RFID System

The RFID reader is used to read the information in tags, and then send it to host systems if the identity of a tag is approved. Typically a RFID reader is composed of RF antenna, transceiver, MCU and peripherals. The peripherals include communication interfaces (RS232 or USB), human-machine interface (keypad, LCD display, LED lights and buzzer/speaker), and actuating mechanism (motor or solenoid valves). Some of them are optional ones depending on specific applications. The host system is responsible for processing the received information.

According to the tags, RFID systems can be divided into passive RFID, active RFID, and semi-active RFID types. The major difference among these types lies in the power supply of their tags. RFID systems can also be grouped by their operation frequencies including LF (Low-Frequency at 125 KHz and 134.2 KHz), HF (High-Frequency at 13.56 MHz), UHF (Ultra-High-Frequency from 860 MHz to 960 MHz), and MW (Microwave at 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz). Different frequencies results in different working principles, suited applications, effective transmission range, and transmission speed of RFID systems.

Currently RFID technology has been used in a diversity of applications such as animal ID, transportation payment, access and security, asset management and retail sails, product tracking, promotion tracking, inventory systems, and libraries. And a very interesting application of this technology called payment by cell phones has been widely spread around the world in recent years.[-LESS]

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