Who Replace RFID?
Who Replace RFID? RFID — radio frequency identification, may have been ahead of its time in a flurry of high-profile pilot projects in the early 2000s, RFID became a useful tool in retail, logistics, healthcare and a handful of other enterprise sectors, the technology failed to grab the spotlight as expected. However, with higher accuracy rates, lower cost and the Internet of Things (IoT), RFID tags are fast prepping themselves for the second act by becoming an essential component of IoT implementation. According to a recent report by IDTechEx the total worth of RFID market is forecasted to rise up to $13.2 billion in 2020. Thanks to advances in sensors and data processing technology, some companies are again looking at tagging trucks, pallets, cases and items to track location and other data like temperature and impacts. There are various use cases where RFID could be the best option for low-cost inventory tracking. But the technology still faces headwinds from competing technologies that could keep it from assuming the industry prominence its proponents have always thought it deserved. RFID TECHNOLOGY 1.No visual required, multi-tag reading A huge number of RFID tags can be read simultaneously, quickly and in bulk by readers, even hundreds or thousands of labels be read at a time. Can identify high-speed, moving objects, such as trains, public transport, etc. 2. Big capacity RFID tags can store more information, such as production date, stocking date, etc., and can be rewritten and reused. Read the data immediately upload the system, and processing, but also to achieve the root of the product tracing. 3. Long read range The reading distance can range from tens of centimeters to several meters, depending on the power of the reader and the gain rate of the antenna. Because it can be accurately positioned to the centimeter level, RFID is also an excellent effective means of indoor positioning. 4. Global uniqueness ID, non-replicable RFID tags are waterproof, magnetic, corrosion-resistant and high-temperature. Laundry industry, animal husbandry industry, medical industry, etc. , have high requirements for label durability. At present, the average label data can be kept for years, ten years or even decades. 5. High security One of the core technology of RFID tag is the chip, as we know that it is difficult to development a high-performance chip, and high cost. For the counterfeiters, replication costs are too high and it is difficult to break through technical barriers, and RFID chips have a reliable secure encryption mechanism too. RFID possesses a vast potential and in the coming years, we will its applications in various industries. Someone said the best and also cost-effective solution that can replace RFID is BLE Beacons. There are also some people who considered it depends on the use case and its attributes, in some of the scenarios the best way is actually to combine more technologies. How about you? CONTACT US
5 Forum Types of NFC Tag
5 Forum Types of NFC Tag Communication (Proximity Wireless Communication) is a near-field wireless communication technology with a 13.56MHz frequency band that allows contactless point-to-point data transmission and exchange between electronic devices (within 10cm). We using NFC technology can exchange data close to each other, realize mobile payment, electronic ticketing, access control, mobile identification, security, and other applications. Simply said, the NFC tag is a small chip that can rub input, and you can write some personalized features into it. For example, you write a URL, phone number into, write well, when you want to open this URL or dial you to write in the phone number, you just need to put the NFC tag and your phone’s NFC sensing area, this URL or phone number will automatically appear on your phone, very convenient. NFC technology combines the Reader, tag, and peer-to-peer data exchange! NFC Forum, as the author of the specification, defines the following 5 types of NFC tags. Type 1: based on ISO14443A. With readable, re-write capabilities, which users can configure as read-only. The storage capacity is 96 bytes and is used to store URL or other small amounts of data. However, memory can be expanded to 2k bytes. The communication speed is 106 kbit/s. Typical representative chip Topaz 512 (BCM20203) Type 2: also based on ISO14443A, with readable, re-write capabilities that users can configure as read-only. It’s base memory size is 48 bytes, but can be expanded to 2k bytes. Communication speed is also 106 kbit/s. Typical representative chip，Mifare Ultralight， Ultralight C, NXP Ntag 203/210/213/215/216, etc. Type 3：based on FeliCa and is currently exclusively available from Sony. It has a larger memory (currently 2kbyte) and operates at a higher data rate (212kbit/s), which means it is suitable for more complex applications. Thus, the tag high costs. Type 4: it is defined as compatible with ISO14443A and B standards. Manufactured is pre-set to