Technology could prevent RFID tag cloning

Engineers in the USA have developed a 'fingerprinting' method to block the cloning of passive radiofrequency (RFID) identification tags, preventing the production of counterfeits.

The technology is based on one or more unique physical attributes of individual tags - rather than information stored on them - an important feature as the limited data capacity of passive RFID tags means they often do not include conventional encryption algorithms and security protocols to prevent cloning and counterfeiting.

The authentication approach could address security and privacy issues that are holding back the adoption of RFID in some business sectors, say the researchers.

The lead researchers for the project, Dale Thompson and Jia Di of the University of Arkansas, point out that it is easy to clone an RFID tag by copying the contents of its memory and applying them to a new, counterfeit tag. This cloned tag can be used to legitimise a counterfeit product.

"What we've developed is an electronic fingerprinting system to prevent this from happening," notes Thompson.

The technique relies on the understanding that individual RFID tags are unique, not because of the data or memory they contain, but because of radio-frequency and manufacturing differences.

A passive RFID tag harvests its power from an RFID reader, which sends radio frequency signals to the tag. The tag, which consists of a microchip connected to a radio antenna, modulates the signal and communicates back to the reader.

The researchers sent a series of signals from reader to passive tag, starting at a low power value and incrementally increasing until the tag responded. They found each tag had a unique minimum power response at multiple radio frequencies, and that power responses different significantly even among tags of the same model and type.

"These different responses are just one of several unique physical characteristics that allowed us to create an electronic fingerprint to identify the tag with high probability and to detect counterfeit tags," says Thompson.

The electronic fingerprinting system addresses these concerns without increasing the cost or physically modifying the tag, he notes.


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