operate the tag IC
is obtained by rectifying RF energy intercepted
by the tag antenna. The IC power required is
typically some 10s to a few hundred microwatts,
greatly in excess of the threshold for detection
for a conventional radio link operating at similar
data rates. Thus the forward-link-limited range
of a passive tag is a few meters to perhaps
15 meters depending on the radiated power
and antenna gain.
A parallel channel with shorter time constants
rectifies part of the received signal to extract
the amplitude-modulated information from the
reader. Since there is no coherent frequency
conversion and limited amplification available,
tag receive sensitivity is also greatly inferior
to that of a conventional radio, but expensive
and power-hungry components required by a
conventional receiver (synthesizer, mixer, LNA, etc.)
are avoided. Finally, the tag does not transmit its
own signal to the reader, but simply modulates
the signal that its antenna backscatters by
changing the antenna impedance.
In this fashion, the tag need only provide a
switching function operating at a modest rate
comparable to the data rate (a few hundred Kbps),
rather than requiring oscillators, amplifiers,
and mixers operating at 900 MHz.
12
However, the resulting power received at the
reader is dependent on the fourth rather than
the second power of the distance: Prec ? (1/r4),
and falls off very rapidly, so that receive-limited
range may also be only a few 10s of meters.
The limited power available to the IC also limits
the amount of information that can be stored
and the amount of computational power available:
passive tags can’t be expected to deal with
the array of methods used in conventional
radios to ameliorate noise and fading,
such as interleaving, convolution coding,
or phase-shift-keyed modulations.
The benefit obtained from all the sacrifices in
performance is a considerable reduction in cost
and complexity: commercial tags are available
today at costs as low as US$0.20 in volume,
with a plausible path to costs of less than US$0.10.
Passive tags are small and thin, and can be
embedded in adhesive labels and other unobtrusive
structures, and since they have no battery they
are maintenance-free and have long field lifetimes.
Active Tag
Active tags are architecturally-conventional radios,
using a battery to power a transmitter and receiver
and well as the IC. The resulting performance
improvements allow for ranges of hundreds
of meters in unlicensed outdoor operation,

but size and cost are considerably higher than
passive tags, making active tags appropriate
only for marking of expensive assets or
tracking of people. To minimize power usage,
active tags often transmit infrequent short bursts,
using pseudo noise-coded schemes similar to
code-division multiplexing (CDMA) techniques
employed in cellular telephony.
Semi-passive tags can be integrated with
sensing capability. However, batteries must
be replaced periodically. Battery life of up to
five years is achieved by careful design and
low-power signal-present detection so that
most of the circuitry is off when no interrogator
is present. Semi-passive tags are much larger
and more expensive than passive tags.

These brief bursts allow for accurate time-of arrival Passive

measurements and therefore precise location of
the transmitter if multiple receivers are available;
active tags are often used to provide both
identity and location of valuable assets such
as shipping containers in outdoor storage yards.
Because they are powered, active tags can have
large memory capacities and may also store
shipping manifests and provide sophisticated Semi-Active

sensing and timestamp capability.

Semi-Active Tag

Semi-passive (or semi-active) tags are

equipped with a battery to provide power
for the integrated circuit(s), but still use
backscattered communications to avoid
Active

a radio transmitter. Semi-passive tags can

achieve longer ranges, generally limited by
reader receive sensitivity: 10s to as much as
100 meters are realistic. Read reliability is
greatly enhanced, since the tag no longer
depends on the reader to remain powered.

