INTRODUCTION TO RFID
HF (High Frequency) RFID Standards and Frequencies
In the HF (High Frequency) band, there are passive tags that work at around 13.56 MHz that, as well as the Low Frequency RFID tags, work with magnetic coupling principles.
HF RFID tags – Common advantages:
- Global functioning.
- Possibility of implementing security features for data storage and transmission.
- Short read ranges good for privacy issues.
- Lager quantity of memory in comparison to most passive RFID tags.
- Limited problems with liquids and metals.
- Lower costs in comparison to LF RFID tags.
HF RFID tags – Common disadvantages:
- Short read ranges for certain applications such as logistics and warehouse management..
The most important standards and their common applications in the High Frequency band:
ISO 14443 (type A and type B): Thanks to their security features (cryptography) and very short read ranges (privacy), HF ISO 14443 RFID tags are well suited for embedding into smart cards, high security payments, access control and other applications where security is an important issue.
ISO 15693 (ISO 18000-3 Mode 1): HF ISO 15693 RFID tags usually combine low manufacturing costs, good memory capacity, good functioning with metals and liquids, medium read distances (from 1 cm to about 1 meter). HF ISO 15693 RFID tags are usually used for access control, ticketing, retail and item-level logistics, library and bookshop management, CD & DVD tagging, pharmaceutical item tracking other applications in healthcare such as patient tracking in hospitals.
ISO 18000-3 Mode 2: This standard is not really ubiquitous but interesting thanks to its fast data transfer rate, good functioning with liquids and metals and, above all, its great performance in applications where tags are very close to each other or stacked. For these reasons HF ISO-18000-3 Mode 2 RFID tags are a good choice for document management, casino chips and playing cards, laundry, jewelry and other item-level applications.
