HF RFID Tag
HF RFID Tag is one of the most popular track-and-trace technologies. It’s widely used in access control (like casino chips and playing cards, laundry), item-level tracking and as an automotive vehicle immobilizer.
HF tags use inductive coupling between read/write heads and transponders. They are easy to manufacture, and their antennas can be very thin — almost two-dimensional.
Cost-Effectiveness
HF RFID tags can be used to reduce the amount of time and cost that would otherwise be spent on manual scanning and inventory-taking processes. This technology also provides a much greater level of accuracy than traditional methods of data collection. This can improve inventory accuracy, which in turn leads to reduced errors and increased productivity and efficiency.
The cost of a HF RFID system depends on the type of reader and tag that is selected. The type of tag that is selected can vary by application and the frequency required. Several different frequency ranges are available, which are broken down into four primary categories. Each frequency is designed for a specific purpose, with some frequencies working better for certain materials, such as metals or water.
Low-frequency (LF) tags have a lower manufacturing cost and work well with metals and liquids. They also have a short read range, which makes them useful for animal tracking or for reading the tiny labels on fruits and vegetables.
High-frequency RFID tags, or HF RFID, are a bit more expensive than LF tags. They typically have more memory and can work in a wider variety of environments. They also work well in item-level applications such as library and bookshop management, CD and DVD tagging, and jewelry.
Ultra-high-frequency RFID (UHF) tags have a much higher read range than HF RFID. This makes them a good option for tracking multiple items at once, such as in large boxes or cabinetfuls of inventory. UHF RFID tags are often less costly than LF and HF RFID, and they are more compatible with a variety of other systems. They also have better functionality in the case of reader collisions, which occur when two or more readers transmit signals simultaneously.
Increased Accuracy
UHF (ultra-high frequency) RFID technology is used HF RFID Tag in retail, warehouse inventory management, supply chain and logistics applications as well as anti-counterfeiting. It has a much higher read range than LF or HF and can be read from over a yard away, providing the ability to track a pallet or case of product as it moves through your system. New advances in chip and antenna design continue to make drawbacks of the technology a thing of the past.
HF ISO-18000-3 Mode 2 tags have a faster data transfer rate, limited issues with metals and liquids and are very popular for item-level tracking in supply chain and manufacturing environments. They can also be printed with a smart card contactless symbol for use in NFC applications like mobile payment or customer engagement and loyalty programs.
HF waves work on radiofrequency energy and communicate with the tag using magnetic coupling. The signals travel through most materials, excluding water and dense metals (such as a metal cart or a large sheet of steel). The tag transmits its unique ID number to the reader, which decodes it and stores it for later use. The RFID tag and reader work from a safe distance without touching one another, eliminating the need for scanning and physical inventory-taking procedures, which reduces costs and speeds up processes. It also improves accuracy by reducing the risk of human error, miscounts and inconsistencies.
Longer Read Range
When selecting RFID tags and systems, read range is a critical factor. Progressively, LF, HF and UHF RFID tags provide increased read ranges. Passive and active UHF tags can offer up to 50 feet of read range depending on tag type, reader antenna and environment.
The longer the read range, the more reliable the tag performance. However, it’s important to note that reading range specifications are typically tested under very favorable conditions: a single tag oriented correctly in a controlled setting with a powerful reader antenna and perfect environmental conditions. When real world factors such as materials, RF interference and the environment enter the equation, read ranges degrade relative to spec sheets.
As RF waves travel through objects, they lose energy over distance. This is especially true for RF waves traveling through liquids, metals or other conductive material. Fortunately, HF RFID readers are equipped with a special circuitry that reduces the effect of these obstacles. This feature is called stray management, and it’s a key part of how HF readers deliver on their reliability promise.
RF technology is used in a variety of applications across the medical industry, including pharmaceutical tracking, asset inventory, patient and visitor tracking and supply chain management. With the ability to be affixed to gurneys, sewn into blankets and even incorporated in medical supplies, RF tags make it easy to keep track of vital equipment, supplies and medications.
Increased Security
HF RFID tags operate in the radio frequency spectrum at a higher frequency than LF tags, which makes them less vulnerable to interference. However, the RF wave can still be affected by metal objects, liquids, and other materials. In general, HF RFID tags offer improved performance over LF tags in the presence of these obstacles.
Typically, HF RFID tags come in the form of cards or labels. HF RFID cards are commonly used for access control, payments, loyalty programs and physical identification applications. HF RFID/NFC labels are widely used for customer interaction, connecting and other applications. These tags are encapsulated with various materials to withstand harsh environments including temperature, chemical, mechanical stress, water and more.
HF RFID tags are passive, meaning they do not have an internal power source. These tags rely on a process called backscatter modulation to function. This means that the tag’s antenna will send some of its own energy back to the reader, causing it to energize and respond. The reader and tag then communicate via RF waves. This is similar to how smartphones work, which is why HF RFID/NFC tags are popular in promotional labels and posters, as well as other smart items and brand experiences. Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, which is a subset of HF RFID, offers secure, one-to-one coupling between the tag and reader, making it ideal for contactless payment and other close-proximity applications.