Q. What is RFID?

A. RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a term used for any technology that uses radio waves to identify an object. There are different methods of identification but the most common is to store a serial number on a microchip with an antenna (known as an RFID tag). The antenna enables the chip to transmit information to a reader. The reader then converts the radio waves into digital information that is made sense of by the computer.

Q. What is the difference between an RFID tag and a barcode?

A. The main difference between an RFID tag and a bar code is that a bar code relies on line of sight. This means that the bar code reader has to see the bar code in order to read it. RFID tags on the other hand can be read as long as they are within a certain range of the reader.

Q. How far can RFID tags transmit?

A. This range depends on two things; the frequency of the tag and whether or not the tag has its own power supply.

Low-frequency tags (125KHz) can be read from up to 1ft away, high-frequency (13.56 MHz) tags up to 3ft and ultrahigh-frequency or UHF (860-960 MHz) up to 20ft away. These distances however can be increased if the tags have their own power supply.

Q. What is meant by active and passive RFID tags?

A. There are two types of tags and these are active and passive. Active tags have their own power source (usually a battery) whereas passive tags draw power from the reader. The only other difference between the two types of tags being the cost of production.

Q. What other advantages does RFID have over bar codes?

A. RFID has other advantages over bar codes. For example, if a barcode becomes damaged or peels off then there is no way to scan the item. RFID tags also allow you to store more information than a bar code. Information such as expiry date can be stored making it possible to identify which product is going to pass its expiration date first therefore allowing you to improve stock rotation.

Q. What are RFID printer-encoders

RFID printer-encoders are used to print graphics or text and write information to RFID tags embedded in smart labels. In terms of features most printers perform the same functions – they print graphics and text, encode RFID tags and perform verification. Existing printers would require extensive modification to enable RFID functionality and because of this most suppliers only support their newest printers or offer a completely separate range of RFID printers.