RFID / NFC
Technology Overview
Radio frequency identification (RFID) is an automatic identification method relying on the storage and remote retrieval of data using devices called RFID tags or transponders. An RFID tag is an object that can be attached to or incorporated into a product, animal or person for the purpose of identification using radio waves. Most RFID tags contain at least two parts. One is an integrated circuit for storing and processing information, modulating and demodulating a radio frequency (RF) signal, and perhaps other specialized functions. The second is an antenna for receiving and transmitting the signal. An emerging technology called chipless RFID permits the discrete identification of tags without an integrated circuit, thereby allowing tags to be printed directly on material goods at lower cost than traditional tags. A huge variety of tags are available for many different applications.
Near-field communications (NFC) is based on the RFID standard ISO 14443 with small extensions. The interface of a smartcard and a reader are combined in a single device to enable two-way interactions between electronic NFC devices. The NFC technology is also compatible with existing short-range wireless infrastructure for payment. NFC is going to be implemented into mobile phones for enabling small payment transactions.
Applications
RFID and NFC support many different applications. The most important ones are identification or payment. The following list provides an overview:
- Product identification
Logistics (tracking of goods) or electronic product coding (EPC) - Human identification
Electronic passport, entry systems - Electronic payment
- And many others
Key Parameters
| RFID | |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range |
Show / Hide
|
| Modulation | FSK, ASK, PSK, PJM, BPSK |
| Multiple Access | TDMA/FDMA |
| Duplex (Uplink/Downlink) | TDD, TDM |
| Channel Bandwidth | Typically: 200 kHz/500 kHz |
| Number of Channels | as required by local radio regulations (US 79 channels) |
| Peak Data Rate | 848 kbit/s |
| Max. Speed | typically 1 km/h |
| Max. Distance | 0.1 m
typ. 100 m max |
Standardization
RFID is a generic term. Many standards support RFID. The following list provides an overview of the most important RFID standards.
Standard | Frequency | Application |
|---|---|---|
ISO 11784 | 125 kHz / 135 kHz | animal identification (read-only) |
ISO 14223/1 | animal identification (read/write) | |
ISO18000-2 | logistics | |
ISO 10536 (ID1 format) | 0 to 30 MHz | high security |
ISO 14443 | 13.56 MHz | proximity cards (contactless controller) |
ISO15693 | vicinity cards (contactless memory) | |
ISO 18000-3 | logistics | |
EPC Class I RF | electronic product code | |
NFC ECMA 340 | mobile near-field communications (smartcard payment) | |
ISO 18000-7 | 433 MHz | logistics |
ISO 18000-6 | 860 to 960 MHz | logistics |
EPC Class I Gen 2 | electronic product code (reading of multiple tags) | |
ISO 18000-4 | 2.4 to 2.4835 GHz, 2.45 GHz | logistics |
ISO 18000-5 | 5.725 to 5.875 GHz | logistics |
