HOW DO RFID SYSTEMS WORK?

The basic RFID model includes the following:

A basic RFID system has tags attached to all items that need to be tracked. Made from a tiny tag-chip, these tags are also known as integrated circuit (IC) and are connected to an antenna that can be built into various types of tags such as apparel hang tags, labels and security tags – but also industrial asset tags. In a nutshell, every tag chip contains memory that is stored in it and contains the basic product code (EPC) of the product and other necessary information allowing it to be tracked and identified by the UHF RFID scanner or reader everywhere.

On the other hand, the UHF RFID reader is a network-connected device which can either be fixed or mobile – and features an antenna that sends the power and receives signals as commands to the tags. In other words, it is an access point for RFID tagged items so that the tags data is made available to every business application.

As we said above, an RFID tag is comprised of an integrated circuit called an IC or simply, a chip. This chip is attached to an antenna that is printer, etched, vapor-deposited or stamped onto a mount that is a polyethylene therephtate (PET) or a paper substrate. This combination of a chip and an antenna is called an inlay and is converted and put in between a printed label and its adhesive backing – or inserted in a durable structure.

Also known as the integrated circuit, the tag chip is known for its performance, memory and extended features. It is a device that is pre-programmed with a tag identifier and a unique serial number that is assigned by the chip manufacturer. It also features a memory bank in order to store every item’s unique tracking identifier – known as a product code or EPC.

The electronic product code (or EPC) is stored inside the chip’s memory – printed by an RFID printer and taking 96-bit strings of data. Its first eight bits consist of a header that identifies the protocol’s version and the next 28 bits identify the organization that manages that tag’s data, assigned by the EPC global consortium. The following 24 bits present the object glass that identifies the type of product and the last 36 bits are reserved for the unique serial number for each particular tag. Usually, the last two fields are set by the organization that issued that tag.

The tag antenna is a collector of energy that channels it to the chip in order to turn it on. The larger this antenna’s area is, the more energy it is capable of collecting and channeling – hence, the greater read range that the tag will have.

Basically, there isn’t a perfect fit of an antenna that works for all applications. The most important aspect is the application that defines its specifications. And while some tags are optimized for a particular frequency band, others can be tuned for stellar performance when attached to materials that do not work well wirelessly (liquids, metals etc.). An antenna can be printed, etched or stamped with conductive ink, or even vapor deposited onto labels.

Every tag having a single antenna is not as reliable as a tag with multiple antenna. Simply put, a single antenna can result in a ‘dead zone’ – an area where the signal is not strong or easily harvested to power on the chip. That is why multiple antennas are recommended – in order to eliminate any dead zones and increase the readability of the chip.

An UHF RFID reader is also known as an interrogator. It is simply a device that provides connection between the tag data and the enterprise system software needing the information. The UHF RFID scanner (or reader) is capable of communicating with tags that are within the field of operation and can seamlessly take care of the inventory, filter, write or encode selected tags.

The reader uses an antenna that is attached and able to capture data from tags. Afterwards, the data is passed to a computer so that it becomes processed. Similar to the RFID tags, there are multiple makes and models of UHF RFID readers in various sizes and types. They can either be fixed in a store or factory or integrated into a mobile device known as a handheld PDA with UHF RFID – or a handheld computer with UHF RFID.

The application software and reader control are both aspects of the middleware. The middleware is the platform onto which the UHF RFID readers and applications operate. It is also the backbone that sends the control commands to the reader and receives the tag data from it.

Deploying an UHF RFID scanner or reader needs a lot of components and multiple actors. Technically, it is a system that requires basic hardware including the previously mentioned tag chips, antennas, readers and reader antennas – as well as the reader control and application software to complete the entire solution.

As soon as these components ‘click’ together, there are endless ways an UHF UHF RFID reader can be used – with a lot of creative applications possible. The RFID system applications are bound to improve the quality of many business operations, inventory and customer experience – and disrupt the traditional way of organizing and handling items.