Radio Frequency Identification

Radio frequency identification, also known as RFID is a type of automatic identification. This method of automatic identification relies on storing as well as remotely retrieving information. The way that the information is retrieved is with radio frequency identification tags or transponders. The radio frequency tag or transponder is a very small object that can be attached, implanted, or put into a product, animal, or person depending on what type of information needs to be transmitted. Any RFID tag or transponder will contain small silicon chips in addition to antennas, as these elements will allow them to receive and even respond to radio frequency inquiries from an RFID transceiver. There are two types of RFID tags, one of which has an internal power source while the other does not.

An RFID system can actually be quite complicated or quite simple, depending on what one is trying to achieve. A radio frequency identification system will typically involve several components, which are tags, tag readers, edge servers, middleware, and some sort of application software. The whole purpose of an RFID system is to allow information to be transmitted by a tag, or mobile device. The tag is then read by an RFID reader and processed by the application software in a specified way. An RFID tag can transmit many types of data such as identification, location, and specific information about the tagged item such as price color, purchase date, and more! RFID is a popular way to track moving objects and has been used quite regularly since the 1980s and promises to continue development.

An RFID tag is actually a complicated little piece of equipment. In the RFID system an object will be equipped with the small tag. A radio frequency identification tag is equipped with a transponder that has a digital memory chip that has a unique electronic product code. An antenna with a transceiver is a part of the radio frequency identification tag and it emits a signal through an electromagnetic zone so that it can detect the reader's activation signal. The reader then decodes the data that in stored on the tags integrated circuit and the data is then transferred to the host computer. The application software then processes the information that has been transmitted so that it may be evaluated. Most application software will process the data in physical markup language, also known as PML. The whole process sounds quite complicated when you try to write it out in plain language, and it is, but the whole transmission of data can happen in just moments once an object has been tagged.

The Benefits of RFID include:

• The ability to eliminate time consuming bar-coding or other tracking processes. Instead, all data can be collected along the production line. This also helps to lower production costs.
• Prevention of the distribution of counterfeit products.
• Elimination or reduction of theft and loss.
• Reduction of supply chain cost.
• Elimination of data entry and other tedious manual business process transactions.
• Increase in order fulfillment time.
• Less time spent in check out lines, as consumers will only have to push their shopping carts in front of the readers.

There are low, high, and ultra high frequencies for the tags. High frequency tags are used in things such as library books, pallet tracking, bookstore tracking, access control for buildings, airline baggage tracking, as well as for apparel and even the tracking of pharmaceuticals. High frequency RFID tags are often used in ID badges in the workplace to replace the magnetic strips that were often used to log in or out of time clocks or controlled areas. These badges needn't be swiped like the magnet, instead they are held in front of a reader, and then the badge is either accepted or denied. American Express now uses this type of technology with their ExpressPay Blue card, and there is no doubt there will be more of this to follow.

Low frequency tags are often associated with CDs, books, DVDs and the like to prevent theft from the store in which they are sold. Most people don't believe that they know what an RFID tag is until you explain that they are often used to deter theft! We've all found those little radio frequency identification tags in our new clothes or belongings from time to time. The low frequency RFID tag is an effective and cost efficient way to deter theft and catch those that attempt.

Ultra high frequency tags are often used commercially. Many companies will used the ultra high frequency or UHF tags to track their trucks, certain pallets, trailers, and other large items. These tags help companies keep costs down as they can track items as they are shipped from one destination to another. If the item is not delivered, the company can then find out what happened and hopefully recover the items that are being sought.

Knowing what type of radio frequency identification tag you need to use will depend on what you are attempting to track. Low and high frequency radio frequency identification tags can be used without a license, which makes them more attractive to many people. Low and high frequency tags can also be used globally, so that it doesn't matter where the item will be, a mobile device will be able to communicate with it. Ultra-high frequency tags cannot be used globally, meaning their use is eliminated for many people looking to use them on a global level. To determine what type of RFID tag you will need, you first need to decide on what level you will be tracking items so that you can choose the most efficient tag for your purpose. Because there are relatively few standards where RFID is concerned, you can use the type of tag based on your needs and really not worry too much about licensing or standard practice.

Radio frequency identification tags are becoming more and more common, with big retailers demanding that their suppliers use them to track their items as well as to deter theft within their stores. The RFID system is replacing the UPC codes for many, although many argue that the radio frequency identification system will never replace the UPC system because it simply costs more. As radio frequency identification or RFID continues to evolve there is no doubt that it will become more and more affordable, meaning it might eventually replace the UPC system, which would be extraordinary. It will definitely be interesting to see this relatively new technology evolve as more and more people realize how efficient the system really can be.