What is RFID Tagging, 10 Answers to the Top 10 Questions

1. What is an RFID Tag?

2.What does RFID Tagging mean?

3.What does an RFID Tag Look Like?

4.What does an RFID Tag do?

5.Can you put an RFID Tag on Metal Items?

6.How Far Does an RFID Tag Signal Travel?

7.How Long Does an RFID Tag Last?

8.What Can RFID Tags Be Used For?

9.Show Me Some Real World Benefits of RFID?

10.What Happens Next With RFID?

1. What Is An RFID TAG?

Basic description: an RFID Tag is an aerial with a small microchip.

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The microchip can store a small amount of data, like a barcode, plus some other information related to the item or the owner of the item with the tag on.

When the Tag receives a radio wave signal that signal briefly powers the microchip. The initiating device then receives the data from the tag. This all happens extremely quickly.

2. WHAT DOES RFID TAGGING MEAN?

RFID Tagging is the placing of tags onto assets to enable those assets to be managed.

For RFID enabled items like access cards or an Oyster card for example, the RFID tagging process is part of the manufacturing process. It would not be classed as RFID tagging.

For items that are‘tagged at source’, again this would not really be what the industry classes as RFID Tagging. When something is manufactured there are often many labels attached during the process, if that manufacturer puts an RFID tag on the item or packaging it is part of the overall process, classed as source tagging.

RFID Tagging really refers to the retrospective tagging of assets, many different types of assets.

Those assets could be library books, power tools, IT equipment, files, patient records, they are all classed as assets.

The process of RFID Tagging means that these assets have a tag placed on them, usually the tag has an adhesive back, then some reference to the item is programmed onto the RFID tags microchip.

Not all tags have adhesive on the back, it depends what they are meant to be attached to.

Once the asset has a tag attached it can be read by an‘RFID Reader’. Usually there are some security features built in so only the desired RFID Reader can get data from the tags.

3. WHAT DOES AN RFID TAG LOOK LIKE?

The range of RFID Tags is very wide, we’ll give you a link to RFID Tag Images. But, all RFID Tags have one thing in common, they are built with pretty much the same technology.

To see a range of RFID Tag Images:CLICK HERE

To See RFID Tags Being Put in Library BooksCLICK HERE

4. WHAT DOES AN RFID TAG DO?

An RFID tag is a way of transferring information from an item to a reader and then to a database of some kind.

Library books are an easy way to explain what the RFID Tag, and overall RFID system, do.

Think of a Library book with a barcode on. When you want to issue or return the book you need to scan the barcode. Simple, but if there are a lot to do it takes time. The same thing with checking the stock in a library. If you’re only using a barcode then each book needs individually checking.

RFID Tags take away a big part of the labour and time involved in checking items. If the Tag only had the items barcode number in that would be enough to be beneficial. Rather than scanning a single barcode at a time you can read a lot of items very quickly.

5. CAN YOU PUT AN RFID TAG ON METAL ITEMS?

Over the last few years the technology has advanced, you are now able to RFID Tag metal items.

The tags are specifically designed to be placed on metal. They operate in the same way as other tags apart from the direction of the radio signal they give off. This is because the signal is pushed away from the metal item, metal and RFID signals don’t mix well.

6. HOW FAR DOES AN RFID SIGNAL TRAVEL?

First you need to know about different types of RFID Tags, not shapes and sizes but the different technology used within them.

The categories used widely are:

HF Tags – High Frequency

UHF Tags – Ultra High Frequency

Both types can be Passive or Active (Active has a battery passive does not)

High Frequency means that the radio wave used for these tags is on the High Frequency scale, Ultra High Frequency operates on a Higher Frequency scale.

UHF can travel further than HF. The most basic HF systems using passive tags and small aerials can only be read 30-40 cm away. Whereas UHF with large aerials and Active (powered) tags can be read up to 100 meters away.

The difference between passive and active tags is important. A passive tag does not have a battery in it, it is powered by the signal it receives from the RFID reader. An Active tag has a battery, which means it boosts the signal being sent out.

Think of the difference between an Oyster card, where you need to place it on a reader, this is HF Passive technology. Whereas a system which reads a tag in a car to confirm it has passed through a toll road is probably UHF Active. This is because that signal needs to travel further so UHF and Active are used to make this happen.

