1. What is RFID?
a. RFID stands for “Radio Frequency IDentification”. RFID
is a generic term used to classify and track items using radio waves.
b. An RFID system is composed of two basic components: a reader and
a tag.
2. How does it work?
a. The RFID “tag” (also called “transponder”)
has a tiny computer chip surrounded by an antenna. The antenna allows
the chip to talk to the RFID reader via radio waves.
b. Each tag contains a unique serial number which identifies it from
all the other RFID tags.
c. The RFID “reader” (called a receiver) is a device
that interrogates or reads the tag.
3. What is the main benefit?
a. RFID readers often work in an “unattended” manner
and save time and labor because many tags can be read in a very short
amount of time.
4. What are the various components of an RFID system?
a. There are basically two kinds of tags—active and passive.
b. The passive tag is the less expensive and has the shortest read
range because it has not power source.
c. The Active Tag has a battery imbedded in it, so is able to transmit
to the reader, which allows a much longer read range. It is also
more expensive.
5. How is RFID similar to bar-coding?
a. It is a form of “Auto ID”, or automatic identification
and captures information about an object using a machine, which is
automatic, reliable, fast and efficient. Using any type of Auto ID
dramatically reduces the amount of human labor involved in collecting
data.
b. It is sometimes more efficient because the RFID readers do not
need a “line of sight” to read tags, it just needs to
be in the vicinity or within the “read range”, which
can range from a few inches to 1000 feet, depending on the tag.
c. RFID readers can read through certain materials, but liquid and
metal often interrupt the radio waves.
6. Will RFID someday replace bar-coding?
a. Barcode systems are still very cost-effective and easy to use.
There may be areas where using RFID may not be suitable. There
are also many instances where RFID can be used in parallel with
a barcode system in order to cut costs.
7. When would you recommend an RFID solution, and when not?
a. Placing the RFID tag on small inexpensive items still does not
make sense.
b. If the item needs a “chain of custody” log (such
as controlled substances, expensive equipment, etc.) then there
is a clear case for using RFID technology.
c. Using RFID technology in a “closed-loop” system
such as on a conveyor system also is cost effective.
d. EPC mandates are always
8. When a customer asks for an RFID solution, what questions do
I ask?
a. Talk to your client and ask a lot of questions. See what is most
important to them, etc.
b. Next, find out what their business purpose is. Do they have a
planned and approved project with a budget?
c. Find out their business case for using RFID, will it improve their
processes?
d. Are they using a barcode system currently? What do they like,
not like about the system?
e. Is there an area in their facility where it makes sense to start
a pilot test?
f. Are there circumstances that will make using RFID difficult?
9. Why is a shorter read distance sometimes beneficial?
a. There are times when a long range can be detrimental to RFID data
collection. This is because ALL the RFID tags in the read range
are read at pretty much the same time.
b. With a shorter more controlled or directional range, there is
less risk of interference, and less chance that you will encode the
wrong RFID tag.
10. What is important about Gen 2 RFID technology?
a. The Gen 2 tags can be encoded thousands of times, unlike Gen 1
which can be encoded approximately 20 times.
b. They can be read at a faster rate, and the reader can locate
more tags in the “read field”.
c. The Gen 2 RFID tags can talk to several readers at the same time.
d. There is much more flexibility in searching for RFID tags. |
