Learn about RFID technology and the major advantages
RFID tags have emerged as a better alternative to the barcode, especially by the ability to read and write, including large distances and the possibility of multiple simultaneous readings. Today, RFID technology is present in transferable items, vehicles, animals, trees, documents, books and many other items.
An RFID tag consists of a small storer data object. These data are transmitted to a reader when sensitized by it. The purpose of an RFID tag is to store relevant information of the object to which it is attached, so that when read, provide information more efficiently than an ordinary bar code form. It consists basically of an integrated circuit (IC) connected to an antenna. The IC has memory for storing data and a central processing unit capable of performing logical processing of the commands sent by the reader. The recording capacity of the memory, in general, increases the cost of a tag, as well as its ability to perform high-level functions.
Basically, operation proceeds as follows:
The data stored within an RFID tag are on standby to be read;
When starting reading, label the antenna receives electromagnetic energy from an RFID reader antenna;
Using the power of your internal battery or power taken by the electromagnetic field of the reader, the tag sends radio waves back to the reader;
The scanner captures the tag waves and interprets the frequencies, that consist of meaningful data stored on the tag.
History
The story tells that the roots of radio frequency identification technology emerged in World War II. Germans, Japanese, Americans and British were using radar - that had been discovered in 1935 by Scottish physicist Sir Robert Alexander Watson-Watt, to inform the approach of aircrafts, even from miles away. The problem was that there was no way to identify which of them belonged to the enemy, and which belong to allies, who were just returning from a mission.
The Germans discovered that if pilots spun their planes when returning to base, the radio signal reflected back would be changed. This crude method alerted the command team of the radars on the ground that these were German planes and not allied base. It was the birth of the first passive RFID system.
In addition to Watson-Watt, the British developed the first active system identification friend or foe (IFF). Each British plane was carrying a transmitter attached to the aircraft. When this transmitter signals received from radar stations on the ground, he transmitted a signal back that identified the aircraft as friendly. RFID works on the same basic concept: a signal is sent to a transmitter, which is sensitized and may either reflect back the signal (passive system) or send another signal (active system).
Nowadays
The radiofrequency is a growing and increasingly popular technology. The first stores that have incorporated this technology experienced a better way to track merchandise from the stock to the moment of sale. Through RFID tags, stores can still see how quickly the products leave the shelves and what exactly the consumers are buying, always in real time. The trend indicates that with the decrease in production costs and consequent cheapening of labels, its use will become increasingly common and present in everyday people and companies. Experts claim that the RFID technology is already becoming part of our lives, i.e. we are already aware of its benefits and the necessity of its popularization.
LF, HF and UHF
The terms LF (low frequency), HF (high frequency) and UHF (ultra frequency) refers to the operating frequency, that is, the size of the radio waves used for communication between the system components. Radio waves behave differently in each of these frequencies, containing its advantages and disadvantages.
If a RFID system operates at a lower frequency, its range is shorter and the reading is performed slowly, but this band allows reading about metal or liquid surfaces. If a system operates at a higher frequency, typically has faster data transfer rates and longer intervals than reading systems lowest frequency but the sensitivity - and thus the interference caused by liquids and metals is larger.
RFID UHF in Libraries
Due to the characteristics of the services provided and performed by libraries, the UHF RFID technology are being increasingly used in these environments:
- By allowing a reading of meters away with good speed, it allows you to perform inventory without the need to place the reader near the tagged books, streamlining and facilitating the service of librarians.
- Due to the low cost of tags, it is possible to tag and register all bibliographic collection of items.
- With special features - long and thin - and by having double sided adhesive, The labels can be applied between two sheets of a book near the spine, making it invisible to users.
- Its use makes unnecessary the use of other technologiesas well as the need for precise positioning for reading (as is required in the bar code, for example). But if necessary, you can merge the two technologies without any loss of performance.
- By allowing an adjustment in the power of reading, you can adjust the system with a low power to perform procedures for sorting, or sets it to a higher value in order to conduct the search for a certain item.
- Since this is a lightweight device, perform the tasks in the library become less tedious or laborious.
- By allowing a reading in the range of meters, you can use fixed readers in order to guarantee greater security of the collection.
- Its internal microchip carries the information of the unique identifier of the bibliographic material to which it is attached, as well as the flag of the loan, which indicates whether or not this book is borrowed, thus allowing the UHF RFID fixed reader allows or not its output limits library. Tags still allow the item to be uniquely identified within the collection, knowing exactly what is exemplary of bibliographic material.