The Basics

of an RFID
System
An introductory look at the common components in standard RFID systems.

www.atlasRFIDstore.com

For all you RFID beginners, this white paper is for

you. Whether its RFID system basics or product
information, this paper will guide you through the
processes of learning about Radio Frequency
Identification technology.

For all of you knee-deep in RFID, check out this

white paper. After reading you will gain in-depth
knowledge giving you the ability to improve your
RFID systems.
For all you RFID geniuses, this white paper will
further expand your comprehension of RFID. The
subject of this paper immediately delves into the
high level concepts of RFID and physics behind your
systems.
The Basics of an RFID System | Atlas RFID Solutions

Table of Contents
Contents

Radio Frequency Identification ........................................................................................................................... 3

What you need to know .................................................................................................................................. 4
RFID Tags ........................................................................................................................................................ 6
RFID Antennas ................................................................................................................................................. 8
RFID Readers ................................................................................................................................................. 10
Development Kits ............................................................................................................................................ 12
Cables ........................................................................................................................................................... 13
What about other equipment and accessories for RFID systems? ......................................................................... 14
Still think RFID is right for your application?....................................................................................................... 15
Appendix A: RFID Frequency Breakdown .......................................................................................................... 16

The Basics of an RFID System | Atlas RFID Solutions

Radio Frequency Identification

RFID technology is used in hundreds of applications such as race-timing, DVD kiosks, asset
tracking, and tool tracking. In order to determine if your application is ready for RFID, you
need to understand the basics of RFID technology. Once you understand the benefits and
limitations of RFID, you will be able to decide if RFID will improve your business.
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is the wireless non-contact use of radio-frequency
electromagnetic fields to transfer data for the purposes of automatically identifying and
tracking tags attached to assets.
The chart below outlines the three primary frequency ranges used in RFID:

RFID
LF
(Low Frequency)
Frequency: 125 - 134 kHz
Typical Use: Animal identification.
Range: Contact up to 10 cm.

UHF

HF
(High Frequency)
Frequency: 13.56 MHz
Typical Use: NFC, smart cards,
tickets, and DVD kiosks.
Range: Near contact up to 30 cm.

(Ultra-High Frequency)
Frequency: 433 MHz & 856 - 960 MHz
Typical Use: Used in all types of
applications.
Range: Tag dependent; Near contact
up to 100+ meters.

(For the extended chart, see Appendix A)

The Basics of an RFID System | Atlas RFID Solutions

Within the UHF Frequency range of 856 960 MHz, there are two primary subsets:
a) The FCC (US) standard frequency range of 902-928 MHz
b) The ETSI (EU) standard frequency range of 865-868 MHz
The FCC standard is used throughout North America as well as the majority of the Caribbean
and much of South America. The ETSI standard is used throughout the European Union and
most countries adhering to EU standards. Various other subsets within the above ranges are
used throughout the world. If you are planning on deploying RFID Equipment in a particular
country, but arent sure of that countrys standards, then we can assist in providing the
appropriate frequency range.

What you need to know

RFID is not the best fit for every application, and the technology may be expensive
depending on the size of the application. The return on investment of the necessary
hardware, software, and labor hours must justify the expense. Many times RFID is the
right fit other times barcodes or only a process change may be the solution.
All RFID systems require readers, antennas, and tags in order to function (see Figure 1
below). The selection of ancillary items such as cables, mounting brackets, and GPIO
devices will greatly impact the effectiveness of an RFID system.

The Basics of an RFID System | Atlas RFID Solutions

Figure 1. A simple drawing of an RFID setup.