13

RFID System in Operation
(System Integration)
Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a
general term for technology that uses radio
waves to automatically identify individual items.
RFID has been around since World War Two;
however, it was long considered too expensive
and too limited to be practical for many
commercial applications until recently.
Mandates for its use from major retailers
and the US Department of Defense have
increased the awareness of RFID from
both vendors and users.
This increased awareness will likely expand
the uses of RFID technology and, consequently,
improve the economies of it – thus overcoming
both earlier objections.
RFID technology in the manufacturing
environment offers the potential to enhance the
use of bar coding in several ways. RFID systems
can withstand extreme heat, cold and even
chemical exposure. The tag can be read
through up to two inches of non-metallic debris,
including paint, plastic, cloth, wood and concrete.
RFID tags also increases efficiency because
direct line-of-site between the tag and the
reader is not required.
This white paper expands on each of these
topics by providing a basic overview of RFID
14
technology, further discussing how RFID and
bar coding work together and introducing the
steps required to meet RFID compliance.
At its most basic, an RFID system consists of
three components: a tag, an interrogator and
software to control the data flowing through
the system.
The tag, or “transponder”, generates electrical
signals that are interpreted by the interrogator,
or “reader”. The interrogator not only receives
the signals, but may also activate them within
the tag. That’s why an interrogator is a multi­
component system: “transceiver”, RF antenna(s)
and computer chip. The transceiver activates
the tag and receives the information from it via
the antenna. In some cases, one antenna transmits
the signals to activate the tag and a separate
antenna receives the data from the tag.
The chip decodes the data before it
is transmitted to the host computer.
The software transforms the data into information
describing the goods and orders that are
represented by the tags. Software also controls
whether data should be written, which tag should
contain the data and initiates the process of
writing data to the tag.
Tags, themselves, can be divided into two groups
– active and passive. Active tags contain a battery,

which enables them to transmit data to
the transceiver. Passive tags do not contain
a battery, so they depend on the transceiver
for activation. Both active and passive tags
possess either read/write or read-only functionality.
Read-only tags usually function like licence plates
by identifying the object and pointing to more
specific information stored in a database.
Read/write tags allow the information stored on
the tag to be edited, locked or completely erased,
which makes them re-usable. Read/write tags
also store more information on the tag and
may not require a database lookup or any
contact with an external system.
RFID versus Barcodes
RFID is not necessarily ‘better’ than bar codes.
The two are different technologies and have
different applications, which sometimes overlap.
The major difference between the two is that
bar codes depend on line-of-sight technology.
That is, a scanner has to have direct contact
with the bar code to read it, which means the
bar code has to be oriented towards a scanner
in order to be read.
Alternatively, RFID tags can be read anywhere
within range of a reader. Bar code labels are
also more fragile than RFID tags. If a bar code
label is ripped, soiled or falls off, there is no
way to scan the item. Standard bar codes
15
identify only the manufacturer and product,
not the unique item. The bar code on a bread
wrapper is the same as every other; however,
each loaf of bread could have a unique RFID
tag, making it easier to determine freshness.
Another key advantage that RFID provides over
bar codes is due to the inherent technology.
Radio waves travel through most non-metallic
materials, so RFID tags can be embedded in
packaging or encased in protective plastic for
weatherproofing and greater durability. RFID
tags also have microchips that can store a
unique serial number for every product
manufactured around the world.
Radio Frequency Ranges
Just as different radio channels have different
frequencies, RFID tags and interrogators have to
be tuned to the same frequency to communicate.
Radio waves behave differently at different
frequencies. The most common frequencies
for RFID systems are low- (around 125 KHz),
high- (13.56 MHz) and ultra-high frequency,
or UHF (850-900 MHz). Some applications
even use microwave (2.45 GHz). Europe uses
868 MHz for UHF, and the U.S. uses 915 MHz.
Japan currently does not allow any use of
the UHF spectrum for RFID.
Because RFID systems generate and radiate
electromagnetic waves, they are legally classified

