HF RFID Tag
HF RFID Tag is one of the most commonly used track-and-trace technologies in industrial applications. The technology offers a number of benefits, including reduced manual labor and costs, faster data collection, and increased accuracy.
HF RFID tags operate on radiofrequency waves and use inductive coupling to communicate with interrogators. The technology is unaffected by water and most metals.
Cost
When implementing RFID, companies must consider both Application Feasibility and Cost Feasibility. Several factors affect the costs of an RFID solution, including fixed and recurring costs. In addition, many RFID systems require specialized hardware that is often expensive to purchase and operate.
Costs can vary based on the type of tag, frequency, and read range. Active tags typically cost $25 or more and may come with special protective housing, extra-long battery life, and sensors. The cost of a passive UHF tag depends on the RFID inlay, the form factor (whether it is encased or embedded), and the way it’s encoded. The RFID interrogator also has a significant impact on cost.
Low-frequency RFID tags use magnetic coupling to communicate with the reader/antenna, and can penetrate materials such as water, metals, and wood. They can be attached to items using rivets, magnets, adhesives, or clamps, and are often encased in rugged material. These tags are ideal for B-side warehousing logistics applications that need fast inventory turnover and visual management.
LF RFID tags are expensive to manufacture, since they require copper coils with hundreds of turns wound around a ferrite core. In addition, they have limited anti-collision capabilities, meaning only one tag can be read at a time within their interrogation zone (IZ). UHF RFID tags are more affordable to produce because they don’t require costly copper wire and can be constructed with standard materials.
Range
HF RFID tags operate in the high frequency bands of the electromagnetic spectrum that are used for wireless communications. They use magnetic coupling to communicate with a reader antenna and typically have a general read range of about 2 meters (about 6.5 feet). The RF waves cannot penetrate liquids or thick metals, but can pass through most materials.
The range of a tag is one NFC Readers factor to consider when choosing an RFID system, but other factors also affect performance. The material the tag is mounted on can reduce the read range, as can the size of the reader antenna.
In addition, the read range may be reduced by other RFID systems operating in the same environment. Ideally, all tags should be isolated from each other to avoid interference. This is called stray management.
HF tags are more advanced than LF and can be used to track items in most environments, HF RFID Tag including liquids and dense metals. They are also a good choice for tracking assets that are moved frequently or require a large reading area, such as library books or ticketing payments. HF tags can also be encoded with a variety of data types, including digital or textual information. Typically, HF RFID tags are encapsulated to withstand environmental conditions and mechanical stress. They can be active or passive and come in a variety of form factors for specific applications, including security access control, public transportation, loyalty programs, physical identification, and connecting.
Security
HF RFID Tags use an electromagnetic system for communication between tags and readers. The system consists of two key components, the RF-transmitter and the reader. The RF-transmitter produces a radio signal, which is received by the reader, which transmits the data to a central computer for storage and analysis. This technology is used in various industries, including manufacturing, supply chain management, and retail. It can improve inventory management by reducing the need for manual scanning and verification. It also reduces errors and miscounts, and helps businesses anticipate stock-outs.
Moreover, it is also more cost-efficient than barcodes, as it requires less hardware and can be used in large numbers. HF tags can also interact directly with mobile phones and other consumer electronics devices. This greatly expands the scope of application for HF tags.
There are several threats to the security of HF RFID tags, including cloning. The simplest method of cloning involves reading the contents of a tag and then copying the unique identifier (UID) to another tag. To protect against this threat, the Nedap HF RFID tag uses EPC Gen2 V2 secure authentication to ensure that cloning is impossible.
The HF RFID tags are used in a variety of applications, including access control, parking control, and asset tracking. They can also be integrated into smartphones for proximity and payment transactions. In addition to its cost-effectiveness, the HF RFID tag is also highly durable and can withstand environmental stress and chemical environments.
Applications
HF RFID tags work by transmitting data using radiofrequency waves. A reader sends a signal, which the tag picks up and translates to a unique ID number, then transmits back to the reader. This process reduces the need for manual scanning and inventory-taking, cutting down on costs and time. It also improves accuracy and reliability. The technology is useful for tracking high-value inventory, including equipment like pipes and construction materials. It’s also used in laydown yards, where large items must be tracked while moving across the yard to prevent lost assets.
LF RFID tags have limited read ranges and require a battery to operate. HF tags are more advanced and can store up to 4K of data. They also have better functioning with metals and liquids, and they offer medium read distances. These tags are a good choice for ticketing and payments, library book management, and other item-level logistics applications. HF RFID is also popular for tagging casino chips and playing cards.
UHF RFID technology operates at higher frequencies, which allow for longer transmission distances and faster data transmission. This technology is often paired with smart sensors to support Internet of Things deployments. It can be used to monitor sensor data, including temperature and movement, then communicate it to an RFID system. It is also a popular option for tracking items like containers, vehicles and pipes, which can be difficult to read with other technologies.