Technology

What is RFID?

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is an automatic identification technology. The objective of this technology is to carry data in an RFID tag (also known as a transponder). Data within the RFID tag may provide identification for an item in the manufacturing process, the shipping process, or the warehousing process. RFID is used to track a variety of objects, including people or livestock.

RFID technology relies on radio frequency transmissions between a tag and a reader to enable identification. Since RFID does not require line-of-sight between the tag and the reader, RFID systems overcome the limitations of other automatic identification approaches, such as bar coding. This means that RFID systems work effectively in hostile environments where excessive dirt, dust, moisture and/or poor visibility would normally interfere with the reading.

One of the most outstanding benefits of RFID technology is its ability to read tags in these environments at remarkable speeds -- responding in less than 100 milliseconds in most cases.

Furthermore, RFID technology is completely automatic and transparent, eliminating the need to scan an object manually or activate a magnetic strip, reader, or other contact ID technology.

How does it work?

A Passive RFID system consists of four major components:

• the Reader and connected antenna(s)
• the Tags (also known as Transponders)
• the Software to organize the data (also known as Middleware)
• the Software to communicate and tie into existing systems (also known as System Integration)

The Reader/Antenna performs several functions:

• Produces a low-level radio frequency magnetic field
• Powers a tag's internal circuit when it is brought into the magnetic field produced by the Antenna
• Enables the transmission of the tag's memory content to the reader
• Receives the data stored in the tag
• Processes the received data by decoding the data received and transmitting it to the host computer

The advantage associated with RFID over bar coding also includes the removal of human intervention in reading tags using a handheld scanner, as in barcode technology. RFID tracks any tag entering its radio field automatically. The possibility of operator error is removed. In an every day environment, it is similar to a Radio station which broadcasts to all listening radio devices. Once you are out of range of the antenna – you will not hear the music.

An active RFID system will consist of the same components like a Passive system (i.e., a Reader/Antenna(s), Tags, etc.). However, the major difference is in the tag which contains a small battery. When the tag receives its “wake up” message indication from the antenna(s), it will power itself up by its own battery and will transmit the required data to the reader. Most Active tags are available with additional features like Memory, Temperature sensor, and other sensors.