What is passive RFID?
RFID, which stands for “Radio Frequency Identification”, is a contactless identification technology that has been developed for storing and remotely retrieving data using a transmitter/receiver system (reader) and markers (tags).
The technology uses electromagnetic fields received by an antenna relayed to a microchip to automatically identify people, vehicles or any miscellaneous object.
RFID transpondersRIFD transponders are small objects (cards/badges, keychains, bracelets/wristbands, hard or soft tags, adhesive labels, disc tags, etc.) containing a chip relayed to an antenna to receive and answer radio signals emitted by the transmitter/receiver (reader). There are two major families of RFID transponders: Active and Passive |
RFID readersReaders are equipment that transmit radiofrequency signals that detect all tags that enter into their field. They provide the energy for tags to be read. |
RFID frequenciesThere are 3 categories of passive RFID frequencies:
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RFID passiveThese tags use the energy transmitted by the reader’s radio signal. They are cheaper and smaller and have an almost unlimited lifespan. STid specializes in passive RFID technologies. |
How does it work?
When tags are detected by the reader, a predefined communication protocol is used for the exchange of data between the components. Unlike a bar code, RFID does not need the reader to be near the product for the identification process. Tags can be read at a distance, from a few centimeters to over ten meters away. Depending on the model used, tags can have the sole function of having their information read or can store/write additional information in their memories. Some tags also have a High Memory system, enabling data to be stored.
To communicate, the tag and reader need to be on the same frequency, but like a radio set, the frequencies can be on a wide band from low to ultra-high frequencies.
