What’s RFID?
RFID is short for Radio Frequency Identification. It is a technology that use radio waves to automatically identify people or objects. The most common way for identification is using a serial number that identifies a person or object. The antenna attached to the chip is called RFID transponder or an RFID tag. The antenna enables the chip to transmit the identification information to a RFID reader. The reader converts the radio waves reflected back from the RFID tag into digital information that can then be passed on to computers that can make use of it.
What’s NFC?
NFC is short for Near Field Communication. It is a standards-based short-range wireless connectivity technology that makes life easier and more convenient for consumers around the world by making it simpler to make transactions, exchange digital content, and connect electronic devices with a touch.
What’s the difference between RFID and NFC?
RFID is the process by which items are uniquely identified using radio waves, and NFC is a specialized subset within the family of RFID technology. Specifically, NFC is a branch of High-Frequency (HF) RFID, and both operate at the 13.56 MHz frequency. NFC is designed to be a secure form of data exchange, and an NFC device is capable of being both an NFC reader and an NFC tag. This unique feature allows NFC devices to communicate peer-to-peer.
What is the difference between passive and active RFID?
Active RFID tags have a transmitter and a battery as power source. Passive tags have no battery. Instead, they draw power from the an RFID reader, which sends out radio waves that induce a current in the tag's antenna.
Is RFID better than using bar codes?
They are two different technologies. We don’t need to compare which one is better. Bar codes is visible data, and RFID need to scan to check the data on the RFID reader or PC connected. But bar code could only be scanned one by one. However, UHF RFID tags could be multiple read, which means hundreds of RFID tags could be scanned in one time.
What is the difference between LF, HF and UHF?
There are 3 different frequency compliant with RFID. LF is short for low frequency, HF is short for high frequency and UHF is short for ultra high frequency. Each frequency has different readers to match the RFID transponder. LF usually used for the ID card (Proximity card or ID key fob), it is easily to used for the access control or personnel identification in the office. HF usually used for higher security requirement venue, such as for the payment, ticketing or events. UHF will be used for the inventory management or automatically track from a few meters.
What are common applications for RFID?
The most common applications are cashless payment, access control and asset tracking. Increasingly, retail, apparel, aerospace, defense, manufacturing, farms, consumer packaged goods and pharmaceutical companies are looking to use RFID to track goods within their supply chains. Health care providers, energy producers and construction companies are using active RFID system to track large equipment, tools and vehicles.
How does RFID system work?
Every RFID system consists of three components: an RFID reader, a transceiver and a transponder. The RFID reader is a network-connected device that can be portable or permanently attached. It uses radio waves to transmit signals that activate the RFID tag. Once activated, the RFID tag sends a wave back to the antenna, where it is translated into data.
How do i know which frequency is right for me?
Firstly of all, we have to evaluate your application and the expectation of using RFID tag. Considering to these two factors, we could suggest you the right frequency for your application. Or you could consult your local RFID solution provider to get more specific proposal for it.
Are all the countries using the same frequencies?
Different countries have different parts of the radio spectrum for RFID. The industry has worked diligently to standardize three main RF bands: low frequency (LF), 125KHz to 134.2KHz; high frequency (HF), 13.56MHz; and ultra high frequency (UHF), 860 to 960MHz will be different from countries. Every country has their own RF band.
From how far an RFID tag can be read?
Different frequency tag would get different reading range. 125KHz and 134.2KHz usually under 10 cm (4 inches). But it is possible to get longer reading range, which needs a big antenna and perfect working environment. For 13.56MHz, usually under 10cm (4 inches), sometimes for the ISO 15693 RFID tag, you could have around 1 meter (3 feet) reading range. For 860-960MHz, usually over 2 meters (7 feet), the reading range will be depends on the RFID tag size and RFID reader antenna power.
What information can we store on an RFID tag?
Usually we use the chip’s unique ID number for identification, and all the information will be stored on the terminal server, which could make the transmit faster. If there is specific requirement encoding to the chip, the information could be stored according to your software.
Can an RFID reader read multiple RFID tags?
LF are designed to read one tag at a time. HF ISO 15693 and UHF could read multiple RFID tags, for instance, the library management and inventory tracking etc.
What are the common problem with RFID tags?
Sometimes it will be poor readability from a longer distance. Additionally, environmental factors like metal or water located near the tag can cause difficulty in the tag being read.
What is the RFID Tag format for data?
In general, an RFID Tag represents memory that can be written in any data format. Some chips are more capable than others. Some public data format examples would be:
64-bit UID – LF Tags – typically read-only
ISO/IEC 11784/11785 (FDX-B) – LF Tags - Animal ID
EN 14803 – LF Tags – Waste Management
NDEF – HF NFC Tags – defined by NFC Forum
What are standards for RFID?
For 125KHz, the most common standard is ISO 18000-2, for 134.2KHz, the standard is ISO 11784/ISO 11785. For 13.56MHz, the most common standards are ISO 14443A, ISO 14443B, ISO 15693, EPC Class-1 HF1, ISO 18092 NFC. For 860-960MHz, the common standards are ISO 18000-6A, ISO 18000-6B and ISO 18000-6C.
What is EPC Gen 2?
Gen 2 is the short for EPCglobal’s second-generation EPC air-interface protocol (the RFID tags and readers use to communicate). It was designed to work internationally and has other enhancements, such as a dense reader mode of operation, which prevents readers from interfering with one another when many are used in close proximity to one another.
What is the difference between ISO and EPC?
ISO has many standards for RFID that deal with both the air-interface protocol and applications for RFID. EPC deals with more than just how tags and readers communicate. EPCglobal has created a suite of standards to govern how EPC data is shared among companies and other organizations.
