As per a business analysis by IBM, RFID technology positively impacts bottom line, where logistics and consumer product businesses increase data collection productivity for inventory and shipping by 10 to 20 percent, while maintaining virtually 100 % accuracy and reducing manufacturer shrinkage by 67 per cent and retailer shrinkage by 47 per cent. This points out the fact that more and more businesses are seeing the potential of RFID technology and the accuracy it offers when it comes to data collection.
Now, coming to what kind of RFID tag can be used, there are UHF Passive RFID tags, also known as RAIN RFID Tags, and then there are active RFID tags, named transponders and beacons.
In this blog, we shall discuss what these active RFID tags are and how they are used by military, logistics, retail, and other sectors aiming to ensure efficient data collection and workflow optimisation across operations.
We shall also discuss why you should buy an active RFID tag as a business owner and what benefits a beacon or transponder can offer.
What are Active RFID Tags?
Active RFID Tags are high-performance, long read range, high receive sensitivity, offering RFID tags designed with in-built battery power supply, which ensures that these tags do not depend on RFID reader signal to transmit their signal/data.
The read range of an active RFID tag can vary between 20m and 100 meters or more, based on the tag's RFID chip and antenna design. These RFID tags are further classified into two categories- Transponder and Beacons.
Active RFID Tags: Transponders and Beacons
Transponders are a major part of active RFID tags. They transmit data only when they receive a signal from an RFID reader. Once activated, transponders transmit the information back to their origin. As they only transmit on command, their battery life is longer than the beacons but their read range is shorter.
These active RFID transponders are mainly used in securing access control as key fobs and toll payment tags.
Beacons, on the other hand, are known for continuously broadcasting their signal at some intervals, even if the reader is in range or not. All the compatible devices in the vicinity can interact with that beacon, based on broadcasting protocols. Because of transmitting signals continuously, their battery life is shorter than transponders that transmit signals when interrogated.
Beacons are ideal for fulfilling the requirement of real-time location tracking and monitoring in logistics and cargo tracking.
For example:
A BLE beacon is a prime example of an active RFID tag that acts like a beacon. With BLE 5.4 standards, many advanced BLE beacons offer PAwR (Periodic Advertisement with Response) and bi-directional communication and long broadcasting range, over 100m.
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What Frequency Does an Active RFID Tag Use to Communicate?
Most active RFID transponders and beacons use UHF and Microwave frequencies to send signals and receive them, depending on the use case.
1. Ultra-High Frequency (UHF)
433 MHz and 860-960 MHz are commonly used for active RFID applications. The 433 MHz frequency is favoured due to its longer wavelength, allowing for better penetration through materials like water and metals.
The UHF (860-960 MHz) frequency range is often utilized with passive and semi-passive tags, but is also employed for active tags.
2. Microwave Frequency
Active RFID tags can also operate in the microwave frequency range, typically at 2.45 GHz and sometimes 5.6 GHz. Microwave frequencies allow for extended communication ranges, sometimes exceeding 100 meters.
What Businesses Use Active RFID Tags? Why Should You Buy It?
When it comes to active RFID tags and in which business applications these tags can be employed, the following applications stand out:
1. Real-time Tracking with Active RFID Tagging
Active RFID tags, transponders, and beacons are used by military, supply chain and logistics businesses, manufacturing plants, healthcare facilities, etc., to actively monitor and track the movement of tagged assets/intended assets as part of RTLS. For example, in the military, these tags are used to monitor the movement of military convoys and ammunition trucks, while in healthcare, these are used to track patients and doctors on the premises.
2. Warehouse Management
The active RFID tags help in tracking inventories, improve storage, and optimize workflows with greater visibility on assets and operations in large warehouses.
3. Order Fulfilment with Active Transponders
Active RFID tags are used in tracking accurate location for goods delivery. This approach enhances the delivery, makes it faster, and reduces loss and chances of theft. It also boosts customer relations while offering continuous updates on orders in transit.
4. Asset Tracking with Active RFID Tags
When integrated with asset management systems, active RFID tags help in locating and managing critical equipment, ensuring they are available when needed.
5. Periodic Advertisement with Beacons
Active RFID tag beacons (including BLE beacons) are also used for periodic advertisement, sending advertising signals every 2-3 sec as advertisements, which are shown on consumer smartphones, in a retail setting, for example. PaWR is also beneficial at airports, railway platforms, and bus stations, and healthcare settings, etc., for making crucial announcements.
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Cost and Benefit of Active RFID Tags
While Active RFID systems improve the real-time visibility required for supply chains and RTLS (Real Time Location Services) by providing the continuous RF signals needed for real-time location, these systems are also costly, with one active tag costing well over INR500 for starters.
The strong signals produced by the battery in active RFID tags offer a long read range as well as improved accuracy and efficiency, and these signals can easily overcome interference issues often seen in LF, HF, and UHF technologies. However, the price of good-quality active RFID beacon, say a BLE Beacon, typically starts at 1700 INR and varies depending on what firm is manufacturing the beacon/transponder, frequency range, and how well they will perform in harsh environments.
Active RFID tags send out radio frequency signals regularly and have a read range of up to 100 meters. Batteries for active RFID tags last three to five years.
Top Benefits of Active RFID Tags
The active RFID tags perform differently in different environments, especially when they help to reduce time and human error. Let's know more about the benefits of these tags:
a. High-range Reading: Unlike passive tags, active tags can read and transmit data at a high range, covering hundreds of meters at a time or more.
b. High Data Transmission Rate: Because of having a power battery design, these tags can continuously transmit data at high transmission rates, even in the absence of reader signals.
c. Adaptability in Harsh Environments: Active RFID tags are typically protected in a durable cover and can operate in extreme conditions (e.g., extreme temperature, humidity, etc.), which also helps ensure accurate data transmission and extended tag life.
Where to Buy Active RFID Tags in India
If you’re planning to buy Active RFID tags in India, you can procure these tags and beacons from various manufacturers and suppliers. As a leading e-marketplace, offering a wide range of RFID products including active, passive tags, RFID readers, antennas, barcode scanners, mobile computers, printers, etc., for all purposes, with a focus on affordable solutions and competitive prices, based in Delhi NCR, EnCstore.com can help you procure these industrial supplies.
Frequently Asked Questions on Active RFID Tags
Q1. What are active RFID tags?
Active RFID is a battery-powered device that transmits a signal to communicate with readers. They offer long read range and high quality data storage capacity. These are used as transponders and beacons.
Q2. Why choose active RFID tags over passive RFID tags?
Active RFID tags are better than passive RFID tags because they can be used over different sectors and offer a higher read range than passive tags. However, these tags are costlier than RAIN RFID tags and labels.
Q3. List the benefits of active RFID tags.
a.Real-time tracking
b. Long read range
c. Good data storage
d.Continuous data transmission
e. versatility
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