Keep environmental conditions in mind when selecting an RFID system. Some

environments are not well-suited for certain types of RFID equipment. For example,
water causes interference when reading UHF RFID tags. Steps may be taken to
mitigate environmental factors, but it is important to consider all variables that may
affect tag readability.
RFID tag pricing is heavily dependent upon tag type and tag volume. Metal-mount
RFID tags and rugged RFID tags are more expensive than RFID wet inlays or RFID
labels. Also, pricing on 100,000 tags will be much different than pricing on 10,000,
1,000, or 100 tags. See Appendix A for general pricing ranges.
The Basics of an RFID System | Atlas RFID Solutions

 Few out of the box solutions are available on the market. While certain applications
such as tolling or race timing use the same infrastructure and software across a wide
spectrum of locations, most RFID hardware and software deployments require specific
configuration for each unique location and environment. Even within a particular
manufacturing plant, for instance, different hardware and software algorithms may be
needed in different locations in order to achieve desired read rates.
Test, test, test. Reconfigure. Test some more. In order to ensure your RFID
deployment is successful, you need to test a variety of RFID tags, equipment, antenna
angles, and power settings. RFID development kits and RFID tag sample packs are
great resources for testing a variety of readers, tags, and antennas.

RFID Tags
An RFID tag, in its most simplistic form, is comprised of two parts an
antenna for transmitting and receiving signals, and an RFID chip (or
integrated circuit) which stores the tags ID and other information.
RFID tag selection is, perhaps, the most critical component of a
successful RFID system, and hundreds of tag variations are available on
the market today. An RFID tag could be the perfect size and shape for
your application, but be the wrong type for mounting on metal. Metalmount RFID tags are specially designed to read well when mounted on
a metallic surface, whereas RFID wet inlays or RFID labels are not
The Basics of an RFID System | Atlas RFID Solutions

readable if applied to metal surfaces. Other specialty types include windshield RFID tags for
applying to a cars windshield, laundry tags for tagging garments or linens, and RFID wet
inlays for timing races. Since wet inlays are less rugged but more flexible than traditional
tags, they are perfect for race-timing systems.
Primary points of consideration when selecting an RFID tag:

What type of surface will you be tagging? On metal, plastic, wood, etc.?
What read range do you desire?
Size limitations (i.e. the tag can be no larger than x by y by z inches)?
Any excessive environmental conditions to consider? Excessive heat, cold, moisture,
impact, etc.?
Method of attachment? Adhesive, epoxy, rivets/screws, cable ties, etc.?
The key to any RFID system is thorough testing. Some RFID tags will be a better fit for your
application than others, but the only way to know for certain is by testing a variety of tags in
your environment on the actual items you wish to tag. RFID tag sample packs UHF, HF, or
NFC can be customized for your application so that you can narrow down to the tags that
are right for your application.
RFID tag pricing is heavily dependent upon tag type and tag volume. Metal-mount RFID tags
and rugged RFID tags are more expensive than RFID wet inlays or RFID labels. Also, the
pricing on 100,000 tags will be much different than pricing on 10,000, 1,000, or 100 tags.
See Appendix A for general pricing ranges.

The Basics of an RFID System | Atlas RFID Solutions

RFID Antennas
RFID Antennas are a necessary element in any RFID system;
however, they are dumb devices which use power from the reader
to generate a field allowing the reader to transmit and receive
signals from the RFID tags. Antennas vary in size, gain, IP rating,
polarization, and connector type. The price of antennas ranges
from approximately $100 to about $1,000+ depending on the
type, size, and level of ruggedness. Selecting the right RFID
antenna for your application is crucial to the success of your
system.
As mentioned above, antennas come in many variations; however, at the base level, you
should consider a few key variables:
Gain Simply put, the higher the gain, the more powerful the antenna. A higher gain
antenna will produce a larger field, thus extending read range farther than a lower
gain antenna.
Polarization Linear vs. Circular. The polarization of the antenna makes a
tremendous difference when it comes to reading tags. Linear polarized antennas emit
RF energy along a single plane. Typically, they have a longer range compared to
similar gain circular antennas, but due to the linear nature of the field, the tags must
line up with the beam in order to achieve the long read range. If the tags do not line
up, then the read range is relatively short. In contrast, circular polarized antennas split
the energy across two axes and spin the field in either a right or left hand direction
The Basics of an RFID System | Atlas RFID Solutions

