RFID
Advantages for you
- No visual contact between read/write unit and transponder necessary: Depending on the frequency range, the radio waves penetrate various materials such as wood, cardboard or plastic
- Integrable: RFID transponders can be integrated into the product or the transport medium.
- Robust and reliable: Thanks to their robust properties, RFID systems also function reliably in harsh environments.
- Data storage during the production process: When using writable transponders in the production process, production and quality data can be stored directly on the transponders during the process.
Expertise
What is an RFID system?
RFID, which stands for radio frequency identification, is a technology used to identify objects using radio waves. An RFID system consists of at least one RFID transponder and one read/write unit, which have integrated and/or external antennae.
How does an RFID system work?
Electromagnetic waves are used to transmit the data between the transponder and the write unit or RFID reader. Each RFID transponder consists of one antenna and one microchip. A unique, unchangeable serial number, the unique ID (UID), is always stored on the microchip. Depending on the type of transponder, other object-related data is also stored on the microchip.
RFID transponders can be active, meaning that they use an integrated power source for data transmission, or passive, meaning that they draw the energy required for data transmission from the RFID reader’s electromagnetic field. RFID systems use low frequencies/LF (125 kHz), high frequencies/HF (13.56 MHz) or ultra-high frequencies/UHF (865 MHz to 928 MHz) for data transmission. The frequencies used differ in terms of operating range, transmission rate and physical interactions in the environment.
In which areas can RFID be used?
- Production control
- Access control
- Identification of persons and objects
- Skid, container and pallet identification
- Material flow control in conveyor and storage systems or the automotive industry
What must be considered when selecting an RFID system?
- Read out the UID number and compare it with the database
- How is the read/write cycle activated?
- Continuous mode of the read/write cycle
- Triggering of the read/write cycle
- Is additional transponder data required?
- Interface and protocol to the higher-level system (industrial Ethernet or serial interface)
- Data retention concept
- Write data (repeatedly) to the transponder
Applications