as radio systems. The function of other radio
services must under no circumstances be
disrupted or impaired by the operation of
RFID systems. It is particularly important
to ensure that RFID systems do not interfere
with nearby radio and television, mobile services
(police, security services, ambulance services,
industry etc), marine and aeronautical radio
services and mobile telephone.
Governments regulate the power of the
interrogators to limit interference with other
devices. The variety of interrogators available
today reflects the variety of environments in
which they are installed:
• Portals: Dock doors and transfer tunnels,
conveyors, palletisers, etc. that use fixed
devices in which RFID labels are read
• Portables: Forklifts, mobile carts, hand-helds,
etc. that provide mobility
16
Tag and reader makers are also trying to
develop systems that can work at more than one
frequency to overcome the interference issues.
Each frequency has different characteristics that
make it more useful for specific applications.
Low-frequency tags are ideal for scanning
objects with high-water content, such as fruit,
at close range.
This is because they are less expensive than
ultra high frequency (UHF) tags, use less power
and are better able to penetrate non-metallic
substances. On the other hand, UHF tags might
be better for scanning boxes of goods as they
pass through a bay door into a warehouse.
This is because UHF frequencies typically
offer better range and can transfer data faster.
However, they use more power and are less likely
to pass through materials. They also require
a clear path between the tag and reader.

Research Activities

Research activities in RF and its applications at the

Queen’s University Belfast and University of Ulster.

17

Queen’s University
Belfast
The Institute of Electronics, Communications and
Information Technology (ECIT) was established
in 2003 to commercialise world-level expertise
in a variety of digital communications
technologies at the School of Electronics,
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
at Queen’s University Belfast.
Its four research clusters cover areas such
as broadband wireless communications,
electronic data security, image and speech
processing, telecommunications software and
antenna design for mobile communications.
18
The Institute’s 14,000 m2 headquarters building
houses state-of-the-art laboratories, offices
and one of the largest RF (microwave and
millimetre wave) anechoic chambers in Ireland.
It is staffed by 120 academics, senior research staff,
post-doctoral fellows, research students and
administrators. Among them are 40 highly
qualified industrial and academic researchers
recruited from around the globe. In addition,
TDK - the Japanese electronics company -
has located a six person R&D unit in the building.
Located at the Northern Ireland Science Park
in Belfast, ECIT has received funding from the
European Union, Invest Northern Ireland and
the Department for Employment and Learning,
Northern Ireland.
ECIT consists of four research clusters:
• High Frequency Electronic Circuits/Antennas;
• System-on-Chip;
• Digital Communications; and
• Speech and Vision Systems.
It plays a leading R&D role in both hardware and
software in the areas of advanced digital and
communications technology. It provides a rich
mixture of ‘blue-skies’ research and strategic
industrial related research and development.

ECIT is already working with a number of Contact ECIT:

local companies on RFID, offering expertise,
consultancy and collaborative agreements. Enquiries about assistance with
It is capable of providing a comprehensive product development contact:
range of services customised to customers needs.
Mr Conor Quinn MBA
Business Development Executive
Facilities ECIT, Queen's University Belfast
Northern Ireland Science Park
The facilities available are of the highest
Queen's Road, Queen's Island
industrial standard and include calibrated:
Belfast BT3 9DT
• Vector Network Analysis to 110 GHz
www.ecit.qub.ac.uk
• Power and frequency to 110 GHz

• On wafer probing to 110 GHz

• On-Chip Temperature cycling from

-65 to 200°C

• Noise measurements to 26.5 GHz.

• Quasi Optical Measurements to 700 GHz

• Large Signal Time Domain Measurements

to 40 GHz

• Vector Signal Analysis to 40 GHz

• 10m Far Field anechoic chamber

• 1.5m x 1.5m Near Field Scanner

Companies already making use of ECIT facilities

include TDK Electronics Ireland, OMMIC,
Rutherford Appleton Laboratories,
Astrium EADS and many others.

