What is RFID?

RFID is an Auto-ID technology that enables unique identification of assets, various objects or people. RFID has been around for more than 50 years. Did you know that the technology was first used in World War II to identify enemy aircraft?

A RFID system uses radio waves to transmit data. The basic components for an RFID system to be functional are tags, readers and host software system. RFID Tag is affixed on to the object to be identified and transmits the identity of the object over a certain distance to the reader. The distance at which tags can be read by a reader vary from few centimetres to few metres and depend on the environment the system operates (signal reflections and absorption negatively affect the read distance), type of the tag and the communication technology it uses (passive tags have no battery and use passive backscatter, which allows only for communication over several meters; on the other hand, active tags have battery and its own transmitter and therefore can communicate over hundreds of meters), country regulations (that affect reader transmitted power), signal loss over an antenna cable and many other factors. RFID tags are available in various form factors, tags are selected based on the application and the type of object that needs to be identified.

The great advantage of RFID technology over barcode is that it helps users identify an item uniquely without line of sight. Many items can be identified simultaneously.

RFID is an essential building block for the IOT (Internet of Things), providing the ability to track people and the objects. Many organizations see RFID as a potential technology to improve their existing business processes such as improved productivity, improved security and increased revenues.

RFID technology is now being deployed across verticals - corporate, educational, government, automotive, logistics and supply chain, manufacturing, retail, healthcare and Pharmaceuticals, aerospace and defence. RFID increases efficiency of operations, while in turn reducing the operational cost, improving asset visibility and traceability and reduces manual processes.

RUFUtech Systems has an expertise in software development and integration of RFID technology. We would love to help you with your RFID needs!