HF RFID Tag

HF RFID systems are commonly used for electronic ticketing and payments. HF RFID tag interrogators use magnetic flux to power and communicate with the tags.

The HF RFID reader IC AS3911 on our demo PCB and the passive tag IC AS39514 form a short-range wireless bridge for communication and power. This allows for a cost-effective and accurate inventory tracking system.

HF RFID Technology

HF RFID is one of the most widely used track-and-trace technologies. This technology is based on inductive coupling and enables a read range of up to 1 meter depending on the tag, reader, and environment. This technology works well on items containing liquids and metal objects, is relatively affordable, and can support NFC (Near Field Communication) applications. It is also a good choice for item-level identification and tracking.

In contrast to LF systems, HF systems use a wider spectrum. This increases the read range, allows a greater number of tags to be detected at once, NFC Readers and supports NFC applications. In addition, HF tags are passive and don’t require batteries. They generate their own current to power themselves and communicate with the reader using an electromagnetic field.

Compared to LF systems, HF RFID has better performance with liquids and metals. This makes it suitable for applications such as document management, casino chips and playing cards, laundry, and jewelry. It can also be used for access control and supply chain management. Pepperl+Fuchs’ new IQT3* HF RFID read/write devices are compatible with Industry 4.0 architectures like PROFINET and EtherNet/IP. They offer high detection performance and excellent process reliability. In addition, these read/write devices can be used in various mounting positions and in harsh environments. They also feature IP67 degree of protection and are designed to operate in temperatures between -25 degC and +70 degC.

HF RFID Applications

As industrial manufacturing continues to adapt to meet increasing productivity and efficiency demands, track-and-trace technologies play a critical role in optimizing operations. RFID technology provides the visibility and control that manufacturers require to achieve this level of precision on their factory floor.

HF RFID systems work by using radiofrequency waves to communicate between the reader and tag. These signals power and transmit information, which is recorded by the RFID reader as a unique ID number that is retrieved via the Internet or a cloud-based database. By eliminating manual data collection and tracking processes, RFID systems improve operational efficiency and increase accuracy by reducing errors and miscounts.

The HF spectrum is smaller than the UHF range, so HF tags and interrogators typically have a shorter read distance. Unlike LF waves, HF electromagnetic fields are omnidirectional, making them effective at passing through most materials except water and dense metals. HF tags can also be used with near field communication (NFC) applications, which allow for wireless data transfer between the tagged items and an RF-enabled smartphone or other mobile device.

IO-link HF RFID devices are designed for simple integration into an existing IO-link network, and provide an IP69K rating for chemical washdown and extreme operating conditions. These all-in-one HF interrogators combine both a controller and antenna in a single unit to deliver an adjustable powerful field that provides superior performance for high speed, high payload readings. They also support multitag detection, allowing up to 20 tags to be detected in one operation.

HF RFID Readers

HF RFID readers use inductive coupling to power and communicate with tags, providing a higher read range than LF devices. HF interrogators work well with metal objects and items that contain water, making them ideal for applications like ticketing payments or tracking library books. They also have anti-collision capabilities that let them read multiple tags at the same time and can withstand high temperatures, dusty environments or mechanical stress.

Depending on the tag type, HF RFID readers have a transmission/read range between a pinky finger and a yard or more. Passive HF tags, which require no external battery and are “asleep” until they receive a reader signal, are most common. Active HF RFID tags, which have their own internal transmitter and battery, are less common but can provide better performance than passive tags. Active tags can be further broken down into transponders and beacons, with transponders being more commonly used for RTLS, constant medical monitoring or theme park attendance applications.

Pepperl+Fuchs HF RFID reader products are available in a variety of form factors, including handheld, mobile, USB desktop and forklift readers. They offer a number of different antenna options to match your reading and data transfer requirements. It is important to select a HF reader that supports the protocols and tag types you need to meet your application requirements.

HF RFID Tags

HF RFID tags use inductive coupling to communicate with interrogators via magnetic flux. They usually don’t need batteries or power sources and they’re encapsulated in circular or square housings that can meet different applications requirements, such as the ability to operate in a high temperature, dusty, mechanical stress or chemical environment.

RF waves from HF RFID readers can pass through most materials, except for water and dense metals. Depending on the setup of your system, HF tags can have general read ranges from a few centimeters up to about a meter in length. The electromagnetic fields from HF RFID tags are also more sensitive to liquids than LF tags. For this reason, the tag antennas must be separated from a liquid surface by a controlled amount of space for optimal functionality.

Like LF and UHF RFID tags, passive HF tags experience reduced HF RFID Tag performance near metallic objects. Some HF RFID tags are designed to function better near metal than others, either by having an extra layer of protective plastic to provide a gap of a controlled thickness between the tag and the metal or by having a built-in metal foil on their housings.