LF HF UHF and Active RFID Products
RFID technology is the use of electrostatic or electromagnetic coupling in the radio frequency section of the electromagnetic spectrum to identify person, an object, or animal. RFID technology has the capability to revolutionize the way companies do business and also to protect and enhance the lives of consumers.
RFID- Active and Passive
With no internal power source, Passive RFID systems use tags. Battery-powered RFID tags are used by Active RFID systems that broadcast their own signal. “Beacons” commonly useActive RFID tags to track the real-time location of assets accurately or in high-speed environments. Much longer read range is provided byActive RFID tags than passive tags.
Passive RFID tags,unlikeactive RFID tags, only have two main components – the microchip or integrated circuit (IC) and the tag’s antenna.
Passive RFID tags operate at three main frequencies.
- Low Frequency (LF)– 125 – 134 KHz – With a short read ranges of about 1 – 10 centimeters, an extremely long wavelength. Typically, this frequency is used with animal tracking.
- High Frequency (HF) and Near-Field Communication – 13.56 MHz – With a read range of about 1 centimeter to 1 meter, a medium wavelength. This frequency is used withaccess control applications, data transmissions, passport security and DVD kiosks – applications that don’t need a long read range.
- Ultra High Frequency (UHF)– 865 – 960 MHz – With a long read range of more than 1 meter, a short, high-energy wavelength. This frequency is used with file tracking, race timing, laundry management, IT asset tracking as these applications need more than a meter of read range.
Active RFID
Active RFID systems have three important parts – antenna, a tag and a reader or interrogator. Active RFID tags have their own power source – an internal battery makes them possess large memory banks and long read ranges.
Active RFID tags are powered by a battery typically last between 3 – 5 years. The active tag will need to be replacedwhen the battery fails.
2 types of active RFID tags are available – beacons and transponders.
Active RFID transponders are used in toll booth payment systems and in secure access control.
Pros of Active RFID Tags
- With partnered technologies increased tag abilities (GPS, sensors, etc.)
- Rugged tag options
- Long Read Range