RFID technology
RFID technology was first used during the second world war. It was used to enhance radar signatures in order to determine whether the associated aircraft was friend or foe. Confidential until the 1970s, RFID ended up being used in various civilian industries. Today it permeates all our lives: contactless payments, travel cards or even pet identification.
How does RFID work?
RFID technology, or Radio Frequency Identification, uses radio waves or magnetic fields to identify nearby objects. It uses two components:
- The RFID tag consists of an RFID antenna and a RFID chip, it comes in various shapes and sizes and has special technical features. The chip stores the information and sends it to a nearby reader via its antenna.
- The fixed or mobile reader can remotely gather the chip’s information using radio frequencies emitted by the latter. In some cases, the reader can also write in the tag’s memory.
Tags can use 3 types of frequencies: low, high and ultra high frequency.
The higher the frequency, the greater the distance the tag can be read – up to 10 metres for Ultra High Frequencies (UHF).
Likewise, UHF tags are more sensitive to surrounding metals and liquids than low frequency tags, as a result of how energy is reflected or absorbed. If this is the case, choose a metal-compatible tag, often thicker and heavier than a standard tag.
RFID technology
RFID technology was first used during the second world war. It was used to enhance radar signatures in order to determine whether the associated aircraft was friend or foe. Confidential until the 1970s, RFID ended up being used in various civilian industries. Today it permeates all our lives: contactless payments, travel cards or even pet identification.
How does RFID work?
RFID technology, or Radio Frequency Identification, uses radio waves or magnetic fields to identify nearby objects. It uses two components:
- The RFID tag consists of an RFID antenna and a RFID chip, it comes in various shapes and sizes and has special technical features. The chip stores the information and sends it to a nearby reader via its antenna.
- The fixed or mobile reader can remotely gather the chip’s information using radio frequencies emitted by the latter. In some cases, the reader can also write in the tag’s memory.
Tags can use 3 types of frequencies: low, high and ultra high frequency.
The higher the frequency, the greater the distance the tag can be read – up to 10 metres for Ultra High Frequencies (UHF).
Likewise, UHF tags are more sensitive to surrounding metals and liquids than low frequency tags, as a result of how energy is reflected or absorbed. If this is the case, choose a metal-compatible tag, often thicker and heavier than a standard tag.
The three MAINtag-specific RFID uses
Maintenance
RFID tags and labels replace maintenance log books for parts of vehicles. Attached to the equipment itself, it provides rapid and secure access to the details of the maintenance that has been carried out.
TRACEABILITY
The RFID’s chip can be read remotely via a reader. It can quickly read several objects without having to manually scan them. Therefore, it is possible to know and record the whereabouts of a product wherever it may be
Marketing
Some RFID tags can be scanned by the end consumer using NFC technology. Therefore, it is possible to be instantly redirected to an app or website
NFC technology
NFC technology, or Near Field Communication, can exchange information wirelessly and within a close range between two peripheral devices. For example, by moving your smartphone near a label, the NFC can instantly open a web page, without the having to install a specific app.
In certain industries, such as wines & spirits, the NFC combined with Tamper detection, can also be used in the fight against counterfeiting.
NFC technology
NFC technology, or Near Field Communication, can exchange information wirelessly and within a close range between two peripheral devices. For example, by moving your smartphone near a label, the NFC can instantly open a web page, without the having to install a specific app.
In certain industries, such as wines & spirits, the NFC combined with Tamper detection, can also be used in the fight against counterfeiting.
%
of bank cards in France are NFC
%
smartphones are NFC worldwide
%
customers use their smartphones in-store
NFC Forum
MAINtag, a TXcom Group brand, is part of the NFC forum. The aim of this international consortium is to consider and share specifications in relation to the effective use of NFC technology