readable/rewritable, or read-only. The chip has a larger memory and is communicating between 106 kbit/s and 424 kbit/s. Typical chip types for a wide range of applications are the DESFire family, with capacities ranging from 2K, 4K, and 8K. Type 5: This type of tag is the latest type of NFC tag defined in recent years, and the corresponding RFID protocol is the ISO15693 series RFID chip. NFC Forum introduced this range of chips to meet the growing variety of long-distance, miniaturized NFC tags and their applications * Note: the actual usable maximum size of NDEF text (e.g. a URL or plain text) is typically at least 7 bytes less than the available user memory specified by the chip vendor. While tag types 1-4 exist since the early days of NFC definitions in ~2006, NFC forum added the ISO 15693 based Tag Type 5, in June 2015. This means in practice, that tag types 1-4 today are supported by typically all NFC devices, whereas tag type 5 needs to be tested. Typically Android, Windows Phone 10 and iOS ≥ 11 can work with type 5 tags. However, there may be differences in chip types. E.g. while the ISO 15693 chip ICODE SLIx from NXP works on all Samsung Galaxy phone models, including Android 4.x, other 15693 chips require Android 5.x to be properly recognized. iOS 11 requires iPhone 7 and an APP to be installed supporting read-only. Also MIFARE® Classic (not an NFC Forum tag type yet) is only supported by a few phones, depending on which NFC chipset is inside e.g. Samsung Galaxy S3 works well with MIFARE Classic, while Galaxy S4 to S9 do not support it. Most Windows phones support MIFARE Classic, but like type 5 tags, these tags must already contain NDEF formatted data that was written to the tag first in some other way before it can be used with Windows phones.   Physical Form Factors of NFC Tags NFC – Elevating your proximity marketing efforts NFC tags can come in any form that is typically available for traditional RFID tags. CONTACT US
Top 10 choose rfid tagged.
Top 10 choose rfid tagged. According to Stratistics MRC, the Global RFID Tags market accounted for $4.91 billion in 2017 and is expected to reach $18.2 billion by 2026 growing at a CAGR of 15.7% during the forecast period. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology has completely across several sectors owing to the fact that they prevent theft of certain materials, track shipments in real-time, and implement advanced technology at a low cost. It is a type of wireless communication technology that uses radio waves to track and identify objects, with reduced costs, increased asset traceability and visibility, and improved reliability. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects. The tags contain electronically stored information. Passive tags collect energy from a nearby RFID reader’s interrogating radio waves. Active tags have a local power source such as a battery and may operate at hundreds of meters from the RFID reader. The RFID tag can be affixed to an object and used to track and manage inventory, assets, people, etc. For example, it can be affixed to cars, computer equipment, books, mobile phones, etc.  There are 10 factors to choosing an RFID tag for a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system.   RFID-tagged working frequency LF (125K-134.2K) HF （56MHz） UHF FCC（902~928MHz） UHF ETSI（865~868MHz）    RFID-tagged storage requirements  Less than 512bit 512bit~1kByte 1kB~2kB 2kB+ RFID-tagged safety performance No Small Medium The safer and the better   The end-user reading distance 0 to 1 inch 1 to 3 inches 1 to 3 feet 3 to 10 feet More than 10 feet RFID tagged maximum read distance 0 to 3 inches 1 to 3 feet The maximum and minimum size of RFID tags, as well as ideal sizes Max, length, width, height? Minimum length x width x height? Ideal size? RFID tags follow standards ISO7816 (LF) ISO 15693（HF） ISO 14443A（HF） ISO18000-6B EPC Class I Gen II （UHF） ISO18000-6D Others RFID tagged working environment Autoclave Xenon rays Electron beam Other extreme temperatures Other extreme pressures Install material and fixed Mounted on plastic, metal, liquid, or wood, etc. Fixed with common adhesives, epoxy resins, rivets or screws, etc. Budget valuate all costs associated with the project and calculate the ROI of the entire system Fixed costs: equipment such as readers, antennas, etc. Recurring costs: RFID inlay, software license renewal, etc. RFID EPC tags provide a more accurate and efficient way to read product serial numbers and data. RFID have become an essential method of tracking not only shipping products but also components in manufacturing assembly. CONTACT US
5 Costs for RFID Asset Tracking System
