UHF RFID Tag
UHF RFID Tag is used to track products, inventory and assets. It is more effective than barcodes and provides real-time data on the location of items.
These tags have a wider range than labels and inlays but are more sensitive to the type of surface they are attached to. Water and metal, for example, disrupt the signals from these tags.
Enhanced Product Traceability
UHF RFID Tags provide enhanced product traceability across multiple channels of business. For example, the technology can be used to track the inventory of products in manufacturing and supply chain, as well as for customer order fulfillment, ensuring that the right item is delivered to the correct destination. It can also be used to help prevent counterfeiting and for anti-shoplifting purposes.
Unlike passive backscatter, active tags have an internal battery and proactively transmit data to readers using a beaconing protocol. This allows for a more dynamic interaction with the user, such as reagent monitoring or digital payments. The use of UHF UHF RFID Tag RFID Tags in retail allows for the optimization of store operations and improved inventory availability, while providing valuable analytics that support informed business decisions.
While fixed systems can provide high-level asset tracking, they are limited to a single location and incur substantial installation and equipment costs – mitigating the return on investment. In contrast, handheld UHF RFID Tag readers are easy to integrate and operate – requiring no special skills to master and allowing shift workers to move about a facility with ease and confidence. Moreover, handhelds are easily portable and can be used by a number of people throughout the facility, even when they are wearing gloves. The orientation of the printed UHF RFID Tag in relation to the antenna can significantly affect the signal strength and the read distance. The optimal reading ranges are achieved when the front of the tag directly faces the reader antenna.
Enhanced Security
The longer read range of UHF tags opens up new applications for RFID technology. UHF RFID tags can be used to collect electronic payments, park access control, and other security related functions. These tags can be scanned multiple times to verify the identity of a product or person. This reduces human error and allows for a more accurate and secure process.
These tags can also be used to identify and track valuable objects like jewelry, luxury goods, and plant life. The high level of accuracy provided by these tags allows businesses to answer important questions like what was bought and when it was bought. This information can help resolve many process inefficiencies.
Despite the increased read range, there are some limitations to UHF RFID tags. Because they operate at a higher frequency, their waves have shorter wavelengths and can be affected by interference. They are also very sensitive to liquids and metal. The RF signals can reflect off or absorb into these non-RF friendly materials, making the tag difficult to read.
To combat these limitations, designers have tried to create UHF RFID sensor tags that use a combination of techniques. One common method is to change the RF signal by (de-)tuning the antenna. Another approach is to use external circuits, but this increases the cost of the tag.
Enhanced Customer Service
Unlike traditional barcode labels, which require direct line of sight for scanning, UHF RFID tags can be used to replace manual tracking processes and eliminate errors. For example, if an item is misplaced during shipping or handling, this information can be quickly retrieved and communicated to the proper personnel. This allows for more accurate inventory management and can help ensure customer satisfaction.
A typical UHF RFID tag consists of a microchip and an antenna. The microchip, also known as an integrated circuit (IC), stores data and performs the necessary processing to send and receive information. The IC is typically connected to the antenna via conductive traces. The antenna, which can be designed in many shapes and sizes, transmits radiofrequency energy to the reader and receives signals from the reader.
In addition to storing and sending data, a UHF RFID tag contains a battery that powers the microchip and enables it to beacon or communicate with a reader at regular intervals. The battery is activated by an RF field generated by the reader when it detects the tag. This enables the tag to continuously broadcast its identification and location, even when disconnected from power sources.
Passive RFID tags use an 860-to-960 megahertz frequency band and offer longer read ranges than LF and HF technologies, as well as faster data transfer rates. Additionally, UHF RFID Tag they are less susceptible to interference from other radio waves, such as from cell phones and wi-fi.
Enhanced Efficiency
UHF RFID tags deliver the ability to solve many process inefficiencies by providing answers to key questions such as “What?”, “Where?”, and “When?” Accurate data is instantly available for real-time decisions. This enables companies to maximize efficiency in their operations by avoiding manual inspections and reducing downtime when readers need to be relocated.
UHF RFID is ideal for a wide variety of applications in manufacturing, retail, and supply chain management. It provides the ability to streamline processes, automate tasks and reduce costs through more accurate inventory management. It also offers a more seamless shopping experience in stores and enables more accurate delivery of customer orders.
Tags are usually printed on a flexible substrate such as polyethylene or PET and then bonded to the RFIC using an adhesive. Various methods of affixing the tag to the surface are also possible, including screwing, threading, or use of clips. Some tags are designed to be very rugged or waterproof and can be used in harsh environments such as outdoors.
Printing on a flexible UHF-RFID tag requires careful consideration of the antenna design and layout as well as the printing technique. A number of printed, flexible meander monopole antennas have been demonstrated in literature but the longest linear dimension of the antenna is often small which limits maximum antenna gain9. The authors have developed an efficient method to produce large, thin printed flexible RFID antennas and characterize their performance.