RFID Overview

Radio Frequency Identification Technology or RFID technology is a new and cost effective technology for asset management that allows a wide range of objects to be automatically identified, tracked and managed effectively. It provides a touch-less information link, which enables long distance dynamic tracking which is not possible in other identification technologies.

RFID technology is simply described to have two major components:

The Radio Frequency Tag or Transponders: This contains an integrated transmission circuit with information storage capabilities.

The reader or transceiver: which can either be static or handheld are used to read and write information from and onto the RFID tags.

RFID Tags:

An RFID tag or transponder is a wireless system composed of an electronic chip (semi-conductor device) with a memory where data can be stored. The memory can be permanent or volatile depending upon the type of the tag.

Tags can basically be classified into two categories:

Active tag (contains a small battery to increase operating range). Active tags are self-powered by using a battery source. These tags can be single-time or multiple-time programmable, depending upon the need of the system. This capability of programming the tags gives the user the flexibility of change the stored information on the tags dynamically using the Reader and reusing the tag over and over again. But it also contains a lock feature that allows the user to lock the data permanently on the tag that can't be modified. Every transponder contains a unique factory code that allows for tag trace ability and can't be reproduced (duplicated). Read range of an active tag is generally between 1 meter to 300 meter.

Passive tags does not have any power source, it uses the energy from a radio frequency signal sent from the interrogation unit (reader). They have read only memory - programmed with a unique set of data (usually 32 to 128 bits) that cannot be modified. Each tag has a unique number, which is factory set. This tag number stays for the life of the tag and can't be modified. To use the same tag with different user data translation tables are required, linking a tag id to meaningful user information. Their working range is limited to less than a meter and is much cheaper, suited to operations where qty of assets to be tracked is high and a real time solution is not desired. The unique factory code allows for tag trace ability and ensures security. Read range is generally between 2 cm to 5 cm depending upon the size of the tag, power of the reader and the frequency at which they communicate.

RFID Scanner/ Reader:

The Scanner or reader used in RFID can be potable (handheld) or static depending on its use, environment of usage and scanning range which will be needed to be covered.

Please feel free to contact us for further information.