Description

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is automatic identification technology that has to come into broad acceptance across multiple industries, including aviation. It brings benefits beyond bar code technology. Where bar codes need light to transmit and receive data, RFID uses radio waves to transfer data to/from an RFID tag.

How it Works

The specific function of these radio waves is that they go through, around, in, under, and behind objects to reach a tag. The technology can also see hundreds of tags per second, so it appears to gather data instantaneously. That enables an entirely new set of opportunities for the airline. Examples include quickly determining if every airplane seat has its life vest underneath, or if security has been breached on any life vest boxes. Other examples include reading if any oxygen generator in the Passenger Service Units will expire in the next month, or if all the medical kits are still sealed.