What is RFID?

Unpacking the World of Radio Frequency Identification: How it Works and Its Uses

Designed by vectorpouch / Freepik

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is a technology that uses radio waves to transmit data between a reader and a tag. The reader sends a signal to the tag, which responds by transmitting its unique identification number. RFID is used in a variety of applications, including access control, supply chain management, and public transportation.

RFID tags are small, wireless devices that contain a microchip and an antenna. They can be attached to or embedded in objects, such as products, animals, or people.

These tags are everywhere and chances are you encounter more than one of them in your day-to-day life. RFID tags are embedded in credit/debit cards, apartment access FOBs, office security cards, transit fare cards, pet microchips, etc.

There are two main types of RFID tags: low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF).

Low frequency RFID cards operate at a frequency of 125–134 kHz and have a longer range than HF cards. They are generally less expensive and have a lower data transfer rate than HF cards. Low frequency RFID cards are often used in applications where a longer range is required, such as:

• Access control: tags can be used to grant or deny access to restricted areas such as an apartment building or a secured parking garage.
• Animal identification: RFID tags are frequently implanted in pets and livestock and used to track their movement or identify them in the event that they become lost.
• Supply chain management: tags can be used to improve supply chain efficency by attaching LF tags to products or shipping containers and using them to track the location and status of goods.

High frequency RFID cards operate at a frequency of 13.56 MHz and have a shorter range than low frequency (LF) cards. HF cards are generally more expensive and offer higher data transfer rates than LF cards. They are often used in applications where a high data transfer rate is required, such as:

• Contactless payment systems: high frequency tags are often embedded in credit cards and mobile payment systems, allowing users to make payments by waving their HF RFID-enabled card or device near a reader.
• Transportation systems: tags are frequently used in transportation systems as fare collection devices such as transit passes or as toll road payment systems.
• Medication management: RFID technology can be used in healthcare to ensure that the the correct medication is being administered to the correct patient.

With so many applications, there are many advantages to adopting this versatile technology. RFID has the ability to improve efficency, increase security, and provide convenience to users. Potential disadvantages of this technology include: high implementation cost, privacy concerns, and vulnerabilities to spoofing/cloning.