5 Costs for RFID Asset Tracking System Many companies are keen to get on board with the RFID system management but are worried about the costs. Are these concerns justified, and how should you go about performing a cost-analysis for implementing the RFID system running? However, most customers consider RFID tags the most, in fact, the most expensive is software, followed by hardware equipment. 1.RFID Tag Costs  RFID tags and labels come in numerous varieties depending on their shape, size, and construction material. While the internal microchip may be the same, the different costs relate primarily to how the tag will be affixed to the items that need to be tracked. Generally speaking, active tags are $25 and up. Active tags with special protective housing, extra-long battery life or sensors can run $100 or more. A passive 96-bit EPC inlay (chip and antenna mounted on a substrate) costs from 7 to 15 U.S. cents. If the tag is embedded in a thermal transfer label on which companies can print a bar code, the price rises to 15 cents and up. 2.Hardware Equipment Costs There are three major hardware pieces to consider depending on the project:1) fixed RFID readers/portals,2) handheld or mobile RFID readers,3) RFID label printers.The exact mixture of these devices will depend upon your particular application. If you are using durable tags, you will likely not need a printer at all, as these tags either come pre-encoded or are encoded manually. Peel and stick labels typically go through a printer, and while there are units as low as $1,000, expect to pay between $3,000 and $5,000 for an industrial-grade device.The reader can be an internal or external antenna. A reader with an external antenna can have one or more ports for connecting the reader antenna (the latest reader has up to 8 antenna ports). Also have an input/output port for connecting to an external device. The input port connected to CCTV that runs on the reader when an object blocks its beam. The output port connected to the program controller, the conveyor classifier, or other devices controlled by the reader.The reader also has a port for connecting to a computer or network. Older readers use serial ports. Most newer readers have POE, Wi-Fi or USB ports. 3.Installation Costs Reader pricing may not include the price of antennas and cables.You should also consider the price of installing the reader and the price of the cable used where the card reader is installed.Passive RFID installation must be done by an expert who is well-versed in tuning the equipment, directing the antennas, running the necessary connectivity tests, etc. 4.Middleware Cost Middleware used to describe software between an RFID reader and company RFID system applications. It is a critical component of all RFID systems because the middleware gets the raw data from the reader – the reader may read the same tag 100 times per second – filtering it and passing useful event data to the back-end system. Middleware plays a key role in getting the right information at the right time to transfer to the right application.The cost of middleware varies from vendor to vendor and typically depends on the number of installation locations, the complexity of the application and many other factors. Virtually any RFID system can be integrated by publishing CSV file asset updates of asset information that has changed. 5.RFID software It’s difficult to say, because there are so many variables involved, vary from as low as $5,000 to $150,000 depending on the functionality and complexity of the application, and the level of integration with your other business applications.   Once scoping out your project and determining the total cost of ownership, you can begin to understand whether RFID is right for your project. Here are some things to consider: Project scope What is the scope of the project and what is your goal? When does the project need to be implemented? Is there time to complete any testing? Environment What environment will the system be in? (Moisture, high heat, extreme cold, etc.) Does the environment change throughout the supply chain? Read range What are the read range requirements? How many read points will be needed? How many tags will need to be read at once? Asset material composition What type of surface will you be tagging on? (metal, plastic, wood, etc.) How are you attaching the tag? (adhesive, screws, epoxy, etc.) Cost feasibility Evaluate all costs associated with the project and calculate the ROI of the entire system Items to consider from a cost perspective: – Fixed costs: equipment such as readers, antennas, etc. – Recurring costs: RFID inlay, software license renewal, etc  The purpose of use RFID solutions, to ascertain the time and cost saving, also through reduced out of stock situations and brand enhancement to revenue company.  RFID ROI calculators Impinj retail ROI Calculator Zebra ROI Calculartors PTS RFID Savings Calculator CONTACT US
5 Questions for RFID Based Digital Asset Management
