Different Types of RFID Technology for your Business

The use of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has become quite common across many industries. It’s a technology that comprises of small tags that use electromagnetic fields to detect objects. The waves that are transmitted from the tag are sent to a receiver from where the information is finally stored in a computer system. 

RFID tags can be categorised into various categories based on their frequency, the manner in which they communicate with the reader and their application. In this blog, we will discuss each category in detail. We will be talking about their capabilities as well as limitations.

Based on frequency 

Based on the frequencies the tags use to communicate the data, they can be classified as low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF) and ultra-high frequency (UHF). Generally speaking, lower is the frequency of tag, the shorter is its range and vice versa.

Low Frequency

Operating between the ranges of 30 kHz to 300 kHz, generally, these tags have a range up to 10 cm. Low-frequency tags usually do not need a power source or a battery. They also have a larger wavelength and can penetrate liquids and metal surfaces. These tags are used anywhere the shorter reading range can easily serve the purpose. They are ideal for asset tracking, animal identification, laundry, healthcare etc. Since they have a limited range, they can also be used to store and share sensitive information and can be used for the security purpose. For instance, cars can be embedded with these tags. They can be detected easily when they come close to the reader at the entry gate. 

High Frequency

Operating with a frequency of 3 MHz to 30 MHz, high-frequency tags generally have a reading distance of 10 cm to 1 m. They work on the technology of inductive coupling. It means that the reader induces a current to the tag which in turn sends out the information to the reader. These tags also work pretty well on the metal surface and all the items having considerably minimum water content. Since these tags are passive, they don’t need a power source or battery. The common applications of these tags are library books, credit cards, smart cards, airline baggage etc. The rate of data transfer in these tags in low but considerably higher data rate than Ultra-High Frequency Tags. 

Ultra-High Frequency

These tags have a frequency between 300 MHz and 3 GHz and offer an extremely good range. Generally, they have a range of up to 12 m along with a faster rate of data transfer. Also, these tags are extremely sensitive to the interference from liquids, metals and electromagnetic signals and cannot be used closer to these things. Generally speaking, they are much cheaper to manufacture and are used to prevent the counterfeiting of the products, retail inventory tracking etc. In a nutshell, any task that requires tracking multiple items at once, such as number of products in a showroom or even tracking the racers as they reach close to the finish line. Interestingly, these tags can also have a range up to 50 feet which unlocks an array of applications, such as toll collection, goods tracking and much more. 

Based on the needs, today most companies are leveraging RFID technology. This technology is curtailing the time taken in completing several tasks and making them hassle-free. No matter what might be the industry, these tags have numerous applications and can certainly give a boost to your business by letting you seamlessly and expeditiously carry out several tasks. 

If you are looking for a turnkey RFID system installation for your business you can try Omnia Tags. It’s a leading manufacturer of RFID systems to the major industries in India.