‘RFID tags’, does the term seem familiar? Well, RFID or Radio Frequency Identification tags are popular in the industrial market as advanced technological devices used by numerous businesses. In simple words, RFID tags or RFID chips are tiny electronic gadgets or devices that are used to store vital information and to communicate through radio waves with other electronic devices.
From automating inventory management, boosting supply chain progress to supporting other applications across all types of industries, RFID technology is here to stay. RFID technology focuses on simplifying tasks, allowing smooth data collection, and enhancing precision without the aid of direct contact or line of sight.
RFID Tags Explained
RFID tags are a complex tracking system that uses special barcodes to identify and track items. These tags work by using radio frequency technology. What is RFID technology? This technology functions with the help of radio waves and transiting data, without direct line of sight, from a tag to its reader. This information is then transmitted to an integrated RFID computer system. People can track merchandise, vehicles, pets, and individuals with the aid of these sophisticated tags.
RFID tags improve tracking and operational efficiency across industries. From supply chain monitoring to Healthcare RFID Applications, businesses use RFID for better asset visibility.
RFID Reader & RFID Tag Working Principle
An RFID chip or tag acts like a transponder and works using radio frequency by transmitting as well as receiving information through an antenna and a tiny microchip (also called integrated circuit). An RFID reader is a connective device with an antenna. It is the main brainpower behind the system that emits continuous radio waves.
RFID System Explained
A Radio Frequency Identification system functions using electromagnetic radio waves to connect wirelessly and identify and track objects, machines, animals, and people. It acts like a live barcode that does not need a direct line of sight and can read various objects at once. After reading, it transmits the unique identification patterns or numbers directly to a computer system.
Different Types of RFID Chips
- There are two major RFID tags, one is an active tag, operated with a battery and the other is a passive tag.
- The active RFID chips include a battery for giving power, these tags are also known as active RFID tags.
- Passive tags do not contain batteries and work by harnessing electromagnetic energy sent by a RFID reader.
- Passive tag frequencies include LF – 125-134 KHz, HF – 13.56 MHz, and NFC – 865-960 MHz (it is also called Ultra High Frequency).
- When a passive tag is read by a reader, it transmits electromagnetic energy to the chip or tag so that it can relay information and send it back to the reader.
- The RFID reader then sends that info back to a secure RFID computer system for clear interpretation.
Uses of RFID Tags or Labels
RFID labels are used in many applications, which include the following:
- Inventory Management – The labels are stuck on products to track their real-time location and continuous movement during the supply chain operation.
- Easy Access – RFID labels are used as electronic keys to gain quick access to secured areas or track staff movements.
- Track Assets – Your valuable assets can be provided with RFID tags so that it can be traced. Things such as vehicles or tools with tags can be kept secure from risk of theft.
- Animal Tracking – RFID labels can help track animals for management of wildlife, research purposes, or farming use.
- Payment Purposes – Most contactless payments are done via RFID tags. Payments such as transit charges or toll collection payments are done with the help of RFID systems.
- Healthcare – RFID labels are also used to track patients and to monitor their health status (vital signs).
Conclusion
RFID technology paves way for automation to track and identify various products or assets in real time. They do not need direct line of sight and are different from traditional barcodes. These tags help speedy data collection, minimise errors, enhance safety, and offer logistical support to all industries.
ARG Label & Technology FZE, located in Ajman Free Zone, UAE, offers start-to-end RFID and Auto-ID solutions. ARG helps in designing and encoding custom RFID labels for different industries. Businesses involved are benefitted through integration of automated hardware and software solutions for inventory operations, warehouse activities, and asset management.
FAQs
Radio Frequency Identification System uses advanced technology that includes electromagnetic radio waves for contactless identification and tracking of objects and assets. Its working is similar to a barcode system, but, unlike barcodes, it can function without direct line-of-sight. RFID technology helps scan multiple products at once and transmit data automatically when a specific product (with RFID tags) is in range.
RFID tags can be traced through two methods, one is via active RFID tags that helps in automatic tracking. Another is through passive RFID tags that can be tracked manually.
Yes, RFID labels or tags can be hacked via radio interference that can disturb their accuracy, performance ratio, and readability. Many RFID tags are designed to be rewritable. Hackers may replace or even delete the sensitive data, specially those data that isn’t encrypted during the period of transmission.
They have a limited scanning range. Passive RFID tags can be used for inventory management within the limited space of a warehouse facility. The readers can be put in specific locations to monitor inventory. Other uses include tracking of livestock, payment access, ticketing, access control, data transfer, and logistical operations to name a few.
Barcodes cannot function without direct line of sight, and it cannot do multiple scans. This makes the process quite slow. Whereas, RFID tags can be scanned from a considerable distance, even through material barriers. RFID systems can scan hundreds of tags at the same time. Additionally, these tags can hold more data and can be easily rewritten.
Common RFID applications include airline baggage, employee badges, hotel key cards, credit cards, electronic toll collection centres, medical equipment, patient bands, and medications.
RFID technology is completely safe and depends on low-energy radio waves. To tackle the issue of privacy violation, one can protect data by securing sleeves and providing hardware encryption. Encrypted tags cannot be scanned or stolen by unauthorized readers.
