What's RFID?
RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. It uses radio waves to exchange data between readers and electronic tags, identify items, people, or carriers, and send the results to a software system for processing.
Unlike manual entry, the RFID focuses on giving the object an electronic identity that can be read by the device. This identity corresponds to an asset, a box of goods, a commodity or a tool.
RFID is not a single device, nor is it a label that automatically completes management. Labeling, reading and writing equipment, on-site deployment, data rules and operating software require a work-in-a-kind effort to convert a wireless reading into a stocktaking, warehouse, library, loan or traceable business.
How does RFID work?
In the case of common passive RFID applications, RFID Reader forms an area of radio frequency identification through antennas. The label enters the area and acquires the energy needed to work and returns its own code or assigns data as agreed. RFID Reader decodes the signal after receiving it and sends the read event to the data acquisition program.
The process described above mainly the way in which no source RFID works. The source RFID Tag usually has a battery that is built in, and that is powered, communication distance and application to a different way than the passive RFID, for example, some people are located, assets are located in a location that uses active RFID technology.
- RFID Tag provides readable electronic codes for articles
- RFID Reader and antenna launch, receive radio frequency signals
- Data acquisition program completes filtering, weighting and point judgement
- RFID software links tag coding to the articles file and business documents
- Business results after acceptance of ERP, WMS or asset systems
A successful reading does not mean that the operation is complete. For example, when the label is read at the warehouse door, the system also needs to judge which tag belongs to the inventory, whether it is duplicated, whether it is consistent in quantity and how it is handled.Read the conversion of events to operational data。
What are the components of a RFID system?
RFID Tag
Electronic labels typically consist of chips and label antennas, and they are based on frequency bands, materials, sizes, installation methods and environmental requirements.
RFID Reader AND THE ASSET
RFID Reader is responsible for the implementation of reading, writing and communication control, and antennas are responsible for the formation of actual radio frequency coverage areas.
RFID Handheld Terminal
Handheld terminals combine RFID reading, mobile applications and on-site operations, suitable for inventory, cargo search, inspection and document review. The value of the terminals is that people can move to the area where the items are located, rather than requiring that the items be passed through a fixed identification point.
RFID software and business systems
The software is responsible for tagging, tasking, data weighting, unusual processing, business records and statements, and is linked to platforms such as ERP, WMS, and asset systems, as required. Without clear data rules, reading multiple labels is difficult to produce reliable business results.
What's the difference between RFID and 2D?
The 2D code is based on optical access to visible surfaces, is simple and less costly to deploy, and is suitable for case-by-case scans and mobile phone access; RFID communicates by radio frequency, without seeing label surfaces under appropriate conditions, and supports mass identification. The two techniques address problems that cannot be judged by the speed of reading alone.
The two-dimensional code is usually more direct when it is small, requires consumer scans or is highly cost-sensitive; and can be evaluated when a mass inventory, fixed point perception or reduced individual-to-case alignment is required.What's the difference between RFID and bar code, two-dimensional code?。
What are the common frequency bands of RFID?
Common RFID technologies include low-frequency, HF-high frequency and UHF-high frequency (UHF) of the LF.
- LF is usually used in a closer, specific object recognition setting.
- HF works in 13.56 MHz systems, often in card, close-range interaction and partial NFC applications
- UHF suitable for bulk identification and designable reading areas, often used for asset, warehousing, retail and furniture management
The frequency segment selection should be based on the identification of the object, the distance, the number and the environment on the ground, and the higher frequency cannot simply be considered to be more appropriate.What's the difference between LF, HF and UHF RFID? How should the project be chosen?。
What are the scenarios where RFID is usually applied?
- Fixed Assets: Asset builder, tagging, inventory, transfer and life cycle record
- Warehousing logistics: receipt, inventory, inventory, search and automatic collection
- Furniture and consumables: loan, location identification, inventory reconciliation and accountability tracking
- Retailing of commodities: fast-track inventory, receipt and verification, door stores and commodity protection
- Product traceability: establishing linkages between label identity and production and circulation records
- Perceptions of persons or objects: Identification of targets in designated areas under clear border and deployment conditions
The same technology may be deployed in a completely different way in different scenarios. Asset Inventory may be dominated by handheld terminals, warehouse entrances may be fixed RFID Reader, and smart cabinets need to design identification areas in conjunction with cabinet structures and business privileges.
What should enterprises think about when they're going to use RFID?
The project should answer business questions before discussing the equipment model. The enterprise needs to identify clearly who the target is, what data it wants to collect at which process node, and how reading results will change the current operation.
- Number, material, size and placement of identified objects
- RFID Tag frequency band, seal, installation location and code rules
- Whether to use hand-held, fixed or combined
- Number of desired reading distance, identification areas and labels
- Field environment, such as metal, liquid, shielding, reflection and movement of people
- Business processes such as warehousing, inventory, loan
- Rules, privileges, tasks and anomalies for RFID software
- Data interface requirements with ERP, WMS or asset systems
The selection of representative items and areas prior to bulk implementation is tested to verify that labels, equipment and rules of operation match. Final acceptance and inspection should also be based on the criterion of stable completion of operations, rather than on a record of a maximum reading distance that can be achieved at one time.
FAQs
Does RFID have to be electronically labelled to be identified?
An RFID system requires a tag or carrier that the corresponding read/write device can identify. It can be an adhesive label, card, hang tag, anti-metal package, or embedded component, depending on the object and environment.
Does RFID need to be as scanned as a 2-dimensional code?
The label is usually not required to be marked or to be precise in terms of the individual item, but the reading effects are still subject to label direction, antenna direction, distance, shielding and environmental impacts, requiring a reasonable design of the area to be identified.
Can RFID read multiple labels at a time?
Support for multi-label identification is an important feature of many RFID systems, but the actual number of readables is related to labels, equipment, label spacing, sequencing and the field environment.
Can the RFID system connect to ERP, WMS?
Yes. Main data, documents and reading results are usually exchanged by API, intermediate or message, and rules for weighting, abnormal handling and synchronization are configured.