Abstarct:This article summarizes the various industry standards that designers need to pay attention to when deploying RFID-based logistics tracking systems, and finally introduces FOCUS RFID tag and reader selection, as well as an evaluation platform for accelerating the design of RFID logistics solutions.

Keywords: RFID tags

This article reviews RFID technology, including active and passive tags, and the possibility of improving the performance of passive tags by adding energy harvesting capabilities. This article summarizes the various industry standards that designers need to pay attention to when deploying RFID-based logistics tracking systems, and finally introduces FOCUS RFID tag and reader selection, as well as an evaluation platform for accelerating the design of RFID logistics solutions.

Logistics and supply chain management are increasingly turning to radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to achieve real-time visibility into the location and quantity of materials and goods. Using RFID tags can speed up inventory management, reduce human errors, and help reduce inventory shrinkage. RFID tags do not have to be seen to be read, and can be read when the tag is inside a box or other enclosure. In addition, one person can read hundreds of RFID tags at a time from a distance.

Designers need to choose between the power architecture and data format of the RFID tag, and also need a compact and accurate RFID reader. Tags and readers may also need to meet the requirements of the Electronic Product Code (EPC) UHF Gen2v2 technical standard and the RAIN RFID data format.

Passive tags, including UHF and NFC designs, are the most common form of RFID in logistics solutions. Active tags are more expensive and are typically used to track high-value assets in the construction, transportation and medical industries. Semi-passive tags, especially those using NFC technology, are limited to specific applications such as mobile phones. ISO/IEC 14443 and ISO/IEC 15693 standards ensure interoperability between NFC-enabled devices. NFC operates based on inductive coupling, which is sensitive to antenna orientation (Figure 2).

Figure 2: To achieve the inductive coupling required for NFC devices, the antenna needs to be placed in the proper orientation.

Choosing the right products and equipment in logistics

I UHF modules

ST-M714 and ST-M718 are the high performance UHF RFID Module. It is designed based on Impinj E710 chip. Based on proprietary efficient digital signal processing algorithm, it supports fast tag read/write operation with high identification rate. It can be widely applied in many RFID application systems such as logistics, access control, and industrial production process control system.

II UHF readers

P Serial UHF 9dbi Middle Range Integrated Reader warehouse management, IT asset tracking 6-8 meters

1）Automatic scan Com Port/Network

2）Support firmware upgrade

3）Support Export Config/Import Config

4）Multiple country languages

5）Global frequency(860~960MHz)

6） Password mode

III RFID on metal

PCB Tag for FOCUS RFID
Designed for surgical instruments and tools, the UHF FOCUS RFID on metal tag uses the metal surface as a booster antenna to extend the read range to 150 cm. The LXTBKZMCMG-010 operates across the entire UHF band, measures only 60mmL*25mmW*3.4mmH, and has an operating temperature range of -25 °C ~+85 °C. The tag complies with EPC global Gen2 (v2) and ISO18000-6C protocols. US regulations require a unique device identifier (UDI) to be placed on each surgical tool. Like the EPC, the UDI regulation is intended to regulate the safe use and storage of medical devices. The UDI system applies to many types of medical devices, but is particularly important for surgical instruments, as improper instrument preparation during surgery poses a great risk. It is expected that Europe will also require UDIs on surgical tools in the future. In addition to the logistical challenges associated with surgical tools, the setup of surgical tools is time-consuming and prone to error, even for experienced personnel.
Figure 5: The metal surface of surgical instruments and tools is used as an enhanced antenna by FOCUS RFID’s PCB metal-on-UHF tag to extend the read range.

Summary

RFID tags are increasingly being used in logistics tracking applications. Currently, there are many different RFID tag technologies, including various frequency bands, power supply architectures, and communication and data protocols, which means that there are many tags to meet a wide range of logistics tracking needs. With some RFID technologies, hundreds of RFID tags can be read remotely and simultaneously, which speeds up inventory management. In the case of surgical instruments, the use of RFID tags can eliminate sources of human error and improve surgical safety. UHF and NFC RFID tags are the most common forms of RFID in logistics solutions.