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| RFID Tags |
Radio Frequency Identification tags are small pieces of semiconductors that have information stored on them. There are three types of tags:
- Passive Tags
They have no internal power; however, when exposed to a radio signal, they convert the received radio signal into current and the current powers a transmitter which transmits the information the tag has stored.
The read range of a passive tag is much smaller compared to active tags, it can reach up to 30 feet. They use passive backscatter or inductive coupling to communicate with the reader and can use either magnetic or electric field for powering.
- Semi-Passive Tags
Use a battery to run the microchip’s circuitry, but communicate by drawing power from the reader. This increases the tag’s read range.
- Active Tags
Use a power source (usually a battery) to broadcast a signal to the RFID reader. This allow the activce tags to be read from a larger distance.
Active tags support larger memory and processing functions because they have their own power source. They can have sensors to monitor environmental conditions such as humidity, temperature, and can report the information to the back-end system.
Active tags can have read ranges up to several miles since they are limited only by their transmit circuit and power. Battery life of active tags can be up to ten years.
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