RFD 201 – RFID Systems
Syllabus
Instructor: Joe Kalus
Email: kalusj@middlesex.mass.edu
Office Telephone: 781-280-3568
Office: Room 123, Bldg 3-Henderson Hall
Office Hours: M, F in Bldg 11 12:00 – 1:00
T, Th in Bldg 3, Rm. 123 9:00 – 11:00
Semester: Spring 2007
Time: M/F, 8:00-9:50
Location: Building 11, Rm. 106 Bedford
RFD 201 RFID Systems Course Description – 3 Credits
This course builds upon and expands the concepts in RFD 151 and RFD 161 and is meant to run
concurrently with CN 2215. Students will design, implement, troubleshoot and conduct a performance
analysis of an RFID system. An RFID site will be examined and its performance optimized. Hands-on
lab work using industry standard equipment will be used to provide real world experience. The
knowledge gained in this course and CN 2215 will help students to prepare for the CompTIA RFID+
certification exam. Employability skills, such as team based problem solving, business ethics and critical
thinking will be integrated into the course work.
2 hours lecture/2 hours lab
Prerequisites
RFD 151 and RFD 161; co-requisite RFD 211; RFID Standards and Certification
Text and Required Materials
Textbooks
RFID +
The Complete Review of
Radio Frequency Identification
by Elaine M. Cooney
CompTIA RFID+
Certification
Student Manual
by Thomson Course Technology
Materials
 One 3-ring binder notebook paper for
hard copy projects and homework
 Back up storage medium--suggest a USB
portable storage drive (Thumb/Flash;)
other options
Required Readings:
 Copies of relevant articles
 Assigned WEB sites and searches
 Materials handed out by the instructor
RFID Security
By Thornton et all.
SYNGRESS
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Student Learner Outcomes
1. Perform a site survey and analyze the pertinent characteristics that impact an RFID system
installation
2. Design an RFID system and select equipment addressing system functional requirements and site
characteristics.
3. Develop a plan for an RFID system implementation and installation which includes relevant
process documentation and safety procedures.
4. Monitor, test, diagnose problems and troubleshoot an RFID system.
5. Configure and integrate RFID middleware for network connectivity.
6. Apply ethical principles to analyze business cases that illustrate issues involving RFID.
7. Successfully resolve complex RFID System performance problems through self-directed team
work.
Teaching Methods
The course will be presented using a variety of proven methods, such as lecture, demonstrations,
computer-based activity, project-based learning, and laboratory experiments. Students practice and
reinforce their knowledge through homework assignments, lab exercises, and class projects.
Student Responsibilities:
Attendance:
Students are responsible for attending all scheduled class sessions and for all material presented in the
sessions (including handouts and notes). Attendance will be recorded. If you are unable to come to
class for any reason, please let me know in advance. Either tell me directly or call me between 7:00 am
and 8:00 am. Leave a message if I am unable to personally answer the phone. For class delays or
canceled due to bad weather, please check the MCC portal: https://mymcc.middlesex.mass.edu/ .
Electronic Devices:
Cell phones or pagers should be set on silent or vibrate alarms during class. The use of CD players or
headphones connected to PCs is prohibited.
Academic Integrity
It is the responsibility of the Middlesex community is to uphold the integrity of our academic programs.
This responsibility belongs to faculty and students alike. According to the Academic Catalog 20052007 “taking credit for work done by another person, or doing work for which another person will
receive credit is cheating” and “taking and using the ideas or writings of another without clearly and
fully crediting the source is plagiarism” (109). As students, it is your responsibility to learn proper
citation of sources; the Modern Language Association Handbook gives complete descriptions. It is
understood that you will submit original work for each assignment, both within and between courses.
Students are encouraged to get assistance with assignments from their peers, but must complete and
understand each assignment independently. Points will not be awarded for assignments the student has
not personally completed.
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Grading
Assignments will be graded for completeness, accuracy, and on time submission.
