RFID Reader

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a technology that uses electromagnetic waves to identify and track items. It has been used in many different industries such as retail, transportation and logistics.

RFID readers transmit radio waves that are received by tags, which then send back information about the tag’s identity and location.

EPC Class 1

RFID is an automatic identification system that uses radio waves to identify objects and products. It works by absorbing some RF energy from a reader signal and then reflecting that energy back to the reader. Unlike barcode technology, it does not require “Line of Sight” to read the tag and can be used for items that are not in range of standard scanners.

RFID tags use a variety of encoding schemes that are designed to uniquely identify a product or object. These encoding schemes are typically designed to be similar to barcode identifiers, and include elements that correspond to a serial number and other information that can help identify the product or item.

EPC Class 1 Gen 2 (Gen2) is the latest generation of the ISO 18000-6C standard and defines the air interface parameters of a radio frequency identification system operating within the 860-960 MHz frequency band. It also provides a standard for tag encoding and decoding.

The EPC Class 1 Gen 2 standard is supported by a large number of RFID readers, which are often referred to as “Gen 2 Certified” readers. They offer a number of advantages over earlier EPC protocols including better performance and a wide range of features such as User Memory Files, Tag Hiding and High Speed Chip & Mass Programming.

User Memory can be configured with various access privileges, which allow different partners in a RFID Reader supply chain to write their own data into the tag. This makes it much easier to manage inventory and allows the tag to be read by different types of readers depending on the access privileges.

For example, if the user is the first partner to receive a shipment of an item, they would have the highest access privilege and be able to read and write data without having to worry about others in the supply chain finding out their information. This allows the EPC to be used for many different applications in supply chain management and manufacturing.

The EPC Class 1 Gen 2 standard has been developed by GS1 and was approved as ISO 18000-6C in 2006. It has a wide range of supported frequencies from 860 MHz to 960 MHz, and is recognized throughout most of Europe and North America.

EPC Class 2

EPC Class 2 is the most widely adopted UHF RFID standard in the world. It can be used to track and identify a variety of items from inventory to assets and people.

Unlike other physical layer protocols, this one has no need for a central controller, which is why it can be implemented in the most remote places. It also takes advantage of the higher UHF spectrum, which means that it can be read from a much larger distance.

This is done by using FHSS (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum) technology. This method rapidly switches the carrier between multiple frequency channels during radio signal transmission to get the best possible read from the tag.

It is this feature that allows readers to obtain several different readings from the same tag and compare them to determine whether they were successful or not. This can help ensure that the tags are correctly tagged and that the data they contain is correct.

Gen2 tags can have four banks of non-volatile memory – Reserved Memory, EPC Memory, Tag Identification (TID) Memory and User Memory. Each of these is accessed in parts, which are 16-bit long, called words, starting at word 0.

The reserved area holds the Access and Kill passwords for the tag. The tag can also be read password protected in 32-bit blocks, allowing it to be rendered permanently silent and unresponsive.

This technology is based on CMOS technology and EEPROM to reduce costs, power consumption and complexity. It also uses a factory programmed 64-bit serial number, which cannot be altered.

This makes it ideal for the most common applications of EPC tags in a wide range of industrial and commercial environments, including retail, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics and more. It also offers the ability to perform dynamic authentication, which is a security function that prevents cloning of the tag.

EPC Class 3

A RFID Reader is a device that transmits signals to RFID tags using radio waves. The tags then absorb some of the RF energy, and return information back to the reader via the same type of signal that was sent. The frequency of the tag and reader can vary from 860-960 MHz depending on where the tags are located and how much power they use.

EPC Class 3 – also known as Gen 2 RFID, or Ultra High Frequency (UHF) – is the most widely used UHF RFID technology. It can be found in many industries, including logistics and supply chain, manufacturing, transportation, and security.

Generation 2 tags use four banks of non-volatile memory – Reserved Memory, EPC Memory, Tag Identification (TID) Memory and User Memory. Each area of memory is accessed in parts, called words, that are 16-bit long.

Each word is made up of a combination of data and a password. The tags also use a communication protocol that prescribes how the information should be sent to the reader. It also describes how the reader should interpret the information.

Another feature of Gen 2 tags is the capability to change all the tags on a Dual Target Search mode, which allows for faster reading. This saves time and effort, as well as preventing any potential conflicts with other devices in the system that may cause the Dual Target to fail.

This feature is available in all Life EMS RFID Readers. It can be configured for Single Target with Session set to ‘1’, or for Dual Target with Select command to change all the tags to a ‘A’ state. This feature is very helpful in situations where there are a number of tagged items continuously inventoried on the same “smart shelf.”

The Gen 2 standard includes a TS1 persistence value that can be between 500ms and 5 seconds, and it cannot be expressly set by a user. This value is defined in the standard, but it can vary from tag IC to tag IC and even from the specific tag model that is being used.

EPC Class 4

RFID Readers receive bit strings from RFID tags to encrypt and transmit them as data. The reader then sends the resulting bits to an edge server, which normalizes them and preliminarily filters them. Then, it sends the resulting data to the network, where it can be accessed and used for various purposes.

RFID tags can be read in a variety of ways, and each type has its own set of features. The EPC tag standard includes the following classifications:

Generation 1 (also called Gen1)tags are factory programmable and can be written to with an electronic pen or computer. They are typically used in WORM (write once, read many) applications.

Class 1 also contains the capability to decommission and recommission a tag as well as password protected access control. Some models are equipped with user memory that can hold additional information such as serial numbers or product codes.

Some readers use a proprietary air interface that is specific to the reader and card/tag being communicated with. In this case, it is crucial to get the right communication protocol when choosing a reader and cards/tags.

EPC Class 2tags are backward compatible with Gen 1 and have several additional capabilities including extended TAG ID (TID), authenticated access control, and optional user RFID Reader memory that can hold up to 2048 bits.

These readers operate over a UHF spectrum in the 860 MHz to 960 MHz range. This allows the reader to cover a wide range of frequencies and avoid interference with other devices operating in the same range.

This technology is referred to as ‘Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum’ or ‘FHSS’ because it switches the carrier frequency among many channels during transmission. This method ensures the best possible read quality from the tag.

It can be scanned between 100-1,000 times per second. This makes it perfect for a global system.

The EPC global tag standard, also known as the EPCglobal Tag Data Standard, is a set of specifications that defines the physical and logical requirements for RFID systems in the 860-960 MHz range. These tags are designed to work across a wide range of industries, and are at the heart of many global RFID rollouts.