RFID tags: Positioning principles and localization techniques

TLDR

RFID is an automatic identification technology that tracks people and objects, and while identity and location are essential for indoor services, localizing RFID tags is difficult because indoor signals are harshly impaired and tags have limited capabilities. The authors propose a classification and survey of RFID localization techniques, beginning with an overview of the technology and positioning principles. They explain and classify RFID localization techniques. They discuss future trends in RFID localization.

Abstract

RFID is an automatic identification technology that enables tracking of people and objects. Both identity and location are generally key information for indoor services. An obvious and interesting method to obtain these two types of data is to localize RFID tags attached to devices or objects or carried by people. However, signals in indoor environments are generally harshly impaired and tags have very limited capabilities which pose many challenges for positioning them. In this work, we propose a classification and survey the current state-of-art of RFID localization by first presenting this technology and positioning principles. Then, we explain and classify RFID localization techniques. Finally, we discuss future trends in this domain.