Activity
Practice Quizzes
Quizzes
Labs
Class Project Report
Class Project Presentation
Class participation
Total
Number
8
8
3
1
1
28
Points
Per
5.25
70
28
280
280
1
Max. # of
points
42
560
84
280
280
28
Weight
3%
40%
15%
20%
20%
2%
Course Grade
Grade
Numeric
A
Range
93-100
A-
90-92
B+
87-89
B
83-86
B-
80-82
C+
77-79
C
73-76
C-
70-72
D+
67-69
D
63-66
D-
60-62
F
00-59
Lab Safety Rules
• No loose clothing
• Short sleeves only, no gloves
• No wrist or neck jewelry, neck ties or anything hanging from the neck or wrists
• Keep at least 9” away from antennas when they transmit
• No food or drink
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CN 2201 01 – RFID Systems Tentative Topics, Assignments, Quizzes, Tests
Date
2007
W1
1/22
M
1/26
F
Topic
W2
1/29
M
2/1
F
Introduction
Site analysis:
Site survey, people and equipment safety
Site analysis:
Site survey, RF spectrum and network
analysis
Quiz
Labs
Assignment
Due
Date
Reading: RFID+ Chapter 2
PQ1
Reading: Exam Cram Chapter
5
1/29
Site analysis;
Signal interference, radiation patterns,
Q1
Reading: CompTIA RFID+,
Unit 7
2/1
Site analysis
Lab: Spectrum analyzer familiarization
PQ2
L1
Group Lab assignment
Homework: CompTIA RFID+
pg. 7-26
2/5
W3
2/5
M
2/9
F
Site analysis
Lab: Signal generated interference;
Spectrum analyzer measurements
RFID System Design:
Design Selection
Q2
L2
Group Lab assignment
W4
2/12
M
2/16
F
RFID System Design:
Tag features; Reader features
W5
1/19
M
2/23
F
Presidents Day
NO CLASS XXXXXXXXXXX
RFID System Design:
Reader zone design;
Peripherals
Q3
Q Tag and Reader feature
Read: ExamCram Chapter 4
W6
2/26
M
3/2
F
RFID System Design:
RFID System Implementation:
Design selection
RFID System Design:
RFID System Implementation:
Installation
PQ4
PQ Reader zone
Read: ExamCram Chapter 6
3/2
Q4
Q Reader zone
Read: ExamCram Chapter 7
3/5
W7
3/5
M
RFID System Design:
RFID System Implementation:
Interrogators
PQ5
PQ Peripherals
Read: RFID+ Chapter 6
3/9
3/9
RFID System Design:
RFID System Implementation:
Installation
Q5
Q Peripheral
Read: CompTIA RFID+
Chapter 9
3/19
W8
3/1216
W9
3/19
M
Spring Break
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
PQ6
PQ Design selection &
Installation
Read: CompTIA RFID+
Chapter 11
RFID System Design:
Tag features; Reader Features;
Reader zone design
RFID System Implementation:
Peripherals
Reading: CompTIA RFID+
Unit 8
Homework: CompTIA RFID+
pg. 8-34
Reading: RFID+ Chapter 5
Reading: RFID+ Chapter 6
PQ3
Read: ExamCram Chapter 3
PQ Tag and Reader feature
2/12
2/23
3/23
4
3/23
F
Monitor, Test, Diagnose:
Troubleshooting
Q6
W10
3/26
M
Monitor, Test, Diagnose:
Troubleshooting
PQ7
3/30
F
W11
4/2
M
4/6
F
Professional Day
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Monitor, Test, Diagnose:
Monitoring and Troubleshooting
W12
4/9
M
4/13
F
W13
4/16
M
4/20
F
Q Design selection&
Installation
Read: ExamCram Chapter 8
Lecture: Troubleshooting
PQ Interrogators
Read: CompTia RFID+ Unit
10
Lecture: Troubleshooting
Q7
Q Interrogators
Lecture: Monitoring
Monitor, Test, Diagnose:
Monitoring and Troubleshooting
PQ8
Middleware integration:
Lab group project: Timing for Reader –
Conveyor diverter action for various
types of SKUs
Ethical Principles in Business:
RFID Security: “Threat and target
identification”; work on Phase 1
Middleware integration:
Lab group project: Timing for Reader –
Conveyor diverter action for various
types of SKUs
Ethical Principles in Business:
RFID Security: “Threat and target
identification”; work on Phase 1
Patriots Day
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Q8
L3
Proj.
PQ Troubleshooting
Lecture: Monitoring
Assignment: Prep study for
Lab group project
Q Troubleshooting
Lab project
Assignment: Class Group
Project: Phase 1 draft report
due:
Class group project work; completion of
Phase 1
W14
4/23
M
4/27
F
Class group project: Incorporate
instructor feedback; work on Phase 2
final report:
In class work on PowerPoint presentation
W15
4/30
M
5/4
F
W16
5/7
M
5/11
F
W17
5/14
In class work on PowerPoint presentation
L3
3/26
4/9
4/20
Lab project continued
Submission of lab results
Turn in Phase 1 report;
Instructor provides feedback
on Phase 1 report to student
groups.
Project: submit final report
Lecture: reminder of
presentation format
In class assignment: work on
PowerPoint presentation
Submit Final hard copy of
PowerPoint presentation
Team 1 Presentation and evaluation
Team 2 Presentation and evaluation
Team 3 presentation and evaluation
Final Exams Week
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