| RFID or Radio Frequency Identification is a | | | | cheapest among the three varieties and thus, |
| constantly evolving technology that has made its | | | | most widely used. The semi-passive or |
| foray into our lives from the inner circles of | | | | semi-active RFID tags have a small battery inside. |
| science very rapidly. It is basically one of the | | | | Hence, they are a bit faster in responding and |
| automatic identification systems like bar codes, | | | | collating data than the passive tags. Besides this, |
| smart cards, etc. which helps in identification of | | | | their size and range are quite similar to the |
| objects. However, because of its advanced and | | | | passive tags. The active tags have their own |
| user friendly features RFID scores an edge above | | | | internal power source. Thus, they are bigger in |
| these antiquated technologies. | | | | size and possess a larger memory size with the |
| RFID system consists of specially designed RFID | | | | ability to communicate with their readers even |
| tags, readers, edge servers, middleware, and | | | | with large distances between them. However, |
| application software. The system works by | | | | they are the most expensive of all the three |
| transmitting the data stored in the tags to a RFID | | | | variants. Hence, so far their usage is quite limited. |
| reader that in turn reads it and processes the | | | | The basic function of RFID reader is to |
| data according to the application's specifications. | | | | communicate with the RFID tag by emitting radio |
| This transmitted data can possess information | | | | waves through its antenna. The RFID readers are |
| about the location of the tag, or specifics | | | | classified on the basis of their range like UHF, HF |
| concerning the product tagged. The system also | | | | (13.56 MHz) and microwave (2.45 GHz). Their |
| includes an interrogator, which has a certain range | | | | range also governs the prices of these readers. |
| in which it detects the RFID tag, activates it, and | | | | Hence, the UHF readers are the costliest and their |
| receives the response. | | | | prices range anywhere from $2500 to $3000. |
| RFID tags, which are being used for a variety of | | | | The reason why these readers are so expensive |
| purposes across different sectors, are primarily of | | | | is because there is no IC integration and also |
| three types. These three types are- passive, | | | | because of its low volume of production and the |
| semi-passive or semi-active and active tags. This | | | | non-availability of customized components. |
| classification is based on the source of power | | | | However, according to a new prediction by a |
| supply in the RFID tags. The passive RFID tags | | | | research company, the prices of UHF readers are |
| do not have a power supply of their own. They | | | | bound to fall by the end of 2006 or in 2007. This |
| make use of the electrical current induced by the | | | | is because as more and more vendors will invest |
| radio frequency signal to transmit their response. | | | | into this technology and as the demand levels will |
| Thus, despite of having no internal power supply | | | | increase the component prices will fall. |
| these tags don't require batteries. These tags are | | | | Thus, RFID is a technology that has a bright |
| small in size and have a range extending from | | | | future and is capable of benefiting the mankind. |
| 2mm to few meters. Moreover, they are the | | | | |