| Overview of the RFID System |
| |
| What is RFID? |
|
| RFID, which stands for Radio Frequency Identification, refers to a radio communication technology that is an automatic data collection solution, RFID systems consist of an RF tag (or transponder: a radio receiver or transmitter that responds to an external signal by automatically transmitting a signal) and an RF reader (reader/controller). |
|
| RFID systems with encoded identification information are attached
to objects such as badges, automobiles, goods, and livestock, and their
information can be decoded without making physical contact of a radio
communication device. RFID systems can automate a number of existing
applications in industry as a whole as well as in our daily lives. |
|
| To get a clearer picture of RFID, let us compare it with barcoding.
RF tags (largely divided into RF tags and RF cards) are to an RF reader
what labels on barcodes are to a scanner/decoder. |
|
| Just as a barcode scanner reads data by scanning labels, an RF reader
reads data by sending and receiving radio signals to and from the RF
tags, or transponders, without making contact. |
|
| RFID Features |
|
 RFID
requires neither direct contact nor line of sight |
| RFID
identifies and reads data very fast |
| RFID
requires virtually no maintenance. |
| RFID
achieves almost 100% precision. |
| RFID
works even in dust/paint/vapor/mud/water/plastic/wood/glass/grease. |
| If
recycled, RF tags cost less than barcoding. |
| RF
tags are semi-permanent because they are contact free and therefore free
from failure caused by
a malfunctioning reader. |
| RF
tags can perform intelligently (like a smart card) |
| RF
tags can send or receive a large volume of data. |
| RF
tags can store or read data. |
| RF
tags can be used in an extremely hostile environment. |
| RF
tags can be used in flexible positions of an object. |
| Data in RF tags cannot be forged or modified, ensuring perfect security.
Making counterfeit RF tags is
difficult. |
|
| RFID Composition and Functions |
|
| RFID tags consist of an antenna, receiver/transmitter,
and an RF tag also known as a transponder. The functions of these components
are as follows. |
|
| The antenna mediates between the tag and the receiver/transmitter.
It sends a radio signal to enable or disable the tag, and read and write
data. |
|
| RFID tags come in various shapes and sizes. They are divided into
active tags and passive tags depending on whether they have a power supply,
and into low-frequency systems and high-frequency systems depending on
the frequency bands used |
|
|
|
| |
 |
RFID