19

University of Ulster
RFID Work within the Intelligent Systems
Engineering Laboratory, University of Ulster
at Magee
The Intelligent Systems Engineering Laboratory
(ISEL) is a research group within the Faculty of
Engineering on the Magee College campus of
the University of Ulster. The group was founded
in 1997 and is composed of approximately 45
academic staff, research associates and
research students.
ISEL focuses on intelligent systems in the
widest sense; including research into a range
of intelligent and hybrid technologies, neural
networks, fuzzy systems, genetic/evolutionary
algorithms, hybrid intelligent systems, reasoning,
20
bio-inspired systems, intelligent wireless
technologies and cognitive robotics.
The research is being applied to topics as diverse
as intelligent embedded systems, hybrid intelligent
machine vision systems, re-configurable
computing, hardware-software partitioning,
design automation, self-repair of complex
embedded systems, robot-robot cooperation,
human-robotic collaboration and wireless
sensory networks. The work of the group extends
from theoretical studies of computational
intelligent systems (computational neuroscience)
through to the application of the research results
in local and national industry. There is strong
and fruitful interaction with a range of companies,
and substantial emphasis on the exploitation
of intellectual property generated by the group.
The group has attracted over £15 million research
funding in recent years.
The Wireless Technology Demonstration Centre
(WTDC), within ISEL, provides a centre-point
for wireless technology research, development
and demonstration. WTDC develops innovative
applications which use wireless technologies
in areas within the medical, industrial,
commercial and educational domains: wireless
sensory networks, supply chain management,
location based services, positioning systems
and gaming. These demonstrations utilise
technologies such as RFID, Zigbee, Bluetooth,
WiFi and GPS.
The EpiCentre (Electronics Production and
Innovation Centre), also within ISEL, is a
multi-million pound cross-border technology
partnership to enable businesses in the
north-west cross border region to tap into
the expertise of academics, specialised
equipment and research facilities.
EpiCentre is a collaborative venture between the
University of Ulster at Magee, the North West
Institute for Further and Higher Education and
Letterkenny Institute of Technology and is
supported by the EU INTERREG IIIA Programme
for Ireland/Northern Ireland. Partner institutions
have invested heavily in facilities and dedicated
personnel at each of the three sites.
The primary goal of EpiCentre is to help stimulate
innovation and growth by helping businesses in
the region overcome technological challenges
and to develop new and innovative products.
To date EpiCentre has supported over 50
local client companies with hands on practical
assistance and technological expertise.
Several of these client projects have involved
expertise in the general area of Wireless
Technology including RFID, Zigbee, WiFi and
wireless sensors.
21
RFID projects include:
• RFID and Zigbee internal
positioning systems: utilises RFID,
Zigbee and WiFi technologies to implement
an alternative method for indoor positioning,
achieved through an integration of Wireless
Sensor Networks and RFID technology.
• Active RFID long-range tracking: involves the
tracking of assets and staff with long range
active RFID technology. The positioning system
uses RFID readers and active tags running
at 433 MHz. It can achieve read ranges of
between 30 – 100m depending on the type
of antenna used. Some of the benefits
include improved security and improved
efficiency of asset management.
• Consumer RFID & NFC: uses passive tags to
perform predetermined operations automatically
by touching an RFID tag with the RFID
reader/writer on a mobile phone. Each tag
contains data that enables a mobile phone,
with an inbuilt RFID reader, to initiate
a service, such as calling, messaging,
browsing or recording data.
• RFID supply chain management: this project
is investigating how RFID has and will continue
to improve industrial supply chain management
(SCM) systems. Certain challenges exist
in replacing current strategies such as
barcode scanning technology with RFID.

 This includes various aspects of RFID SCM from For further details contact:
the supplier, to manufacturing/warehousing,
to distribution/ logistics, and finally to Prof. Martin McGinnity, Director
the retailer. Intelligent Systems Engineering Laboratory,
School of Computing and Intelligent Systems,
• RFID Health Care: focuses on how RFID can
University of Ulster at Magee, Northland Road,
complement and improve access to hospital
Derry, Northern Ireland, BT48 7JL
information systems through passive RFID
TM.McGinnity@ulster.ac.uk
patient tags. Specific challenges addressed
+44 (0) 28 7137 5417
include: cost-effective administration of
medical assets, enhanced healthcare workflow,
reduction of error-prone paper administrative
processes, real-time and accurate information
systems, and increased productivity.

RFID is an invaluable asset in ensuring the

quality and safety of perishables by providing
visibility into environmental conditions during
shipment and storage. This work focuses on
investigating how RFID can be utilised for
monitoring the condition of temperature-
sensitive objects during these stages.

