Radio frequency identification, or RFID, is a general term for technologies that use radio waves to automatically identify individual items. There are several methods of identifying objects using RFID, but the most common is to store a serial number that identifies a product, and perhaps other information, on a microchip that is attached to an antenna (the chip and the antenna together are called an RFID transponder or an RFID tag). The antenna enables the chip to transmit the identification information to a reader. The reader converts the radio waves returned from the RFID tag into a form that can then be passed on to computers that can make use of it. Show
How does an RFID system work? The system consists of a tag, which is made up of a microchip with a coiled antenna, and an interrogator or reader with an antenna. The reader sends out electromagnetic waves that form a magnetic field when they “couple” with the antenna on the RFID tag. A passive RFID tag draws power from this magnetic field and uses it to power the microchip’s circuits. The chip then modulates the waves that the tag sends back to the reader and the reader converts the new waves into digital data. Is RFID better than using barcodes? RFID is not necessarily “better” than barcodes. The two are different technologies and have different applications, which sometimes overlap. The big difference between the two is barcodes are line-of-sight technology. That is, a scanner has to “see” the barcode to read it, which means people usually have to orient the barcode towards a scanner for it to be read. Radio frequency identification, by contrast, doesn’t require line of sight. RFID tags can be read as long as they are within range of a reader. Barcodes have other shortcomings as well. If a label is ripped, soiled or falls off, there is no way to scan the item. Will RFID replace barcodes? Probably not. Barcodes are inexpensive and effective for certain tasks. It is likely that RFID and barcodes will exist together for many years to come. Is there an issue using RFID around metal and water? RFID can be used to track metal cans or liquids. Typically radio waves bounce off metal and are absorbed by water at higher frequencies. That makes tracking metal products or those with high water content problematic, but good system design and engineering can overcome this shortcoming. In fact, there are applications in which RFID tags are actually embedded in metal auto parts to track them. What’s the difference between active and passive tags? Active RFID tags have a battery, which is used to run the microchip’s circuitry and to broadcast a signal to a reader (the way a cell phone transmits signals to a base station). Passive tags have no battery. Instead, they draw power from the reader, which sends out electromagnetic waves that induce a current in the tag’s antenna. Semi-passive tags use a battery to run the chip’s circuitry, but communicate by drawing power from the reader. Active and semi-passive tags are useful for tracking high-value goods that need to be scanned over long ranges, such as railway cars on a track, but they cost a dollar or more, making them too expensive to put on low-cost items. The Auto-ID Center is focusing on passive tags, which cost under a dollar today. Their read range isn’t as far – less than ten feet vs. 100 feet or more for active tags – but they are far less expensive than active tags and require no maintenance. How much information can the RFID tag store? It depends on the vendor and the application, but typically a tag would carry no more than 2KB of data – enough to store some basic information about the item it is on. What is the read range for a typical RFID tag? The read range of passive tags depends on many factors: the frequency of operation, the power of the reader, interference from metal objects or other RF devices. In general, low-frequency tags are read from a foot or less. High frequency tags are read from about three feet and UHF tags are read from 10 to 20 feet. Where longer ranges are needed, active tags use batteries to boost read ranges to 300 feet or more. Are there any standards for RFID? Yes. International standards have been adopted for some very specific applications, such as tracking animals. Many other standards initiatives are under way. What are some of the most common applications for RFID? RFID is used for everything from tracking livestock and pets to triggering equipment down oil wells. The most common applications are tracking goods in the supply chain, tracking assets, tracking parts moving to a manufacturing production line and security (including controlling access to buildings and networks)
Answer: RFID (radio frequency identification) is a fast, automatic identification technology similar in application to bar code technology but uses radio frequency (RF) instead of a visual scanner to transfer data between a reader and an item being tracked. Since high performance systems can read data on tags at a speed of at least 40 tags per second, RFID can be data collection at warp speed without human interaction; a highly efficient wireless alternative for item management tracking. Will RFID replace bar codes?Answer: It is likely that RFID and bar codes will coexist for many years. Bar codes are inexpensive and effective for certain tasks. How does RFID work?Answer: RFID uses a reader to l ocate and track special tags or labels attached to an item, similar to a bar code system. Instead of collecting laser light reflections off printed bar code labels, RFID uses low wattage radio frequencies to read from and write to the tags. The RFID tags, or labels, equipped with an RF antenna and a tiny computer chip, broadcast information to the RFID reader. These broadcast radio waves do not require a direct line of sight or one-at-a-time labor intensive involvement. Tags do not have to be in contact with the device that “reads” the information stored on the chip. What is a RFID tag?Answer: In general, an RFID tag consists of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and an RFID antenna that can be mounted on various substrates. Each element of an RFID tag is selected for optimum efficiency for the application. Physical sizes can range from as small as a thumbnail to as large as a brick. Intermec’s RFID tag and label product line offers up to 2048 bits of memory and read ranges up to 25 feet, dependent upon the application. The term “tag” and “transponder” are synonymous. How much do RFID tags cost?Answer: Tags can cost as little as 10 cents or as much as $100 depending on the type of tag, the application and the volume of the order. Generally speaking, finished smart labels that can be applied to cases and pallets typically cost between 10 and 20 cents, depending upon volume. Active tags – those with a battery – can cost far more. What are the benefits of RFID compared to other automatic identification technologies such as bar codes?Answer: RFID-enabled systems help companies cut costs, improve customer service, reduce labor, increase