RFID technology what it is? RFID application

What is RFID?

RFID  is a method of automatic identification via radio signal. The system consists of readers, tags and software. A tag is a microcircuit that stores data, as well as an antenna for wireless transmission of information. An external reader scans the memory of the RFID tag and processes the receive data. The software is responsible for the integrity of the system.

The method of automatic identification of objects is use more and more every year. With the help of Radio Frequency Identification, they check the availability of the organization’s property and the state of financial obligations, automate production processes, establish the authenticity of objects, and track the logistics of supplies. We will try to understand in more detail how the system works and what is its advantage.

How RFID Works

Radio Frequency Identification is essentially an improve friend or foe radar identification algorithm. The hardware-software technical complex for automatic search for differences uses radio waves of a certain frequency. The data is store in a special tag that can be receive and then decrypt remotely using special readers.

The technology has a fairly simple mechanism of operation:

• information is record using radio waves on a microchip;
• data is sent to the reader using a radio signal from the built-in antenna;
• determination of the emit frequency, adjustment and reading of information is carry out automatically at the expense of the scanner.

The demand for RFID appear at the beginning of the twenty-first century. The system is constantly being improve, use for labeling and automate identification of products. But the list of RFID solution in Pakistan functions is much broader. With the help of modern technology, it is possible to identify and control the movement of mark objects, both living and non-living.

Practical application of RFID technology

There are more and more areas of use of the system. Identification is especially in demand when carrying out intelligent accounting of the movement of objects, making management decisions, and automating work.

In industrial production, the technology is use for the following purposes:

• GP marking;
• automation of management processes;
• labeling of packaging and vehicles;
• marking the procurement and delivery of materials;
• coordination of work, access and worker safety;
• improvement of the process of receiving and unloading;
• automation of interdepartmental planning.

RFID in inventory control:

• identification of storage locations;
• marking the processes of warehousing, delivery and movement of objects;
• coordination of vehicle movement;
• management of security and access to the territory.

RFID performs the following functions in transportation logistics:

• provides contactless identification of commodity groups and consignments;
• monitors the movement of the vehicle and cargo online;
• coordinates the timely delivery of items to the recipient;
• monitors compliance with the regime and the safety of the transportation process;
• takes part in the automation of the processes of cargo picking and sorting.

In the part of retail, modern technology is use to achieve the following tasks:

• accounting of incoming and outgoing transactions, delivery of goods to customers;
• automation of checking the availability of the organization’s property and the state of its financial obligations, other accounting processes;
• fight against theft and counterfeiting;
• organization of a cash register, sales areas, discount programs.

Automation of toll roads includes several areas:

• providing protection against violations;
• organization of paid travel;
• tracking device operation;
• the ability to identify the vehicle at high speed;
• provision of automatic operation of toll points.

RFID technologies are also in demand in access control:

• provide individual access for employees to the premises;
• prevent theft and unwant intrusions;
• coordinate the automatic operation of the parking lot;
• establish remote control of barriers, doors.

In animal husbandry, a modern identification system is use when you need:

• self-regulating feeding processes;
• livestock marking and subsequent monitoring of the condition of animals;
• automatic provision of life preservation conditions;
• control of indicators of weight gain and milk yield;
• preventing unauthorize persons from entering the building.

Automatic identification of payment services is aim at achieving the following goals:

• payment for a pass through mechanisms restricting entry to the premises;
• monitoring the health of devices;
• payment for travel in the subway or transport;
• payment for visiting water parks, attractions.

The technology has found its application in libraries as well. RFID helps to simplify order fulfillment, structure storage and archives, control document flow and book movement. With the help of radio frequency identification, theft and intrusion protection is provide, and the inventory process is simplify.

