RFID Reader

RFID readers amplify energy, modulate it with data, and send it through an antenna. This wireless signal is then picked up by RFID tags.

Readers may be fixed or vehicle-mounted. To ensure optimal reading, they must be within the detection range of RFID tags. Collision detection is an important feature for RFID readers.

Detection

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a wireless technology that uses electromagnetic waves to transmit data. It is comprised of two components: tags and readers. Tags are small devices that store a unique identifier and a little bit of memory, and readers detect and process the information transmitted by the tags. RFID readers can be either passive or active, and they have one or more antennas.

RFID systems are susceptible to interference from metal and liquids. These factors can reduce read ranges and affect system accuracy. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize these effects. For example, using on-metal labels and reducing the amount of water on a product can improve performance. In addition, avoiding the use of conductive plastics on products is important.

When an RFID reader approaches a tag, the electromagnetic energy from the reader’s antenna is absorbed by the tag’s conductive material. This energy is then used to power the IC on the tag and broadcast its identifying information. The reader then interprets this signal and converts it into usable data.

There are many different types of RFID readers on the market. For simple applications, a handheld reader is a great option. These readers are portable and connect to an RFID antenna via USB or Bluetooth. You can also get a Development Kit, which combines the manufacturer’s reader with a recommended antenna and some sample RFID tags. These kits are a great way to get started with RFID and learn how to use it.

Identification

RFID is a technology that falls under the larger category of Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC). It enables objects to be automatically identified, data collected about them, and entered into computer systems with little or no human intervention. RFID uses radio waves to accomplish these tasks.

Tags assign a unique electronic ID to physical articles, and readers decode the information contained in the tags. These two devices communicate with each other using short-range RF signals. RFID tags can be passive or active, with passive tags relying on an RFID Reader integrated capacitor to supply the energy needed for coupling with the reader, while active tags have their own battery-powered circuits and antennas that boost the signal’s range.

The type of desfire ev1 reader you choose depends on how you plan to use it. Whether you need mobile or fixed, there are three main types:

Handheld RFID readers allow employees to take inventory or locate items anywhere in the facility. Fixed interrogators can be bolted to walls near doorways or wire racks, integrated into stands and dock door portals, or mounted on conveyors.

Tracking

Using radio waves to send and receive data, RFID tags communicate their unique ID number to a reader. These tags, which are often likened to barcodes that broadcast their information, make inventory tracking much easier and more accurate than it would be without them.

To read a tag, the reader transmits a signal that causes any tags within its range to respond with a report of their ID number. The reader uses a number of anti-collision algorithms to organize and understand the return signals to determine each tag’s identity. Passive readers use a fixed frequency while active tags operate independently of the reader, using a battery to generate their own return signal.

Once a tag’s identification number is associated with a person (for instance, when a driver’s license is equipped with an RFID chip), it can be used to track the movements of that person. Privacy and security experts worry that unscrupulous marketers, government agents and even stalkers could use this technology to track people without their knowledge or consent.

RFID trackers can be used to automate and streamline processes across a variety of industries. For example, a hydraulic service that repairs industrial hoses uses HellermannTyton RFID cable ties to ensure that the repair crew knows which hose is which. The tags withstand oil, heat and dirt that blur conventional product labels.

Reporting

The RFID reader transmits a wireless signal to the tag via its antenna. This signal carries information about the tag, including its unique ID and other data. The tag reflects or absorbs the signal, and the RFID reader collects the backscatter signals to identify the tagged item. The RFID reader also records the activity of the tagged item, such as where it moved to or from and how many times it was tried on.

The COTS RFID readers report low-level information (such as the received signal strength indicator, phase value, Doppler frequency shift and other data) for each successfully identified tag to support various applications. In the case of breathing monitoring, the RSSI readings can be analyzed to determine if the user inhales or exhales. However, the RSSI measurements are influenced by the channel hopping effect of the RFID system.

Physicians should stay informed about the use of RFID systems in their facilities and ask patients if they have been exposed to such equipment in the past. If a patient experiences an episode that might be associated with RFID, physicians should assess the potential role of the technology by asking detailed questions and performing medical device interrogation. In addition, physicians should promptly report any suspected medical device malfunctions to MedWatch, FDA’s voluntary adverse event reporting system.