INTRODUCTION TO RFID
HF (High Frequency) RFID Standards and Frequencies
In the HF (High Frequency) band, we have passive tags that work at around 13.56 MHz on the basis of magnetic coupling principles, like Low Frequency RFID tags.
HF RFID tags – Common advantages:
– Global operations.
– Possibility of implementing security features for data storage and transmission.
– Short read ranges, good for privacy issues.
– Larger quantity of memory if compared to most passive RFID tags.
– Minor issues with liquids and metals.
– Lower costs in comparison to LF RFID tags.
HF RFID tags – Common disadvantages:
– Read range could be short for some applications such as logistics and warehouse management.
Most important HF RFID standards and their common applications:
ISO 14443 (type A and type B): Thanks to their security features (cryptography) and very short read ranges — good for privacy — HF ISO 14443 RFID tags are well suited for embedding into smart cards, high security payments solutions, 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 with 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 and 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, limited issues 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.