allowing the antenna to pick up tags regardless of orientation. However, due to the
energy being divided, the read range is shorter versus similar gain linear antennas. To
gain a more in-depth understanding on the subject, including some visual aids, please
read our blog post on circular vs. linear polarization.
IP rating A measurement of protection against dust and water ingress. In short, the
higher the number, the better protected the antenna is against environmental factors.
Most indoor antennas have a rating of IP 54, while a good outdoor antenna will have a
rating of IP 66 or IP 67.
Primary points of consideration when selecting an RFID antenna:
How much read range do you need?
Is it possible to always know or control the orientation of the RFID tag relative to the
antennas position in your application?
Any excessive environmental conditions to consider? Excessive heat, cold, moisture,
impact, etc.?
Will the antenna be mounted indoors or outdoors?
Size limitations (i.e. the antenna can be no larger than x by y by z inches)?
While RFID antennas are needed for any basic or complex RFID system, each antenna has
different strengths and fits specific types of systems. Most systems will need more than one
antenna to cover all read zones and maximize efficiency.

The Basics of an RFID System | Atlas RFID Solutions

RFID Readers
An RFID reader is the brain of the RFID system and necessary for any system to function.
Readers, also called interrogators, are devices that transmit and receive radio waves in order
to communicate with RFID tags. RFID readers fall into several classes fixed RFID readers,
handheld RFID readers, and integrated RFID readers. Which one you choose will depend on
how and where you deploy the reader.
As you can imagine, a fixed RFID reader stays in one specific location when encoding and
reading tags, while a handheld RFID reader is mobile and can be carried around while
scanning various items. Fixed readers are typically two, four, or eight port readers meaning
they can support up to two, four, or eight antennas, but a few can be configured to support
up to 32 antennas. Fixed RFID readers are well suited for
environments where you need the most flexibility in terms of
antenna configuration and coverage as you have the option
of adding multiple and different types of antennas. While
most fixed readers require an Ethernet cable in order to send
and receive data, Wi-Fi RFID readers communicate over
secure wireless networks.
Handheld RFID readers are typically full mobile computing devices with the reader and
antenna built into the device. Usually, they also contain barcode scanners, Bluetooth, and
Wi-Fi. When you need mobility, a handheld reader is the way to go.

The Basics of an RFID System | Atlas RFID Solutions

10

An integrated RFID reader is a reader with a built-in antenna and usually has another
port to support up to one additional antenna. Integrated readers are a great fit if you are
only looking for a lower cost solution and only need one or two antennas.
Another item to consider is how you will power the reader. While handheld RFID readers will
use batteries, most fixed and integrated readers will have the option to power via AC power
or Power-over-Ethernet (POE). POE RFID readers can provide a lower cost of deployment
since you wont have to run power drops to the various reader locations, and the POE cable
will simultaneously act as both the power and communication cable.
Lastly, while most RFID readers are IP-addressable, some, such as USB RFID readers, are
not. USB readers are designed to be smaller, low-cost readers that interface directly with a
PC. As a result, they cannot be placed on a network, but are great for short-range desktop
applications.
Primary points of consideration when selecting an RFID reader:
How much read range do you require for your application?
Any excessive environmental conditions to consider? Excessive heat, cold, moisture,
impact, etc.?
Will you be adding the reader to a network?
Where will the reader be placed? Fixed location? Vehicle? Does the reader need to be
mobile?
How many read points/read zones will you need?
How many tags might need to be read at one time?
The Basics of an RFID System | Atlas RFID Solutions

11

 How quickly will the tags be moving through the read zone? For example, is this a slow
moving conveyor belt or a fast moving race?
UHF RFID Readers range in price from about $450 - $4,000 or more depending on the type
and functionality required. If you need more information on a specific reader, please let us
know.

Development Kits
RFID development kits include all the basic RFID equipment
needed in order to set-up and test an RFID system. Most
RFID development kits come with a reader, one or more
antennas, some sample tags, a sample program for reading,
encoding, and testing RFID tags, as well as access to the
readers SDK (software development kit documentation,
API access, and code samples).
Development kits range in price from around $900 to $2,900 or more. If you are just getting
started with RFID, a development kit is the way to go.

