RFID?

Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) is a wireless communication technology with advanced features ideal for making contactless payments, item tracking, and automatic data collection. It’s not a new technology. RFID has been in existence for more than 20 years, and it has been extensively used in applications such as toll collection, access control, ticketing, and car immobilization devices (also called immobilizers).

Radio Frequencies:

• High Frequency (HF – 13.56MHz): Provides a good price/performance profile for item-level track applications requiring short read range (3 ft) at low cost. Current uses are library, laundry, box level supply-chain, LPG cylinders, automobile secured ID plates, and other applications.
• Ultra-High Frequency (UHF – 915MHz): Provides a good price/performance characteristics for long read range applications such as pallet tracking. In addition to that, UHF systems are used with batteries for electronic toll collection, and tracking of containers.

Advantages:

• More data capacity (up to 16kbits)
• Scanning multiple tags simultaneously
• Tag data is read and write
• Reliability
• No line of sight is required between the tags and the reader. In motion and any orientation
• Operational improvement
• Cost reduction opportunities in labor and inventory

RFID System Components:

• RFID Tag:

It consists of a chip attached to an antenna. RFID tags are developed using a frequency based on the needs of the system including read range and the environment in which the tag will be read. Tags are active (running with a battery) or passive (having no battery). Passive tags take the power from the electro-magnetic field generated by the reader.

• RFID Reader:

It can be fixed or handheld. It is usually connected to a computer system. The RFID reader handles the communication between the Information System and the RFID tag.

• RFID Antenna:

It can be connected to or embedded into the RFID reader. The antenna activates the RFID tag and transfers data by emitting wireless pulses.