22

Case Studies

23

Ulster Carpets (Compete)
The Company
Ulster Carpet Mills (Holdings) Limited is a family
owned group that has five manufacturing
plants and a world wide sales, marketing and
design network. The largest subsidiary,
Ulster Carpet Mills Limited, (UCM) is based in
Portadown, Northern Ireland and employs over
500 people. It manufactures high quality woven
Axminster and Wilton Carpet, and has become
the world's second largest Axminster producer.
The Challenge
• Reduce waste
• Higher loom efficiency
• Removal of cost adding operations
Invest Northern Ireland
Intervention
RFID project was support by Invest Northern
Ireland under the Compete Programme.
The Benefits
• Reduce waste.
• Increase staff productivity.
• Better machine utilisation.
Ulster Carpets developed an RFID solution
in-house including both hardware and software.
24
It is the first company in Northern Ireland,
perhaps in the UK, to apply an RFID solution
in manufacturing. Developed in-house by the
research and development team, PSYLO is a
significant technological advancement.
The patented technology enables Ulster Carpets
to exceed the needs of the marketplace,
focusing on surpassing colour and design
capabilities for woven carpets and providing an
enhanced degree of service excellence to clients.
Ulster Carpets production facilities are now at
an unrivalled level of automation and efficiency
and allow the organisation to maintain a clear
and renewed focus upon the future direction
of investment to the local Portadown area.
In essence this revolutionary development
clearly illustrates Ulster Carpets commitment
to UK manufacturing and further enhances
the company’s competitiveness on an
international platform.

Kilpatrick (PPD)

The Company • During development, Kilpatrick discovered

that Calor UK used barcodes as a means of
Kilpatrick Ltd is a Cookstown based company tracking LPG cylinders and were unaware
developing vending systems for use primarily that RFID was a superior alternative. Calor
on filling station forecourts. The company is asked Kilpatrick to examine this technology
continually seeking to improve its product range area on its behalf.
and identify niche areas where the outcome of
product development would prove successful.
Invest Northern Ireland
Intervention
The Product / Service
• Invest NI’s Technology Advisory Unit (TAU)
The company has designed the ‘365’ - a secure, worked with Kilpatrick on its CE Marking
self-service 24 hour fuel vending system aimed programme and ensured that the 365
at automating the retailing of fuels (e.g. coal, system complies with EU health and safety
charcoal, peat, LPG cylinders etc on petrol station rules and environmental legislation.
forecourts, convenience stores and holiday
• Detailed guidance on LPG storage regulations
parks etc. It will help to eliminate shrinkage of
in France was researched and the findings then
these theft-prone products as it adopts a range
provided to Kilpatrick and its French customers.
of secure payment methods thus reducing the
In addition, Invest NI assisted in identifying
reliance on staff-assisted sales.
a local company to equip the 365 system
with solar power capability, enabling the
The Challenge 365 to be sold into off-grid locations,
such as European campsites
• To address export markets, Kilpatrick had
• TAU sourced information on current worldwide
to demonstrate that the 365 system met
RFID developments as applied to LPG cylinders.
legislative requirements, particularly in the
TAU also identified a number of potential
area of product safety and especially in the
technology partner companies in Europe
EU region
and North America.
• Kilpatrick had to familiarise itself with
LPG storage regulations in France in order
to secure sales to this market region.

25

The Benefits

• The company can now CE mark its product

and is familiar with the requirements for
similar marking of any future systems.

• Concerns raised by their French customers

were addressed and the associated market
can confidently be targeted.

Kilpatrick identified an RFID technology partner

from Switzerland and implemented this technology
within its product. This led to a significant
business opportunity, which generated business
worth many millions of pounds.

