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What May Impact an RFID Tag From Being Detected

RFID handheld reader is detecting the RFID tag on the garments

With the popularity of the Internet of Things, RFID electronic tags have been widely used for assets management. Usually, a whole solution includes RFID fixed asset management system, RFID tag, RFID reader, RFID printer, etc. RFID tag, as an important part in the whole solution, if there are any problems occured, it will affect the progress of the entire system.

 

Then what may impact an RFID tag from being detected?

 

First, the RFID tag might be damaged.

There are RFID chip and antenna inside RFID tags. If the chip was pressed by external force or high static electricity, the chip will be out of work; if the antenna which is supposed to receive the RFID signal is damaged, it will also be out of work. Therefore, RFID electronic tags can not be damaged or split by external force. Some factories will pack the RFID electronic tags with a bubble plastic bag to avoid damage by external forces.

 

Second, the impact of interfering objects.

RFID signal cannot pass through metal. When the tags are blocked by the metal, the reading distance of the RFID reader will be affected, or even unable to read. At the same time, the radio frequency signal of RFID tag is also difficult to pass through water. If blocked by water, the reading range will be limited. Normally, the signal of RFID tag can pass non-metallic or non-transparent materials such as paper, wood and plastic, and it can communicate penetratingly. If the using enviorment is special such as high temperature resistance and waterproof, it is necessary to customize anti-metal tags or other RFID tags with special characteristics.

 

Third, the reading distance is too far.

Reading range of RFID tag is different according to different manufacturing processes, application environments,  RFID readers, etc. If the reading distance is too far, the reading range will be affected.

 

Factors that will affect the reading distance of RFID tags.

  1. Power of the RFID reader. When the power is low, the reading distance is short. Conversely, if the power is high, the reading distance is long;
  2. Antenna gain of the RFID reader. When the antenna is small, the reading distance is short. Conversely, if the gain is high, the reading distance is long;
  3.  Antenna’s design of the RFID tag. When the direction of the antenna and tag matches well, the reading distance is long, otherwise, the reading distance is close if it does not well matched;
  4. Attenuation of the feeder. The larger the attenuation is, the shorter the reading distance will be. On the contrary, the smaller the attenuation is, the longer the reading distance will be;
  5. Length of the cable that connecting the reader and the antenna. The longer the cable is, the shorter the reading distance will be. On the contrary, the reading distance will be longer if the cable is short.
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