Retailers, storekeepers, warehouse managers, and other users of RFID tags face some issues while working with them. For example, sometimes they are unable to store additional information on a tag. This is because, each RFID tag has certain limitations, and storage is one of them.
When people encounter such problems, they think that the RFID tag is out of order and they dispose of the tag. However, this is not true. By deleting previous data stored on the tag with the help of an RFID reader or RFID printer, you can reuse it.
So the question arises here how much data can RFID tags hold?
This depends upon the type of tag and the manufacturer. Mostly, active RFID tags have more storage as compared to passive RFID tags. Moreover, they have batteries which make them a great choice for the tracking and management of valuable assets.
So what I am gonna tell you in this blog post?
In this blog post, you will learn all about the capabilities of RFID tags and how much data they can store. You’ll also find details on what kind of information can be stored on a tag and how to store and read data on and from RFID tags.
How Much Information Can an RFID Tag Store?
RFID tags have a limited amount of data that you can store. The amount of data a tag can hold varies depending on the manufacturer, application, and tag type. On average, an RFID tag can hold no more than 2 KB of data.
In general, an RFID tag can hold up to 128 megabytes of data. This means that it is possible to store a lot of information on an RFID tag without running into problems. In fact, now many stores are now using RFID tags in their inventory systems to avoid mistakes made with paper records.
Types of RFID Tags and their storage capacity
The amount of data that an RFID tag can store depends on the type of tag that is being used. The following are the types of RFID tags:
Passive RFID tags
Passive RFID tags typically store anywhere from 64 bits to 1 kilobyte of non-volatile memory. Moreover, they don’t have a built-in power supply. They can be activated by the wave emitted by an RFID reader, but the energy comes exclusively from the reader.
Because of this reason, passive RFID tags are a bit inexpensive and create a smaller range as compared to active tags.
Active RFID tags
Typical active tags have the capacity to store 128 kilobytes of data. This allows them to store a greater amount of information than passive tags. But why do they have more storage capacity? This is because they are used for the tracking of precious items. Due to the large storage capacity, users can check all the previous history of the items and other important information can be stored on these tags.
Active RFID tags, with the help of an efficient battery, transmits their signal continuously, supporting a longer read range. Active tags are more expensive because they hold a special powered battery and transmitter to function.
Working On RFID Tags
RFID tags are small, portable transponders that use radio waves to recognize and track objects. Radiofrequency identification (RFID) is a technology that can read information stored in the chip of RFID tags from a distance.
The RFID tag itself consists of a chip with an attached antenna, and it can communicate back to the RFID reader with radio waves given off by the reader.
It’s very miscellaneous and impacts success when used effectively. Individual tags may have different physical shapes or ranges, prices, mounting techniques, or other attributes that are determined by their usage.
What kind of information can be stored on a tag?
Any type of information can be stored on the tag. However, the type of information stored on a specific tag depends on the item to which it is attached. For example, tags attached to a book in the library contain information about the book, its author, its location in the category, and things like that. On the other hand, an active tag attached to a Mercedes car will carry all the location history of the car, its owner name, its engine & registration number, and other such information.
How does storage work on RFID tags?
Data storage is a term used to describe the various ways in which digital data can be stored on a tag. A tag can keep any type of information that can be represented by a number, making it a versatile tool for storing data.
In addition to a unique ID, many tags can also hold extra data; often, this data can be “reprogrammed” to serve the requirements of the user. Presently tags being used possess approximately 256 bits of storage, which means they can store enough amount of data.
How to Store and Read Data on and from RFID Tags?
To store and read data on any type of tag, we need RFID printers and RFID readers. However, we need to make sure that the RFID readers and RFID tags are compatible with each other. This means that if we are working on UHF RFID tags, we will require an RFID reader to interact with the tag. Similarly, for HF RFID tags we will need HF readers. However, there are certain RFID readers available in the market that are compatible with all types of RFID tags, but they are costly.
How do RFID Printers and RFID readers store information on the tag?
These devices encode data onto tags using radio waves, which then allow us to read that data when we come in contact with the tag. RFID readers are used to scanning products and identify their unique identity, while RFID printers can print labels with encoded information onto them. This allows for quick and accurate tracking of products.
When it comes to storing and reading data on RFID tags, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
- First and foremost, each item needs to have its own unique Electronic Product Code (EPC). This EPC number is what readers will use to identify the item and determine whether or not they need to make changes to it.
- Secondly, while readers are able to sense multiple tags at the same time, it can be tricky to detect items in bulk.
This is where collision detection comes in. By using either probabilistic or deterministic methods, readers can more effectively identify items even when there are a lot of them present.
Probabilistic detection
Probabilistic detection is a process of identifying specific patterns in the data set. Probabilistic detection is a slower process than deterministic detection, as each tag gets a random timeslot in the process.
This suggests that collisions will acquire a new timeslot until the reader finishes its scan, which can take longer. According to us, this method is more reliable, as it ensures that each tag receives equal treatment.
Deterministic systems
Deterministic systems are a type of electronic system that can automatically inventory and track the unique ID number.
Deterministic systems are those that use the binary system to read tag identities bit by bit. This system enables to avoidance of collisions by systematically processing each tag.
By using this method, readers can locate and identify specific items quickly and easily without having to worry about interference from other tags. This is a great advantage in industries where accuracy and efficiency are paramount, such as in healthcare or retail settings.
Conclusion
RFID technology is becoming more common in our everyday lives. We have discussed how much data RFID tags can hold and provided you with deep information about them. This will definitely allow you to make better decisions while choosing the right RFID solutions for your business. However, if you are a bit confused and don’t know how to implement RFID in your business, contact us today! We’ll help you to choose specific applications that might be best suited to your requirement.
FAQ’S
Can RFID tags be disabled?
Yes, tags can be disabled through the use of a kill command. This command disables the tag, preventing it from being read or reused. This is a useful way to ensure that tagged objects are not misused or mishandled.
From how far away can RFID tags be read?
Well, it depends on which type of RFID tag you are using. If the passive tag is being used then it will cover a shorter range, generally from 1cm to 4m. And if the active tag is in use then it will cover a much wider distance e.g. upwards of 20m.
What are RFID applications and use cases?
RFID tags can be used in various applications such as inventory management, supply chain management, and personal identification. RFID is also used in many other industries such as retail, automotive industry, healthcare, etc. Learn more about RFID’s applications here.