“Apart from frequency, the main difference between active and passive RFID tags is lack of a battery/power source in passive RFID tags which is found in active RFID tags.”
Ever since the advent of RFID technology, it has seen exponential growth & use in a wide variety of industries. Since the early 2000s, it’s been implemented in manufacturing & retail businesses leading to a remarkable decrease in problems like stock-outs, shrinkage, errors during inventory management, etc.
RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification, a system used to relay a small amount of data like Product Code, Location, Specifications, etc. using RFID tags and Readers that can share data wirelessly. An RFID system consists of 4-basic components, namely – the RFID Tag, RFID Reader, Antenna, and RFID Software System.
In this blog, we’ll specifically talk about two particular types of RFID tags, namely – Active & Passive RFID tags and labels. We’ll go over the primary difference between these two types of RFID transponders and tags, their operational frequency, design, and range. We’ll also explore the various business applications where active and passive RFID tags are most frequently employed.
Active RFID Tags vs. Passive RFID Tags: What is the Difference?
As stated above, RFID systems are of primarily two types based on the RFID tags being used.
Active RFID Tags
Active RFID tags have an integrated power source in the form of a battery and broadcast a pre-programmed RF signal in a particular frequency range, anywhere from 433 MHz to 2.45 GHz.
The RF signals from active RFID tags can be picked up by an RFID reader within the broadcast range of the tag and the data from the tag is processed for the end user using the software system.
Active Tags can further be divided into two classes – Transponder and Beacon.
A transponder tag will remain shut off unless it detects an incoming radio signal from an RFID reader. Once it receives a signal, it’ll start broadcasting. Active RFID transponders thus have long battery life.
On the other hand, a beacon will continuously broadcast its signals, even when not in the range of a reader. A great example of this type of tag is the Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE) Beacon. Due to continuous broadcasting, a beacon has a far shorter operating lifespan than a transponder.
Passive RFID Tags
Passive RFID tags do not have batteries as a power source. A Passive RFID Tag is completely dependent on the radio signal coming from an RFID reader. When an RFID Reader transmits an interrogating signal, the passive RFID tag antenna picks up the signal and powers up the microchip (RFID Tag IC) in the tag. The tag then sends the information encoded with the tag, in the form of RF signals, back to the RFID reader.
Passive tags usually communicate in three main frequency ranges.
1.Low Frequency (LF) - 125-135 KHz Passive RFID tags
2. High Frequency (HF) - 13.56 MHz Passive RFID Tags
3. Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) - 860-960 MHz Passive RFID Tags
UHF Passive RFID tags (also known as RAIN RFID) are the most used RFID tags in the world and it is expected that the passive UHF RFID tag uses will rise from 38.0 billion shipments in 2023 to 88.5 billion tags by 2026.
Broadcast Range of Passive & Active RFID Tags
Another crucial functional difference between active & passive RFID tags is the operating range. Passive RFID tags have a limited range of up to 15 meters (50 feet), which can be extended using a bigger transponder inside the tag, but it’s not possible for small RFID tags. On the other hand, Active RFID tags in ideal circumstances can have a range north of 100 m, depending on the size and broadcast frequency of the tag. Some Active RFID transponders based on BLE technology can have a range of 100m and over.
Table: Active RFID Tags vs. Passive RFID Tags
Table: Active RFID Tags vs. Passive RFID Tags
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Active RFID Tag
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Passive RFID Tag
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Active RFID tags come with battery Power Supply.
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Passive RFID Tags do not have batteries.
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These tags send their own broadcasting signal.
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These tags rely on the radio signal from the reader to broadcast information.
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Active RFID Tags can broadcast signals over 433 MHz to 2.45 GHz frequency ranges.
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Passive RFID Tags operate on frequency range 125 KHz (LF) - 960 MHz (UHF).
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Active beacons and transponders have an average lifespan of 3 to 5 years, without a battery change (if allowed).
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Due to no wearing part or a power source, it can last for a long time.
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Active RFID Tags can offer a range of over 100 meters.
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Passive RFID Tags have a maximum readability range of 15 meters, lowest being 1-10 centimeters.
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Applications of Active RFID Tags and Passive RFID Tags
Active RFID tags or beacons are used in bigger spaces like logistics, automobile manufacturing, hospitals, etc. where their main purpose is to track items within a large area. On the other hand, Passive RFID tags are generally used in small spaces like retail stores, pharmacies, offices, schools libraries, etc. These passive labels can be used at the billing counter, display counters, shelves and cabinets, books, files, medicines, vaccines, medical instruments, uniforms, etc.
Expense & Lifespan
When it comes to the cost of RFID Tags, active tags are generally more expensive than passive ones. You can get an active RFID tag in India for INR 500 and more, while a UHF RFID Passive Tag can cost anywhere between INR 3 to INR 35 in India depending upon the function and design; label, inlay, or hard tag. Therefore, in small operations with a large number of items, we always use passive tags, due to their reduced cost & longer operating lifespan. Active RFID Tags with battery are expensive however easily last 3-4 years and more.
To conclude, Active RFID Tags and Passive RFID Tags are the two most important types of RFID Tags other than semi-passive RFID Tags, inlays, labels and hard tags. Active RFID Tags come with their own power source and can emit stronger signals with long-range transmission while Passive RFID Tags do not have batteries and depend on the RF signal coming from the RFID Reader which they use to power up and transmit the data back to the reader as RF signals.
However, Passive RFID Tags are widely used in various industries, with the UHF Passive RFID (RAIN RFID) category being the most popular one with 38 Billion Tag shipments by 2023, the retail industry being the biggest consumer of RAIN RFID Tags.
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