The Basics of an RFID System | Atlas RFID Solutions

12

Cables
In order for the reader to transmit and receive data, it must be connected to an antenna via
an RFID antenna cable. Choosing the correct type of cable is important because it must
connect properly to the reader and antenna, and you want to minimize the amount of loss
across the length of the cable.
Connector options for cables are determined by the connector types on the reader and the
antenna. Also, the insulation rating of the cable (i.e. the thickness of the cable) will be
determined by the length needed as well as the read range desired. RFID cables are
available at three different insulation ratings LMR195, LMR240, and LMR400. The longer
the length of the cable, the better insulated the cable needs to be in order to maximize
efficiency and reduce the amount of loss along the length of the cable. Of note, as the
insulation rating increases, the cable will be thicker and more rigid. The LMR400 cable, while
highly efficient, will be more difficult to bend and work with when turning corners or running
through a conduit.

Primary points of consideration when choosing an RFID antenna cable:

How long do you need the cable to be?

What is the read range desired for your system?
Which connector type does your reader have?
Which connector type does your antenna have?

The Basics of an RFID System | Atlas RFID Solutions

13

To read more, check out our blog post on getting the highest performance possible from
your RFID antenna cables.

What about other equipment and accessories for RFID systems?

Like all electronics, a variety of accessories and equipment have been designed to enhance
your RFID system. For example, RFID printers, RFID portals, GPIO adapters, and antenna
mounting brackets will all supplement or augment your system. While adding components to
an RFID system also adds to its complexity, when used appropriately, they may greatly
increase your systems efficiency.

The Basics of an RFID System | Atlas RFID Solutions

14

Still think RFID is right for your application?

Now that you have an idea of the basic items needed and general costs, if you still think
RFID is a good fit for you, then please contact us with any other questions you may have.
For more information on RFID, check out our blog RFIDinsider and our website
atlasRFIDstore.com.
We are here to help you!
[email protected]
(205) 383-2244
atlasRFIDstore.com/contact_us

The Basics of an RFID System | Atlas RFID Solutions

15

Appendix A: RFID Frequency Breakdown

RFID
(Radio Frequency IDentification)
LF

HF

UHF

(Low Frequency)

(High Frequency)

(Ultra-High Frequency)

Frequency: 125 - 134 kHz

Cost Range: $0.50 - $5
Read Range: contact - 10 cm
Examples: Animal tracking, Access
Control, Car Key-Fob, Applications
with high volumes of liquids and
metals
Pros: work well around liquids and
metals, global standards
Cons: very short read range, limited
quantity of memory, low data
transmission rate (read very few tags
at one one), high production cost

Active

Passive

(Battery Powered)

(Powerd by RF Energy)

Frequency: 13.56 MHz

Cost Range: $0.23 - $10

Frequency: 433 & 856- 960 MHz

Cost Range: $25 - $100+

Read Range: contact - 30 cm

Read Range: 30 - 100+ meters

Examples: Auto dealerships, Auto
Manufacturing, Mining, Construction
Pros: very long read range, lower
cost readers, write extensive amounts
of data, high data transmission rates
(read more tags at one time)

Examples: DVD Kiosks, Library

Books, Personal ID cards,
Poker/Gaming Chips

Pros: NFC protocol, larger memory,

global standards
Cons: short read range, low data
transmission rate (read fewer tags at
one time)

Cons: very high tag cost, cannot be

shipped via air transport (if tags are
actively beaconing), complex software
may be necessary, high amount of
interference from metal and liquids,
no global standards

Frequency: 856- 960 MHz

Cost Range: $0.13 - $25

Read Range: near contact - 25+

meters
Examples: Supply Chain, Highvolume Manufacturing,
Pharamceuticals, Electronic tolls,
Item Tracking, Race Timing, Asset
Tracking
Pros: longer read range, lower cost
per tag, wide range of tag sizes and
types, global standards, high data
transmission rates (read more tags
at one time)
Cons: typically higher associated
infrastructure cost, write small
amounts of data, high amount of
interference from metal and liquids

The Basics of an RFID System | Atlas RFID Solutions

16