How to Select The Correct RFID Tag?
Selecting a right RFID tag is not easy. It require fully understand the relationship between tags, read / write devices, and systems, the purpose of RFID tags application. RFID tag performance is impacted by working environment. Some factors should be considered to select proper RFID tags, such as the tag type, the operating frequency, the object material which the tag to be attached, installation, reading range, reading rate, tag specification, working environment, variable data processing, cost, etc.
1, Frequency
Passive RFID tag has three kinds of frequency, LF, HF and UHF. Selecting the right frequency depends on some factors such as read range requirements, data read rate, security level, cost, etc. Applications like access control and payment systems require a short read range, and typically use HF tags. UHF tags are ideal for applications requiring long read range.
- LF (Low Frequency): For special application environment and there is no requirement for reading distance, LF can be considered. Such as animal management, etc. Since LF transfers data slowly, small limited storage memory, poor flexibility, most of the low-frequency is unwritable, weak security, and the hundreds of coil wires has causes the costs more, and it is not easy to make flexible labels. So the market share is getting less and less.
- HF (High Frequency): Readable and writable. HF is selected for applications with more capacity and high encryption level, such as payment, ticketing, security access control, membership management, identification applications,
- UHF (Ultra High Frequency): Readable and writable, long reading distance up to 10 meters, anti-collision, bulk rain UHF tagsreading, fast transmission speed, 1,000 tags (EPC C1G2) are full readable at a time. Linear and circular polarization antenna design, which can meet the requirements of different applications, low cost, easy operation, and wide range of applications. The-state-of-the-art IoT is already adopted UHF technology, such as in the supply chain, warehouse management applications, logistics, retail and other management.
2, Environmental Factors
The environmental conditions are the main considerations for RFID tags selection. The environmental conditions that affect the performance of the tags are mainly temperature, humidity, indoor or outdoor use, compression and anti-collision, metal, oil, acid, and alkali chemicals.
Such as the label embedded in the product may encounter high temperature and strong pressure during the product manufacturing processer. For outdoor applications, UV, rain, and temperature on label life should be considered.
3, Tag Type
The factors of the choice tag type are the reading range, application environment, cost, size, material, installation, and application in special industries.
The RFID tag encapsulations are available in PVC, PET, PPS, nylon, ABS, ceramic, silicone, inlay, RF-4, paper.
RFID flexible tag: If you need long read distances, and normal applications and storage environments, economic cost, generally PET or Paper flexible UHF tags are best choice.
Involving the metal and harsh working environment, such as oil, chemical, high and low temperature, rigid hard-enclosed plastic housing RFID tag, ceramic RFID tag, FR4 PCB RAIN tag, RFID seal cable tie tag is best for selection.
Foam on metal UHF tag is an economical metal-resistant RFID tag solution.
LF, HF laminated hard PVC RFID tag is normally used for common application environment and cost-effective requirements.
There are also special application such as animals, waste management, laundry industry, pharmaceuticals, and cold chain management.
4, Reading Direction
Tag performance is affected by the orientation of the antenna of the reading device. When the plane of the tag and the plane of the antenna are parallel to each other, the optimal tag orientation appears. In this direction, the tag will get the maximum power. As the tag rotates, it presents a smaller effective area for incoming radio waves, so less power is collected. The tag read range decreases as the collection power decreases.
Most passive UHF tags have a dipole antenna, with zero points at the north and south poles. Such tags cannot be read when the magnetic pole axis on the tag antenna is perpendicular to the plane of the interrogator antenna. The best effect appears when the RFID tag antenna coil parallel to the coil of the reader.
5, RFID Tag Placement
Placement of the RFID tag on the object will affect the tag’s performance. Especially the effect of moisture and metal on the performance of the tag is obvious. For these factors, HUAYUAN has special solutions when designing and selecting tags, such as wine, shampoo, beverage, many drugs in liquid form, and liquid food in bottles.
To read a UHF label attached to a package containing an aqueous liquid, there must be a certain space between the label and the liquid bottle. The RFID label can be designed according to the actual packaging so that its antenna always away from the liquid. Such as HUAYUAN RFID flag tag.
6, RFID Tag Installation
The installation methods of RFID tag are self-adhesive, screw, rivet, hanging, magnet adsorption. This depends on the actual situation of the managed requirement. Permanently fixed or transferable require or not.
For the self-adhesive tag, you also need to know the material of the object, which the tag will be stuck on in order to determine what type of glue to use.
The installation of RFID anti-metal tag could be by rivets, screws or magnets.
HUAYUAN electronic focuses RFID R&D since 1995, with rich experience and get plenty of successful cases for clients. Getting more information about the RFID tags from HUAYUAN, why not to contact us now for assistance, please email info@huayuansh.com