What is RFID and how does it work?

Radio frequency identification (RFID) was developed in the 1940s, and after years of development and innovation, it became widely used from the mid-1990s onwards. Now, we find RFID technology in all sorts of everyday items, from passports and ID cards to retail stock, but what is RFID, and how does it work?

Whether you’re in retail, manufacturing, logistics, or security, RFID can streamline operations and enhance efficiency. This guide will take you through the essentials of RFID technology—what it is, how it works, and how it can benefit your business.

What is RFID?

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a form of wireless communication that uses radio waves to communicate information between tags (sometimes called transponders) and readers. Each tag contains information about the item it is attached to, and it broadcasts this to the reader, which may send it on to a host computer.

RFID systems can be used to track and identify people, assets, animals, and products. By attaching an RFID tag to an object or even embedding it in a product, businesses and organisations can monitor inventory, manage supply chains, enhance security, and streamline operations.

What is an RFID system?

While each system will vary in terms of device types and complexity, traditional (fixed) RFID systems typically contain the following four components:

• Readers
• Antennas
• Tags
• Cables

Sometimes, mobile or handheld readers combine these components into one unit, which can make setup easier.

How does RFID work?

Every RFID system consists of three components: a scanning antenna, a transceiver and a transponder. When combined, the antenna and transceiver make up an RFID reader, which can be either fixed or handheld.

The RFID reader sends out radio waves that activate the tag. Once the tag is activated, it sends data back to the reader. The reader then translates this data into usable information.?

What’s the difference between RFID and barcode technology?

RFID and barcode technology share similar functionalities, but there is one key distinction: the need for human intervention, or 'line of sight'. This concept refers to the requirement for the operator to be physically close enough to the item to see and scan it.

With barcode systems, operators must position their handheld scanner within direct line of sight of the barcode to capture the data. In contrast, RFID technology allows operators to collect data from a distance, as long as they are within the range of the RFID tag. This flexibility means that employees can gather information from multiple items at once without needing to move from one location to another.?

As a result, many businesses are turning to RFID solutions to add even more value to their operations.

Key features of RFID

RFID technology provides a range of features designed to make operations more efficient, save time, and enhance security. Here are a few valuable aspects of RFID:

• Unique identification: Each RFID tag has a unique ID for precise tracking.
• Security alerts: Tags can trigger alarms when moved without authorisation.
• Orientation independence: Tags can be read regardless of their orientation.
• Automatic recognition: RFID systems automatically recognise and record tag information.
• System integration: Tag data is compatible with WMS and ERP systems.
• High security: Tags are difficult to reproduce or counterfeit.
• Simultaneous reading: Multiple tags can be read at once.

It is now also possible for RFID tag readings to be automatically copied from the reader to cloud-hosted software, from where they can be read and monitored from any location at any time. This allows the RFID-tagged items to become part of the Internet of Things (IoT) and can be extremely useful in applications like manufacturing, RFID asset tracking, and supply chains.

Types of RFID

RFID tags are often discussed in terms of two forms:?

• Passive tags?(which do not have a battery and rely on electromagnetic waves)
• Active tags?(which have an internal battery)

Some hybrid versions are also available, such as battery-assisted passive systems.

Again speaking generally, active tags can be read from further away and constantly broadcast a signal, so they are ideal for continuous tracking. However, because they contain more hardware than passive tags, they tend to be bulkier. Passive tags are very affordable and can be very small, but they cannot actively broadcast; instead, they wait for a signal from an RFID reader, and then respond.

This overview simplifies things, however. It is more accurate to think about RFID systems and the benefits of RFID in terms of the frequency bands they use: low, high and ultra-high frequency. The radio waves that RFID systems use (and thus, the RFID systems themselves) behave differently according to frequency, and frequencies that are good for some applications are less good for others.

Low frequency RFID systems?

These cover frequencies from 30 KHz to 300 KHz, which provides a short read range (i.e. the reader must be close to the tag, usually within 10 cms or so) and relatively slow read speed. However, low frequency RFID systems resist interference from radio waves and are often used for access control.