5 Questions for RFID Based Digital Asset Management 5 Questions for RFID Based Digital Asset Management 1. What is RFID Asset Tagging? Any physical asset is exactly that, an asset. Asset tagging will help you to track your assets, for a number of reasons: * To ensure loss is minimised* To ensure maximum use is made of your assets* To manage repair / maintenance of assets* To manage PAT testing schedules* Saving money, by understanding your assets better your make better use of them and save money against waste and loss RFID is part of many asset management systems and forms the link between the asset itself and the database that stores the required information for that asset. But the system itself allows you to maximise the usage of your assets. 2. How Does RFID Work? There are a number of types of RFID tags using slightly different technology within them to communicate with a reader. An RFID tag will usually contain an aerial and a microchip. Some will contain a battery but most will not. All RFID uses radio frequency to communicate, some operate on High Frequency some on Ultra High Frequency. The main difference is the distance the signal can travel, UHF travels further than HF as a rule of thumb. There are also both powered and passive RFID tags, put simply, powered tags have a battery and can send a signal further, passive has no battery and generates charge from the radio signal it receives from the reader, its signal is not as strong and therefore doesn’t travel as far. 3. What Are My Options? There are many systems on the market today, most systems, will use RFID instead of a barcode, though this is not a necessity it has a number of key benefits. Firstly, the ability to read multiple items quickly and simply. A recent retail application of RFID showed a more accurate read was achieved than a manual barcode scan process. Secondly, the speed of the data capture with the RFID system was less than 5% of the time taken in a manual process. 4. What Are the Different Types of RFID? The two most widely used RFID types are Active and Passive. Active RFID tags are self-powered, allowing the tag to have a larger communication distance and more memory capabilities. Passive RFID tags are powered by an electromagnet signal that is transmitted from the reader, making them a slightly cheaper option than active RFID. Passive RFID works by using the signal from the reader to charge the tags capacitor, supplying the power needed to communicate. The simplest way to break RFID down however is by the frequency in which they operate. These are low frequency, high frequency and ultra-high frequency. The RFID tags radio waves act differently depending on these frequencies. LOW FREQUENCY Low Frequency RFID penetrates most materials, from water to body tissue, making it ideal for animal identification. Tags can also be easily applied to any non- metallic items and will provide a short-read range of around 10cm. LF RFID does mean a relatively low data transfer rate, so slower communication and it can be affected by electrical noise in an industrial environment. HIGH FREQUENCY High frequency RFID is not as effective as low frequency in the presence of water and body tissue but should not be affected by electrical noise in an industrial environment. Making this type of RFID system more popular in ticketing and data transfer applications. HF RFID has a higher data transfer rate and this increase in speed allows for the reader to communicate with multiple tags at one time. A HF reader can read more than 50 tags per second with read range of between 10cm and 1m. ULTRA HIGH FREQUENCY Ultra-high frequency is perfect for supply chain markets where a longer read range is required. UHF RFID has a read range as long as 12m, a faster data rate than LF and HF RFID and its performance remains high even in difficult environments. On paper RFID is really quite simple, but its capabilities are huge and it’s becoming a powerful tool for all industries. Before implementing RFID a good understanding of the technology is advised in order to find a process that has the most benefit and return on investment (ROI) for you. This article gave you a basic understanding of what RFID is and how RFID works but please get in touch if you want to further discuss the benefits of RFID for your business. Benefits to RFID Asset Tagging1. Sales crowth2. Quick, precise identification for inventory3. Data source4. Live accurate database5. Faster distribution6. Reduced labour in logistics mangement7. Improved read accuracy8. Multiple items at once 5. Who Will Perform The Asset Tagging Procedure? Your first instinct is probably to use your own staff to perform the task, that would be the natural conclusion. Please don’t, or if you do, make sure that the asset data being input is closely monitored. Managing the quality of the tagging process is essential, it is better using a commercial solution company. CONTACT US
5 types of RFID read range you should know
