What Are RFID Tags?
RFID tags will now be used to track Amarnath pilgrims.
- The decision was taken amid heightened security threats to the pilgrimage.
- Radio Frequency Identification is a wireless tracking system that consists of tags and readers.
- Radio waves are used to communicate information/identity of objects or people.
- The tags can carry encrypted information, serial numbers and short descriptions.
- Types – passive and active RFID tags:
- Active RFIDs use their own power source, mostly batteries.
- Passive RFIDs are activated through the reader using the electromagnetic energy it transmits.
- RFID tags use an integrated circuit and an antenna to communicate with a reader using radio waves at several different frequencies – low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), and ultra-high frequency (UHF).
- The message sent back by the tag in form or radio waves is translated into data and analysed by the host computer system.
- Unlike Barcodes, RFIDs do not require direct line of sight to identify objects.