Bio-RFID Solution Overview

The Bio-RFID Badge is a self contained, battery operated device in roughly the same length/width footprint as an ISO 7816 smart Badge but with a thickness specification target of 2mm. It incorporates a fingerprint sensor, a powerful processor, RAM and FLASH memory, a flexible bi-stable LCD display capable of displaying alphanumeric and graphical images, a transceiver that allows the device to send and receive encrypted data, rechargeable battery, LEDs and a tone generator.  The biometric features of the badge ensure only the authorized user of the badge can successfully operate it for access control. The radio beaconing feature of the badge provides location and tracking for integration into GIS system to tag people detected in the AOA.   These architectural elements will also allow user enrollment to a Badge using one or more fingerprint scans with associated personal identification information, display of arbitrary image data nominally including a grayscale photo, communication of System and Badge level commands, status information, and personal information, and capability to locate a Badge within a facility.

The Bio-RFID badges are issued to security personnel and set to beacon every so often when turned on and authenticated. This beaconing allows the cards to be located in a geographic area to coincide with the ASDP location and thus tag the ASPP with the Bio-RFID data so information identifying who the intruder is is communicated by the ASDP.  To provide this functionality, access points need to be deployed around the critical infrastructure facility to provide a “triangulation” like process to locate badges. The diagram shows a sample deployment of mesh node access points at an airport AOA. Deployment of the Bio-RFID communications infrastructure is facilitated by a wireless mesh network device (mesh node) that provides the access point to communicate with the badges and the local area network to communicate with the GIS COP.  The mesh backhaul and intelligent sensor architecture is a flexible, scalable, interoperable, and cost-effective approach to extending physical security and first responder capabilities. As the backbone for communications and system scalability, the mesh backhaul is a secure, truly wireless network with features that make it ideal for this type of security concept.  These features include:

• Automatically determines optimum routes for network traffic and finds alternate routes when problems are encountered
• Employs public safety reserved 4.9GHz RF spectrum for backhaul to avoid competition with unregulated protocols
• Is self-configuring and self-healing; if a node fails or is damaged by a storm or attack, the network reestablished communication systems automatically
• Interfaces via Ethernet with 802.15.4 Bio-RFID Badges and WiFi access points
• Is unobtrusive and cost effective; network expansion or medications do not require costly cabling and other construction expenses.

The following operations will be accommodated by the Badge’s hardware design and architecture:

RF communication to Interrogator

• Variable RF beaconing rates - Adjustable communication range
• Display
  • Segmentation of the imaging area to accommodate a 120x120 pixel area for a gray scale image
  • Segmentation of the imaging area to accommodate 20x120 pixel area of image for alpha-numeric and special characters
• Audible alert - Volume will be adjustable
• LEDs - Badge will offer variable light and extinguish rates

Operational Modes

• Normal mode: Badge is powered down except for Fingerprint sensor and RF controller. The RF Controller is in standby mode with RTC running. RF controller wakes up at specific time slots to beacon and receive beacons from interrogators.
• RF Active mode: Badge is actively receiving or transmitting data.
• Display active: ARM7 µC is powered-up and ready to receive display commands and data. Display is powered up.
• Biometric active: ARM7 µC is powered-up and ready to perform biometric functions or navigation functions.
• Flash storage: ARM7 µC is powered-up and ready to perform FLASH memory access operations.
• Radio off: Same as Normal mode except RF controller no longer wakes up to beacon. User can bring the Badge into Normal mode by pressing fingerprint sensor.

The features of the Bio-RFID badge include:

Biometric system

• Ability to activate the Badge using sensor as a Badge power-on component.
• Can store up to five fingerprint templates for authentication comparisons.
• The ability to adjust the badges periods of biometric active mode can be adjusted autonomously by the application software
• The ability for the sensors to perform a minimum of 125,000 image captures and operate using a wet finger without degradation in accuracy or performance.
• The sensors can be operated using a wet finger without degradation in accuracy or performance.
• Fingerprint sensor can be operated over a temperature range of 10oCto 50oC without degradation in accuracy or performance.

Power

• The Badge is able to utilize one or more rechargeable batteries in a configuration suitable to meet the power requirements of the custom design and the targeted Badge thickness.
• Badge design includes appropriate terminals for use in a charging cradle.
• The Badge battery charger has the ability to control voltage and current level as well as recharge rate.

Radio Frequency (RF) System

• The RF is able to detect a finger on the sensor without performing a biometric process.
• The RF controller performs communications using the IEEE 802.15.4 protocol.
• Antenna are designed and specified such that minimum Badge to Interrogator operating range in open air shall be at least 100 feet.

Display

• Badge offers refresh options for each (120 row and 20 row) segment or the entire display.
• The Badge offers the option to erase each segment or the entire display.
• Display provides application generated graphics.
• Refreshing on the display screen are only required on change of displayed information

LED

• The Badge will include three LEDs.
• LED control capabilities will be provided by the application software.
• Each LED shall be able to be switched on/off at a predefined

Durability & Environmental

• Badge operates accurately over a temperature range of 10oCto 50oC.
• Badge operates accurately in 10% to 90% relative humidity.
• Badge can withstand a drop from 1.5 meters with at least 100 drops throughout its lifetime, while operating and will continue to operate without interruption.

The flexibility of Bio-RFID capabilities lends itself as a key component in strategically protecting our nations infrastructure. Below is a description of a typical badge usage profile in the securing critical facilities:

• User arrives at secure facility for an 8 to 12 hour work shift. Badge state: Radio off.
• User activates Badge by touching sensor.
• After activation, Badge performs authentication sequence
• Upon successful authentication, Badge enters normal mode and begins to beacon.
• System detects Badge and requests status.
• If Badge status is reported as anything other than Authenticated, System requests authentication by commanding Badge to sound tone generator and flash LED.
• When user touches sensor to authenticate, Badge enters a biometric active mode.
• If user successfully authenticates, Badge enters display active mode badge photo/credentials appear on display. Badge returns to normal mode.

Benefits of Bio-RFID

• Allows for positive ID of personnel seeking access to secure areas
• Minimizes privacy concerns by encrypting biometric data on the card itself.  No biometric data is stored in a central database.
• Provides the ability to locate and identify authorized individuals
• Allows peer to peer communications between individual cards (for applications that do not require/desire a card reader)
• Allows simple two-way communications (via SMS) between badge holder and monitoring station
• Allows for multiple fingerprint authentication sequences
• Allows for a secret “panic” authentication sequence
• Completely reusable (all data can be wiped and reinitialized on the card)