in small crevices and be covered in epoxy so the RFID tag is out of

RFID harms way.

In RFID technology, information is sent to and read from RFID tags by a
Passive RFID tags do not all operate at the same frequency. There are
reader using radio waves. In passive systems, an RFID Reader transmits
three main frequencies within which passive RFID tags operate. The
an energy field that "wakes up" the tag and provides the power for the
frequency range, along with other factors, strongly determines the read
tag to respond to the reader. Data collected from tags are then passed
range, attachment materials, and application options.
through communication interfaces (cable or wireless) to host computer
systems in the same manner that data scanned from bar code labels
125 134 KHz Low Frequency (LF) An extremely long wavelength
are captured and passed to computer systems for interpretation,
with usually a short read range of about 1 10 centimeters. This
storage, and action.
frequency is typically used with animal tracking because it is not
affected much by water or metal.
Generally, RFID systems comprise three main components: (1) the RFID
Tag, or transponder, which is located on the object to be identified and
13.56 MHz High Frequency (HF) & Near-Field Communication (NFC)
is the data carrier in the RFID system; (2) the RFID Reader or
A medium wavelength with a typical read range of about 1 centimeter
transceiver, which may be able to both read data from and write data
up to 1 meter. This frequency is used with data transmissions, access
to a transponder; and (3) the data processing subsystem which utilizes
control applications, DVD kiosks, and passport security applications
the data obtained from the transceiver in some useful manner.
that do not require a long read range.
Generally speaking, three main parts make up in a passive RFID system
865 960 MHz Ultra High Frequency (UHF) A short, high-energy
an RFID reader or interrogator, an RFID antenna, and RFID tags.
wavelength of about a one meter which translates to long read range.
Unlike active RFID tags, passive RFID tags only have two main
Passive UHF tags can be read from an average distance of about 5 6
components the tags antenna and the microchip or integrated circuit
meters, but larger UHF tags can achieve up to 30+ meters of read
(IC).
range in ideal conditions. This frequency is typically used with race
timing, IT asset tracking, file tracking, and laundry management as all
As the name implies, passive tags wait for a signal from an RFID reader.
these applications typically need more than a meter of read range.
The reader sends energy to an antenna which converts that energy into
an RF wave that is sent into the read zone. Once the tag is read within
As a general rule, higher frequencies will have shorter, higher-energy
the read zone, the RFID tags internal antenna draws in energy from the
wavelengths and, in turn, longer read ranges. Moreover, the higher the
RF waves. The energy moves from the tags antenna to the IC and
frequency, generally speaking, the more issues an RFID system will
powers the chip which generates a signal back to the RF system. This is
have around non-RFID-friendly materials like water and metal.
called backscatter. The backscatter, or change in the electromagnetic or
Using an RFID tag manufactured specifically for vehicle tracking quickly
RF wave, is detected by the reader (via the antenna), which interprets
narrows down the available options. The next step is to decide where
the information.
the tag will be located on the vehicle. This will be dependent on where
the equipment is setup and at what angle the tag receives the best
As mentioned above, passive RFID tags have no internal power source,
read rates. Below are the three most common types of vehicle tags
and a standard passive RFID tag consists only of an IC and internal
(grouped by where they are placed), and a little information about
antenna; this basic structure is commonly referred to as an RFID inlay.
each.
Countless other types of passive RFID tags exist on the market, but all
tags generally fall into two categories inlays or hard tags. Hard RFID
RFID Windshield Tags Windshield tags are distinguished by their
tags are durable and made of plastic, metal, ceramic and even rubber.
ability to adhere to the vehicles windshield with a permanent
They come in all shapes and sizes and are typically designed for a
(destroyed upon removal) or semi-permanent adhesive. This type of
unique function, material, or application.
tag is tuned to work best on glass and is placed in the top right or left
of the inside of the windshield. These tags usually have around 20 feet
A few different groups work to further divide passive hard tags;
of read range in ideal conditions, and are best read with equipment
however, some tags will exist within two or more groups.
overhead or to the side nearest to the tag with the antennas angled
toward the vehicle.
High Temperature Certain industries, like healthcare, track the
number of cycles that instruments undergo in punishing autoclaves.
RFID Hang Tags/Rearview Mirror Tags Hang tags, also called
Specific passive RFID tags are designed to withstand extreme
Rearview Mirror tags are unique because they do not adhere or make
temperatures and accommodate for those types of applications,
contact with the vehicle; instead, they hang from the vehicles rear-view
among others.
mirror. The key benefit to this tag is that it is not as permanent as the
other two options and can be removed and stored when not in use.
Rugged Applications in outdoor environments or tough warehouses
These tags can read up to 20 feet in ideal conditions from equipment
need a tag that can withstand snow and ice, dust and debris, or even
overhead or to either side with the antennas angled towards the
the crushing forces felt under a tractor wheel. For these applications, a
vehicle.
highly rugged passive tag is needed to make the application successful.
RFID License Plate Tags License plate tags are more common in
Size Some applications have specific size constraints when tracking
longer range applications because they can read up to 50 feet in ideal
small or large items. Size is one of the more important questions to
conditions. These tags are adhered or mounted on the license plate on
answer when choosing an RFID tag because there are many different
the back of the vehicle and are read when the car is moving away from
sizes available.
the RFID equipment instead of coming toward it. This directionality will
Materials If an application requires tracking metal assets, UHF metal-
affect the setup of the application because the antennas will need to be
mount tags may be the only option. These tags are specifically
angled away from the vehicle to read the tag when it is moving past
designed to mitigate the problems UHF RFID faces around metal.
the equipment. The downside of using RFID license plate tags comes
from the fact that the RFID tags lies on the outside of the vehicle; thus,
Embeddable If tagging an item becomes a problem for specific
they are more susceptible to damage and potentially being stolen.
applications due to significant wear and tear, embeddable tags can fit