1. What is RFID?
RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. It is often referred to as inductive electronic chips, proximity cards, contactless cards, electronic tags, electronic barcodes, etc.
A complete RFID system consists of
a Reader and a Transponder. The operating principle is that the Reader transmits a specific frequency of radio wave energy to the Transponder to drive the Transponder circuit to send out its internal ID Code, and then the Reader receives this ID Code.
The special feature of the Transponder is that it requires no battery, no contact, and no swiping, so it is resistant to dirt. Moreover, the chip password is unique worldwide and cannot be copied, offering high security and long life.
RFID applications are very extensive. Current typical applications include animal chips, car chip anti-theft devices, access control, parking lot management, production line automation, and material management. There are two types of RFID tags: active tags and passive tags.
The following is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of an electronic tag: chip + antenna and RFID system composition
2. What is an Electronic Tag?
An electronic tag is also called an RFID tag, radio frequency tag, or radio frequency identification. It is a contactless automatic identification technology that uses radio frequency signals to identify target objects and obtain relevant data. The identification process requires no human intervention. As a wireless version of barcodes, RFID technology has advantages that barcodes do not have, such as waterproof, anti-magnetic, high-temperature resistance, long service life, large reading distance, encryptable data on the tag, larger data storage capacity, and freely changeable stored information.
3. What is RFID Technology?
RFID radio frequency identification is a contactless automatic identification technology that uses radio frequency signals to automatically identify target objects and obtain relevant data. The identification process requires no human intervention and can work in various harsh environments. RFID technology can identify high-speed moving objects and can simultaneously identify multiple tags, making operation quick and convenient.
Short-range radio frequency products are not afraid of harsh environments such as oil stains, dust, etc., and can replace barcodes in such environments, for example, tracking objects on factory assembly lines. Long-range radio frequency products are mostly used in transportation, with identification distances reaching tens of meters, such as automatic toll collection or vehicle identity recognition.
4. What is an RFID Solution?
An RFID solution is an RFID application plan developed by RFID technology suppliers based on the characteristics of industry development. It can be "tailor-made" according to the actual requirements of different enterprises.
RFID solutions can be classified by industry, such as logistics, anti-counterfeiting and anti-theft, identity identification, asset management, animal management, quick payment, etc. Click here to view solutions.
5. What is RFID Middleware?
RFID is one of the top ten strategic technologies that Gartner recommends enterprises consider adopting in 2005. Middleware can be called the hub of RFID operations because it can accelerate the emergence of key applications.
The RFID industry has enormous potential, with applications across manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, transportation, retail, defense, and more. Gartner Group believes RFID is one of the top ten strategic technologies that enterprises should consider adopting in 2005. However, the key to its success, besides tag price, antenna design, band standardization, and equipment certification, is the availability of key application software (Killer Application) to promote rapid adoption. Middleware can be called the hub of RFID operations because it can accelerate the emergence of key applications.
6. Basic Components of an RFID System?
The most basic RFID system consists of three parts:
Tag: Composed of a coupling element and a chip. Each tag has a unique electronic code and is attached to an object to identify the target object. Reader: A device that reads (and sometimes writes) tag information, which can be handheld or fixed.
Antenna: Transmits radio frequency signals between the tag and the reader.
7. Why Do Retailers Value RFID So Highly?
According to estimates by retail analysts at Sanford C. Bernstein, by adopting RFID, Walmart can save $8.35 billion annually, mostly from labor costs saved by not needing to manually check incoming barcodes. Although some analysts believe the $8 billion figure is overly optimistic, there is no doubt that RFID helps solve two of the biggest problems in retail: out-of-stocks and shrinkage (products lost due to theft and supply chain disruptions). Currently, theft alone costs Walmart nearly $2 billion annually. If a legitimate company achieved that revenue, it would rank 694th among the top 1,000 largest companies in the United States. Research institutions estimate that RFID technology can help reduce theft and inventory levels by 25%.