accuracy, and improve production throughput. The technology is superior compared to the limitations of traditional ADC technologies. Bar code and vision systems rely on optics and require a relatively clean and moisture–free environment. Touch memory does not use optics but does require a relatively clean environment because contact must be made to read the tag. Why is RFID better than using bar codes?Answer: RFID is ideal for dirty, oily, wet or harsh environments. RFID tags and RFID readers have no moving parts so require no maintenance. RFID tags can be read and write, intelligent, and carry larger amounts of data compared to other identification systems. Unlike bar codes, RFID tags are virtually impossible to copy or counterfeit. RFID is fast. The tag can be read and communicate back in milliseconds. RFID systems can also read multiple tags at once, much faster than bar code. How does RFID enhance the supply chain?Answer: It allows updated information to travel with the individual item as it passes through the supply chain – information that can be dynamically changed throughout t he journey. If I use RFID in my processes, and the product is shipped to a customer containing some data I don’t want shared, is there anything to prevent access to that data?Answer: Yes, permanent memory l ocks within the computer chip can secure data at the byte level to prevent access of data to unauthorized users. Bytes left unlocked, can be re-written to 100,000 times. Bytes can be locked in the factory or in the field to protect data as it is entered along the supply chain. Data can also be encrypted or password protected if the application requires data security. How is RFID being used today?Answer: Existing uses of RFID include: Raw material tracking, work-in-process (WIP) tracking, pallets/box tracking, a cradle-to-grave supply chain application in a retail environment, parcel package tracking, a border control checkpoint application and many more. Most of the companies adopting this technology are early adopters and view this as a competitive advantage in their specific industry. Consequently, they have been hesitant to publicize their efforts. Intermec appreciates their recognition of the competitive advantage of this technology and is respectful of their decision to delay publicizing their efforts. How easily can I implement an RFID solution with my business or one of my customers?Answer: Products are available that can be fully integrated, support multiple frequencies, complement legacy systems already in use, and provide interconnectivity with other automatic data collection products. Intermec’s RFIDeploy Services help customers by evaluating RFID technology and integrating it seamlessly into their business processes. RFIDeploy is a suite of consultative and site engineering services that combine together to accomplish a fully integrated RFID system implementation. What kinds of problems might one encounter in operating RFID systems?Answer: Several potential issues must be addressed successfully at the front end of the design process. Careful selection of a dynamic solution is paramount. In every case, a system design approach is required before implementing an RFID solution. The requirements for multiple tags, speed of operation, accuracy, cost and security must all be considered to provide the result demanded by the application. A site survey is a critical step in the evaluation of RFID solutions. Some of the common problems with generic RFID are:
Does Intermec RFID follow any standards?Answer: Absolutely. In fact, in October of 1999, Intermec was the first company to announce that its RFID product family met the new item management standard adopt ed by the American National Standards Institute (ANS NCITS 256-1999). In keeping with our RFID leadership, Intermec was the first to announce and demonstrate that its RFID product family met the EPCglobal Gen 2 air interface standard. Today, Intermec is the only RFID company whose RFID readers and tags are EPCglobal certified Gen 2 compatible and interoperable. Intermec RFID supports all relevant adopted and emerging national and international standards including:
What are Intermec’s target markets?Answer: Item, case, pallet and container tracking for supply chain management for the Logistics, Retail, Consumer Goods, and I ndustrial manufacturing industries. What are the key differentiators of Intermec’s RFID products to others in the marketplace?Answer: The most obvious advantage is that Intermec is the only company to bring all the vital elements of automatic data collection, including RFID, together under one company – ensuring compatibility and inter-operability of systems. Intermec RFID products are certified EPCglobal compatible and interoperable. The Intermec IF5 Fixed RFID Reader was ranked #1 in adjacent dock door use by leading U.S. RFID testing lab ODIN technologies. Intermec RFID’s technology differentiators include: high data rates and capacity, low cost, read/write capability, foolproof anti-collision protocol (no jamming), lockable memory at the byte level, bulk and sub-group programming (write to one, many, or all simultaneously), and frequency flexibility of the chip so tags can move throughout the world operating at the reader frequency approved in each country. With a large, multiple-field read/write memory, each of Intermec’s tags and inserts can simultaneously support EPC, GTIN, UPC content, and Advanced Shipping Notice reference codes, as well as original manufacturer and distributor unique codes, delivering the user the ultimate flexibility to adapt as current and future standards evolve. What is the difference between active and passive RFID tags?Answer: Active RFID tags have a battery, which is used to run the microchip’s circuitry and to broadcast a signal to a reader (the way a cell phone transmits signals to a base station). Passive tags have no battery. Instead, they draw power from the reader, which sends out electromagnetic waves that induce a current in the tag’s antenna. Semi-passive tags use a battery to run the chip’s circuitry, but communicate by drawing power from the reader. Active and semi-passive tags are useful for tracking high-value goods that need to be scanned over long ranges, such as railway cars on a track, but they can cost anywhere from a dollar to over $100 each, making them too expensive to put on low-cost items. What are the different frequencies?Answer: RFID systems use many different frequencies, but generally the most common are low- (around 125 KHz), high- (13.56 MHz) and ultra-high frequency, or UHF (850-928 MHz). Microwave (2.45 GHz) is also used in some applications. Radio waves behave differently at different frequency, so choice of frequency should be based on the demands of the application. Download PDF » or check out our RFID Solutions, Barcode Printers and Barcode Scanners today! |
What uses a battery to run the microchips circuitry but communicate by drawing power from the RFID reader?
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