RFID Tag Basics
RFID tags don’t have a battery (unless specified as Active). They get energy from radio waves from the reader/antenna combination.
RFID technology has seen rapid adoption in healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. It helps ensure the safety of supplies and specimens by enabling teams to efficiently track them. RFID tags can also help prevent theft and fraud.
Cost
The cost of RFID tags varies widely depending on the type of tag and the features it provides. For example, a basic passive RFID tag that has no internal battery can cost as low as 10 cents per item. However, a more sophisticated tag may include additional features such as temperature and shock monitoring. This type of tag is typically more expensive, but it is still a cheaper alternative to other technologies.
A typical RFID system can be priced from $500 to $3,000 or more, depending on the capabilities that are required. The most expensive RFID Tag component is the RFID reader. There are several considerations that can affect the price, such as its read range, connectivity, available utilities, and other features. For example, USB readers are popular for desktop applications and have short read ranges. There are also handheld and fixed RFID readers, which vary in pricing based on their functionality.
RFID provides valuable benefits to retail brands, including improved inventory accuracy and security. In addition, it makes it possible to track the location of individual products, which is particularly important for items that are prone to theft or misplacement. The data generated by RFID systems can be used to streamline workflows and improve productivity. RFID technology continues to evolve and is becoming more affordable. To learn more about the latest developments in this field, attend RFID Journal LIVE! to network with industry experts and identify opportunities to streamline your business processes.
Performance
The performance of RFID Tags varies depending on the conditions and materials they are exposed to. Metals and liquids interfere with the electromagnetic waves radiated by the tag, degrading the impedance matching, read range, and radiation efficiency. These effects can be mitigated by using a shielded antenna or by putting the tag in a plastic bag.
Several factors can affect the performance of RFID tags, including the thickness and type of dielectric substrates. The different manufacturing processes used to produce the tag’s copper geometrical structure also impact its RCS spectral signatures. These changes are analyzed using simulated data and measured backscattered S21 responses.
The simulated data shows that the relative permittivity of the substrate has an effect on the spectral signature’s depth, RQF, and occupied bandwidth. This information can be used to design a dielectric substrate with improved environmental sensing functionality.
The data summarized in Table 8 shows that the tag 501 reads well on air and metal, but does not perform as well on cardboard. It also did not read at 25 feet when oriented 90 degrees to the antenna, and its performance is lower than other tags in this test. It is still an excellent choice for a wide variety of applications, though it may be less useful in some environments. The best way to improve the performance of a RFID tag is to experiment with the dimensions of the slot geometry and its associated geometrical parameters.
Range
The range of an RFID tag depends on its design and the frequency of the radio signal used. Typically, the range is greater for tags that are bigger. This is because larger tags can carry more data and transmit it farther.
The read range of RFID tags is also influenced by the environment in which they are placed. Fluorescent lighting, metal, water, and other objects can interfere with the read range of an RFID tag. It is important to test the prevailing environment before implementing RFID technology in your business.
In addition, the polarity of an RFID tag’s antenna can have a significant impact on its read range. For example, linear-polarized tags will have a much narrower read range than circular-polarized ones. To maximize the read range of an RFID tag, it is crucial that the polarity of the antenna matches the polarity of the tag.
When it comes to integrating RFID mifare desfire ev1 technology into your supply chain, the cost and read range of RFID can make it challenging to implement for your organization. It is important to consider the different options available to you and to weigh the pros and cons of each solution.
Antennas
There are a number of different antennas available for RFID Tags. Some have a fixed length, while others are flexible. The size of the antenna can be important, as it determines the range of the tag. Smaller antennas have a shorter read range, while larger ones have a longer range. In addition, the shape of the antenna can affect the performance of the tag. An antenna with a circular polarization is more orientation sensitive, while one with linear polarization can read tags in any direction.
The proposed tag antenna consists of a meander line and a capacitive tip loading. It is fabricated on low-cost biodegradable paper substrate with a dimension of 44 x 59 mm3. This structure allows the antenna to be flexible and allows for bending. The proposed tag antenna has a wide bandwidth and good impedance matching with the microchip. It also uses a meander-type feed line for power transfer.
The resulting radiation pattern is omnidirectional in the phi 0 plane and donut-shaped in the phi 90 degree plane. The meander line radiator is optimized to keep both arms balanced, which helps to accomplish the donut-shaped pattern and complies with the dipole-type radiation pattern. It also has a low Axial Ratio, which increases the power transmission efficiency. The new design of the antenna also minimizes losses due to the resistance of the conductive materials and improves the performance of the RF circuit.