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Electronic Product Code (EPC)
The standard frequency range used for tracking pallets, cases, and items in global chain applications is the UHF (Ultra High Frequency) RFID/EPC. If you are looking for a standard for closed-loop applications such as work-in-progress (WIP) management and asset tracking, well, there isn’t one so it is wise to use a technology that is best suited for your needs. It means using the UHF standard intended for supply chain, or using other RFID technology, or even using a totally different tracking system. Most companies have problems using with UHF RFID for it does not work with liquids and metals but what they don’t know is that it is possible for UHF RFID to work on metals, just a few tweaks and it will work.
Magnet Coupling and Passive Backscatter
Keep in mind that even in its basic ways, UHF equipment works differently from HF equipment. HF equipment uses a near-field method termed magnet coupling while UHF equipment usually uses a far-field system that is known as passive backscatter. Granting these features that exist on both frequencies, readers that are available on the market normally support one or the other.
The design needed to be different in antenna geometry for both tags and readers. Far-field can provide you much longer read ranges – a classic fixed reader can read a passive UHF tag up to 25 feet away – depending upon the tag features, physical and environmental circumstances. Battery-powered tags can be read at greater distances. Whilst, near-field will offer you read ranges between a few inches and a few feet at most. It is clear that in supply chain applications, the longer the read range the better suited it is in identifying pallets and cases.
For comprehensive technical facts on UHF RFID tags and their process, read the expert’s article entitled Passive UHF RFID Tags on The RFID Network.
Passive UHF Tags On Metal
You are not wrong.
It is possible for passive UHF tags to work directly on metal items. The only thing you need to do if you are working on far-field enhancements is to have at least 1/8 inch distance between the tag and the metal; yes, that is the secret. If that is not followed then the metal will short out the tag and it will not read. There are now a lot of UHF tags available on the market precisely intended for this kind of applications.
The requirements defined the smallest tag quality that was suitable is 200+ reads per second when the tag was placed in a horizontal alignment at a 6 foot distance from the antenna. These tags read up to 13 feet away. The $ 2.50 tags are used over and over, thousands of times, so the per-use cost is less than 1¢. It is still in production today and it has never missed a tag.
UHF Tags in Water
Water distorts Radio Frequency (RF) waves and diminishes their range when using UHF far-field spectrum and that is a fact. In order to make UHF tags work in water, work with air gaps in the packaging for bottled beverages where far-field range is required and build pallets with tags on packaging facing out as much as possible.
For short-range, near-field applications such as item level tracking, magnetic coupling may be the best solution. Other companies have designed UHF tags that use the near-field magnetic coupling component. Consequently, the UHF tags can be applied directly to liquid-filled containers or even immersed.
Other reasons why UHF is suitable for global supply chain:
UHF is already used in tagging pallets, cases and items in the largest retailers and the Department of Defense.
It has been this way for several years. And it is not just the enterprises on the United States. There are Companies using UHF RFID for supply chain in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. The most common UHF tagged items in retail are apparel and electronic products such as televisions, DVD players, and digital cameras.
Companies avoid double-tag products.
The predecessor to EPCglobal, the Auto-ID Center, was comprehended with the mission of generating a single technology to replace Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) tags. Producers did not want to have to put two different EAS tags on every product, which is what they had to do. For instance, retailer X used Checkpoint and retailer Y used Sensormatic. EPC was designed to make a single standard, which they did: EPCglobal Class 1 Gen 2, which later became ISO-180006-C.
UHF technology Enhancements.
The laws of physics cannot be changed; however, some incredibly bright minds in the RFID industry are focusing full time in improving UHF tags and readers. There are also battery-assisted UHF tags that help overcome moisture and condensation that forms on tags.
Packaging modification.
Packaging engineers is one of the biggest champions in RFID. These forward thinking people are not just slapping a tag on the side of a box and saying, “we’re compliant.” They are determining what the best tag for their product is; the ideal placement for the tags; and how to build a pallet so the tags are positioned for the greatest reading accuracy. Many have re-designed the packaging around their products with RFID in mind.