Active RFID and Sensor Networks

• Much stronger market demand for tracking, locating and monitoring people and things. This is driven by security, safety, cost and customer satisfaction, for example.
• Reduction in cost and size of the tags and systems.
• Development of Ubiquitous Sensor Networks (USN) where large numbers of active RFID tags with sensors are radio networked in buildings, forests, rivers, hospitals and many other locations.
• Availability of open standards - notably ISO 18000-7, IEEE 802.15.4 and NFC.
• Leveraging many popular forms of short range wireless communication, particularly WiFi, UWB and ZigBee and including mesh networks
• Use of mobile phones for purchasing, mass transit, etc.