EPCglobal Gen2 RFID tag

The Electronic Product Code™ (EPC) is syntax for unique identifiers assigned to physical objects, unit loads, locations, or other identifiable entity playing a role in business operations. EPCs have multiple representations, including binary forms suitable for use on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags, and text forms suitable for data sharing among enterprise information systems. GS1's EPC Tag Data Standard (TDS) specifies the data format of the EPC, and provides encodings for numbering schemes -- including the GS1 keys -- within an EPC. The most broadly implemented tags in our industries are UHF passive tags, also known as RAIN RFID tags. When unique EPCs are encoded onto individual RAIN RFID tags, radio waves can be used to capture the unique identifiers at extremely high rates and at distances well in excess of 10 metres, without line-of-sight contact. These characteristics of RAIN RFID can be leveraged to boost supply chain visibility and increase inventory accuracy. RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a technology that uses radio waves to identify and track objects. RFID consists of two main components: a tag and a reader. A tag is a small device that contains a chip and an antenna that can store and transmit data. A reader is a device that can communicate with the tag and read or write data to it. EPCglobal Gen2 RFID tag is a type of RFID tag that follows the EPC (Electronic Product Code) standard developed by EPCglobal, which is a GS1 initiative to support the use of RFID and allow global visibility of items. EPCglobal Gen2 RFID tag operates in the UHF (Ultra High Frequency) range of 860 MHz - 960 MHz and has several advantages over other types of RFID tags, such as: - It is an interoperable, global standard that can work with different devices and systems across the world. - It has faster and more flexible read speeds that can handle multiple tags simultaneously and reduce errors. - It has faster, more accurate performance through the use of advanced anticollision protocols that can avoid interference and collisions among tags. - It has an easier way to deploy many readers at one time to end users through the use of dynamic frequency selection and power control mechanisms. - It has enhanced security and privacy features that can protect the data on the tag from unauthorized access or modification. EPCglobal Gen2 RFID tag works by using electromagnetic induction to transfer data and power between the reader and the tag. When the reader is close to the tag (usually within a few meters), it generates a magnetic field that energizes the tag. The tag then sends its stored data to the reader in the form of electromagnetic pulses. The reader decodes these pulses and performs the corresponding action. The communication between the reader and the tag follows a standard protocol defined by the EPC UHF Gen2 Air Interface Protocol, which specifies how the devices should initiate, maintain, and terminate the communication, as well as how they should exchange data. The communication between the reader and the tag can be either active or passive. In active mode, both devices generate their own magnetic fields and exchange data bidirectionally. In passive mode, only one device (usually the reader) generates a magnetic field and powers the other device (usually the tag), which only sends data unidirectionally. EPCglobal Gen2 RFID tag has several features and benefits that make it suitable for various applications, such as: - It can store an EPC code on the chip, which is a unique identifier that can link to additional information about the item on an EPC Information Service (EPCIS) database. - It can support various types of data on the chip, such as user memory, kill password, access password, etc. - It can have different memory capacities on the chip, ranging from 96 bits to 512 bits or more. - It can have different data protection features on the chip, such as locking, encryption, authentication, etc. - It can have different data retention times on the chip, usually up to 10 years or more. - It can have different data transfer rates between the reader and the tag, usually from 40 kbps to 640 kbps or more. It can have have different compatibility levels with different devices and systems, usually based on the EPCglobal Gen2 version and the ISO/IEC 18000-6C standard. It can have different sizes and shapes, such as stickers, cards, labels, etc., which can fit in different environments and scenarios.