RFID Technology
Posted in Technology on Jan 21st, 2008
RFID, which stands for radio frequency identification, is fast becoming a valuable technology. Radio waves are used to help machines automatically identify individual and bulk items. The RFID system consists of a tag, reader and hardware (or software).
The most common identification method used in the RFID system is storing a serial number containing information on a microchip which is attached to an antenna. The purpose of the antenna is to allow the microchip to transmit the information to a reader. The reader then converts the radio waves from the RFID tag into digital information which can be forwarded to computers for processing.
Just as your radio picks up frequencies to hear different channels, RFID tags and readers have to tune into the same frequency to be able to communicate. There are many different frequencies in the RFID system, the most common being low frequency (125 KHz), high frequency (13.56 MHz), ultra high frequency (860 - 960 MHz) and microwave (2.4 GHz). There are even higher frequencies such as 5.8 GHz.
There are advantages to the RFID technology. The RFID tags don’t require direct contact or need to be viewed visually as can be read through conditions like fog, snow, ice and paint.
