Can I just find a supplier and put RFID in myself?
The short answer is yes. However, there are four traditional components in the RFID toolbox that you will need to consider to make sure that your systems can manage, and you have the capacity to implement. These are; readers, antennas, software, and tags.
With our combined intellectual property at 1Logic we are well versed across RFID systems and installation, and our patent-pending AIMS system integrates these aspects to take the guess work out for you, as well as mitigates the limitations of RFID.
To read more about the traditional RFID tool box, read below.
Readers
Fixed or handheld to receive the signals from the tags on your products.
Understanding which readers you will need will also require an understanding of which tags you will need, and what you are hoping to achieve.
Antennas
To read those signals carefully placed for accurate coverage.
Your RFID reader is connected to your antennas, and it is important to understand 6 factors that can affect RFID read range.
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Antenna Gain – This will depend if you need more read range or less. If you need to read tags up close for example you will need very low gain proximity antennas.
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Antenna Polarization – If tags are aligned with the antenna’s polarisation, linear polarised antennas will read farther than circular polarised antennas. If tags are not aligned with the antenna’s polarisation, then the reverse is true.
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Tag SOAP (Size/Orientation/Angle/Placement) – As a general rule, small tags will have shorter read ranges, large tags will have longer read ranges. To get the best range from an RFID tag, make sure that the tag is fully facing the antenna, paying particular attention to tag orientation when using linearly polarised antennas. You will also want to consider if you are tagging high liquid or metallic content objects that the RFID tags are specific for these kinds of mounts.
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Reader Settings – Higher power settings will result in greater read range, while lower power settings will result in decreased read range. Ensure your reader is set to the highest receive sensitivity.
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Cable Length, Multiplexers, and Adapters – The longer the cable the higher the loss and using adapters and/or multiplexers inserts additional loss into your RFID system. For maximum read range, connect the antenna to the reader with the shortest cables you can get away with and don’t use unnecessary adapters or multiplexers – if you must use longer cables, offset the loss with a higher rated insulated cable.
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Environmental Factors – Many environmental factors can affect read range. To maximise, be sure to account for various types of interference and test, test, test (Atlasrfidstore, 2013).
RFID software
To build rules and interpret, and converse with your software.
Whether you are using an ERP or don’t currently have a Stock Control System (we help build this for you), the benefits of adopting 1Logic’s AIMS system is that it augments to your system, so there is no replacement.
Tags
Find RFID tags that work for your specific needs.
With thousands of RFID tag configurations to choose from, and new ones introduced almost daily, how do you sort through the sea of passive transponders to find cost effective tags that will deliver optimal performance for your application? Here are our 6 considerations below.
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Operating frequency: LH, HF or UHF – Each RFID system operates within one of three bands on the electromagnetic spectrum: low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), or ultra-high frequency (UHF). As operating frequency increases, data processing speed increases, as does read range – or the distance between the powered reader and the passive tag it reads.
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Environmental conditions – While integrated chips are relatively delicate, they can be housed in materials to protect them from harsh conditions. Tags used in many industrial applications must perform despite exposure to extreme heat or cold, physical impact, vibration, moisture and chemical agents.
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Composition and contents of tagged items – RFID tags and readers may interact differently depending on surface material on which the tags are mounted (metal, glass, plastic or wood). Liquids can impact readability – both as contents of a tagged container, and when liquids are present in close proximity to tags and readers.
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Physical space available for tag placement – Tags come in all shapes and sizes, from high visibility units to be placed on cargo containers to tiny tags that attach discreetly or are embedded into small objects. Knowing tag placement options and potential size limitations for each item to be tagged will help identify the tag size and shape.
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Optimal mounting method – This will depend on the combination of where the tag will be secured, the environmental conditions it will be exposed to, and the composition of the surface on which the tag will be placed (cable tied, embedded, glued, screwed or welded for example).
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Memory capacity – As you might guess large memory capacities enable more detailed records. Still, low memory tags are sufficient for some tasks when used with an on-line database that holds the additional information (hidglobal.com, 2014).
The RFID technology of AIMS has a lot of proven applications, why not enquire with 1Logic today to see what we can do for you.