What you need to know about Use, function, advantages and the choice of the right RFID systems need to know. You can also read about RFID reader, Transponder and antennas.

What is RFID and how does it work?

RFID stands for "Radio Frequency Identification" - the contactless identification of objects and living beings using radio waves. There are basically three relevant RFID frequency ranges worldwide and the corresponding standards:

• LF RFID 125 KHz
• HF RFID 13.56 MHz
• UHF RFID 865 - 928 MHz

An RFID reading station essentially consists of three components:

• an RFID transponder on the object to be detected with an integrated antenna and RFID memory chip on which the respective data can be written or read.
• an RFID antenna that generates the electromagnetic radio field for energy and data transmission.
• an RFID read/write device, the so-called RFID reader, with which digital data on the RFID chip of the transponder can either only be read or also written. Intelligent RFID readers can also filter the data and forward it to higher-level IT systems.

As soon as the RFID transponder is within range of a reader, the RFID reader creates an electromagnetic field with its internal or external antenna(s), which supplies the RFID transponder with energy and activates it so that data can be transmitted wirelessly and bidirectionally.

 

RFID is one of the basic technologies for the digitalization of material and production flow processes, for recording vehicles in toll systems, controlling access systems in parking lots or as an electronic type plate on machines and systems. Thanks to its intelligent design, RFID enables fully automatic data generation, which leads to increased efficiency, minimized errors and cost savings.

The following application examples can be used across all industries and sectors. The example scenarios mentioned clearly show the RFID potential that can be tapped into.

Intralogistics and supply chain management

In both internal and external material flows, RFID technology creates Transparency in terms of goods, assets and raw materials and their path into Supply chains - from the warehouse to production, from the shipper to the customer. In addition, the identification of goods via RFID guarantees seamless Traceability. RFID systems are also used as driver assistance systems on forklift trucks.

RFID load carrier management

 

The following load carrier information is essential for efficient and transparent, digitized load carrier management:

• Total number of load carriers
• Position of the load carriers
• Status of the load carriers: full, empty, defective, in service, etc.
• Availability of load carriers

Which load carriers can be tracked seamlessly and transparently using RFID? In principle, any load carrier if a suitable RFID transponder that can withstand thermal, chemical or mechanical stresses has been selected depending on the external environmental conditions.

The RFID-tagged load carriers such as Euro pallets, small load carriers KLT, electroplating or powder coating racks can be recorded zone by zone using corresponding RFID reading points in logistics or production. The data to be generated then determines the zone-specific Position of the RFID reading stations - e.g. incoming and outgoing empties, transition from production to storage, provision before or after a production line or certain process steps.

The detection points of the load carriers not only generate location information, but also provide information on the Status of the load carrier such as filled, emptied, available or blocked. History data is also generated, such as the number of passes of a load carrier, so that it can be revised in good time.

Inventory management and localization

RFID technology is suitable for automatically recording goods - even without direct visual contact. The assets can be recorded and managed individually or in bulk on a pallet or in another container. This improves stock accuracy and reduces inventory costs. As object identification, RFID transponders in real-time localization systems such as the RTLS (Real-Time Location System) from Kathrein Solutions contribute to transparency in production-related and intralogistics material flow and asset management.

Read more about the Kathrein Solutions RTLS system or read our RTLS guide.

 

RFID-eKanBan

eKanBan offers the following potential when using RFID-tagged containers:

• Availability of C-parts on production lines or production islands
• Automatic replenishment or replenishment
• Inventory security by means of automatic material flow postings
• Time savings through automatic material flow and container bookings

The RFID-tagged, digitized containers transport physical units and data. These are stored in the RFID transponder and/or can be linked to the RFID container ID in the leading system with information such as article number, batch number, production data or destination coordinates.
The data is generated by RFID detection points in order to automatically book and check the plausibility of storage in C-part shelves.
Replenishment is triggered automatically by RFID detection or detection of the removal of empty bins from the C divider shelf. The RFID ID of the bin provides information about the article number to be replenished.
Advantages of the RFID eKanBan:

• Saving employee time for replenishment postings
• Error minimization through automatic, correct RFID part number recording
• Timely initiation of the replenishment process: "Shelf reorders itself"
• Inventory minimization due to precise quantity recording
• Real-time recording of consumption on the production line
• Reduction in tied-up capital due to lower buffer stocks

Read here the eKanBan Success Story.

