Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is a technology that enables communication and data transmission via radio waves. It automatically identifies and tracks tags attached to the object.
How RFID works?
RFID is a wireless system referred to as Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC). The purpose of AIDC is identifying, tracking, recording, storing, communicating essential data. The system consists of an RFID reader, RFID tags, and an antenna. An RFID tag consists of a transponder, a radio receiver, and a transmitter. Firstly, tags transmit digital data; it emits a unique identification code. Secondly, the primary responsibility of the antenna is to transmit and receive radio waves for communication. Thirdly, the Reader communicates with any tags in its read range. After that, it sends tags’ data to an application that can use the data. The data collected from the tag can then be sent either directly to a host computer or stored in a portable reader and uploaded later to the host computer.
Operating frequency
The system is mainly used in three frequency bands.
1) Low-frequency band(LF):
General Frequency Range: 30 – 300 kHz
Primary Frequency Range: 125 – 134 kHz
Read Range: Contact – 10 Centimeters
2) High-frequency band (HF):
Primary Frequency Range: 13.56 MHz
Read Range: Near Contact – 30 Centimeters
3) Ultra-high frequency band:
General Frequency Range: 300 – 3000 MHz
Primary Frequency Ranges: 433 MHz, 860 – 960 MHz
RFID tags
There are three different kinds of tags.
1) Active tags: Active tag has its power source for internal circuitry and sends the Reader’s response.
Primary frequency range: 433 MHz, (Can use 2.45 GHz – under the Extremely High-Frequency Range)
Read range: 30 – 100+ Meters.
2) Passive tags: They used to get their power from the Reader’s incoming radio waves.
Primary frequency range:860 – 960 MHz
Read Range: Near Contact – 25 Meters
3) Semi-passive tags: They have a power supply for internal circuitry. But, it relies on the radio waves received from the Reader for sending the response.
RFID Technology in IoT
The evolution of IoT is coinciding with that of RFID and sensor technologies. This technology is a vital and fundamental groundwork for IoT. RFID tags can make everyday physical objects communicate, and the central hub and reports their status. For instance, Attached RFID tags to finished items, products, and assembled goods can speed up service operation. Tracking of tagged persons or objects and sending real-time data to a model. It creates a connected device system. That continuously transmit data about their location, conditions, amount, etc. In short, These capabilities make the foundation for building an IoT system.
Applications tracking assets can make a wide range of business activities more efficient. RFID technology in IoT connects up the things into a network and makes them create and send data. Unlike simple RFID tags that don’t actively broadcast signals. So, sensor-enabled tags are used. It can generate and send metrics and other data in real-time. It expands the connected devices’ capabilities and makes them truly smart. As a result, RFID is one of the key technologies that the Internet of Things depends on.
