What is an RFID Tag?
An RFID tag is an electronic device that contains a microchip with information. When a radio frequency (RF) signal hits the chip, it emits electricity and creates an electrical field that can be detected by scanners.
An important consideration when choosing an RFID tag is the surface it will be applied to. This can impact the type of material and adhesive needed.
Identification
RFID tags are small devices/stickers equipped with a microchip and antenna that communicate with an RFID reader. A tag may contain a simple code or set of data, or it can have memory for more detailed information such as a serial number, product-related identifier or production date.
The microchip in an RFID tag can be powered by a battery or passively by radio waves emitted from a nearby RFID reader. When the tag receives a signal, it responds by reflecting the signal back to the reader at a specific frequency or with a unique signal strength. The signal can then be used to determine if the tag has received the correct code or piece of information.
Researchers have been working on ways to turn RFID tags into sensors that can operate over long stretches of time without the need for batteries or replacements. These efforts typically focus on manipulating the tag’s antenna, engineering it so that it can detect certain stimuli. For example, an RFID chip could be engineered to reflect a signal at a particular frequency or signal strength when it encounters glucose, indicating that the glucose sensor has been activated.
An RFID tag can be attached to almost any object, from apparel and luggage to construction materials and bottles. It can even be affixed to animals, people and vehicles. Unlike barcodes, RFID tags don’t need line-of-sight for reading, so they can be read at a distance and multiple tags can be scanned simultaneously.
Traceability
Traceability is one of the most crucial concerns for many industries today. Adding traceability capabilities to RFID Tag your processes will result in greater efficiency, more information gathering and massive cost savings.
Unlike barcodes, RFID tags can be read in close proximity and can provide real-time data, giving you full visibility of your products in the supply chain. The amount of data gathered by these devices can be vast and the information obtained will allow you to improve your supply chains by enabling better communication with your customers.
For discrete manufacturers, this will allow you to track every component that makes up your product all the way through assembly and creation of an as-built genealogy. For food and other process manufacturers, it will allow you to track every ingredient from source all the way through finished goods.
The ability of an RFID tag to communicate is dependent on the environment it is placed in and can be either passive or active. In passive mode, the RFID chip runs on RF energy reflected from a nearby reader until it senses a stimuli of interest. In this instance, the chip will switch to a battery-assisted mode and emit a new protocol code that signals to the reader that a stimuli has been detected.
For example, an RFID tag can be incorporated into waste collection carts to link them to the owner and facilitate easy billing and service verification. Using this technology, you can also track assets such as fork trucks, tools and fixtures.
Asset Tracking
Keeping track of equipment that’s constantly moving around is challenging — especially when it’s a fleet of vehicles or construction machinery. Using RFID technology to manage these assets provides the benefit of having real-time inventory at the touch of an employee’s hand. This eliminates the need for expensive handheld scanners, which can become costly when not used correctly.
The RFID tag’s reading capabilities are also useful when it comes to tracking critical equipment, like machines and vehicles that are necessary for a business to function. This allows a company to monitor these assets and gather important data that will help them make informed decisions on their maintenance, repair and replacement.
These tags can be passive, active or ultra-low power. Passive RFID tags do not require direct line of sight to mifare desfire ev1 read data and have a maximum range of several meters. Active RFID tags have batteries and transmit a signal at regular intervals, making them more suitable for long-distance reading applications like cargo tracking or transponder systems for toll payment.
Ultra-low power RFID tags are suitable for use in harsh environments such as outdoor areas. These are designed to withstand incandescent and natural light, vibrations, shock, chemicals and extreme temperatures. This makes them a suitable solution for applications such as supply container tracking, vehicle tracking or cargo management.
Goods Receiving
Typically, people use RFID tags to complement—not replace—barcodes in supply chain processes. For example, supermarkets often use smart barcodes on items, and at checkout, these get scanned to bring up the price and product information for payment. Then, on the back-end, these same barcodes get entered into a computer system to keep track of inventory and demand trends for each item sold.
An RFID tag contains an inlay that consists of a microchip connected to an antenna on a carrier. Carrier materials can range from labels to non-adhesive substrates that vary in size and rigidity. Antennas for RFID tags operate at a frequency that can be interfered with by metals and liquids, so it is critical to know the environmental conditions where you plan on using them.
When people receive a shipment of goods, they can automatically generate and send a Goods Receipt Note to the supplier through Acctivate’s goods receiving process. The GRN then needs to be checked by the department that ordered the goods and their finance or AP team before payment is authorized. If the GRN is reversed, it should be documented and tracked for record-keeping purposes. This will help reduce the chances of faulty and damaged goods being shipped, invoiced and paid for. It also helps ensure that only valid purchases are received and subsequently paid for.