26
Ashdale Engineering
(SMART)
The Company
Ashdale Engineering Ltd has emerged as
Northern Ireland’s leading company for industrial
automation solutions and is moving forward
with an ever improving and impressive array
of services and products.
Formed in 1977 with two employees and
representing suppliers of photoelectrics,
emergency lighting and fire alarms, the company
now represents some 30 principals and has added
a service and commissioning department,
a systems division, and an in-house training facility.
Ashdale has been able to count on its
established list of ‘blue chip’ customers to
fuel natural expansion while basing its strategy
on understanding customers’ problems and
providing a complete solution with continuing
support and customer service.
The Product
Through the company’s pro-active approach to
new technology, mobile computing was brought
to the forefront and bespoke applications have
been developed for customers. A need for an
“off the shelf” application to address all aspects
of equipment inspection has been identified.
27
Development of this has been kick-started by
a Smart Award from Invest NI. Ashdale has
developed Ashtrak as a multi- functional asset
management tool for use in any commercial
environment requiring timed auto identification
with task lists and user prompts.
One particular application has linked health and
safety inspection and reporting requirements
of local council play park maintenance to staff
management and asset maintenance by using
RFID tags and hand-held terminals. The back
office function is automatically updated and
easily configurable and can be modified by
the departmental manager to reflect daily
requirements whilst retaining the integrity of
the information for possible future legal purposes.
The data collected is easily synchronised
with the central system on return to base.
Auto identification provides full timed traceability
as all pieces of equipment have been tagged
with either RFID tags or barcodes. If the
information collected indicates a need for
further action such as a maintenance activity
this can be automatically structured to generate
an action list. A full checking history is available
for each item, or each checker should it be
necessary to confirm particular events possibly
related to a health and safety issue or an
employee activity log.

The Challenge Invest Northern Ireland

Intervention
Ashtrak can be paperless and still retain full
reporting and accountability. It can be tailored The project was supported by Invest NI
to suit any asset control requirement using under the SMART Award Scheme.
the latest technology and integrated into most
existing software. Development of this product
was supported by Invest Northern Ireland
under the SMART Programme.

It can be configured to use a wide range of

bar code and RFID technology ranging from
conventional bar codes to the two dimensional
info dot which contains up to 20 times the
information of a traditional bar code. Equipment
and communications have also progressed
so that rugged scanners, signature capture
(for acceptance or authorisation applications),
Bluetooth (for remote applications), GPR/GPRS
(for very remote applications requiring location
information), and large screens (for lots of
information) can all feature in a typical application
to reflect specific requirements and improve
the functionality of the software.

28

Invest NI and R&D

Financial Assistance
The following Invest Northern Ireland R&D assistance is available.
Please contact your Client Executive prior applying to any assistance.

29

START Programme
The Start programme aims to increase the
amount of industrial research undertaken
by Northern Ireland based companies either
on their own or in partnership with
Northern Ireland universities
How it Works
A Start project is a planned period of research
that aims to:
• Gain new knowledge which will be used in the
development of new products, processes or
services
• Bring about a significant improvement in
existing products, processes or services
The programme is managed on an open call basis
and provides financial assistance in the form
of discretionary grants, loans or investments.
The rate of assistance will not normally exceed
50 per cent of eligible project costs and there is
no maximum project size. A typical Start project
will run for three years, but can be longer or
30
shorter if required. Projects are usually either
'company only' projects or partnership projects,
involving a company and a local university
(or universities) and/or another company.
In very exceptional circumstances, 'university only'
projects can be supported if no Northern Ireland
industrial partner can be found, the proposed
research is relevant to Northern Ireland industry
and the research is multi sector in its application.
Eligibility
The programme is open to Northern Ireland
based companies, which are Invest NI clients
and Northern Ireland universities.
START Support for RFID
START support may be applicable to assist
industrial relevant research projects involving
innovative ‘blue sky’ research on RFID technology.

Compete Programme

The overall objective of the Compete Eligibility

programme is to help local companies
become more competitive by providing
support for developing innovative market
led products and manufacturing processes.
How it Works
Compete is run in two distinct phases:
Compete is open to Invest NI client companies only.
If you are not a client company please contact
your Regional Invest NI office. Compete is open
to Northern Ireland businesses engaged
in manufacturing - or about to engage
in manufacturing, and to internationally
tradable service businesses.