5 types of RFID read range you should know RFID, short for radio-frequency identification, uses electromagnetic frequencies to communicate between RFID readers and RFID tags. RFID readers, transmit signals to read and write data on RFID tags. There are both active and passive tags. Active tags utilize batteries to boost their power output. There are five major frequency ranges that RFID systems operate at. RFID comes in many different forms. It works at different frequencies, in different applications, and with different characteristics. The physical tag read range is determined by the individual RFID reader and antenna power, the material and thickness of material the tag is coated or covered with, the type of antenna the tag uses, the material the tag is attached to and more! While a specification may show a theoretical RFID tag read range of 5 meters (ideal conditions) it may be as little as 1 meter if the tag is attached to an object that is sitting on a metal surface surrounded by water and electromagnetic waves (not ideal conditions)! Frequency Specific Details 125 kHz. and 134.2kHz. Low-Frequency (LF) Passive RFID Tags – usually 5-10 cm, use a high-powered RFID reader which can have a read range of up to 80cm.  13.56 MHz. High-Frequency (HF) Passive RFID Tags – maximum read range of 1 meter – usually under 10 cm. In the 13.56 MHz band, there are two main standards, ISO14443 and ISO15693, ISO14443 identification close but low-price confidentiality, often as a public transport card, access card to use. ISO15693’s greatest advantage is its recognition efficiency, through a high-power reader to identify the distance can be extended to more than 1.5 meters, because of the good wavelength penetration in dealing with dense label when superior to ultra-high-frequency reading effect. The maximum reading distance of ISO / IEC 14443 is 10cm. The maximum reading distance of ISO / IEC 15693 is 1m.  433 MHz Ultra High Frequency Active RFID Tags – up to 500 meter read range.  860 ~ 960 MHz. Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Passive RFID Tags – maximum read distance of 15 meters – an average distance of 5 meters. A passive ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) handheld reader has a range of about 3 meters with a high-performance reader model and high antenna gain. The read distance of RFID mainly depends on the reader power (module performance), antenna size (antenna gain), tag size, and working environment.  45 GHz. Super High Frequency Active RFID Tags – up to 100 meter read range. There are several different modulations for 2.45 GHz. and you can also have real time location information from these active tags. FREQUENCY RANGE APPLICATIONS Low-frequency 125 – 134.2 kHz up to 80mm Pet and ranch animal identification; car keylocks; factory data collection High-frequency 13.56 MHz up to 1 meter Library book identification; smart cards; NFC; transit tickets Ultra-high frequency (UHF) 433 MHz up to 100 meters (with active tags) Container identification with active tags Ultra-high frequency (UHF) 860 – 930 MHz up to 15 meters Supply chain tracking: item identification; apparel; healthcare; Microwave: 2.45 – 5.8 GHz up to 100 meters Highway toll collection; vehicle fleet identification CONTACT US
How to implement RFID technology in your cases
How to implement RFID technology in your cases You want to implement an RFID technology into your process or business? Do you know which technology you want to use? There are a few different options that are available. Do you know what they are? Radio-frequency identification (RFID) uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects. The tags contain electronically stored information, is a generic term for technologies that use radio waves to automatically identify people or objects. Signaling between the reader and the tag is done in several different incompatible ways, depending on the frequency band used by the tag. There are two ways to transmit RF signal between the RFID reader and tag, one is inductance coupling, the other is electromagnetic backscattering. Different frequency, the working principle is also different. RF frequency Low Frequency(LF) High Frequency(HF) Ultra high frequency (UHF) Microwave 125kHz – 135kHz 13.56MHz 840-960MHz 2.45GHz Working Principle inductance coupling inductance coupling electromagnetic backscattering electromagnetic backscattering Range < 60cm < 1m 1-10m 1 ~ 15m Characteristics Without any interference Short-range read, multi-tag identification Interference by working environment, Comprehensive performance is the most outstanding Characteristics similar to UHF, subject to environmental impact Tag Type Passive Passive Passive Active Typical Application Animal Identification factory data collection Smart cards memory cards microprocessor cards Access control Retail Transportation and logistics Freeways toll Data Speed Low speed                                                                      High speed Environmental Dullness                                                                        Sensitive Ablility to read near metal Better                                                                           Worst   Low Frequency (LF) 125kHz – 135kHz Generally, the frequency band of low frequency is 10Khz-1MHz, the most commonly used operating frequency is 125kHz