Key benefits of RFID

Compare to a QR code, RFID has the following advantages:

• tags are almost impossible to forge, the function of rewriting an unlimit number of times is provide;
• integration of microchips into any part of the object is allow, European Article Number standards are not use;
• the microcircuit contains up to ten gigabytes of data about the subject;
• direct contact or line of sight is optional;
• identification is carry out at a distance of about three hundred meters;
• the complex has been working smoothly for 10 years;
• intelligent decisions are made online;
• the technology can be use in the most aggressive conditions, and the tags can be read through paint, dirt, water, steam, wood;
• group accounting of several moving objects – up to two hundred marks.

The data on the tag can be classify. Access is close in full or only part of the information.

Definition of RFID tags

An RFID tag is also known as a transponder. The micro-device has a built-in chip that stores the personal number and other user data. The antenna receives signals from the reader and transmits information to it.

Transponders are design to identify and track the location of objects. For all modifications, a single communication principle is provide, but labels are still distinguish by several parameters.

The appearance can be as follows:

1. Transponders in the form of key fobs provide access to office buildings, production hall. In rare cases, the label is also use for private property.
2. Round tags are available in two sizes: three to five and eight to ten millimeters. Permissible operating temperature: -40 to +90 degrees Celsius. The body is made of polystyrene, epoxy resin and ABS plastic.
3. Flasks are produce from plastic and glass. In most cases, products are use to identify animals and people. They are also suitable for installation on metal objects.
4. Rectangular plastic transponders have a robust housing. The device can withstand mechanical damage, including falling from a height.
5. Contactless plastic cards. This category includes bank debit and credit cards and travel passes. The body consists of several layers of polyvinyl chloride film.
6. Self-adhesive transponders are made of thin plastic or thick paper. The minimum label thickness is 0.1 mm. Barcodes and other data are apply to the surface.

Tags are also produce in the form of bracelets, which are use for admission to a close area.

RFID tag classification

• integrate inside;
• adhesive;
• built into the inside of the case.

 According to the power source, transponders are:

1.  Passive. The simplest version with a microchip and antenna. Activation, receiving power and transmitting an information pulse is possible only when the reader enters the area of ​​electromagnetic radiation. The radius of action of the electromagnetic field of the reader, for activation and operation, is 0.5-8.0 meters.
2. Semi-passive transponders include antenna, microchip and battery. Activation occurs due to the action of the reader pulse. Data is transmit by means of its own power supply. The range of operation of such devices is longer, but largely depends on the power of the reader and the sensitivity of the antenna.
3. Active tags provide independent and stable signal transmission. They include an antenna, a microchip, and a power supply. This option is more expensive than the others, has a limit battery life, but at the same time has a clear advantage – a much larger memory capacity. The kit may include additional sensors for humidity, temperature, gas content, radiation. Signal transmission is carried out at a distance of up to 300 meters.

 The following labels are distinguish by the type of memory:

• RO (one-time) – data is record once, use, as a rule, for identification;
• WORM (for multiple reading) – information is written once, but you can read it without restrictions;
• RW (for writing and rewriting) – information can be read and overwritten multiple times.

Transponders are also divide according to the frequency at which the encode data is transmit:

1. Tags with the longest range of action are call ultra-frequency. Range of values: 860 to 960 megahertz. They were originally develop to simplify the organization of warehousing.
2. Relatively inexpensive and environmentally friendly 13.56 megahertz tags have found their way into PS and logistics. They are install in maps for travel in the metro and other public transport.
3. Low-frequency tags are use for chipping people and animals. The coverage area from 125 to 164 kHz does not allow reading data over a long distance.

Other tag

Unlike other tags, short-range transponders, known as UNFs, withstand high humidity. Signal transmission is also possible with metal parts in the package. As a rule, the power of the tag and the reader is the same, but in some cases the tag is capable of emitting a signal several orders of magnitude lower than that of the reader.

There is no alternative to RFID, but this system is still quite an expensive solution. Depending on the complexity and type, the price of one tag with a microchip will be $ 0.15-7.0. The high cost will be justified when marking large-sized objects, valuable cargo or access to areas with increase safety requirements. When choosing a specific option, special attention should be paid to the distance between tags and readers, the presence of metal surfaces, the ability to store and rewrite information.