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Types
RFID
tags can be either active, semi-passive (=semi-active) or passive.
Passive
Passive
RFID tags have no internal power supply. The minute electrical current
induced in the antenna by the incoming radio frequency signal provides
just enough power for the CMOS integrated circuit (IC) in the tag
to power up and transmit a response. Most passive tags signal by
backscattering the carrier signal from the reader. This means that
the aerial (antenna) has to be designed to both collect power from
the incoming signal and also to transmit the outbound backscatter
signal. The response of a passive RFID tag is not just an ID number
(GUID): tag chip can contain nonvolatile EEPROM (Electrically Erasable
Programmable Read-Only Memory) for storing data. Lack of an onboard
power supply means that the device can be quite small: commercially
available products exist that can be embedded under the skin. As
of 2005, the smallest such devices commercially available measured
0.4 mm × 0.4 mm, and are thinner than a sheet of paper; such
devices are practically invisible. Passive tags have practical read
distances ranging from about 2 mm (ISO 14443) up to about few metres
(ISO 18000-6) depending on the chosen radio frequency. Due to their
simplicity in design they are also suitable for manufacture with
a printing process for the antennae. A development target are polycarbon
semiconductor tags to become entirely printed. Passive RFID tags
do not require batteries, and can be much smaller and have an unlimited
life span.
Semi-Passive
Semi-passive
RFID tags are very similar to passive tags except for the addition
of a small battery. This battery allows the tag IC to be constantly
powered. This removes the need for the aerial to be designed to
collect power from the incoming signal. Aerials can therefore be
optimised for the backscattering signal. Semi-passive RFID tags
are faster in response and therefore stronger in reading ratio compared
to passive tags.
Active
Active
RFID tags or beacons, on the other hand, have their own internal
power source which is used to power any ICs and generate the outgoing
signal. They may have longer range and larger memories than passive
tags, as well as the ability to store additional information sent
by the transceiver. To economize power consumption, many beacon
concepts operate at fixed intervals. At present, the smallest active
tags are about the size of a coin. Many active tags have practical
ranges of tens of metres, and a battery life of up to 10 years.
Using
the right tag in your application
Because
passive tags are cheaper to manufacture and have no battery, the
majority of RFID tags in existence are of the passive variety. As
of 2005, these tags cost an average of Euro 0.20 ($0.24 USD) at
high volumes. Today, as universal RFID tagging of individual products
become commercially viable at very large volumes, the lowest cost
tags available on the market are as low as 7.2 cents each in volumes
of 10 million units or more. Current demand for RFID integrated
circuit chips is expected to grow rapidly based on these prices.
Reading
ratio close to 100% is a mandatory requirement for successful application.
While the cost advantages of passive tags over active tags are significant,
other factors including accuracy, performance in certain environments
such as around water or metal, and reliability make the use of active
tags very common today. The final quality metrics is a probed reading
ratio for a representative statistical basic population (fairly
100 plus tags in minimum), this unfortunately never reaches the
100% ratio. Sound system designs with RFID therefore take the deficiencies
into account and compare in real-time already known data with just
captured data on the basis of fuzzy reasoning.
There
are four main frequency bands for RFID tags commonly in use. They
are categorized by their radio frequency: low frequency tags (125
or 134.2 kHz), high frequency tags (13.56 MHz), UHF tags (868 to
956 MHz) or 463 MHz, and microwave tags (2.45 GHz or 5.8 GHz). UHF
tags can be used globally when specially tailored according to regional
regulations; as there are no globally unified regulations for radio
frequencies in this ISM band range.
There
is a wide variation of transponder devices and contactless chip
cards which deliver similar functions
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