8. Basic Introduction to RFID Wireless Identification Electronic Tags:
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a contactless automatic identification technology. Its basic principle is to use radio frequency signals and spatial coupling (inductive or electromagnetic coupling) or radar reflection transmission characteristics to automatically identify objects.
An RFID system includes at least an electronic tag and a reader. The electronic tag is the data carrier of the RFID system, consisting of a tag antenna and a dedicated tag chip. Based on the power supply method, electronic tags can be divided into active tags, passive tags, and semi-passive tags. Active tags have a built-in battery, passive tags have no built-in battery, and semi-passive tags partially rely on batteries.
Electronic tags can be classified by frequency into low-frequency tags, high-frequency tags, ultra-high-frequency tags, and microwave tags. By packaging form, they can be divided into credit card tags, linear tags, paper tags, glass tube tags, circular tags, and special-shaped tags for special purposes.
An RFID reader (reader/writer) communicates wirelessly with RFID electronic tags via an antenna, enabling reading or writing of the tag’s identification code and memory data. A typical reader includes a high-frequency module (transmitter and receiver), a control unit, and a reader antenna.
9. RFID Development History:
RFID directly inherits the concept of radar and has developed into a vibrant new AIDC technology—RFID technology. In 1948, Harry Stockman's publication "Communication by Means of Reflected Power" laid the theoretical foundation for RFID.
1) Timeline of RFID technology development. In the 20th century, the theoretical and applied research of radio technology was one of the most important achievements in scientific and technological development. The development of RFID technology can be divided by decade as follows:
1941–1950. The improvement and application of radar gave birth to RFID technology, and 1948 laid the theoretical foundation of RFID.
1951–1960. Early exploration stage of RFID technology, mainly in laboratory experimental research.
1961–1970. RFID theory developed, and some application attempts began.
1971–1980. RFID technology and product development entered a period of rapid growth, with various RFID technology tests accelerating. The earliest RFID applications emerged.
1981–1990. RFID technology and products entered the commercial application stage, and various scale applications began to appear.
1991–2000. RFID technology standardization gained increasing attention, RFID products were widely adopted, and RFID products gradually became part of people's lives.
2001–present. Standardization issues have received increasing attention. RFID product varieties have become richer, with active tags,
passive tags, and semi-passive tags all developing. Tag costs continue to decrease, and large-scale application industries expand.
RFID theory has been enriched and improved. Single-chip tags, multi-tag reading, wireless read-write, long-distance identification of passive tags, and RFID adapted to high-speed moving objects are becoming a reality.
RFID Working Principle
RFID working principle and related theoretical knowledge
The basic model of an RFID system is shown in Figure 8-1.
Among them, the electronic tag is also called a radio frequency tag, transponder, or data carrier; the reader is also called a reading device, scanner, communicator, or reader/writer (depending on whether the electronic tag can be wirelessly rewritten). The electronic tag and the reader achieve spatial (contactless) coupling of radio frequency signals through coupling elements. Within the coupling channel, energy transfer and data exchange are realized according to timing relationships.
There are two types of coupling for radio frequency signals between the reader and the electronic tag.
(1) Inductive coupling. Transformer model, achieved through spatial high-frequency alternating magnetic field, based on the law of electromagnetic induction.
(2) Electromagnetic backscatter coupling: Radar principle model. The emitted electromagnetic wave reflects after hitting the target, carrying back target information, based on the spatial propagation law of electromagnetic waves.
Inductive coupling is generally suitable for short-range RFID systems operating at medium and low frequencies. Typical operating frequencies are 125kHz, 225kHz, and 13.56MHz. The identification distance is less than 1m, with a typical distance of 10–20 cm.
Electromagnetic backscatter coupling is generally suitable for long-range RFID systems operating at high frequencies and microwaves. Typical operating frequencies are 433MHz, 915MHz, 2.45GHz, and 5.8GHz. The identification distance is greater than 1m, with a typical distance of 3–10m.