Technology

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a wireless technology capable of identifying and counting a diverse range of objects, without contact or line of sight.

RFID enables automated, handsfree communication between objects and computers.

• RFID overview
• RFID frequencies
• RFID components

For more information about RFID and its applications please visit Wikipedia or How RFID works.

RFID system components

An RFID system comprises a number of distinct components, including: the silicon at the heart of every tag; an inlay/tag; a reader, connected to one or more antennas; 'middleware' to control and coordinate reader networks; and enterprise software. RFIQ evaluates each of these components and selects the most appropriate for each application.

A typical RFID system comprises:

Silicon

A tiny silicon Integrated Circuit (IC) forms the heart of every RFID tag. This silicon is powered from the RF field generated by a reader, and stores a unique identification number which is transmitted wirelessly to a reader. An IC may also support additional functionality, including the ability to store information, support passwords etc.

RFID silicon is manufactured by global semiconductor vendors that include NXP (formerly Philips Semiconductors), ST Microelectronics and Texas Instruments, together with specialist vendors such as Impinj and EM Marin.