3. RFID
• RFID = Radio Frequency Identification
• Electronic labeling and wireless identification of objects using radio frequency
• Tag carries with its information
• a serial number
• Model number
• Color or any other imaginable data
• When these tags pass through a field generated by a compatible reader, they
transmit this information back to the reader, thereby identifying the object
4. RFID components
• A basic RFID system consists of these components:
• A programmable RFID tag/inlay for storing item data; consisting of
• an RFID chip for data storage
• an antenna to facilitate communication with the RFID chip
• A reader/antenna system to interrogate the RFID inlay
• Application software and a host computer system
5. RFID Tag
• The RFID tag consists of an integrated circuit (IC) embedded in a thin film
medium.
• Information stored in the memory of the RFID chip is transmitted by the antenna
circuit embedded in the RFID inlay via radio frequencies, to an RFID reader
• 3 types
• Passive
• Semi-passive
• Active
6. Types of RFID Tags
Active Tags
• Use a battery
• communicate over distances
of several meters
Semi-passive Tags
• Contain built-in batteries to
power the chip’s circuitry,
resist interference and
circumvent a lack of power
from the reader signal due
to long distance.
• They are different from
active tags in that they only
transmit data at the time a
response is received
Passive Tags
• Derive their power from the
field generated by the reader
• without having an active
transmitter to transfer the
information stored
7. Applications
Frequency Appx. Read Range Data Speed Cost of Tags Application
Low Frequency (125kHz) <5cm
(passive)
Low High • Animal Identification
• Access Control
High Frequency (13.56 Mhz) 10 cm – 1m
(passive)
Low to Moderate Medium to Low • Smart Cards
• Payment (paywave)
Ultra High Frequency (433, 868-928 Mhz) 3m -7m
(passive)
Moderate to High Low • Logistics and Supply Chain
• Baggage Tracking
Microwave (2.45 & 5.8 Ghz) 10m -15m
(passive)
20m – 40m
(active)
High High • Electronic toll collection (Autotoll)
• Container Tracking
