UHF RFID Tag
A UHF RFID Tag is a passive, RF label that transmits data to a reader using radio waves. The technology is common in retail inventory tracking and asset management applications.
RFID tags are made of an integrated circuit (IC) that contains a radio block, state machine controller, and non-volatile memory. Depending on the manufacturer, tags can have more or less memory, from 96 bits to 512 bits.
Detection Range
The detection range of UHF RFID Tags depends on several factors including the tag’s sensitivity, its placement on the asset and the antenna’s polarization. For example, linear polarized antennas tend to read farther than circular polarized ones. Also, the material that the asset is made of can affect the read range, as objects containing metal and liquid will reflect and absorb RF energy, which can interfere with the tag’s reading ability.
It’s important to choose a tag that is specifically designed for work on your assets. For example, metal-mount tags with special backings can perform better on assets that are made of metal (or have liquid inside them) than they can on assets that are made of plastic or contain no metal components.
For these types of assets, a metal-mount tag will have a “sweet spot” on the surface of the asset that can increase the tag’s reading range significantly. Taking the time to find these spots on your assets is essential to get maximum performance from your tag’s reading range.
One method of determining the detection range of a tag is to scan it with several antennas in different locations and see which position has the highest response rate. Then, this information can be used to determine the angular location of the tag in relation to the reader’s antenna.
Another way to determine the detection range of a UHF RFID Tag is to use a directional reader that can read multiple tags at once. This type of system is often easier to implement than a omnidirectional reader and is more suitable for indoor applications where a tag’s proximity to the reader antenna can be critical to its positioning accuracy.
SkyRFID offers a full line of 433 MHz fixed and portable readers, tags (ATEX Certified) and antennas for a multitude of Industrial, Marine, Healthcare, Mining, Vehicle, Personnel and other tracking and locating applications. Our OEM 433 MHz antennas have been used to achieve reads as far away as 3 kilometers (1.86 miles) with our sensitive high gain antenna solutions, while purpose built tags can be used up to 16 meters (53 feet) away.
Accuracy
There are a number of factors that affect the accuracy of UHF RFID Tags. One of the most important is the range. Because the antennas of UHF tags must be small to fit inside their tags, they are limited in range. The smallest passive UHF RFID tags can only be read from about a few inches away, while the largest can be read from about 35 meters (115 feet).
Another factor that affects the performance of UHF tags is material. Some metal objects or objects that have liquids can block the transmission of information from the UHF RFID Tags, which can decrease their performance. For this reason, UHF RFID Tag it is important to choose the right material for your application.
The best material for an RFID Tag should have a good dielectric strength and high resistance to water or conductive materials. Additionally, the tag should be ATEX certified, which means that it is approved for use in hazardous environments.
Finally, the tag should have a unique identification number that distinguishes it from other tags. The number is usually stored in a read-only memory on the chip of the tag. It can be 512 bits or more depending on the manufacturer and chipset used.
In addition to these features, the UHF RFID Tags must be able to transmit and receive data. They also need to be able to communicate with a reader.
To achieve the highest level of performance, it is necessary to improve the signal quality by using multiple antennas. This is possible through signal diversity, which reduces the impact of multipath.
Moreover, it is possible to increase the localization accuracy through the use of a constellation of RFID tags. The idea of a constellation approach is similar to the idea behind MISO communication systems, where several transmit antennas are placed in the same location, thereby improving the overall signal quality.
The results show that a constellation of four tags, with a radius equal to the wavelength, is the optimal configuration for an RFID reader-based positioning system. In addition, the position of each individual tag can be accurately estimated by applying a multilateration technique.
Cost
Passive UHF RFID Tags are a low-cost, high-performance solution for a wide range of tracking applications. They’re available in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials, ranging from small buttons to hard-shelled tags. They’re also less susceptible to damage in the packing, shipping and receiving process.
They’re a cost-effective solution to inventory, supply chain and asset management problems. They eliminate overstocking and understocking of items, improve visibility for warehouse workers, and streamline operations.
These tags can be manufactured in large quantities, making them inexpensive. They also don’t require batteries, which reduces the overall cost of ownership and maintenance.
While the technology is new, it’s a rapidly expanding market. The low cost of UHF RFID tags has driven them into a range of industrial applications, from warehouse automation to manufacturing tracking.
The cost of these tags depends on a number of factors, including the tag type, reader capability and the application. The highest-end active UHF RFID tags are much more expensive than passive tags, and they require a reader and antenna to operate properly.
Depending on the application, the UHF RFID tag may have UHF RFID Tag to be fixed to a surface in order to achieve the best read range. While naked UHF tags can be read from about three inches away, there are specialized tags available that can be mounted to a metal surface without compromising their read range.
This is particularly important in applications that have heavy metal objects or water present, as these will attenuate the signal and interfere with the reading. The higher operating frequency of UHF tags means that they’re sensitive to interference.
To avoid interference, UHF tags can be designed to have an internal battery that boosts their signal strength. This allows them to continue reading even when they’re buried in snow or dirt, or when they’re subjected to harsh weather conditions like extreme temperatures.
UHF tags can also be designed to be highly resistant to corrosion, which is a common issue for metal-based tags. In addition, they’re compatible with a range of environments and can be customized to meet the specific needs of the application.
Applications
The use of UHF RFID technology in retail inventory management, item-level tracking and other supply chain efficiencies has accelerated exponentially. This technology is now indispensable to fast and efficient warehouse and logistics processes, a crucial asset to any company.
It is used on a vast range of products, from the luxury garments of the fashion world to the wine bottles of large cellars and even pharmaceutical items that need to be tracked and traced in real time. These RFID systems are able to generate huge quantities of data and are now an essential component in the traceability of any product.
These tags have an optimum length of around 6.5 inches, so they can easily be placed on any object. However, it is important to ensure that the tag’s antenna is attached to a surface material that is compatible with its performance. For example, if the tag is affixed to an object made from hard plastic, the tag’s antenna will be too short and not be able to produce the best read rates.
Another factor that affects a tag’s read rate is its orientation. The steeper the angle, the shorter the read range. For this reason, it is important to test the orientation of your tag at multiple angles.
This will help you identify which type of orientation is optimal for your applications. Once you’ve found a position that gives the best read rates, it will be much easier to find the right tags for your needs.
The size of the tag is another significant determining factor. It can have a significant impact on how well it performs, especially when there are other factors to consider like materials and the tagged item’s dielectric properties.
Some tags have an internal battery that enables them to continue to beacon long after they’ve been detuned from the reader. This allows them to be detected by readers up to 100 meters away, overcoming any obstructions like metal objects and water.
These tags are also a good choice for parking lot management systems. They can track the location of vehicles and control access to controlled parking lots based on user-defined criteria.