Production control, handling and assembly technology

RFID systems are used in manufacturing to automate the tracking of raw materials, parts and assemblies as well as the control of production processes. In assembly systems, RFID enables automated handling and target control of containers. In machine tools, tools are identified by RFID chips and automatically inserted according to the processing order.

RFID production status and material flow postings in production

RFID-tagged finished parts, semi-finished parts or raw materials automatically register at production stages or production machines. RFID detection points automatically scan delivered material, finished or semi-finished parts or even containers with corresponding bulk material or small parts.
The data recorded by the RFID system is subjected to a thorough plausibility check. This check ensures, for example, that the correct material is available for the upcoming production order. It also ensures that the correct production stage has been reached and that no steps in the production process have been omitted. It also checks whether the delivered part or material has successfully passed the quality inspection and received the corresponding release.
The material flow and order status posting takes place automatically after a positive plausibility check. The process described is repeated for each production stage.

Access control and ticketing

RFID technology can be used for access control for buildings, as exit control for managed or reserved parking spaces and as an electronic payment ticket for a wide variety of applications.

RFID as one of the world's leading technologies for recording vehicles in toll and parking systems

RFID UHF systems according to the ISO 18000-6b and 6c standard form the technical framework for almost 60% of all toll systems worldwide. Using passive RFID transponders, which are attached to the inside of the vehicle windshield or as so-called head lamp tags on the outside of a motorcycle headlight, vehicles can be detected quickly and reliably at speeds of up to 200 km/h using reader stations integrated into the road infrastructure.

Integrated payment systems enable secure toll transactions, while special RFID chips with AES 128-bit encryption prevent tampering with the system.

RFID readers with integrated 4G/5G interfaces can also be integrated cost-effectively into existing energy infrastructures and enable fast implementation times.

Depending on the integrated UHF RFID chip, different amounts of data can be stored in different memory areas of the RFID transponders. The storage capacities of RFID transponders depend on the type of transponder chip used.

When selecting transponders, it is essential to consider the storage requirements of the planned application. This is usually done as part of an RFID feasibility study (RFID proof of concept).

More information on the RFID proof of concept

TID Memory (TID memory area):
All RAIN RFID UHF transponders also have a so-called TID memory area (tag unique ID), which can only be read and contains special manufacturer information about the type of transponder. The TID memory is usually only 32 bits in size.

The basic distinguishing features of RFID transponders are the type of communication standard (LF, HF, UHF) and the design of the transponder - i.e. the packaging of the RFID antenna and the RFID transponder chip in the transponder housing.

There are two basic types of RFID transponders - active and passive. Active RFID transponders have their own power source, such as a built-in battery. Passive RFID transponders, on the other hand, draw their energy for data transmission exclusively from the electromagnetic field of the RFID reader or writer.

Active RFID transponders

Active transponders do not require the induction of energy from radio waves, as they have their own power supply - usually in the form of an integrated battery. This makes it possible to transmit data over long RFID ranges of up to 100 meters - a decisive criterion in some applications.

TYPES OF RFID TRANSPONDERS

Based on a basically identical inner workings of RFID transponders with chip, antenna and possibly battery, these electronic data carriers differ in the way they are packaged - and thus in their mechanical, thermal and chemical resistance.

RFID hard tags (robust housing)

In many applications, especially industrial and logistics applications, the RFID chip and antenna are used in Robust plastic or metal housings The RFID tags are integrated and/or encapsulated in a wide variety of types and sizes to ensure the longest possible service life of the RFID tag through maximum mechanical, thermal and chemical resilience. This design is generally also referred to as an RFID hard tag.

RFID windshield transponder

So-called windscreen transponders, which are optimized for mounting on the inside of a vehicle windscreen, are available specifically for use in toll collection. With a suitable reading infrastructure, reading ranges of up to 20 meters can be achieved.

Many additional security functions (Tamper Evident / Tamper Proofed) are possible for this type of transponder label. These range from so-called pre-cuts at the ends of the label to hologram inserts or fragile antenna structures that cause a defined destruction when removed.

The main component of an RFID read point is the RFID read/write device, which is usually referred to as an RFID reader.

