RFID Reader
The RFID Reader broadcasts a wireless signal with a pre-defined frequency. When a compatible RFID tag enters the reading zone, the signal is reflected back to the reader antenna.
This information can then be decoded to provide an electronic identity for the tagged item. This allows tracking of individual products with unparalleled speed and accuracy, reducing labor costs and eliminating unproductive work.
Detection
Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a wireless communication technology that RFID Reader uses microchips and antennas to transmit data. It can be used to track items, identify them and find their location. It’s a fast and reliable way to read long-distance information and can work through many materials, including metals. RFID is very similar to bar code or magnetic stripe technology but can be read at a greater distance and doesn’t require direct line of sight with the tag.
RFID readers send out ultra-high-frequency directional waves to talk with the tags that contain the product or person’s data. This means that the reader and tag must be properly oriented for a full-performance read. For example, if the reader is mounted vertically and then turned 90 degrees to read horizontally, the reader’s performance will drop dramatically.
Depending on the application, some readers are configured with a single or multiple antennas and can operate in different modes to accommodate varying data transfer requirements, such as deterministic and probabalistic. Readers can also operate on different radio frequencies, which are determined by customer needs, environmental conditions and regulations.
Passive and active RFID tags are available with different options for data storage, power, transmission range and battery life. The most common option is passive RFID, which uses the energy of the interrogating radio waves to wake up and send the requested data. Active tags require their own power source and are generally larger and more expensive than passive RFID tags.
Identification
RFID readers use an antenna to send out a radio frequency (RF) signal that is picked up by tags within range. When the RF signal is detected by an RFID tag, it triggers the chip inside to transmit back a data signal to the reader/antenna. This transmission contains information about the item, such as its serial number and product description.
As the information from the RFID tag travels to and from the antenna and reader, it is transformed into data by the microprocessor in the RFID tag, and the data is transmitted to the tag’s memory or a storage medium such as an SD card. The chip can also store information and send it out to multiple readers simultaneously, allowing a single tag to be read by many different devices at the same time.
When the RF signal from an RFID reader is picked up by a RFID tag, the polarity of the two must match up for the system to work properly. The RFID tag’s polarity can be determined by looking at the tag’s connector type. If the connector has a TNC or SMA in front of it, then its polarity is regular; however, if it has an RP in front of it, such as ‘RP-TNC,’ then its polarity is reversed. RFID technology is transforming numerous industries like retail, logistics, manufacturing and more. Its ability to automate and streamline manual processes helps to improve accuracy and decrease cost. For example, the automated tracking of tools in a factory reduces employee error when counting inventory and increases efficiency, allowing workers to get more done in less time.
Location
RFID tags contain microchips that carry information to identify a product or person. An RFID reader sends a radio wave to the tag to activate it and read its data. The data is a coded sequence of letters and numbers. This data can include a unique ID number or other important information such as stock number, production date and lot or batch number.
The reader (also known as an interrogator) has antennas that transmit radio frequency signals to the RFID transponder or tag. When the tag is within range of the reader, it receives a signal and sends its own back to the reader. The RFID reader translates the received signal into useful information for the user application.
Readers can be fixed or mobile. Mobile readers use battery-powered electronics to operate and connect to a network. Fixed readers are mounted on walls, desks or into portals and can support a variety of different applications, depending on the location and coverage area required.
RFID technology is used in many industries, including supply chain management and asset tracking. It offers many benefits, such as reducing shrinkage and manual inventory control, by improving real time tracking of inventory and automating processes. It can also increase accuracy, desfire ev1 efficiency and productivity in business operations by reducing manual scanning and data entry tasks.
Control
The reader transmits an RF signal to the card or tag and receives a return signal. The RFID reader’s software interprets the information and stores it for future reference, if desired. It may also modify the radio signal to encode information and distinguish the communication from other radio signals. It may also define algorithms to ensure that the right card or tag is read when more than one might be in range of the reader (anti-collision).
An RFID tag can contain a number of work instructions and supports production history management because data on operators, manufacturing dates, inspection results with time stamps, and the status of parts are all stored inside the RF tag. This helps to realize productivity improvement, quality improvement and traceability.
RFID improves store operations by providing more accurate inventory control. It allows employees to check stock levels and make better decisions about what to pull from the backroom. It can also help identify hot spots in the store, such as high-traffic end caps and pinch points.
RFID also allows “buy online, pickup in-store” services to be more successful by reducing waiting times and bridging the gap between online and in-store shopping experiences. And, by providing a fast, accurate checkout experience, it can boost customer satisfaction and reduce the need for return trips. RFID is also used in warehouses and other locations with a large volume of items that require tracking, such as a supply chain, as well as to ensure the safety and security of valuable goods.