RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification, a technology that uses tiny computer chips to track items at a distance. RFID have been hidden in the packaging of Gillette razor products and in other products you might buy at a local supermarket.

One of the key differences between RFID and bar code technology is RFID eliminates the need for line-of-sight reading that bar coding depends on. Also, RFID scanning can be done at greater distances than bar code scanning. High frequency RFID systems (850 MHz to 950 MHz and 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz) offer transmission ranges of more than 90 feet, although wavelengths in the 2.4 GHz range are absorbed by water (the human body) and therefore has limitations.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is evolving as a major technology enabler for tracking goods and assets around the world. It can help hospitals locate expensive equipment more quickly to improve patient care, pharmaceutical companies to reduce counterfeiting and logistics providers to improve the management of moveable assets. It also promises to enable new efficiencies in the supply chain by tracking goods from the point of manufacture through to the retail point of sale (POS).

Exapmles of RFID are:

• Logistics & Tracking
  
  
• Asset Tracking
  
  
• Personal Identification
  
  
• Payment Systems
  
  
• Workflow Processes
  
  
• Healthcare

Different Types of RFID

There are several versions of RFID that operate at different radio frequencies. The choice of frequency is dependent on the business requirements and read environment – it is not a technology where ‘one size fits all’ applications.

Three primary frequency bands are being used for RFID:

Low Frequency - (125/134KHz) – Most commonly used for access control, animal tracking and asset tracking.

High -Frequency - (13.56 MHz) – Used where medium data rate and read ranges up to about 1.5 meters are acceptable. This frequency also has the advantage of not being susceptible to interference from the presence of water or metals.

Ultra High-Frequency - (850 MHz to 950 MHz) – offer the longest read ranges of up to approximately 3 meters and high reading speeds.

Applications for RFID within the supply chain can be found at multiple frequencies and different RFID solutions may be required to meet the varying needs of the marketplace.

Since UHF (Ultra High Frequency) has the range to cover portals and dock-doors it is gaining industry support as the choice frequency for inventory tracking applications including pallets and cases.

RFID tags are further broken down into two categories:

Active RFID Tags are battery powered. They broadcast a signal to the reader and can transmit over the greatest distances (100+ meters). Typically they can cost £5 - £20 or more and are used to track high value goods like vehicles and large containers of goods. Shipboard containers are a good example of an active RFID tag application.

Passive RFID Tags do not contain a battery. Instead, they draw their power from the radio wave transmitted by the reader. The reader transmits a low power radio signal through its antenna to the tag, which in turn receives it through its own antenna to power the integrated circuit (chip). The tag will briefly converse with the reader for verification and the exchange of data. As a result, passive tags can transmit information over shorter distances (typically 3 meters or less) than active tags. They have a smaller memory capacity and are considerably lower in cost (less than £1) making them ideal for tracking lower cost items.

The two basic types of chips available on RFID tags, Read-Only and Read-Write .

Read only chips - These are programmed with unique information stored on them during the manufacturing process – often referred to as a ‘number plate’ application. The information on read-only chips can not be changed.

Read-Write chips - Users can add information to the tag or write over existing information when the tag is within range of the reader. Read-Write chips are more expensive that Read Only chips. Applications for these may include field service maintenance or ‘item attendant data’ – where a maintenance record associated with a mechanical component is stored and updated on a tag attached to the component. Another method used is something called a "WORM" chip (Write Once Read Many). It can be written once and then becomes "Read Only" afterwards.

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