Sponsor:

Federal Aviation Administration Logistics Center

Research Team:

Glenn Kuriger, Kitti Setavoraphan, Hank Grant

Universities Involved:

University of Oklahoma

Start Date:

11/16/06

End Date:

05/15/07

Summary:

Provide valuable data and information on the spurious emission levels of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology and the possible effect on fielded ground radar systems and associated equipment.
The Logistics Center at the FAA is interested in incorporating radio frequency identification (RFID) technology into their inventory practices in the field. This will better allow them to track and locate equipment and components, as well as keep better records regarding information such as the number of repairs required for a particular component.

In particular, the Logistics Center wants to determine the level of interference RFID technology will cause on fielded ground radar systems and associated equipment. The effects on GPS systems are of particular interest. This study will develop a methodology and test plan, conduct tests and analyze the test results, and provide recommendations for the appropriate level of implementation of RFID technology on fielded ground radar systems.
It was thought that the power level produced by the RFID system would not be sufficient to cause interactions to the primary radar system. To validate this theory, a passive RFID system operating at 915 MHz was evaluated both in a controlled test environment and on-site at the Federal Aviation Administration Logistics Center (FAALC). For the on-site tests, two primary radar systems were tested. There were no observed interactions with any of the FAALC equipment examined during the on-site tests. Thus, based on the controlled environment and on-site test results, the RFID system evaluated in this study should not cause interaction with any of the FAALC equipment operating at frequencies within the 290 MHz to 18 GHz range.

Based on the on-site tests, the RFID antennas should be located within 6 feet of all tags requiring a large amount of RFID antennas to be located throughout the FAALC.

Increasing the operating distance of the RFID system would reduce the number of RFID antennas needed to cover the FAALC facilities. To accomplish this, the FAALC might consider implementing a different RFID system, such as implementing RFID tags and equipment that operate at a different frequency.