Introduction to RFID systems

The right mindset for RFID technology

RFID technology, which stands for "Radio Frequency IDentification", relies on the propagation of electromagnetic waves to enable the exchange of information between a tag (or transponder) and a reader. This technology is fast and reliable, and has helped improve productivity in various industries.

The process begins with an RFID reader sending a wireless command via an antenna. The RFID tag captures the energy to power itself, decodes the command, and transmits the response to the RFID reader. All of this happens in a matter of microseconds.

Although RFID can replace many older technologies such as bar codes, magnetic strips, and smart cards, mass adoption is still a work in progress. Some examples of applications where RFID has completely replaced other technologies include secure access systems, attendance tracking, and payments in transportation. This new technology offers many benefits, including enhanced security against counterfeiting and theft, as well as being used to track the life cycle of products, particularly in the luxury and fashion industries. It is also useful for pet identification, access control in offices and gyms, and waste management.

Although some companies may compare RFID technology with barcodes, it should be noted that RFID tags will never achieve the same level of cost-effectiveness as printed barcodes, regardless of production volume. However, RFID tags have significant advantages, including the ability to be rewritable and password protected, giving them a higher level of security and reliability unattainable for bar codes. In many situations, these two technologies are used in conjunction, as with a barcode printed on an RFID tag, to facilitate use by those who may not have an RFID reader.

In this regard, it is important to note that RFID is designed to solve specific problems efficiently, but often works in synergy with other technologies.

This site aims to delve into the characteristics of RFID technology, allowing us to understand its uniqueness and to select the most suitable field of application. In particular, we will focus on RFID technology according to the ISO/IEC 14443 standard (HF 13.56 MHz RFID system), which offers excellent interactions between humans and objects, and we will also provide information on the ISO/IEC 18092 standard (NFC Implementation Protocol), an emerging trend in RFID application. With the rise of cell phones equipped with NFC technology, it is evident that the industry is striving to make our lives more efficient.