Rugged RFID. RFID FAQs

Transcription

1 Rugged RFID RFID FAQs What is RFID? Radi frequency identificatin, r RFID, is a generic term fr technlgies that use radi waves t autmatically identify peple r bjects. There are several methds f identificatin, but the mst cmmn is t stre a serial number that identifies a persn r bject, and perhaps ther infrmatin, n a micrchip that is attached t an antenna (the chip and the antenna tgether are called an RFID transpnder r an RFID tag). The antenna enables the chip t transmit the identificatin infrmatin t a reader. The reader cnverts the radi waves reflected back frm the RFID tag int digital infrmatin that can then be passed n t cmputers that can make use f it. An RFID system cnsists f a tag, which is made up f a micrchip with an antenna, and an interrgatr, r reader with an antenna. The reader sends ut electrmagnetic waves. The tag antenna is tuned t receive these waves. A passive RFID tag draws pwer frm the field created by the reader and uses it t pwer the micrchip s circuits. The chip then mdulates the waves that the tag sends back t the reader and the reader cnverts the new waves int digital data fr use in the applicatin.

2 What is the purpse f RFID? RFID allws data t be transmitted by a prduct cntaining an RFID tag, which is read by an RFID reader. The data transmitted can prvide identificatin r lcatin infrmatin abut the prduct, r specifics such as date f purchase r price, similar t a birth certificate. What is the advantage f using RFID technlgy? N cntact r even line-f-sight is needed t read data frm a prduct that cntains an RFID tag. This means n mre checkut scanners at grcery stres, n mre unpacking shipping bxes t see what is in them, and n mre getting keys ut f yur pcket t start yur car. RFID technlgy als wrks in rain, snw and ther envirnments where bar cde r ptical scan technlgy wuld be useless. What are the advantages f RFID versus linear r 2D bar cdes? Barcde readers require a direct line f sight t the printed barcde; RFID readers d nt require a direct line f sight. Line f sight requirements als limit the ruggedness f barcdes as well as the reusability f barcdes. (Since line f sight is required fr barcdes, the printed barcde must be expsed n the utside f the prduct, where it is subject t greater wear and tear.) RFID tags are typically mre rugged, since the electrnic cmpnents are better prtected in a plastic cver. RFID tags can als be implanted within the prduct itself, guaranteeing greater ruggedness and reusability. RFID tags can be read at much greater distances than barcdes; sme RFID readers can pull infrmatin frm a tag at distances up t 300 feet. The range t read a barcde is much less, typically n mre than fifteen feet. RFID readers can interrgate, r read, RFID tags much faster; read rates f hundreds tags per secnd are pssible. Reading barcdes is much mre time-cnsuming; due t the fact that a direct line f sight is required, if the items are nt prperly riented t the reader it may take secnds t read an individual tag. Barcde readers usually take a half-secnd r mre t successfully cmplete a read. Barcdes have n read/write capability; that is, yu cannt add t the infrmatin written n a printed barcde. RFID tags, hwever, can be read/write devices; the RFID reader can cmmunicate with the tag, and alter as much f the infrmatin as the tag design will allw.

3 What infrmatin is n an RFID tag? RFID tags can typically hld 96 bits f infrmatin (24 alpha numeric characters). Express Rugged RFID Tags can have any alpha-numeric identificatin cmbinatin within the 24 character limit. What are the different types f RFID Tags? Passive Tags Pwered frm electrmagnetic field generated by the reader Less Expensive Unlimited lifetime Less Weight Lesser Read Range (10 t 20 feet) Lwer data transmissin rates Fewer tags can be read simultaneusly Active Tags Pwered by an internal battery Mre expensive Finite lifetime (due t battery life) Greater range (up t 200 yards) Can be effective with less pwerful readers Higher data transmissin rates Mre tags can be read simultaneusly Express Rugged RFID tags are all Passive Are there different frequencies fr RFID? There are 4 majr frequency ranges that RFID systems perate at. As a rule f thumb, lw-frequency systems are distinguished by shrt reading ranges, slw read speeds, and lwer cst. Higher-frequency RFID systems are used where lnger read ranges and fast reading speeds are required, such as fr vehicle tracking and autmated tll cllectin. Micrwave requires the use f active RFID tags. Frequency Range Applicatins Lw-frequency KHz High-frequency MHz Ultra-high freq 915 MHz Micrwave: 2.45GHz 3 feet Pet and ranch animal identificatin; car key lcks 3 feet library bk identificatin; clthing identificatin; smart cards 25 feet Supply chain tracking: Bx, pallet, cntainer, trailer tracking 100 feet Highway tll cllectin; vehicle fleet identificatin

4 What is a Rugged RFID Tag? A Rugged RFID tag takes a standard RFID inlay (chip and antenna n a substrate) and encapsulates it in plastic. The encapsulatin prtects the inlay frm harsh envirnments where the prduct might be handled in a rugh manner. These envirnments include: material handling, prduce, shipping, slid waste, and many ther cmmercial r industrial scenaris. What are RFID Readers? RFID Readers, smetimes referred t as interrgatrs, are electrnic devices that transmit and receive radi waves. Readers nt nly interrgate tags fr infrmatin, but sme can als be used t prgram (write) infrmatin t tags. The RFID reader uses an antenna t send and receive signals t and frm RFID tags. The antenna can be either an internal r an external additin. Sme barcde scanning devices can add an RFID sled n t them t becme a reader. Readers can als be fixed munted; fixed munted readers can be fund at a receiving dck s bay dr r at an EZPass tll bth. A standard dck dr r chke pint fixed reader cnfiguratin is ften called a prtal. Prtals create a field which the tag passes thrugh, allwing the reader t send and receive infrmatin. Readers can als be incrprated int ther equipment such as frk lifts r assembly lines. Handheld Readers An RFID Handheld Cmputer is a handheld device which emits a radi wave, in rder t reach the RFID tags that are in a predefined range. When the RFID tags receive the signal emitted, the RFID tag sends the data stred in the tag back t the handheld cmputer. The user then uses the handheld cmputer t view the infrmatin which the tag cllected, as well as run the RFID sftware applicatin.

5 Fixed Munt Readers / Dr Prtals Fixed Munt readers are permanently munted t a structure whereby prducts with RFID tags will pass by the reader and antenna. Fixed munt readers require a separate antenna t transmit the radi waves. RFID Antennas RFID Antennas What is Ingress Prtectin Rating? IP stands fr Ingress Prtectin and indicates the degree f prtectin prvided by an enclsure. The numbers fllwing IP represent levels f sealing and can range frm nne at all (IP00) t prtectin against dust and cntinuus immersin in water (IP68). The table prvides a descriptin f the prtectin at each level.

6 Rugged RFID tags have a minimum ingress prtectin rating f IP67 but mst have the maximum available f IP69K The table belw gives a representatin f the cncept behind Ingress Prtectin.