About the Technology

Glossary of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

A

Active RFID Tags

Tags that have internal battery feature that allows to achieve higher reading distances. These tags are used mainly for tracking items of high value and feature dimensions and higher costs than the passive tags.

Active Tags

Are transponders that use battery as a power source.

Adressability (Addressing)

The ability to address bits, fields, files on a Tag.

Alignment (Alignment)

The orientation of the tag with the reader.

Antenna

Device that transmits and receives electromagnetic energy. It is used in conjunction with a chip for the manufacture of RFID tags, and also is an integral part of the readers.

Antenna

Are conductive elements which radiate and receive energy in the radio frequency spectrum.

Anti-collision

Characteristic of the RF protocol interface, which allows the reader simultaneously identify multiple RFID tags in their field of reading. This feature also prevents readers too close to one another to cause interference. It is a key component of Gen2 protocol.

B

Bidirectional

Ability to operate in either of two directions, both the front and the rear. For example, a tag that can be read or written ahead or behind is bidirectional.

C

Capacity)

The number of bits or bytes that can be programmed into a tag. This may represent the number of bits available to the user or the total number, including the bits reserved for the manufacturer, eg, parity or control bits.

Capture Window/Field

Magnetic field region where a tag will operate.

Class 0

RF proprietary interface protocol for passive UHF tags. The Class 0 protocol is read, however, the subsequent Protocol Class 0 Plus, it has the ability to read and write only. This protocol has become obsolete with the arrival of Gen2.

Class 1

RF proprietary interface protocol for passive UHF tags. The Class 1 protocol is the ability to read and write.

Closed Systems

A system in which relevant data are stored in a common database, accessible via the data link between the number of TAG and the object or person identified.

Kill Command

Code within an RFID tag that, when activated, permanently disables the tag. To limit the traceability of the consumer after the purchase of the products, ensuring your privacy.

D

Dual Dipole

Tag, which essentially has two antennas so as to increase the transmission capacity and reduce the need oriented readings.

E

Electromagnetic Coupling (Joint Electromagnetic)

Systems which use a magnetic field as a means of transferring data or power.

Eletronic Label

It is a tag in the label format.

Eletrostatic Coupling

Systems that use the induction of a voltage in a coil as a means to transfer data or power.

Encoder

Device that transmits and stores data in an RFID tag. Basically, modules RFID readers are designed for use in printers, labelers for transporting materials.

EPC (Electronic Product Code)

Code stored in one single product for each RFID tag. The code contains information on the manufacturer and the product, as well as a unique serial number. EPC codes are maintained by EPCglobal.

EPC Network

Developed by AutoID Center is based on the Internet protocol system allows companies to supply the industry have access to the information associated with an EPC through the network.

EPCglobal

Originally formed as a joint venture between the Uniform Code Council (UCC) and Electronic Article Numbering Association (NAS), EPCglobal is the organization responsible for the creation of standards for RFID and promote the development of solutions for this technology.

Error

Any operation or data that is not in accordance with the project or system input.

Error Correcting Code

It is a system where additional bits are sent in data transfer, these additional bits are used to control error with the help of a polynomial algorithm.

Error Correcting Mode

Method of data communication in the wrong or missing bits are automatically corrected.

Error Correcting Protocol

Are the rules used for the correction of errors in the Error Correction Mode.

Error Management

Technique used to ensure that only correct information is presented to users of the system.

Error Rate

The number of errors per number of transactions.

Expansion Port

Door for increasing the capacity of a computer or accessory.

F

Factory Programming

Scheduling information in a tag in the production process that results in a tag with a read only capacity.

Environmental Factors

Typically discussed in applications using products in the UHF band, which can be affected by many factors such as the presence of metals and liquids. The study of these factors is important for positioning and adjustment of RFID readers and tags.

Field Programming

The schedule of field usually happens before the tag is installed on the object to be identified. In some cases, change or duplication of all data on the label is possible. In other cases, some portion is reserved for factory programming. To include a serial number unique label, for example.

Field Protection

Ability to limit the operations that can be performed in fields or portions of data stored in a tag.

Flat Panel Antenna

Antenna conductive, flat sheet, typically made of metal.

Frequency

The number of times a signal performs a thorough excursion through their maximum and minimum ships and returns the same value (eg cycles).

G

Gen2 (Generation2)

RF interface protocol for applications in supply chain using UHF. The Gen2 standard was approved in December 2004 by EPCglobal and has since received approval by the ISO through the ISO 18000- 6C. EPCglobal is working to establish a similar standard for High Frequency (HF).

I

I.D. Filter

Software that compares the ID (number) of a tag read with a database.

Inductive Coupling

These are systems that use the current in an induction coil as a means to transfer data or power.

Interface RF

Communication protocol between the tag and the RFID reader. Passive tags that work in the UHF band are normalized based on the Gen2 standard. For the HF band, we try to establish a similar pattern. Some active tags perform communication over standard Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) networks, but most still use proprietary protocols.

ISO (International Organization for Standardization)

Network standardization institutes of 148 countries, with a Secretariat in Genenbra, Switzerland, that coordinates the system. EPCglobal is a member of ISO and has approval for Gen2 protocol.