and 135kHz. The tags of this frequency band are passive, through the inductive coupling mode for energy supply and data transmission, that is transformer coupling between the coil of reader and the coil of inductor. Working Features: Reading distance < 1m, the storage capacity is 125-512 bits; The operating frequency of Ti is 134.2 Khz and the wavelength is about 2500m; Data transfer rate is slow; Operating frequency not subject to radio frequency control; In addition to the impact of metal materials, low-frequency can pass through any object without dropping the reading distance; Standards ISO/IEC 18000-2, ISO/IEC11784, ISO/IEC11785, DIN 30745 Application Animal identification, human implantation, tree monitoring, car anti-theft keyless door system, marathon running system, hotel door lock system, access control and safety management system, etc. Low-frequency systems and read-write devices are more mature, and read-write devices are cheap. However, due to its low resonance rate, the label needs to make a large inductance winding inductance, and often need to package off-chip resonant capacitor, so the cost of its label is higher than other frequency bands. Hight Frequency (HF) 13.56MHz The high frequency band is 13.56 Mhz, with a wavelength of approximately 22 M. Although the magnetic field region of the frequency drops rapidly, it is able to produce a relatively uniform read-write region. High Frequency label products are the most extensive, with higher transmission speed and distance, but the cost is also more expensive than low frequency label. These HF tags typically have a good amount of memory and come in all sorts of different sizes and shapes. These tags are good for applications where read distances are close, a maximum of ~1.5 meters. The other positive factor for this is the frequency range and technology are recognized globally. Working Features:  Data transmission is fast, the typical value is 106Kbit / s;  Storage Capacity: 128 bits -8K; Support password security or microprocessor; It is most used in RFID application; In addition to the impact of metal materials, can pass through any object, but the reading distance drops. Standards ISO/IEC 15693, ISO/IEC 14443 A, ISO/IEC 14443 B Application Passport, E-visa, ID card, driver’s license, bus card and other identification applications, high-frequency applications mainly for library management, gas cylinder management, clothing production line and logistics system management, hotel lock management, conference staff access system, medical logistics system, intelligent shelf management. NFC Near Field Communication typically uses a smartphone or tablet that has NFC capabilities. Read ranges are typically ~1.6 inches or closer. NFC devices are used in contactless payment systems, similar to those used in credit cards and electronic ticket smartcards and allow mobile payment to replace/supplement these systems. This is sometimes referred to as NFC/CTLS (Contactless) or CTLS NFC. NFC is used for social networking, for sharing contacts, photos, videos or files. NFC-enabled devices can act as electronic identity documents and keycards. NFC offers a low-speed connection with simple setup that can be used to bootstrap more capable wireless connections 3     Ultra high frequency (UHF) 840 ~ 960MHz The common operating frequency of UHF is 860-928MHz, but the global standard varies. UHF systems transmit energy through an electric field. The energy of the electric field does not drop very quickly, but the area being read is not well defined. The reading distance of this band is quite far, range up to about 10m. At the same time, the Inlay is relatively inexpensive because it be made in etching or printing. The application system of liquid goods in UHF still not mature, disturbed by the human body, and the price of reading and writing equipment are more expensive, also a high cost for the application maintenance cost, but it is widely used. Working Features:  Long reading range, fast transmit speed; Multi-tag identification; Mainly suitable for 3-10m of application accasions;  The primary frequency band for Internet of things; The radio waves can not transmit through matter such as water, dust, fog, etc; Standards ISO/IEC 18000-6C, ISO/IEC 18000-6B Application Retail, Government, Entertainment & hospitality, Manufacturing, Transportation, Healthcare, Commericial services, access control, sports, waste management, etc. Working Environment Effects: air humidity, air particles, wall blocking, metal Goods impact: moisture content, goods placement Microwave (MW) 433MHz 2.45GHz, 5.8GHz Microwaves are used in frequency bands above 1Ghz, with common operating frequencies of 2.45Ghz and 5.8Ghz. Microwave band is similar in characteristics to applications and ultra-high bands, with long read distances, but more sensitive to the environment. Working Features:  Active tag;  Can be used in complex environments such as tunnels and mountains; Label stabness and fireability  Long transfer
