RFID

A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) solution consists of a number of elements - tags, readers, computer hosts, and applications software. In addition, it typically communicates with networks and databases.

Tags

An RFID chip and antenna are combined to create an "inlay." This inlay is then embedded into various forms such as plastic cards, smart labels, key fobs, and wristbands to form an RFID enabled "tag." The flexibility to create tags in many forms makes RFID extremely adaptable to different applications. Each tag contains a unique identification that is programmed into it during manufacturing. A tag may also include additional features including rewritable memory for storage, security features, or special sensors like temperature. RFID tags are a "contactless" technology which means that all communication with the tags occurs in the air without physical contact unlike conventional "smartcards." The effective range of communication depends on a number of factors including frequency, power, tag size, and antenna design.

Standards

RFID technology covers a variety of frequencies, standards, ranges, and power schemes. Our products focus on "passive" tags (powered by the reader's radio waves in the air) operating at 13.56 MHz following the ISO15693 standard. This standard has a number of attributes making it attractive -- it is stable, numerous tag products exist in the market, and it is cost effective. The ISO15693 standard is short-range, usually 4 to 8 inches with a maximum of about 30 inches. It is best suited to proximity and vicinity applications such as access control, document tracking, wireless barcodes, cashless transactions, and network security.

Readers

The term "reader" is actually a misnomer because typical readers can both read and write acting as a bridge between RFID tags and a computing device. The RF portion of the reader provides an ISO15693 defined radio interface and protocol that functions to power the RFID tags in its field, sort and identify multiple tags using an anti-collision algorithm, and facilitate reliable communications with individual tags. Once these tags are identified, it becomes the task of the application to determine what to do with this information. Therefore, linking with a computer and usually a network is the key to its usefulness. Many platforms can be used to host an RFID reader including Microsoft Windows, Linux, Macintosh, and Windows CE. Readers may even be standalone connecting directly to a network.

Software

Once the RFID information can be communicated to the network, it becomes the software's role to link it with databases and other applications. This often takes the form of middleware that bridges RFID tag information with existing applications by emulating forms of identification that may have been manually entered or barcoded in the past. It is the combination of all these elements that creates an RFID solution. Tags can be used to effectively identify individuals and assets providing greater efficiency, reliable identification, higher security, and better control than other methods.