L

Life (Time Life)

Life without the need for adjustment or repair.

M

Memory Cards

Tag reading and writing in the size of a credit card.

Memory Modules

Tag Reading and Writing.

Middleware

Specific class of software that offers various functionalities. The middleware acts as a data filter, eliminating duplicate readings, and fitting this data structure to the central system, in order to maintain the reliability of records.

Misread

A condition that exists when the data submitted by the player are different from the corresponding data tag.

Modulation (Modulação)

Methods of modulating or change carriers in order to get the encoded information. They include amplitude modulation (AM), phase modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), (FSK) pulse position (PPM), pulse duration (PDM) and continuous wave (CW).

N

Nominal

The value that a system designed ensures optimum operation.

Nominal Range

The range at which systems can provide for reliable operation, considering the normal variability of the environment in which it is used.

O

Ominidirectional (Multi-Directional)

Ability to operate a tag in any orientation.

Open Systems

Systems in which the player/recorders do not have access to a common database. (Offline)

Orientation

Orientation of the tag with the reader.

Orientation Sensitivity

The variation of range with the change of orientation.

P

Passive RFID Tags

Tags whose energy source, the signal emitted by the RFID reader itself. These tags tend to have small dimensions and values significantly lower than active tags.

Passive Tags

Passive tags do not contain any internal power supply. They are powered by the reader itself.

Port Concentrator

A device that supports several communication interfaces and interfaces add this in a chain of communication.

Portal

Strategic point where RFID readers are installed in order to identify and monitor the flow of products throughout a process.

Power Levels

Levels of radiated power from a reader or tag, typically measured in volts/meter.

Programmability

To be specific identifier objects, Tags must at one point or having your identity and other data recorded on them. This capability is called programmability.

Programmer

It is the component that is capable of recording tag, also known as recorder.

Projected Life

Estimated life of a tag is defined in terms of number of cycles for reading and/or writing.

Pilot Project

Initial test developed by companies that want to deploy RFID technology in their applications. This test aims to analyze and adapt the RFID tags and readers to the needs of the company, before its final installation.

R

RF/DC

Communication systems via radio between a computer and a collector.

RFID

"RFID is a Powerful and Versatile Technology for Identifying, Tracking and Managing a Huge Range of Products, Documents, Animals and People without contact and without the need for a Visual Field."

RF/AIS

Automatic Systems of Radio Frequency Identification.

Range

The distance at which reading and/or writing can be accomplished successfully.

Read

The decoding, extraction and presentation of data from a tag.

Read Only

Characteristic of a tag that comes pre-recorded factory and can only be read.

Read Rate

The maximum rate at which data can be read from a tag expressed in bits or bytes per second.

Read/Write

Many applications require new data or revisions to the data from the tag's Tags with this capability are reprogrammable and are called Tag reading/writing.

Reader

The device containing the digital electronics that extracts information from the electronic digital tag performs the function of actual reading. These read and can also be interfaced to an integral display (screen) and/or provide an interface parallel or serial communications to a host computer or industrial controller.

Reader/Writer

The set of electronics that can change the contents of Tags. (See also the reader).

Reprogrammable

Tag with the ability to be repeatedly rewritten.

RFID HF (High Frequency)

Products that work in the range of 13.56 MHz carrier frequency generally allows reading distances between 1 and 2 m, and is not affected by environmental factors such as liquids. The ISO 15693 protocol is different from Gen2. HF products are commonly used as electronic money and applications for tracking items.

RFID LF (Low Frequency)

Products that work in the range of 125 kHz. Generally, feature dimensions and lower costs as well as a range of limited reading (less than 30 cm). Applications for access control and security are the most common for this type of technology.

RFID UHF (Ultra High Frequency)

Products that work in the range of 868 MHz to 950 MHz. This frequency allows reading distances between 2 and 8 m, but is strongly affected by environmental factors, including liquids and metals.

Rollout

A pilot project provides sufficient evidence of a high return on investment, the company starts the final deployment of the system in its operations. This process is known as rollout.

S

Semi-passive RFID tags (or semi-active)

Tags liabilities that have a small battery to boost the signal transmitted. The battery remains disconnected until the tag is in the range of the RFID reader. Products known as Class 3 and whose regulation is expected in early 2008.

Sensor

A device that responds to a physical stimulus and produces an electronic signal.

Separation

Minimum distance between two labels, so that a non-interfering with each other.

Speed

The rate at which something happens.

T

Tag

The transmitter/receiver over the mechanism of information storage (Chip + Antenna).

Tag

Also known as a transponder is a device typically used for tracking items, comprising a chip connected to an antenna on a substrate. Each tag has a unique identification number and, in some cases, bits (or kilobits) of additional memory. Passive tags receive energy from the RFID reader, while active tags have an internal battery.

Transponder (Transponder)

See Tag

U

User Memory

Additional bits available in the memory of RFID tags, which can be used by the user to best suit the application developed.

W

Write

The transfer of data for a tag.

Write Rate

The rate at which information is transferred to a label, writing on the tag memory and verified as being correct. This is quantified as the average number of bits or bytes per second that the complete transaction can be performed.