RFID tags are used to track a variety of goods, including packages and inventory. In the case of retail, RFID helps prevent theft and unauthorized returns.
With RFID, employees can also track items as they move through the supply chain so they know where to locate them. It helps avoid stock-outs and improve customer experience.
Passive RFID Labels
Passive RFID tags are commonly used in a wide variety of applications. They can help streamline distribution, improve demand forecasting and make manufacturing more responsive. They also provide visibility into product movement and have been proven to reduce errors and inefficiencies.
They’re typically made from a low-power integrated circuit (IC) that stores data onboard and sends/receives information through an antenna to an external reader. They come in different sizes, power sources and frequency ranges, so they’re ideal for a wide range of applications
In addition, they’re robust and durable. They can withstand fires, impact, freezing and chemicals. They can be printed in a variety of colours and fonts, as well as made to look like stickers or labels.
Despite their durability, there are certain issues with passive tags. They’re not as able to be read from a distance as active tags are, and environmental factors can also affect their performance.
Another common issue is a lack of power – this can be a problem if your reader is in an area without enough sunlight to generate the appropriate electromagnetic waves for the tag to operate correctly. You’ll need to purchase a more powerful reader to power all your active and passive tags if you have multiple readers.
The RFID reader will then track which direction the asset is moving, allowing you to automate audits with minimal physical interaction. It will save you time and money on your operations, making it easier to find where assets are in the building at any given time.
Active RFID Labels
Active RFID tags are battery-powered and periodically transmit signals, which is useful for location tracking. They can also be used for applications that require longer read ranges than passive tags. These include inventorying many items simultaneously and monitoring high-value goods like cargo or vehicles.
An active tag consists of three essential components: a chip, an antenna and an onboard power supply. Typically, the battery life of an active tag is between 3 and 5 years. The chip allows the tag to store data, while the antenna enables the system to communicate with other readers or access points.
Generally, RFID systems use low-frequency (LF), high-frequency (HF) or ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) radio frequencies to communicate with a reader or interrogator. LF and HF are primarily magnetic, while UHF is electrical. The shape of the antenna in a tag can be important to its performance, with coils common in LF and HF and “rabbit ears” commonly used in UHF.
The frequency of the radio signal also affects the performance of an RFID system. A lower frequency may be more sensitive to interference from non-RFID-friendly materials, such as water or metals, but it can also allow the system to work better in challenging environments where space is at a premium.
In a typical RFID system, an RFID reader or interrogator activates the tag within its range and collects the data it contains. It then prioritizes which information it requires from the tag and sends it to the appropriate destination.
RFID stickers are often affixed to products, boxes and pallets to identify their unique identifiers. They are also affixed to high-value equipment in many industries, including automobile sales, manufacturing, healthcare and remote monitoring.
Compared to barcodes, RFID stickers are usually less expensive, smaller and easier to manufacture. They also provide a faster response time, which is especially helpful for inventorying many items or tracking assets in real time.
An RFID sticker can also be attached to a parking lot to control vehicle access based on user-defined criteria, such as whether or not the driver has a valid identification card. The system then opens the access barrier when the correct driver arrives.
Printed RFID Labels
Printed RFID labels contain a barcode or information encoded on an RFID tag, such as a company logo or serial number. These tags are a great way to improve the tracking of your inventory, equipment, and assets.