High frequency RFID systems

These operate at between 3 and 30 MHz. They have a longer reading range (between 10 cm and 1 m) but are more sensitive than low frequency RFID to interference. High frequency systems are used for data transfer applications, including payments (for example, near-field communication [NFC] uses high frequencies for security).

Ultra-high frequency RFID systems

Ultra-high frequency RFID operates on frequencies between 300 MHz and 3 GHz, and ultra-high frequency RFID systems have faster data transfer and longer reading distances than other forms of RFID. Passive tags used with ultra-high frequency RFID can very affordable and most active RFID systems (i.e. those that use active tags) operate within the ultra-high frequency range.

What is RFID used for?

RFID technology can be used in many ways to improve business operations. It helps with things like tracking inventory and managing supply chains and can be adapted for different industries and needs.

Because RFID tags can be read without a line-of-sight connection, RFID readers can be easily incorporated into infrastructure such as shop and vehicle doors or fittings, which makes the constant monitoring of tagged items very easy. That is why alarms sound if you are on your way out of a shop and the cashier has left a tag on one of your items ─ the alarm is triggered by the RFID reader embedded in the door, which reads the RFID tag in the item as it passes.

Other examples of RFID technology include:

• Stock management (in retail premises and warehouses)
• RFID asset tracking
• Crime prevention (such as the prevention of shoplifting or theft from work premises)
• Identity verification in credit cards, travel passes. etc.
• Security of people and data (e.g. RFID tags in ID badges and cards that may be used to access buildings or computer systems; passports; driving licences)
• Asset protection (e.g. to monitor easily-lost items such as tools and equipment)
• As part of a digitalised supply chain (as we have seen, when combined with cloud software, RFID-tagged items become part of the IoT and can be tracked accordingly from anywhere)
• To ensure traceability/ensure an audit trail for goods and components?

What are the benefits of RFID?

There are too many to ignore! For example:

• Hundreds of RFID tags can be read in seconds, and this process doesn’t require a direct line of sight. This can make processing times much faster, increasing productivity and saving money.
• RFID tags provide real time inventory and warehouse data with less effort than other technologies and – when integrated with cloud software and the IoT – from any location. This makes them ideal for many Industry 4.0 applications, including supply chain and component tracing.
• Because RFID tags are now small and cheap enough to be built into everyday items like credit cards, ID cards and badges, they can be used to automate processes such as access to buildings, events or services; passport control and retail payments. This saves time and money.
• Some RFID tags are ruggedised and can be used in harsh conditions and with a range of substances including metals and liquids (which can be advantageous? in sectors like chemical manufacture, metallurgy and welding).
• Most RFID systems are cost-effective and the savings they generate quickly cover the investment made (although this may take longer with specialised or complex systems).
• RFID tracking provides better control of processes, which can be used to optimise production, increase revenues and enhance customer satisfaction.
• The traceability and error-free nature of RFID data can be used to support regulatory compliance and documentation during audit.

What you need to implement an RFID system

To successfully set up an RFID system, you’ll need several key components. The basic components of an RFID system are the tags, readers, encoders and if required, a cloud software system that can host the resulting data. Thereafter, things get a bit more complicated! Before choosing an RFID system you'll need to consider:

• Reader type: Whether the readers need to be mobile (e.g., handheld RFID readers) or fixed RFID readers (perhaps embedded in doors or fixtures, as in retail)
• Read range and placement: The range required for your application and the placement of the readers. Consider how far the reader needs to be from the tags and any environmental conditions that might affect performance.
• Movement and speed:?The speed at which tags will move through the read zone and how many tags need to be read simultaneously.
• Tag frequency: The frequency required in the tags (tags broadcast on different frequencies, and this affects the distances from which they can be read, among other things)
• Tag type: The type of tag required, i.e. passive vs. active vs. hybrid
• Integration needs: Whether the RFID system will need to integrate with existing networks/systems, such as WMS or ERP systems.

