RFID Basics
In a RFID basics system, tags are attached to all items that are to be tracked. These tags are made from a tiny tag-chip, sometimes called an integrated circuit (IC), that is connected to an antenna that can be built into many different kinds of tags including apparel hang tags, labels, and security tags, as well as a wide variety of industrial asset tags.
The tag chip contains memory which stores the product’s electronic product code (EPC) and other variable information so that it can be read and tracked by RFID readers anywhere.
An RFID reader is a network connected device (fixed or mobile) with an antenna that sends power as well as data and commands to the tags. The RFID reader acts like an access point for RFID tagged items so that the tags’ data can be made available to business applications.
RFID Solutions Constitute the
following Components :
- Readers
- Antennae
- Tags
- Reader Control & Application Software
RFID Tags
An RFID tag is comprised of an integrated circuit (called an IC or chip) attached to an antenna that has been printed, etched, stamped or vapor-deposited onto a mount which is often a paper substrate or PolyEthylene Therephtalate (PET). The chip and antenna combo, called an inlay, is then converted or sandwiched between a printed label and its adhesive backing or inserted into a more durable structure.
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Tag Integrated Circuit(IC)
The tag’s chip or integrated circuit
(IC) delivers performance, memory and extended features to the tag. The chip is
pre-programmed with a tag identifier (TID), a unique serial number assigned by
the chip manufacturer, and includes a memory bank to store the items’ unique
tracking identifier (called an electronic product code or EPC).
Electronic Product Code(EPC)
The electronic product code (EPC) stored in the tag chip’s memory is
written to the tag by an RFID printer and takes the form of a 96-bit string of
data. The first eight bits are a header which identifies the version of the
protocol. The next 28 bits identify the organization that manages the data for
this tag; the organization number is assigned by the EPCglobal consortium. The
next 24 bits are an object class, identifying the kind of product; the last 36
bits are a unique serial number for a particular tag. These last two fields are
set by the organization that issued the tag. The total electronic product code
number can be used as a key into a global database to uniquely identify that
particular product
RFID Tag Antennae
Tag antennae collect energy and channel it to the chip to turn it on. Generally, the larger the tag antenna’s area, the more energy it will be able to collect and channel toward the tag chip, and the further read range the tag will have.
There is no perfect antenna for all
applications. It is the application that defines the antenna specifications.
Some tags might be optimized for a particular frequency band. while
others might be tuned for good performance when attached to materials that may
not normally work well for wireless communication (certain liquids and metals,
for example). Antennas can be made from a variety of materials; they can be
printed, etched, or stamped with conductive ink, or even vapor deposited onto
labels.
Tags that have only a single antenna
are not as reliable as tags with multiple antennas. With a single antenna, a
tag’s orientation can result in “dead zones”, or areas on the tag where
incoming signals cannot be easily harvested to provide sufficient energy to
power on the chip and communicate with the reader. A tag with dual antennas is
able to eliminate these dead zones and increase its readability but requires a
specialized chip.
RFID Readers
An RFID reader, also known as an interrogator, is a device that provides the connection between the tag data and the enterprise system software that needs the information. The reader communicates with tags that are within its field of operation, performing any number of tasks including simple continuous inventorying, filtering (searching for tags that meet certain criteria), writing (or encoding) to selected tags, etc.
The reader uses an attached antenna
to capture data from tags. It then passes the data to a computer for
processing. Just like RFID tags, there are many different sizes and types of
RFID readers. Readers can be affixed in a stationary position in a store or
factory, or integrated into a mobile device such as a portable, handheld
scanner. Readers can also be embedded in electronic equipment or devices, and
in vehicles.
RFID Reader Antennae
RFID readers and reader antennas work
together to read tags. Reader antennas convert electrical current into
electromagnetic waves that are then radiated into space where they can be
received by a tag antenna and converted back to electrical current. Just like
tag antennas, there is a large variety of reader antennas and optimal antenna
selection varies according to the solution’s specific application and
environment.
The two most common antenna types are
linear- and circular-polarized antennas. Antennas that radiate linear electric
fields have long ranges, and high levels of power that enable their signals to
penetrate through different materials to read tags. Linear antennas are
sensitive to tag orientation; depending on the tag angle or placement, linear
antennas can have a difficult time reading tags. Conversely, antennas that
radiate circular fields are less sensitive to orientation, but are not able to
deliver as much power as linear antennas.
Choice of antenna is also determined
by the distance between the RFID reader and the tags that it needs to read.
This distance is called read range. Reader antennas operate in either a
“near-field” (short range) or “far-field” (long range). In near-field
applications, the read range is less than 30 cm and the antenna uses magnetic
coupling so the reader and tag can transfer power. In near-field systems, the
readability of the tags is not affected by the presence of dielectrics such as
water and metal in the field.
In far-field applications, the range
between the tag and reader is greater than 30 cm and can be up to several tens
of meters. Far-field antennas utilize electromagnetic coupling and dielectrics
can weaken communication between the reader and tags.
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