There are many other variables in read range depending on the system, but the minimum is around 30 cm and the maximum around 100 meters.

7. HOW LONG DOES AN RFID TAG LAST?

There is no definitive answer to this question. In theory a Passive Tag with no battery should, or could, last a lifetime. An Active Tag with a battery will last as long as the battery lasts. How long that is depends on how often the tag has to omit a signal.

The lifespan of an active tag depends on its uses and environment, somewhere between 1 year and 10 years.

A Passive Tag however is simpler and has no battery to reply on. In theory it could last a lifetime, but that would depend where is was and how it was treated.

Like any electronic device it will be effected by temperature, humidity, handling and wear and tear.

8. WHAT CAN RFID TAGS BE USED FOR?

Many Many Things, See Below:

A Small Selection of Uses for RFID Systems

9. REAL WORLD BENEFITS OF RFID?

1. If you know what you have you know what you need. Retail stores have shown an 8% sales growth (the figures vary, 8% is on the low side) from knowing what they have in real time. Customers are fickle, if it’s there today they’ll get it because that’s what they came for, they may not come back if it’s not there. Using RFID technology for real time stock analysis means popular items don’t run out of stock.

2. Using RFID to understand your equipment stock. We recently tagged equipment for a building firm, on completion the client had a quick look at the database. “Why the hell has Tony got 5 of those”. The immediate inference is that Tony, and possibly many more people within the company, liked to hog certain tools. By doing so they are not deployed correctly and replaced unnecessarily. The savings are difficult to assess so early in the process, but they are expected to be considerable.

3. Library books. Probably one of the simpler forms of RFID, replacing a barcode with an RFID tag that holds the barcode details in it. Quite apart from the fact that readers can issue and return multiple books in seconds, compared to queuing up at a counter or scanning each one separately. The technology allows a library of say 50,000 books, or a University with 350,000 books, to be stock checked in a tiny fraction of the time it would take with barcodes. It can also locate books which have been re-shelved incorrectly, or scan a shelf and check the books are in the correct order. It can even find books hidden in various weird and wonderful places around the library.

Are you interested in learning more about UHF Rfid Reader Modules? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

4. There are so many examples of real world benefits to RFID.

10. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT WITH RFID?

The automotive experts answer your top 10 questions about all things RFID labels.

As you scroll through the web searching for information on RFID technology in the automotive industry, you will find multiple articles discussing the many RFID benefits.

Not only are automotive RFID systems disrupting the supply chain, but connected, autonomous, shared, and electric (C.A.S.E.) mobility services are on the rise. Adopting a flexible, future-focused mindset around these technologies allows for companies to get ahead of the curve.

Despite all of the clear benefits, RFID can still be confusing.

How exactly does it work?

Are there RFID standards?

Is RFID durable?

We get asked these questions a lot from our customers, so we thought we will share our expertise, from both ALT and one of our trusted RFID manufacturers, Avery Dennison. These answers can help you make the right decisions for your automotive plant and company.

These answers focus on Ultra High Frequency (UHF) passive RFIDs, also known as RAIN RFIDs.

Question 1

Because frequency standards vary from country to country, how are shipments tracked on a global level?

Each country defines its frequency standards; however, most RFIDs are designed for global use. The RFID readers are set to the frequency, therefore making them applicable to the region. Only some particular RFID designs, such as the on-metal tags, can be tuned for regional frequencies.

Question 2

What kind of limitations are there for RFIDs in certain environments? Could metal surroundings or other radio waves affect the RFID reading (distance)?

The RFIDs are passive, and they will reflect (backscatter) the radio waves they receive from an automotive RFID reader. Metal, concrete walls or other radio waves will affect or even block the signal from the reader or RFID and have an influence on readability and read-distance. Despite these, the automotive RFID benefits still far outweigh the limitations mentioned above.

And in most cases we can find workarounds that allow the tags to work appropriately. For example, by carefully positioning and tuning the reader’s signal, you can ensure it is not blocked or is in any way interfered with. By using flagtags or foam tags on a metal surface, we make sure that the tags can backscatter without signal disturbance.

Question 3

Is it possible to overwrite previously encoded data on an RFID tag?