Phase I - provides an opportunity for

businesses to plan the project in some detail
and present a complete proposal to Invest NI.
Support is at a rate of up to 50 per cent
of eligible costs to a maximum assistance
of £15,000.
Compete Support for RFID
Compete support may be applicable to assist new
product or process development projects involving
innovative applications of RFID technology.

Phase II - support is up to 40 per cent of

eligible costs to a maximum of £250,000
(less any phase I support).

31

Product and Process

Development Programme
The Product and Process Development (PPD) • Sub-contract
Programme is designed to support smaller • Intellectual property (patents, trademarks etc)
Northern Ireland businesses. This programme
• Materials (consumed during the production
aims to encourage small businesses in developing
of a prototype or during tests/trials)
innovative new market-led products and/or
manufacturing/production processes. • Trials and testing

The grant is dependent on the nature of

Expertise is available within Invest NI to
the company and the product/process costs.
assist companies to draw up a project plan
Maximum grant for this type of project will
(including definition of project costs).
not exceed £35,000.

A grant of up to 40 per cent will be considered

PPD is open to Invest NI client companies
on eligible project costs which may include:
with 50 or less employees only. If you are not
a client company please contact your Regional
• Market/technical research
Invest NI office. The programme is open to
• In-house costs (labour, production,
Northern Ireland businesses engaged in
technical, design)
manufacturing - or about to engage in
• Consultancy manufacturing, and to internationally
tradable service businesses.

32

Knowledge Transfer
Partnership Programme
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships is Europe’s
leading knowledge transfer programme, helping
businesses improve their competitiveness and
productivity through better use of the knowledge,
technology and skills that reside within the UK
knowledge base. Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
is intentionally flexible in delivery, allowing
projects to vary in length between 12 and
36 months and the knowledge base partners
eligible to participate include universities,
further education institutions, research and
technology organisations and public sector
research institutes.
Benefits for the company partner
Business performance outputs vary considerably
from case to case, given the rich variety of projects,
however the latest information shows that,
on average, the business benefits that can be
expected from a single KTP project are:
• An increase of over £290,000 in annual
profits before tax;
• Creation of eight genuine new jobs;
• An increase in the skills of existing staff.
33
Benefits for the knowledge base
Through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
academics are able to:
• Develop business-relevant teaching materials;
• Identify new research themes and
undergraduate and postgraduate projects;
• Publish high quality research papers;
• Contribute to the Research Assessment
Exercise (RAE) and rating of their department.
Benefits for the Associate
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships can:
• Help graduates enhance their career prospects
by providing an opportunity to manage a
challenging project central to a company’s
strategic development and long term growth;
• Provide top class training and development
in business management and leadership skills;
• Offer an excellent chance of permanent
employment at the end of the Partnership
(over 75% of Associates are offered
employment on completion of their
project and overall 60% accept).

SMART Award

The overall objective of Smart Award is to • Smart stage 2 – if you win a Smart stage 1
stimulate the creation of new, innovative award and successfully complete the project
businesses and to help existing small businesses you may apply for a Smart stage 2 award
improve their competitiveness by developing for further support to assist with the
new products and processes to the benefit development of a pre-production prototype.
of the national economy. Smart stage 2 awards are non-competitive,
and assistance is available at up to 40% of
There are three types of assistance aimed
the eligible project costs, up to a maximum
at supporting different types of research
of £150,000. Assistance is paid retrospectively
and development projects:
after expenditure is incurred and defrayed.
Projects must take at least six months,
• Smart Micro – is competitive and assists
and no more than 36 months, to complete.
individuals or micro firms (up to 10
employees) to develop a simple low cost Smart stage 2 offers a streamlined application
prototype of an innovative product or process to Smart stage 1 winners continuing their
process with the project lasting 6-12 months. product/process development, provided that
Support is made available at 50% of eligible the application is made within 6 months
project costs. The maximum award is of completion of the Smart stage 1 project.
£10,000 and is normally paid quarterly Please note that assistance under Smart
against claims submitted. stage 2 is not automatic and is dependent
on a negotiated process of approval.
• Smart stage 1 – is competitive and assists
individuals and small firms (up to 50 employees)
to carry out a technical and commercial
feasibility study lasting 6-18 months.
Support is made available at 75% of the
eligible project costs. The maximum award is
£45,000. If justification can be demonstrated
one third is paid up front to the winners and
the remainder is normally paid quarterly
against claims submitted.

