What are the RFID tag Components and functions

Tag Components and Functions

Looking through the basic parts of tags, the transmitter is like those of any other ordinary radios, serving similar functions. Its main role is in the receipt and transmission of radio waves. Considering however its size, its capability is limited. Nevertheless, this again varies according to the type of radio frequency identification. Passive tags would only be powered as it receives radio waves, but, the electromagnetic field may be within tags in case of multiple tags in a container.

Source: IBM Corporation 2004 (Schaeffe,Stefen et al., 2004)

Radio frequency identification tags whether it is a passive of active type has its cryptogram credentials electronically encoded into its integrated circuit or commonly called IC. This minimal cryptogram is usually modified to avoid the dangers of deletion . This is likewise the specific part that must be enhanced to maintain the tag’s integrity.
According to Schaeffer et al, radio frequency identification coordinates electronic supervision as well as decision in the absence of individual interference. Radio frequency identification infrastructure can detect presence of tags and further take appropriate actions to messages.

Figure 6 Tag with label

The RFID chip or the so called integrated circuit (IC) and an antenna are usually placed into some form of shielding devise, which can be as bulky as a credit card or miniaturized to fit on a finger tip, depending on the application and tag manufacturer or the requirement specified by the end user.

Figure 7 Other features of tags

These are the different tags that are commonly sold in the market; however, some are not visually readable within line of sight because it is embedded inside the item. These tags are assigned in a different appropriate package.

What are RFID tags

Tags

Since 1966, products in the supply chain are tagged with barcodes from the point of production which are left on until selling. These are correspondingly read and recorded by scanners for the respective product identity number and price. The system largely increased Company productivity and mechanized product management. But, barcodes which are simply printed over pieces of paper can be easily scraped, scratch, water damage, if not creased making it unavailable for scanning.

Radio identification tags are more compensating over the usual barcodes. The tags attached on goods can be read and identified while in transit, which means the merchandize does not have to be on static position to figure out its data. For example in shipping containers or in trucking, the merchandize does not have to be unloaded for inventory. As well, monitoring starts from the production site to the vendors selling areas, or until after the radio frequency identification is turned off by the vendor which is an indication of sale.

According to the author,” Each RFID system has different components and customizations so that it can support a particular business process for an organization; as a result, the security risk for RFID systems and the controls available to address them are highly varied. The enterprise and inter-enterprise subsystems involve common IT components such as servers, databases, and networks and therefore can benefit from typical IT security controls for those components” (Karygianis, Tom et al., 2007).

Common devices that employ RFID

What is Radio Frequency Spectrum

Radio Frequency Spectrum

The gamut of incidence of motion of electrical charges within a circuitry commonly called radio frequency may be expanded as essential electromagnetic waves in space varying upon the number of cycles electrical current resonate in a coupling. This is categorized as low frequency, high frequency, ultrahigh frequency, and microwave.

Figure 3 : Radio Frequency Field

Legend

Arrow = Direction of the RF field

Dash = Radio Frequency (Signal)

The figure shows that the RFID reader or interrogator creates a radio-frequency field dependent on the specifications of the users to activate multiple passive tags, and to interrogate multiple active tags simultaneously. This means that the multiple RFID tags can be read simultaneously. An interrogator can be programmed to read as much as fifty (50) tags per second .

The RFID tags can be programmed to contain an encryption on information that allows it to be tracked and monitored as to the movements of packages in the supply chain, whether in pallets, in boxes or in container vans, even in boats merchandize can be tracked.

What is Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

Radio frequency identification is not a commonplace item in the distribution and supply chain at the moment worldwide. It may however be in a few years time if the small business enterprises that do not mind costs would indulge considering additional input to pricing. High-end Companies though have employed the technology for the ease, and comfort in the monitoring of production as well as distribution of the business outputs, subsequently tracking shipments to distant lands without losing a single item in the inventory. Plus, is the ease of stocks inventories.