Selection guide for RFID readers

Compared with barcode technology, RFID technology has the characteristics of large storage capacity, batch reading, long distance, penetration identification, and good environmental adaptability. With the application of RFID technology, the demand for RFID readers is also increasing. RFID readers can identify target objects and obtain relevant data through radio frequency identification signals, without manual intervention, can identify moving objects and can identify multiple RFID tags at the same time, the operation is fast and convenient.

The common form of RFID reader is divided into handheld and fixed, handheld RFID reader is sensitive to operation and can be carried around, and fixed RFID reader has certain advantages in reading distance and reading range.

RFID RF Operating Frequency Band:

RFID radio frequency is divided into low frequency, high frequency, and ultra-high frequency according to frequency, and different frequency characteristics and application scenarios are also different.

Low frequency: the working frequency is 125KHz~134KHz, the data transmission speed is relatively slow, and it is mainly used in vehicle management, access control, animal husbandry and animal management.

High frequency: The working frequency is 13.56MHz, the data transmission speed is fast, and multi-label recognition can be carried out, which is mainly used in book management, file management, smart catering, production automation and other fields.

UHF: The working frequency is 860MHz~960MHz, the transmission speed is good, the reading distance is long, and it can read multiple tags at one time, which is mainly used in logistics and supply chain management, production line management, intelligent shelves, unmanned retail cabinets and other fields.

The above is a brief description of the basic information of each frequency band, which can be used as a reference for selection, and the following is a discussion on how to select.

How to choose RFID readers?

When purchasing reading and writing equipment, in addition to understanding the requirements of the RFID system deployed for the reader, it is necessary to determine the model of the reader according to your position in the supply chain, as well as the purpose and location of the RFID reader installation. Choosing the right reader is critical to the successful implementation of other tasks, and the author has made some simple comments on the selection:

1. Combined use scenarios: When choosing, you should choose the right product in combination with the specific use scenario.

In the warehousing and warehousing management, fixed UHF RFID readers are commonly deployed to collect cargo tag information between shelves through handheld RFID readers in warehousing inventory.

The industrial automation production line is used for one-to-one reading and writing operations, station management, high real-time requirements, and specific communication protocols.

In smart catering, it is necessary to quickly produce dishes and settle dishes in batches.

In addition, RFID has corresponding reading and writing equipment in archives management, unmanned retail, book management and other industries.

2. Working frequency: RFID tags are divided into active tags and passive tags from the perspective of power supply status. From the perspective of operating frequency, it is divided into low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), ultra-high frequency (UHF), etc., each frequency has its characteristics and is used in different fields.

3. Project requirements: to interpret the distance and anti-collision indicators, in addition, an RFID application system is not only related to the reader, but also with the tag, antenna, the material of the labeled item, the movement speed of the labeled item, the surrounding environment, etc., before determining the equipment, try to simulate the on-site situation for testing and verification, to ensure that the product truly meets the application requirements.

With the continuous development of RFID technology, readers will develop towards multi-function, multi-standard compatibility, multi-band compatibility, miniaturization, multi-data interface, portability, multi-smart antenna port, embedded and modular, and the cost will be lower and lower.