Radio Frequency Identification has been used in several sectors for reliability and efficiency. In the last few years, we have tried to move towards a touch-free system. RFID systems consist of hardware and software both.

In this blog, we will try to focus more on the hardware part. We need at least four major components to create a basic RFID system. Those are- tags or tokens, an RFID reader, a handheld scanner and an RFID printer. Let’s talk more about them one by one.

RFID Tag

An RFID tag or token is the smallest and the most common item for creating an RFID system. As you know, an RFID system works on radiofrequency. These tags/tokens are used as a tracking device. A tag can store information, and using RFID software, we can remove or replace those data.

There are mainly two types of RFID tags available on the market. First, an active tag and second, a passive tag. Active tag got its name because these tags carry their own power unit inside. They don’t need an external source of energy.

On the other hand, a passive tag doesn’t have its own power unit. An active tag costs you more than a passive tag. The working area of an active tag is larger than a passive tag. If we need to locate or track anything, we must attach the tag.

RFID Reader

An RFID reader is used to read data from an RFID tag. RFID tags can store a large amount of data about the product or the person it is attached to. For example, if we scan a token, we can access all the data it holds.

RFID reader helps us view the price, date of production and other important aspects of that product. You can imagine the effect of technology like RFID on hospital premises for maintaining stocks or other benefits.

RFID Handheld Scanner

Have you closely followed any price counter in a shop? With just a scanner tap, how are all the necessary information recorded in their system? RFID handheld scanners can scan those tags using radio waves.

Earlier, the same type of barcode reader was used for shopping centres. RFID handheld scanners are all the same, just a bit more reliable and fast. It is now a common thing to use RFID for inventory management in warehouses and other commercial places. RFID system eliminates the chance of any human error and creates a smooth workflow around.

RFID Printer

Earlier, we used an example of a shopping centre. Once the scanner reads the data saved in a tag, a printer starts printing the bill immediately. They use special RFID printers. The scanner sends information stored in a tag to this printer using RFID software. The whole process saves a lot of time. You can imagine its effect on the people lining a queue. 

Using these four basic hardware units and supportive software, we can create a wholesome RFID system where we can store information in tags. After that, we can recall those data using a scanner or reader and print them instantly using an RFID printer.