What is RFID tag

What is an RFID tag? Learn How RFID tags operate, for when and for what RFID technology’s drawbacks

RFID Tags meaning

RFID tags are a tracking system sort, which uses intelligent bar codes to mark objects. RFID is short for “RFID,” so the RFID tags use radio frequency technology as such. The data from the timer to a reader are transmitted by these radio waves and passed to an RFID computer program. RFID tags are mostly used on commodities, but may also be used for the identification of cars, animals and even Alzheimer’s patients. An RFID tag may also be referred to as an RFID chip.

How RFID Tags Work

An antenna and a microchip — also called an integrated circuit or IC — will transmit and receive the information by an RFID tag and. The RFID reader has a microchip which contains any information that the user needs.

Two types of RFID tags are available: passive and battery powered. As the word implies, RFID tags are battery-operated, but they do not function through the use of electromagnetic energy transmitted from an RFID-reader, while an on-board battery does not provide power. RFID tags battery-operated may also be referred to as RFID tags active.

Passive RFID tags use three primary frequencies of information transmitting: Low frequency (LF) 125 – 134 KHz, 13.56 MHz and Near-Field communication (NFC) and Ultra High Frequency, 865 – 960 MHz (UHF). The frequency refers to the width of the name. If a reader scans a passive RFID tag, the reader sends energy to the tag, which allows a reader to move data back to the reader through the chip and antenna. This knowledge is then transmitted to the reader for analysis by an RFID device. The key types of RFID tags are passive: inlays and hard tags. Inlays are usually very thin and can be applied to different materials, whereas hard tags are made from a hard, long-lasting material like plastic or metal as their name implies.

Active RFID tags are used for transmission of information with one or two key frequencies – 433 MHz or 915 MHz. They have 3 key components, one tag, one antenna and a questionnaire. The battery should provide ample power for 3-5 years in the active RFID tag. If it dies, the device has to be replaced as currently the batteries cannot be replaced. Two types of active RFID tags are available: beacons and transponders. The beacons send out a ping every few seconds and can read their signal from a few hundred feet away. As they send data too much, they begin to deplete their battery faster. Transponders involve the use of a reader to convey information, like passive RFID tags. When the reader hits each other, a signal is transmitted first to the transponder and then the corresponding information is sent back. Since transponders are only allowed when they are near a reader, battery efficiency is far greater than beacons.

RFID Tags Examples

Since an active RFID sends a signal continuously, it makes a perfect option for people looking for up-to-date live tracking, for example in tolling and real-time car tracking applications. They are a costly commodity, but they provide a long range of readings, which may be preferable according to your application.

Passive RFID tags cost around 20 cents each and are far less costly than active RFID tags. This makes them an excellent alternative for supply chain administration, race monitoring, file management and applications for access control. Although the passive RFID tag requires no direct view to the RFID reader, the read range is much shorter than the active RFID tag. They are thin, lightweight and can last for a lifetime.

As the active RFID tags are designed with greater robustness than passive RFID tags, they are more suitable for applications requiring durability. They are also used for toll payment transponder systems, freight tracking and even tracking devices.

RFID Tags Drawbacks

In contrast with other tracking labels, RFID tags are not suitable for many reasons. Separate protection and technical concerns involve some problems with RFID.

Since an RFID tag cannot discriminate between readers, almost everyone can read the information once the original supply chain has been left. Since RFID readers are so portable and the number of tags is so large, scammers may collect information they can not access otherwise. In other words, anyone without expertise may gather potentially sensitive information.

The fact that RFID Tags can be connected up to each credit card creating the potential for financial theft and fraud is an additional concern for consumer protection.

Technologically speaking, RFID tags are a concern primarily due to the lack of genuine global or industry standards. RFID tags and their networks can also easily be blocked or interrupted, which limits their usability since they run on a radio frequency. This leads to longer waiting times and lower productivity both in retail and in warehouses.

Signal problems can also occur, including collisions, with RFID inventory systems when signals from two or more readers interact and interference from metal, water or other magnetic fields in the surrounding environment.
A time and work-intensive RFID system can also be set up. Companies must test different hardware and tag schemes to decide which suits best. In order to improve time and function in addition to the expense of the RFID device, such as RFID Tags and scanners.

These kinds of drawbacks are also avoided by using the barcodes and are still a common option for many companies for data collection and inventory management.
Radio frequency, RFID tags and devices may also be jammed or disturbed quickly, which limits their usefulness. This leads to longer waiting times and lower productivity both in retail and in warehouses.
There are also signal problems with RFID stock systems, including a collision — when signals from two or more readers overlap and interference from metal, water and other surrounding magnetic fields may occur.

A time-consuming and work-intensive RFID system is also available. Companies must test different hardware and tag schemes to decide which suits best. Apart from costs for the RFID device itself, such as RFID tags and scanners, increased time and work often contribute to higher costs.

These kinds of drawbacks are also avoided by using the barcodes and are still a common option for many companies for data collection and inventory management.

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