Q: What does RFID mean?
A:
RFID stands for Radio Frequency IDentification.
Q: Vocabulary: transponder, smart label, tag. What's the difference?
A:
Initially, in the technical field,
transponder was the term used to designate an electronic module which is
able to Transmit information and respond with information. Recently,
different fields in which Radio Frequency Identification is prevalent have
developed a new jargon to designate the same thing, such as Smart Label or
tag.
Q: What are passive and active tags?
A:
A passive tag is an electronic element
without a battery. Passive tags derive energy required for transmission of
information from electromagnetic fields. Active tags have incorporated
batteries and can therefore transmit data independently.
Q: What elements are incorporated into a passive tag or Smart Label?
A:
Smart Labels or passive tags are composed of:
- An integrated electronic micro-circuit with memory (RO: read-only, RW:
read-write). Sometimes more complex micro-processor type circuits are used;
- An antenna for radio-frequency transmission of energy and data;
All of the above is packaged into some form of support, the most common of which
are access cards.
Q: What are the components of an RFID system?
A:
The following elements together form an RFID system:
- Tags;
- Readers or antennae (fixed and/or mobile);
- A data handling and processing system.
Q: What are the main differences in comparison with barcode?
A:
The major differences are:
- The possibility to WRITE, or update the memory content identifying an object.
Barcode content cannot be modified;
- The tags unique identifier cannot be copied, unlike barcode;
- The label doesn't have to be visible as information is carried by radio-frequency. Barcodes, on the other hand, must be very clearly visible, in order to be read.
Q: What does this enable?
A:
This identification technology has a virtually limitless range of applications:
- Objects of value can carry an identifier in the form of a tag which may be
followed throughout the object's existence, as an electronic logbook;
- Skiers can access ski-lifts without taking off gloves as the electronic
ticket is detected by an antenna;
- Surveillance companies can identify officers at check points on rounds in
order to provide proof of passage with information written into a tag placed
in discrete or hidden locations. Imitation or falsification of tags is
impossible, so falsified proof of passage is out of the question!
- Labels can be placed in closed packages and new information can be written
onto the objects contained in the cartons.;
Q: Currently, how does the cost of Smart labels compare to Barcode?
A:
Due to their components, Smart Labels are a
lot more costly than Barcodes. Barcodes are only ink on paper, and costs are
minimal. The cost of a chipped active tag may be more than US$2, with a
chipped passive tag costing around US$ 1. However, chipless tags may cost
only a few US cents. (CrossID might cost a fraction of a
cent) Emerging chipless tags provide an opportunity to address requirements
that may not need the high ranges or data capacities of chipped tags, but
in which the line-of-sight requirement of conventional barcodes is not
practical, for example in hidden anti-counterfeit tags.
Q: Is barcode technology obsolete?
A:
Not at all. Tag technology should be
considered as complementary to barcode technology.
Q: What is Polymer Technology for Electronic tags?
A:
An emerging materials technology that may
impact on the production of tag electronics is plastic electronic
technology. An advantage of the ‘all-polymer’ transistor is its intrinsic
flexibility and potential low cost compared with silicon chips. However,
key problems with this technology include relatively low switching speeds,
which limits the data transfer rates, and the operational lifetime of such
transistors.
Q: What is the CrossID tag?
A:
The CrossID of a liquid, glue
or ink provides a unique ID for each item that can be read remotely without
the need of electronic components or any other chip in order to be able to
be read remotely. Leverage the advantages of both RFID and the Barcode; at
the same time it provides a solution that neutralizes the need for quantity
manufacturing to reduce the price of each unique ID tag. The CrossID
invention ensures that even a small amount of tags can be create
with the same low cost as huge amount (printable technology), very similar
to the barcode (making one or thousands requires the same efforts), all
that without losing the benefits of the “chipped” characters. CrossID
can be read from quite a long distance.
Q: What is Chipless RFID?
A:
Chipless RFID is a disposable, economical low-cost printable radio frequency identity docket. At modest volumes, the chipless RFID tags range in cost from 0.1 to 1 cent. Chipless tags can be applied in more diverse environments, because they work over a wider temperature range and are less sensitive to interference. And unlike chip tags, they can be implemented in thin packaging and labels and be invisible to the naked eye. The benefits of chipless RFID are its low cost, thin and flexible profile and agility over a range of environments this will let chipless technology address mainstream RFID applications and rapidly grow the market by price reductions of one to two magnitudes.
Q: What is RFID?
A:
Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a wireless form of automated identification technology that allows for non-contact reading of data, which makes it effective for manufacturing and other hostile environments where bar code labels may not perform well.
Q: Has each of CrossID tags got a unique signature ID?
A:
Not necessarily, CrossID tags are very similar to Barcode, capable of storing digital information to agreed rules so, at destination, all the same razors or shampoos details can be retrieved simply by the computer and sensor system working to agreed rules to 'read' the bunch code. The computer system does not have to distribute records of every individual tag. There can be "check" digits and other techniques for the elimination of errors, collisions or duplications.