Normally, anyone can encode information on the chip by adding to or overwriting previous data. But some chips also offer the possibility of lock memory banks and digital signature creation. However, the unique tag ID number, which is stored in the TID (tag ID) memory block, cannot be changed by anyone.

For example, NXP is offering three different security versions of the Ucode7XM (7XM, 7XM+ and DNA). This series of secure RFIDs are best suited for applications which require high read range and that demand an extended user memory to store data. OEMs can encrypt the information, but they have standard formats on how they save data.

You can read more about how RFID labels work in this article.

Question 4

Can a batch of RFID labels be read together?

In most situations, the RFID reader will read all RFID tags within a specific range or area as one batch. The reader will recognise all individual unique ID codes in a split second.

The tag uses the reader signal to power up and respond to a request for the data. The tag then modulates, or regulates, the carrier signal from the reader and reflects (backscatters) the signal. This low amplitude signal is detected and decoded by the reader.

Most RFIDs have a read range of approximately 10 meters, provided nothing interferes with the radio signals.
The maximum read range for smaller antennas is as follows: a 70mm wide antenna has a read range of approximately 10 meters, while a 40mm wide antenna has a read range of about 8 meters. Antennas with a width of around 20mm will have a read range of approximately 2-4 meters.

Question 5

Do RFID readers need to be positioned in each area, and what is the reading range of each RFID reader? Also does ALT supply these readers?

You will need a separate reader in each area in your facility where you would like to create a reading point. Most readers will have a range of 10 meters or more, but for every reading point, you must fine-tune the reader to the most optimum settings. Sometimes this involves reducing the power and the reading range.

ALT does not supply the hardware and software required for RFID implementation, but we have partnerships with companies that do, such as printer suppliers and integrators. Because of this, we can always bring you into contact with the right people.

Question 6

Can RFID labels be used at varying temperature degrees?

The typical operating temperature range for an RFID inlay inside a label is from -40C to +85°C. However, most RFID labels with their adhesives can withstand -40°C to +150°C, which are the usual temperatures that the labels are subjected to during testing. RFID inlays might not be readable at these temperatures, but they will survive and can be read when back to operating temperature.

Question 7

Are there any differences between the OEM RFID specifications?

OEM’s are selecting the RFIDs to best suit their process. There are a number of variables that need to be assessed; the tag design, memory and antenna design are just a few of the variables.

We’ve been working with so many customers and OEM’s that we know which direction to take and can advise you on the right solutions. For example, ALT can convert the different RFIDs into a standard label with predefined materials and a predefined size to fit your custom solutions. Now that OEMs are also applying RFID in their processes in many ways beyond label solutions, RFID is only becoming more integral to our businesses.

Question 8

How are RFIDs printed?

Just like you print your current barcode labels. There is no need to change your process; just use a printer with RFID encoding enabled.

The RFID is encoded and printed at the same time. Almost all printer manufacturers have RFID-enabled printers for this which look exactly the same as your current barcode printers. They work in a similar way to barcode printing. Depending on the database location, these processes can be both online and offline.

Learn more about RFID encoding printers in our article on this topic.

Question 9

Do we need specific printers with RFID encoding capabilities?

Yes. Almost all printer brands have RFID modules or printers. The printers and readers are suited to work with any RFIDs, although settings might need to be adjusted. This means you can cover all customers with one type of printer and reader.
ALT can help you choose the correct printer for your RFID solutions.

Question 10

Is there a scenario where RFID could replace bar code labels altogether?

We believe that barcode and RFID will always be combined. This way, you not only create a redundancy system in case one of them fails, but you also ensure that facilities that do not have RFID readers installed (yet) can still function.

The Next Revolution Is Here; Industry 4.0

RFID integration does not only cater to a service for the OEM, but can create even more transparent processes within your company due to its vast potential. Preparing your logistical and supplier processes now will ready you for tackling any future challenges you will face due to Industry 4.0’s digital transformations.

ALT Technologies has been working together with Tier 1 suppliers in the automotive industry and RFID manufacturers for over 20 years. We have the experience and partners to create a streamlined solution that best suits your needs.

If you would like more information on RFID process integration, our RFID label converting solutions or customer-specific engineering process, please do not hesitate to contact us.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit UHF RFID Printer Module.