To understand the factors affecting the performance of an RFID system, implementers need to comprehend the nature and behavior of radio waves. This course describes how radio waves travel through space, or “propagate,” and how their effectiveness changes as they travel. It also discusses various communication methods between interrogators and tags, as well as characteristics of antennas, such as gain, directivity, polarization and impedance. A section of the course is dedicated to numerous types of antennas, their usage and the different kinds of antenna cable and connectors used to attach antennas to RFID interrogators. What's more, this course explains Effective Radiated Power (ERP) and Effective Isotropically Radiated Power (EIRP) calculations.
This course maps to the following CompTIA objectives for RF Physics:

• Identify RF propagation/communication techniques
• Describe antenna field performance /characteristics related to reflective and absorptive materials
• Given a scenario, calculate radiated power output from antenna based on antenna gains, cable type, cable length and interrogator transmit power

This course explains the RFID tag’s components and subassemblies, types of tags and the reason for having various tag types, different tag performance parameters and tag selection criteria. A tag’s behavior changes according to the material to which it is attached, as well as the condition of the surrounding environment. Therefore, selecting an appropriate tag for the object material, and properly applying it to the object, is the most important factor in the successful deployment of an RFID system.
This course maps to the following CompTIA objectives for Tag Knowledge:

• Classify tag types
  1- Select the RFID tag best suited for a specific use case
  
      1.1- Pros and cons of tag types
      1.2- Tag performance
  
  
• Tag antenna to region/frequency
  1- Identify inductively coupled tags vs. back-scatter
  2- Identify the differences between active and passive
  
  
• Given a scenario, select an item's optimal placement locations for an RFID tag
  1- Evaluate media and adhesive selection for tags
  2- Tag orientation and location
  
      2.1- Tag stacking (shadowing)
  
  3- Package contents
  4- Packaging
  
      4.1- Items
      4.2- Tags
      4.3- Labels
      4.4- Inserts
  
  5- Liquids
  6- Metal
  7- Polarization

This course describes the various types of RFID interrogators (readers), their components and the functionality of RFID interrogators. You will also learn about interrogator antennas: their types, polarization and function. A section of this course is dedicated to interrogator operation, including air interface and data protocols, dense reader mode, anti-collision and other tag management practices. The last section of the course discusses interrogation zone configuration, as well as interference problems that can arise while optimizing the system.
This course maps to the following CompTIA objectives for Interrogation Zone Basics:

• Describe interrogator functionality
  - I/O capability
  - Handheld interrogators
  - Vehicle-mount interrogator
  - LAN/Serial communications
  - Firmware upgrades
  - Software operation (GUIs)
  
  
• Describe configuration of interrogation zones
  - Explain interrogator-to-interrogatorinterference
  - Optimization
  - System performance and tuning
  - Travel speed and direction
  - Bi-static / monostatic antennas
  
  
• Define anti-collision protocols (e.g., number of tags in the field/response time)
• Given a scenario, solve dense interrogator environment issues (domestic/international)
  - Understand how a dense interrogator installation will affect network traffic
  - Installation of multiple interrogators, (e.g., dock doors, synchronization of multiple interrogators and antenna footprints)

Every RFID implementation needs peripheral devices, such as RFID-enabled printers; RFID-based automated label applicators (also known as "print-and–apply" devices); feedback systems, such as light stacks, horns, LED lights or LCD displays; and triggering devices, such as light break sensors. These devices enhance the capabilities of an RFID system, control I/O devices and system timing functions, and provide on/off capabilities for various business applications. Peripherals also improve human interactions with RFID hardware by assisting with automatic data collection and increasing the safety of the system. Additionally, this course discusses RFID printers, including their installation and setup, automated label applicators, feedback systems, triggering devices and Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS).
This course maps to the following CompTIA objectives for RFID Peripherals:

• Describe installation and configuration of RFID printer
• Describe ancillary devices/concepts
  - RFID printer encoder
  - Automated label applicator
  - Feedback systems (e.g., lights, horns)
  - RTLS

This course discusses various standards and regulations that influence the design and use of RFID systems. The course includes a brief summary of a few RFID mandates issued by some commercial and government organizations, which drive a large number of RFID implementations today.
This course maps to the following CompTIA objectives for Standards and Regulations:

• Given a scenario, map user requirements to standards
  - Regulations/standards that impact the design of a particular RFID solution
  
  
• Identify the differences between air interface protocols and tag data formats
• Recognize regulatory requirements globally, as well as by region
• Recognize safety regulations/issues regarding human exposure

This course focuses on a site survey, discusses the planning that goes into the site survey, highlights various aspects that should be examined when performing the site analysis (such as site anomalies) and provides pointers regarding how to generate the site survey report.
This course maps to the following CompTIA objectives for Site Analysis:

• Given a scenario, demonstrate how to read blueprints
• Determine sources of interference
  - Use analysis equipment such as a spectrum analyzer to determine if there is any ambient noise in the frequency range that may conflict with the RFID system to be installed
  
  
• Given a scenario, analyze environmental conditions end to end

System design is a very critical part of any RFID implementation, because without the right design and the proper hardware and software, the implemented RFID system might not function properly. With the exception of adhering to a budget, the steps of design selection and design considerations discussed in this course adhere to standards and regulations, as well as compliance with trading partner mandates, selection of operating frequency, tags, interrogators, antennas, peripherals and software.
This course maps to the following CompTIA objectives for Design Selection:

• Given a scenario, predict the performance of a given frequency and power (active/passive) related to read distance, write distance, tag response time and storage capacity
• Summarize how hardware selection affects performance
  - Antenna type
  - Equipment mounting and protection
  - Cable length/loss
  - Interference considerations
  - Tag type (e.g., active/passive and frequency)

This course discusses installation techniques for successful RFID implementations, including antenna installation, portal performance and design, conveyor portal design, electrostatic discharge (ESD), grounding and cable issues, pre-installation decisions, routine installation procedures and post-installation checks. This course also includes examples of various installation types.
This course maps to the following CompTIA objectives for Installation:

• Given a scenario, describe hardware installation using industry-standard practices
  - Identify grounding considerations
  
  
• Test installed equipment and connections
• Given a scenario, interpret a site diagram created by an RFID architect describing interrogation zone locations, cable drops and device mounting locations

This course discusses obstacles to RFID system implementations, RF field issues and variables affecting the ability to read tags consistently (such as interference), the tagged material’s impact on tag performance and tag placement. Troubleshooting methods and solutions for slow reads, no reads and missed reads are further discussed.
This course maps to the following CompTIA objectives for Testing and Troubleshooting:

• Given a scenario, troubleshoot RF interrogation zones (e.g., root-cause analysis)
  
  1. Analyze less-than-required read rate
  1.1 Identify improperly tagged items
  
  2. Diagnose hardware
  2.1 Recognize need for firmware upgrades
  
  3. Equipment replacement procedures (e.g., antenna, cable and interrogator)
  
  
• Identify reasons for tag failure
  
  1. Failed tag management
  2. ESD issues

Given a scenario, contrast actual tag data to expected tag data