A basic RFID system
contains of the three elements:
Transponder/Tag
Reader/Writer
Software
These three elements combined
enable the procedure of identifying, tracking and
recording information on an object.
Radio
Frequency Identification (RFID) is the most common
type of electronic identification systems. These
systems are electronic data storage devices in
which a coded identification word is stored in a
machine-readable (and possibly writable) tag,
which uniquely identify an object. Tags exist in
many forms and appear on such items as luggage,
device, machine, train, car, fish, cow, pet, or
human.
Tags might be used in identifying or
collecting information on the host to which they
are attached. RFID tags can be readable from a
distance using remote tag reader devices.
RFID
systems can be categorized according to the
following parameters:
Frequency range
Typical RFID
systems use frequencies in the LF, HF,UHF and up
to the microwave band.
LF or Low Frequency is in the
100-500 KHz frequency band and provides short to
medium read range at a low reading speed. Its
advantages are its ability to penetrate obscuring
materials and it is inexpensive compared to other
frequencies.
HF or High Frequency ranges from
10-15 MHz; typically 13.56 MHz and provides short
to medium reading range at medium reading speed.
It’s potentially inexpensive and has moderate
penetration in obscuring materials.
UHF or Ultra High Frequency has a
comparatively lengthy reading range and is
available in 860-950 MHz frequency band. It also
has high reading speed and is expensive as
compared to the other frequencies.
Microwave Frequency is
found in 2.4-5.8 GHz frequency band and has a
medium reading range with moderate penetration
ability in obscuring materials. It’s relatively
expensive as compared to LF and HF.
Active/passive:
Whether the tag
contains a power source or not. Active tags allow
bigger operational range, whereas passive tags
cost less and have longer lifetime.
Chip/chip less:
Whether there is an
embedded integrated circuit (IC) in the tag.
Microchips allow greater functionalities (R/W,
on-tag processing).
Conventional/low
cost:
The industry is pushing towards the
achievement of low cost tags that will overcome
limitations due to the cost of integrating RF
tags. |