Tech Primer

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

What’s RFID?

Radio Frequency Identification is a technology that has been around since 1920. It is a technology that is delivered by means of small microchips called “tags.” These small objects have an adhesive sticker attached to or incorporated into the product. RFID tags use antennas which are used to receive and respond to frequency emitted by RFID transceivers. Radio frequency uses the method of remotely storing and retrieving data using RFID tags or transponders. These tags can be read by electronic scanners.

Where does RFID help?

RFID is a technology with numerous benefits, some of which are reduction in data entry, easy management and tracking of item movements through stores, or managing a supply chain effectively. The tags are attached to goods or pallets to help in their easy identification. This technology is more efficient than barcoding, although it is also more expensive. Radio frequency technology is not only used for tracking goods but is also used for individual security. It was used for this purpose at the entrance of the Olympic games in 1996 and 2000.

Is there a downside?

With so many benefits, the technology has several weaknesses too. The major disadvantage is its high cost—Rs 75 to 100 per tags today). Also, as radio waves do not travel through liquids or metals, they cannot be used by manufacturers of shampoo, beverages, canned food, etc. Adequate software has not been developed to track the large volume of data and take care of database management. There are frequent chances of data collision, and these occurrences are collectively termed ‘Reader Collision.’ In this, the data signals of one reader collide with those of another.

People purchasing goods with tags on them are unaware of the usage and removal of these tags. The lack of know-how regarding RFID can lead to the leakage of an individual’s personal details in instances where these tags are used as part of loyalty programmes or charge cards to store identification and other personal information.

Who’s promoting RFID?

RFID is a descendant of AUTO-ID technologies which also include barcodes and magnetic strip cards. Intel is a sponsor of AUTO-ID at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which is driving RFID standards. Some of the other merchandisers of RFID technology are IBM, Microsoft, SAP, Sun Microsystems, Symbol Technology and Oracle, but there are many more vendors working on this technology.

Are active tags better?

There are two types of RFID tags, active and passive. Active tags use a microchip with an antenna and battery. These tags have a longer range depending on the size of the antenna, strength of battery and also the portion of radio spectrum used. Active tags have more memory. The transceiver has the ability to store and send information. The smallest active tag is about the size of a coin.

Passive tags have no power supply since no batteries are used. The electric current is induced in the antenna and the upcoming radio frequency scans, and provides power to respond to the tag. Passive tags have a limited range and are cheaper than active ones.

The components of RFID are tags, tag reader, tag programming stations, circulation reader, sorting equipment and tag inventory wands. There are four types of frequency of the tags: Low Frequency ranging between 125-134 MHz, High Frequency is 13.56 MHz, and Ultra High Frequency tags fluctuate from 868-956 MHz.

RFID technologies enable the user to transmit data through portable devices. The RFID Reader reads and processes the data according to the needs of the application and then transmits the data. This reader has the ability to read and transmit information such as identification or location information, or vital details of a product like price, colour, date of purchase and expiry date.

This development is achieved in the transmission of data due to the presence of a transponder and digital memory chip that writes information on the memory chip easily. The chip writes information on its memory as soon as signals are activated in the RFID tag.

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—Garima Grover