What are the key components of an RFID System?
An RFID tag contains a chip attached to an antenna (“inlay). RFID tags are developed using a frequency according to the needs of the system including read range and the environment in which the tag will be read. Tags are either active (integrating a battery) or passive (having no battery). Passive tags derive the power to operate from the electro-magnetic field generated by the reader. A Chip-based RFID tag contain silicon chips and antennas. The response of a passive RFID tag is not necessarily just an ID number; the tag chip can contain non-volatile EEPROM for storing data. Major supplier of chips are NXP/Philips, Texas Instruments, Infineon, Hitachi, etc. A RFID antenna connected to the RFID reader, can be of varying size and structure, depending on the communication distance required for a given system’s performance. The antenna activates the RFID tag and transfers data by emitting wireless pulses. A RFID reader can be fixed or handheld, and is usually connected to Management Infor