34

Managment Information

System Programme (MIS)

The MIS Scheme aims to improve the quality
of management information through the use
of Information and Communications
Technology (ICT). Typically this requires the
implementation of ICT solutions to improve
business processes and automating the
flow of information through the business.
(eg. financial, CRM, production, ERP, MRP,
document management, etc)
How it Works?
What are the costs?
Companies with up to 50 employees,
potential funding is up to 40%.
Companies with more than 50 employees
funding will normally be reduced to 25%.
Maximum MIS expenditure is 40% of
£140,000 (£56,000) for companies with up
to 50 employees; 25% of £140,000 (£35,000)
for companies with over 50 employees.

Following an initial company visit, a nominated

ICT advisor compiles a report detailing the
costs of the proposed project along with
recommendations as to its viability. If the
application is successful, a letter of offer is
issued to the company and Invest NI monitors
the spend once the project gets underway.
• Software costs
• Implementation costs
• Training in the use of the software
Eligibility
The MIS programme is open to Invest NI
clients only.
RFID Support
MIS support may be applicable to a client wishing
to implement an RFID system. The MIS support
could cover the software, implementation and
training (of the software) for an RFID system.

(Hardware costs can not be funded)

35

Business Improvement
Training Programme
The Business Improvement Training Programme
can help companies to improve business
performance by providing practical and
financial support for training and development
activities aimed at raising the skills levels
of managers and workforces.
Benefits
By improving the skills of managers and
other employees, companies can benefit
in a number of ways:
• Increased productivity
• Improved products and services
• Reduction in waste and overheads
• Increased profit and turnover
• A more flexible and motivated workforce
How it Works
Companies seeking support must have undertaken
an Invest NI Business Health Check and are
required to submit a training programme,
together with costs, which is linked to improvement
projects contained in an integrated action plan
agreed with the company.
Assistance may be available for company
projects which can demonstrate the potential
36
for significant improvement in performance.
Companies seeking support for these projects
must undertake a Business Health Check within
six months following agreement. The level of
support will be negotiated on an individual
company basis.
What are the Costs?
The costs involved are those associated
with the training and development activities.
Training needs are determined by the company
and support available may be both practical
and financial. Practical help includes advice
and guidance on best practice, implementing
training infrastructures and training linked
to national/industry recognised standards.
Financial support is available towards the cost of:
• Course fees
• PAYE wages/salary costs – agreed support
level applies to all eligible salary/wages costs
for companies with up to 250 employees.
For companies employing in excess of 250
employees the support level applies to 50%
of the salary/wages costs
• Travel and subsistence
• Training materials
• Mentor support for small businesses

Eligibility

Support is aimed at companies involved in

manufacturing or tradeable services that are
engaged in exporting or import substitution,
and, hotels and licensed guest inns certified
by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

Where/When Does
the Programme Run?

The Business Improvement Training Programme

runs continuously and applications for support
from eligible companies may be submitted
at any time.

37
If you require this brochure in an alternative format
(including Braille, disk, audio cassette or in minority
languages to meet the needs of those whose first
language is not English) then please contact:

Invest NI’s Equality Team

T : 028 9069 8390/8268
Textphone : 028 9069 8585
E-mail : equality@investni.com

39

Bedford Square
Bedford Street
Belfast BT2 7ES
T : 028 9023 9090

F : 028 9043 6536

Textphone : 028 9069 8585

www.investni.com