Come to think of it, when you find a parking space in the parking lot in the morning, you no longer need to look for it, just scan the parking lot’s RFID system, and the parking information will be displayed immediately; in the hospital, the patient’s identity and medical record information can be quickly read through the RFID tag, which improves medical efficiency and reduces errors. All this is not science fiction, but the practical application of RFID tags. It is the RFID tag that drives all this. These smart electronic tags are changing the way we live and work with invisible power.
What is RFID tag?
The RFID system consists of three parts: Tag, Reader and data processing system. Its working principle is as follows:
Tags
It’s like a mini warehouse full of information, with microchips and antennas. The chip stores information about items, and the antenna handles sending and receiving signals.
Reader
Similar to a watcher, transmitting radio frequency signals through an antenna.When the tag enters the reading field of the reader, the antenna of the tag begins to receive the signal and then transmits the signal to the chip.
Data processing system
Like a clever translator, the reader transmits the data returned by the tag to the data processing system for data decoding and processing, thus realizing the identification and tracking of items.
In this way, RFID tag is like an information courier on the highway, which can transmit information quickly and accurately and realize intelligent item management.
RFID tags, like treasure boxes in intelligent devices, come in various types and can be divided into the following categories based on the mode of power supply and type of storage:
Active tags
Can actively send signals, more suitable for large-scale item tracking, such as cargo management in large warehouses.
Passive tags
Supermarket tags, for example, do not need built-in batteries and obtain energy through radio frequency signals emitted by readers.
Semi-passive tags
Can not only self-power, but also rely on external signals to transmit data, between active and passive tags.
Application of RFID tag
Logistics and supply chain management: automatic tracking and management of items through RFID tags to improve inventory management efficiency and reduce human errors.
Retail
After the installation of RFID tags, goods can achieve quick checkout, inventory management and anti-theft, and enhance the shopping experience.
Manufacturing
In the production process, through the RFID tag to track the product process and quality in real time, improve production efficiency and product quality.
Transportation
Install RFID tags on vehicles to realize automatic toll collection, vehicle management and traffic monitoring, and improve the intelligent level of traffic management.
Healthcare
Healthcare providers use RFID tags in patient management, drug tracking, and medical device management to improve the efficiency and accuracy of medical services.
Library management
Through RFID tags, the borrowing of books has become more automatic and efficient, improving the level of library management and user experience.
Event management
In large-scale events or sporting events, organizers use RFID tags for ticket verification and personnel tracking to ensure that activities are carried out safely and orderly.
Agriculture and animal husbandry
Farmers use RFID tags for livestock identification and health monitoring to achieve more accurate management.
Garbage disposal
Install RFID tags on garbage bins to achieve intelligent management of garbage classification and recycling process and improve environmental benefits.
The relationship between RFID and NFC
RFID is a widely used technology encompassing all systems that transmit data using radio waves. NFC is a subset of RFID technology, focusing on short-range communication applications.
Working principle
RFID: RFID technology communicates between readers and tags through radio waves. RFID systems can be divided into low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), and ultra-high frequency (UHF) based on different frequencies. The communication distance can range from a few centimeters to dozens of meters, which is suitable for scenes that need long-distance identification and tracking.
NFC:NFC is a kind of high frequency RFID, which operates at 13.56MHz. The communication distance of NFC is usually within a few centimeters, and it is mainly used for applications requiring short-range secure communication, such as mobile payment and access control.
Communication distance
RFID: The communication distance depends on the frequency and power of the system, ranging from a few centimeters to dozens of meters.
NFC: Communication distance is usually within a few centimeters to ensure secure communication at close range.
Security
RFID: Security depends on the specific application and implementation. Certain RFID systems may necessitate additional security measures to prevent data interception or tampering.
NFC: Because of its short communication distance and supporting encryption protocols, NFC has high security in applications such as mobile payment and authentication.
Data transmission speed
RFID: The data transfer speed of RFID depends on the frequency used and specific application scenarios. Generally speaking, the data transmission speed of high-frequency and ultra-high-frequency RFID systems is faster.
NFC: Data transfer speed is usually fast, which is suitable for fast data exchange and payment verification.
Standards and specifications for RFID tags
RFID technology has developed a number of standards and specifications since it was first used in inventory tracking by IBM in 1973. These standards are developed by international organizations to ensure global consistency and interoperability of RFID technologies:
International Organization for Standardization (ISO): sets global standards related to RFID technology.
Global Association of Electronic Product codes (EPCglobal): develops standards and protocols for managing, tracking, and verifying RFID tags.
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC): defines the classification and mode of operation of RFID tags.
Global universality of RFID tags
The application of RFID tags in the world has its own emphasis, and different countries use different frequency tags:
Low Frequency (LF) Tags: Primarily used in the United States and Europe, with a frequency range of 125-134 KHz.
High Frequency (HF) Tags: Predominantly used in Japan and Korea, operating at a frequency of 13.56 MHz.
Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Tags: More commonly used in China, India, Brazil, and other countries, with a frequency range of 865-960 MHz.
Conclusion
Through the introduction of this article, you should have a deeper understanding of the issue of “What is RFID tag”. As the core technology of intelligent management, RFID tags greatly improve the efficiency and accuracy of item identification and tracking. With the continuous development of technology, the application field of RFID tag will be more extensive, and it will play a more important role in intelligent manufacturing, smart city, Internet of things and other fields in the future. Understanding and mastering the basic concepts and applications of RFID tags will help us to better cope with future scientific and technological changes and challenges.
If you have more interests and questions about RFID technology, you are welcome to visit ( rfidcard.com ) to learn more. We look forward to working with you to explore the infinite possibilities of RFID tags!
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