Active Tag: A battery-powered RFID tag that powers the circuitry that transmits the signal to a reader. Active tags differ from passive tags in that they have longer read ranges, a higher price tag, and a larger size (due to the battery). Antenna: The element built into both RFID readers and tags that radiates and receives radio energy. Automatic Identification (also called automatic data capture): The ability to collect and enter data directly into computer systems without human involvement through technologies such as barcodes, biometrics, RFID, and voice recognition. Backscatter:

The frequency range of an RFID system has a significant impact on multiple performance metrics like the read range and interference susceptibility, so it’s important to make sure you select the right frequency for your business application or use case.    LF/NFC HF UHF Frequency range 125 – 134.2 KHz 13.56 MHz (global) 433, 865 – 828 MHz (varies regionally) Read range < 10 cm < 1 m 1 – 100 m Tag cost Relatively expensive Varies Inexpensive (in high volumes) Reader cost Relatively inexpensive (established technology) Relatively inexpensive (established technology) More expensive

The primary difference between active and passive tags is that active tags have their own power source (typically an embedded battery) and passive tags rely on the RFID reader’s propagation signal to power the tag. From this primary distinction stems a variety of considerations to make when deciding between the two types of tags. This article aims to help aid you in deciding which type of tag — active or passive — is best for your business application by laying out some of the most pivotal factors you should consider.   Active

In its most rudimentary form, an RFID system is made up of two parts; a transponder (a tag) and an interrogator (a reader). The transponder, which consists of an inlay which has a microchip, an antenna, and usually a substrate (the stuff that holds the tag’s components together) and optionally an encasing to protect the inlay from various environmental factors, is encoded with information specific to the object it is attached to or associated with, such as a serial number. The interrogator reads the transponder’s information by emitting a signal to the transponder