Rfid frequencies, Uses for hf rfid, Rfid standards – Cognitive Solutions Advantage RFID Thermal Printer User Manual

Page 8: Rfid frequencies uses for hf rfid rfid standards

R F I D A N D T H E A D V A N T A G E R F I D P R I N T E R

RFID Frequencies

RFID tags operate at a specific frequency and both the reader and the

tag must be tuned to the same frequency to transfer information. The
Advantage RFID Thermal Printer is designed for RFID tags that

operate at 13.56 Megahertz. This frequency is referred to as High
Frequency, or HF.

Uses for HF RFID

HF RFID tags are used in a variety of industries and situations
including library book or bookstore tracking, pallet tracking, building

access control, baggage tracking, and apparel item tracking. High-
frequency tags are widely used in identification badges, replacing earlier

magnetic stripe cards. These badges need only be held within a certain

distance of the reader to authenticate the holder. RFID tags are also
used in payment systems that allow customers to pay for items without

using cash. Hospitals are using RFID tags for patient identification and
pharmaceutical management.

RFID Standards

RFID devices have been in use since World War II. The United
Kingdom used RFID devices to differentiate between English aircraft

and German aircraft. Widespread use of RFID technology has been

hampered by a lack of international standards for RFID devices and
technology that is not advanced enough for RFID to be cost effective.

A number of international standards have been adopted for specific
applications. These include tracking animals and freight containers.

Other standards initiatives are under way. The International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) is working on standards for

tracking goods in the supply chain using high-frequency tags (ISO

18000-3) and ultra-high frequency tags (ISO 18000-6). EPCglobal, a
joint venture set up to commercialize Electronic Product Code

technologies, has its own standards process that was used to create bar
code standards. EPCglobal intends to submit EPC protocols to ISO so

that they can become international standards.