It can be helpful to analyse all possible RFID uses within your organisation, assess likely costs then run a cost/benefit analysis. Some organisations begin with pilot studies, and for organisations that have begun their digital transformation this can help to show the benefits of integrating RFID data into their wider use of IoT and cloud technologies.

RFID system case study: Hull University Teaching Hospital

Hull University Teaching Hospital (HUTH) implemented an advanced RFID system to improve patient care and operational efficiency. Collaborating with The Barcode Warehouse, Zebra Technologies, and Tagnos, HUTH integrated RFID technology with their existing inventory management and patient care systems. This “all-in-one solution” enhanced their hospital asset tracking capabilities, saved staff time, and delivered better data for more informed purchasing decisions.

By applying GS1-approved RFID labels to medical assets, equipment, mattresses, and sterile trays, HUTH gained real-time visibility of these items, drastically reducing the time spent locating them. Implementing the RFID system streamlined operations massively, resulting in a time saving of approximately 88,000 hours per year for 2,500 staff members.

This RFID solution is a great case study of how technology can make healthcare operations smoother and more effective. For more details, take a read of the full Hull University Teaching Hospital case study.

Guidance for implementing RFID systems

Ready to invest in an RFID system? Read on for advice on the implementation process.

Selecting the right RFID equipment

When implementing an RFID system, the equipment you choose should align closely with the needs of your business – whether you’re looking to manage inventory, track assets and personnel, or install a secure access control solution.

Different applications demand different combinations of technology. All systems need readers, tags, and antennas to operate, but if your goal is to track inventory you’ll also want to invest in RFID labels and printers. Healthcare organisations, on the other hand, can make use of RFID wristbands to identify and track patients.?

Unsure which RFID technology is best suited to your requirements? Contact us for free expert advice.

Installation and deployment

Once you’ve found the right equipment for your RFID system, the next phase is to plan how your organisation will install and deploy it. We can provide support that’s tailored to your company’s individual circumstances, but in general you should:

1.?Carry out a site survey, working with qualified RFID engineers to determine whether anything in the environment could degrade the RFID system’s performance. For example, existing electrical equipment may create electromagnetic interference or dust in the atmosphere could impede the sensitivity of your RFID equipment.

2.?Complete pre-installation checks. The assessment should ensure that your readers are placed in close enough proximity to antennas, and that your network cabling complies with industry standards.

3.?Prepare the appropriate middleware (the software which collects tag data and manages the interface between readers and computer systems).

4.?Install the RFID system. Check that readers are positioned according to the manufacturer’s instructions and antennas are protected by guards to avoid close proximity to tags.

Integrating RFID with existing IT infrastructure

No matter what existing IT infrastructure you have, your RFID system must integrate seamlessly with it. To achieve this, you’ll need to consider a few things:?

• The system compatibility of the RFID software with existing hardware and software (for example, warehouse management systems).
• ?The security and data privacy of the RFID system.
• The data synchronisation between the RFID system and your existing infrastructure.

Training and support for RFID system users?

It’s important that your team knows how to use RFID properly. Provide them with easy-to-follow training—whether that’s through presentations, videos, or hands-on sessions. Be sure to listen to any concerns they have and keep offering support as they get used to the system.

RFID system lifecycle management

Effective lifecycle management is vital to keep operations moving smoothly, from equipment supply and setup through to operations, repairs, and retirement. Whether you oversee hundreds of devices or just a few, we provide continuous support and Enterprise Mobility Managed Services to keep your RFID systems operating at the best around the clock, minimising any disruption and downtime.

Advanced RFID systems from The Barcode Warehouse

RFID technology can be a game-changer for your business. Whether you’re looking to optimise your supply chain, enhance security, or enter the realm of IoT, the right RFID system is the key to success.

At The Barcode Warehouse, we are the UK's leading specialists in RFID solutions, partnering with the best brands to supply you with an unrivalled range of RFID readers, tags, printers, wristbands and labels.

Browse our?RFID product offering, our RFID asset tracking solutions, and/or get in touch with our expert team to discuss your specific RFID requirements today.