Are RFID tags suitable to your project?

As RFID technology continues to advance with the development of related standards, the selection of RFID tags has become increasingly straightforward. Here, the editor from GEENFC outlines five key considerations to ensure that the entire RFID tagging process remains on a trackable and positive developmental path.

Currently, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) applications are considered one of the technologies that change the way humans consume, such as public transit cards and ETC cards, among others. However, choosing which products to label with RFID is not only one of the first steps in the development of RFID technology but also a critical phase in the entire process.

1 Selecting Products to Use RFID Tags

Many products such as denim, cosmetics, shipping boxes, footwear, and pharmaceuticals are now widely using RFID tags. Some organizations, like Auburn University's ARC-RFID Lab in the United States, have released RFID embedding and global GS1 TIPP-level classification certifications; while EECC's TACTA has significantly improved the testing and certification of RFID tags in different application fields. For instance, retailers and clothing manufacturers can now purchase Class M tags that are certified for use in services and footwear.

2 Where the Products Will Be Tracked

When selecting tags, environmental conditions should also be considered, such as density, metal content, liquids, or glass. RFID is now commonly used in retail stores, factories, and distribution centers. Additionally, the density of product packaging and the expected reading range must be taken into account.

3 Tag and Encoding Process

Many IC chip manufacturers have improved the read-write sensitivity of chips and increased production capacity. The selection of chips, optimized antenna design, and system-level testing will ensure that various rule-compliant tag designs can be applied to different application fields.

In the application fields of products, such as retail and consumer goods, Item-Level Tracking has long become an automated process at the source manufacturing stage or distribution centers. Similarly, using the same approach for tag encoding would be a wiser move to achieve centralized management and consistent quality assurance.

4 Cost of Tags

The price range of RFID tags can vary from 10 cents to over 60 dollars, with a significant price difference. Generally speaking, the mass deployment of products in the retail industry has driven the price of passive RFID tags down to just a few cents; on the contrary, specialized tags applied to rougher surfaces and active tags offer additional design features and come at a higher price.

5. Initial Steps for RFID Tag Preparation

As part of the overall RFID solution, tag selection must meet the needs of different businesses. Once businesses understand what content or products to track and where to do so, they can quickly narrow down the selection of appropriate tags to a smaller range.

GEENFC, an RFID tag manufacturer, provides customization for RFID tags, RFID electronic tags, radio frequency identification tags, RFID anti-metal tags, and ultra-high frequency RFID tags production.

Are RFID tags suitable to your project?

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