RFID for Beginners
RFID technology is used frequently today and has been around
since the 1920s, but not many people know about, or understand
it. RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification and is used
to store and retrieve information. This information is stored
and retrieved using RFID tags or transponders. RFID tags are
small and can be incorporated into many products. The tags have
antennas that allow them to receive and respond to
radio-frequency queries from an RFID transceiver.
Two Types of RFID Tags
There are two types of RFID tags; active tags, and passive tags.
Passive tags do not have their own power supply, but rather
receive their power from a tiny electrical current present in
the antenna that is induced by an incoming radio frequency scan.
Because of the small power present in the system, passive RFID
tags are used only in short distances (such as an ID card).
Active RFID tags have a power source and therefore are much
stronger and can be used over larger distances and are therefore
more highly effective. Active RFID tags also have the potential
to store more information than their passive counterparts. Some
active RFID tags have a battery life of up to ten years.
The System of RFID
RFID works off of a system that relies on tags, tag readers, tag
programming stations, sorting equipment, circulation readers,
and tag inventory wands. RFID is generally used in security,
because security gates are programmed to read the RFID tags and
then either open or close accordingly. The system helps the
information be easily transmitted via an RFID device. Systems
have evolved over the years along with RFID chips. The hope is
that RFID will one day be available to everyone (meaning
consumers) because it will be more efficient and cost effective
to implement RFID processes.
Where is RFID Used?
RFID can be found almost everywhere. RFID can be found in
bookstores and CD stores. The little alarm that sounds if a CD
has not been scanned is made possible by an RFID chip. RFID
chips are found on animal tags, on books in libraries, in car
alarms and car lock systems. RFID can also be used to detect
motion. This could be very useful in the coming years in terms
of prisons. In 2004 the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and
Correction (ODRH) approved a $415,000 contract to test RFID
technology in prisons. The idea is that the prisoners will ware
wristbands that will watch their movement. If there is any
movement, which is out of the ordinary, security will be
alerted. This technology will be employed in many states in the
coming years.
Conclusion
RFID technology seems to have endless possibilities. Some
critics of RFID technology say that it violates the privacy of
citizens. This is based on the fact that RFID can be used to
track whereabouts of people and obtain personal information.
Putting all of this power into a little chip makes it
undetectable. However, RFID can also possibly be used in
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