1 RFID Identification Technology
Speaking of QR codes, everyone probably knows they are a form of information recording, or an effective means of information management. Many people can describe the advantages and characteristics of QR codes with the term 'clear-cut'. Low cost, convenience, etc., are their advantages. However, if we mention their 'brother' RFID, perhaps fewer people would know about it.
RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification, which we often call radio frequency identification or electronic tag. It is a communication technology that uses radio signals to identify and control corresponding targets without establishing mechanical or optical contact between the identification system and the specific target. Simply put, it is a technology that uses radio frequency signals to control and identify objects.
Experience RFID: A More Advanced Identification Technology than QR Codes
From a technical perspective, FRID technology is not complicated. After the tag enters the magnetic field, it receives the radio frequency signal emitted by the reader, then uses the induced current to send stored information. After being read and decoded by the reader, the information is sent to the central information system for processing.
A complete RFID system consists of a reader, an electronic tag, and system management application software. In these three parts, the reader is responsible for emitting a signal of a certain frequency to the electronic tag. The electronic tag then sends the data from its internal circuit and delivers it to the final application for processing. Of course, saying this might feel abstract, so let's further analyze the characteristics of RFID technology from its applications.
2 Applications of RFID
Since the 1980s, RFID technology has been widely used and gradually matured. Especially in recent years, with the rapid development of the IoT industry, RFID technology has gained even broader development space. Currently, as people recognize radio frequency identification technology, RFID is penetrating more fields. Generally, we can divide it into two aspects: managing people and managing objects.
Experience RFID: A More Advanced Identification Technology than QR Codes
Applications of RFID
Managing People - Access Control, Security, and Attendance Management
In our security industry, access control and attendance systems are also the most widely used fields for RFID technology. It is often used in government agencies, large enterprises, campus institutions, or residential access control systems. Due to the high flexibility of RFID systems, the functionality of access control systems based on RFID technology is also very broad. It can be a simple access control or a control management system with identification capabilities, offering a rich selection.
In ordinary security management, RFID can interconnect with infrared alarm monitoring devices to achieve the integration of RFID and traditional intrusion technology. In monitoring, RFID can analyze the RFID signals detected in the same time period and the output signals of traditional intrusion detection devices, determine whether the person should be allowed entry based on the type of information, and then make a corresponding response. This undoubtedly greatly improves the intelligence and humanization of the security system, bringing more convenience to monitoring work.
In addition, this radio frequency scanning technology can also be applied to attendance management. The system collects signals, identifies and stores information. It can be used for daily patrol work and also as an application for attendance management.
3 Management of Vehicles and Goods
Managing Objects - Goods Recording and Vehicle Management
Currently, many parking lots in China have adopted RFID technology to achieve vehicle service or fee management through the system. With the support of RFID technology, the system can autonomously control all vehicles in the lot. Even in unattended situations, it can easily calculate the vehicle's dwell time, required fees, etc. At the same time, it can also display the parking space status on the ground display screen to better guide traffic flow.
In addition, the ETC technology used on many highways today is also based on RFID technology. Vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping to complete toll payment. This has good effects in saving labor costs, alleviating traffic congestion, and even reducing environmental pollution.
Experience RFID: A More Advanced Identification Technology than QR Codes
In supermarket goods management, RFID is also a frequently used goods management technology. The composition of an RFID goods management system only requires a radio frequency card with a memory capacity of only 1 bit attached to the object and a reader at the store exit. The radio frequency card is activated when installed. When the radio frequency card scans the corresponding signal, it will automatically identify and alarm. If the goods are purchased, the salesperson removes the radio frequency card or uses a magnetic field to deactivate the card (a common degaussing method in supermarkets), so the alarm device does not react. This technology is now widely used in supermarket management.
The Game between RFID and QR Codes
For QR codes, everyone probably already knows their characteristics very well. Nowadays, after installing the corresponding software on a dedicated reading device or smartphone, all the information in the QR code can be read. In summary, QR codes have features such as large information storage capacity, strong error correction capability, fast reading speed, and omnidirectional reading. Compared with RFID, switching from one-dimensional barcodes to QR codes costs almost nothing except printing. And it is precisely this low cost and ease of use that laid a good foundation for the promotion of QR codes. Currently, QR codes are used in logistics, finance, transportation, manufacturing, e-commerce, media, tourism, and other fields. Consumers can even get more interaction with manufacturers or protect their own rights through QR codes.
4 The Game between QR Codes and RFID
For RFID, its advantages over QR codes include strong multi-tag identification ability, strong pollution resistance and durability, penetrability and barrier-free reading, and reusability. In addition, data on RFID tags can be modified repeatedly, allowing for internal recycling within enterprises, converting one-time costs into long-term amortized costs. Overall, RFID is generally superior to QR codes in terms of information identification capability and security.
Experience RFID: A More Advanced Identification Technology than QR Codes
It can be said that QR codes and RFID are like two technologies standing side by side on the same front, with very intense competition. From a technical perspective, RFID's identification capability is obviously higher and its security is stronger. However, the disadvantages of RFID lie in its high cost and complex system construction. Therefore, whether in terms of price or ease of use, RFID always seems less 'friendly' than QR codes. This has virtually isolated some users from RFID technology. In general, QR codes are now more used in the low-end market, while RFID is more favored by the high-end market. And currently, QR codes are indeed more common in the market.
However, it should be mentioned that due to different needs and the strong complementarity of the two technologies' characteristics, it is unrealistic to think that one will outweigh the other in the near future. Their coexistence and competition will undoubtedly continue for a longer time.
As a new technology, RFID brings new ways to our lives. Although it still has many unsatisfactory aspects, as a sunrise technology, we still have high hopes for its future. We believe that it and QR codes, as high and low identification technologies, will bring more surprises to our lives in the future.