“:RFID tags can be read at 20-30 feet
ie: street lights”
NOT if it’s wrapped in aluminum foil ...
Side notes:
1) One helluva field is required at that distance (I know you ppl think this is ALL magic, but, no it’s not. Physics is still applicable e.g. those governing field strengths like the inverse square law that determines field strength.)
2) What is used for ‘backhaul’ of the info to a central point? Someone had to trench in a T1 or fiber, or installed a data transceiver on some commercial or private-carrier frequency ...
the street lights with cameras have network connection. the data piggy backs on that. there are other types of sensors on streetlights besides RFID and cameras.
registering the response from an RFID query would take a more sensitive receiver. 20-30 feet isn’t that far when the range of other sensors is compared.
to check, a meter could be created that would make a noise whenever it receives an RFID query. that would be interesting. i wonder if i could build it into my droid (do droids have RFID receivers?).
hmmm....