Demystifying RFID

A definition of RFID Technology

RFID, which stands for Radio Frequency Identification, is a technology that uses radio waves to automatically identify objects. It is not a new concept as this technology was routinely used by the Allies and Germany in World War II to easily identify frienly aircraft or hostile one.

An RFID system consists of a tiny radio transponder called a tag, a radio receiver, and a transmitter. Communication between the reader and the tag is done in several different incompatible ways, depending on the frequency band used by the tag. Tags operating on LF (low frequency) and HF (high frequency) bands must be, due to the radio wavelength used, very close to the reader antenna. The more frequency is high, the more the tag can be far of the reader.

While there are various types of RFID systems, they all share the basic concept. Here's how it works:

• The system transmits radio waves to an RFID tag
  
• When the radio waves reach the tag, it receives power and wakes up.
  
• Thus powered, the tag transmits its unique identification information back to the reader.
  

Note that unlike a barcode, the RFID tag does not need to be within the line of sight of the reader. So, the tag may be embedded in an object becoming transparent to the eyes.

Beyond the Beep, there is several RFID !

You understood the RFID world is complex as we call RFID any radio-wave systems communicating a unique identity. RFID systems can be broken down by the frequency band within which they operate. There are also two broad categories of systems - passive and active RFID.

Different operating frequency band :

• Low Frequency (LF): Like a slow and steady walkie-talkie, LF signals have a short range (a few centimeters) but excel at reading tags. Think of them as handy tools for access control cards or tracking livestock with implanted tags.
• High Frequency (HF): Stepping up the pace, HF systems offer a reading range of a few meters and are ideal for applications like contactless payments (think tapping your credit card). It present a good balance between range and performance.
• Ultra-High Frequency (UHF): Imagine a long-distance radio signal – UHF systems boast long read ranges (tens of meters) and faster data transfer speeds. This makes them perfect for tracking inventory in warehouses or managing shipments across the supply chain. However, UHF signals can be more sensitive to interference from liquids and metals in the environment.

Passive and active Tag :

• Active RFID: it has its own power source, often a battery.
• Passive RFID: it receives its power from the reading antenna, whose electromagnetic wave induces a current in the RFID tag's antenna.

Now you understand the importance of clearly naming the technology you want to use : RAIN RFID, NFC, LF ...

What are the applications for RFID?

RFID is allready present in your everyday life to make it easier ! But it's also commonly used in supply chain, retail or industry. Among the application, we can talking about :

• contactless payment with a bank card
• ticket validation on public transport
• inventories and loans in a library
• automatic road tolls
• key-less ignition for cars
• timing race competitors (marathons, car races, etc.)
• tracking pets
• improved visibility and distribution in the supply chain
• inventory management and control
• and so on

Which type of RFID are we experts in?

We have strong expertise on the UHF Passive RFID commonly called RAIN RFID and promoted by the RAIN Alliance.

The RAIN Alliance is a global alliance promoting the universal adoption of UHF RFID technology in a way similar to other wireless technology organizations including NFC Forum, WiFi Alliance, and Bluetooth SIG. RAIN uses the GS1 UHF Gen2 protocol which ISO/IEC has standardized as 18000-63. The word RAIN—an acronym derived from RAdio frequency IdentificatioN—is intended as a nod to the link between UHF RFID and the cloud, where RFID-based data can be stored, managed, and shared via the Internet.

In simple terms, RAIN RFID is a passive, battery-free wireless technology that uses a reader to read and write a tagged item, manage the data, and take action. This enables businesses and consumers to identify, locate, authenticate, and engage with every item tagged with a RAIN RFID tag. RAIN RFID provides rich, real-time data and insights for a wide variety of applications including inventory management, asset tracking, and supply chain optimization across many industry sectors.

We are not alone as many of the largest retailers and brands of this world are using RAIN RFID technology already for several years. Following the alliance, 44.8 bn RAIN RFID chips for tracking of products were sold only in in the year 2023. Be sure that RAIN RFID technology offers the most efficient means for tracking the location and status of a products on item level.