RFID technology

RFID is a better substitute to bar codes and magnetic strips that are used to provide unique identification to an object or product. RFID stands for Radio-Frequency IDentification. The acronym refers to small electronic device that consist of a small chip and an antenna, which is capable of storing about 2000 bytes of data.

How RFID is better than others ?

The main advantage of using RFID chips is, they do not need to be placed at a very fixed precise location to the scanner. They can be read by the scanner from about 20 feet away. Thus, eliminating the human intervention to read the information.

RFID technology working ?

RFID technology comprises of chips and readers/scanners. RFID chips may be active or passive. The passive chips do not have any power source i.e. such chips require power from the reader (may be through mutual induction). In other cases, active RFID chips have power source of itself. Once, the chip has power it transmit some data that is interpreted by the reader thus, object is identified. The transmitted data may consist of identification number/name/code, price, etc.

It has only been recently that the ability to manufacture RFID chips has fallen to the point where they can be used as a ‘throwaway’ inventory or control device.

In the days to come, we may not find the checkout clerks at malls and shops, the whole process that a clerk does can be automated if RFID tags are used.

In recent days, Government of India has made it mandatory to install RFID chips in the newly manufactured medium and heavy vehicles for toll and tracking purposes.

RFID technology has many more wide applications and much is left to be discovered. It should not be confused with NFC (Near Field Communication) technology which is a specialized subject within the family of RFID technology. NFC is used in Delhi metro tokens and cards.