RFID is a contactless technology capable of identifying and counting a diverse range of objects, without contact or line of sight. It enables automatic communication between objects and computers. The principle is similar to bar-code technology, where data is transferred quickly and accurately.
RFID relies on the use of small tags or 'smart labels', which can be attached to, or embedded within, a wide range of objects. These tags are generally 'passive', in that the electrical power for their operation is provided by an electronic 'reader' , which transfers information to and from a tag and a computing system.
Such information may simply be a unique (and unalterable) identification code, or more sophisticated data that can be written wirelessly into the memory of individual tags, allowing each tagged object to store a small database that can be dynamically updated through a product's lifecycle.
Radio frequency waves are electromagnetic (em) and range from 30kHz to 300GHz. Only certain frequency bands within this range (listed below) are available for licence-free RFID systems. These bands now support RFID tags and reading/writing solutions.
The use of RFID technology offers the following advantages over the more traditional forms of Auto ID technology:
RFID technologies are being used where the use of bar codes has previously been difficult or impossible. The absence of RFID standards has been an obstacle to the widespread adoption of this technology. Several organisations are working to improve this situation including ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) and EPC global. The cost of implementing a RFID system has also been prohibitively expensive, although implementation costs are now reducing due to the increase in adoption of RFID systems.
However a number of companies, particularly in the supply chain, are now piloting RFID within their businesses.
Several hardware manufacturers, now offer RFID products, with integrated RFID readers and writers. Some of the products available include Cipherlab, Datamax, Cipherlab, Motorola, M3 mobile and Zebra Technologies.
A wide range of data transfer rates exist, depending on the RFID reader and the carrier frequency used. Generally speaking the higher the carrier frequency the higher the data transfer rates achievable.
Spirit offers a range of RFID solutions and can help you assess whether RFID can improve the product identification and tracking processes within your business, please contact us for more information.
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