The RFID reader generates an electromagnetic field by means of an RFID antenna. The electromagnetic waves are received by the RFID transponder's antenna. The induced electrical energy is transmitted to the RFID chip of the transponder. This enables the transponder to send its data to the RFID reader's antenna via the RFID transponder antenna. Protocols embedded in the operating system of the RFID reader regulate the data exchange on the RFID air interface in order to read or write to the RFID transponder.

Both mobile RFID readers and stationary RFID readers are available to users. Depending on the type of application, mobile or stationary RFID reading systems (RFID readers) are recommended depending on the processes to be mapped.

High RFID reading performance thanks to multi-port RFID reader

Each RFID reader variant offers specific properties. Multi-port RFID readers are used when RFID reading conditions are difficult or when a large number of RFID transponders need to be read. In this case, the option of using the Use of multiple RFID antennas The RFID reader can reach the RFID transponders to be scanned from different angles with electromagnetic waves at different times in order to supply the transponder with energy and start the reading process. Intelligent RFID antennas also have the option of using different antenna polarizations, thus also increasing the read rate in difficult environments. The polarization is switched using a control signal on the antenna cable. Multiple antenna combinations are primarily used in the logistics sector, e.g. to automate the booking of loading and loading processes using RFID.

RFID frequencies

RFID systems differ in their transmission frequencies. They are divided into the following frequency ranges:

• LF (Low Frequency, 125 kHz)
• HF (High Frequency, 13.56 MHz)
• UHF (Ultra High Frequency, 865 MHz to 928 MHz)

RFID in the LF band

With RFID systems in the LF band, data exchange takes place in the 125KHz frequency range. The global standards are ISO/IEC 11784/85. LF RFID is characterized by a very short reading range of a few centimetres, very good penetration of fabric and moisture and the high memory sizes in the transponders of up to 2048 bits. In the LF range, so-called bulk reading of several transponders with one reading point is not possible. The LF RFID technology is in the application field of Animal identification, the Waste management and in the area of Automotive very common for the keyless entry application.

RFID in the HF band

RFID systems can also be found in the HF frequency range at 13.56 MHz; the global standards for this are ISO/IEC 14443 and ISO/IEC 15693. HF RFID systems are widely used in many different applications. The largest share of these is the so-called. NFC NearField Communication System in mobile devices. Further fields are the areas Automastization technology for detecting workpiece carriers or tools. The reading range of HF systems can be up to 70 cm, and pulse reading is now possible with the latest generation of HF systems.

RFID in the UHF band

The latest RFID technology operates in the UHF frequency range between 865 - 928 MHz, depending on the region of the world. The global communication standard is defined in ISO 18000-6C / EPC Gen2 V2 and allows worldwide interoperability. RFID UHF has some outstanding technical capabilities: passive UHF RFID transponders can be read over long ranges of up to 20 meters, up to 500 transponders per second can be read in bulk applications and can be reliably read on freeways at speeds of up to 200 km/h. UHF technology is widely used in the logistics and retail sectors as well as increasingly in the areas of vehicle registration and toll systems. In the healthcare sector, RFID UHF is used to monitor sterile items of clothing or to localize special mobile devices and equipment indoors. Transponders and readers with high encryption algorithms are available on the air interface especially for security-relevant applications.

RFID: Uniformity through norms and standards

RFID technology is subject to a series of standards that ensure global and manufacturer-independent compatibility and interoperability of RFID systems.

• IEC 18000
  This series of standards describes various RFID technologies and protocols for wireless communication between transponders and readers.
• ISO/IEC 15693
  This standard describes an HF RFID system for the identification of objects over short distances.
• ISO/IEC 14443
  This standard deals with contactless RFID transponders and RFID readers that are used for wireless data exchange over short distances.
• GS1
  GS1 is a network of not-for-profit organizations that develop, negotiate and maintain standards for cross-company processes worldwide.
• EPCglobal
  EPCglobal is an industrial consortium that focuses on the development of standards for the use of Electronic Product Code (EPC). The EPC (Electronic Product Code) is a globally unique identification key that can be used to uniquely identify objects. It always consists of the GS1 base number, an object type and a serial number.

Standards for special applications
Special standards must also be observed for a number of applications of RFID technology, for example the global IATA standard RP1740C for the identification of airline baggage, VDA 5500 for RFID use in the automotive industry, ISO 10374 for container identification in the logistics sector or ISO standard 11784 for the marking and identification of livestock.