HF RFID Tag
HF RFID Tags offer larger memory sizes and good performance in environments with metal and liquids. They are compliant with EPC Global Class 1 Gen 2 standards and have a wide range of applications.
Their antennas are usually made of a copper coil with three to seven turns, making them easier to manufacture than LF tags. They also have a higher read distance than LF tags.
Low Cost
High frequency RFID tags are less expensive than other technologies. This is mostly due to the fact that the antennas are much simpler (usually an aluminum or silver coil with three to seven turns). These systems operate on a higher frequency, usually at 433 MHz and can read tags from 25-plus feet away.
The HF antennas are also able to be made much thinner than those on other frequencies, allowing the tag to fit in more places without adding cost. HF RFID tags are easy to read on metal objects, and work well with liquids and conductive materials. They do not require a battery and are only powered on when the reader sends a signal. They have an 8-byte unique identifier and are typically used in applications where tracking only one item at a time is required.
As a result of these factors, HF ISO-18000-3 Mode 2 tags are a popular option for items such as casino HF RFID Tag chips and playing cards, document management, laundry, jewelry and more. A HF tag costs around 4 cents apiece in large quantities, and can be pre-programmed to suit an application’s needs. The SATO HF RFID Label Printer Starter Kit is an excellent choice for companies looking to get started in the world of RFID. It includes a SATO CL4NX HF RFID printer and Seagull Scientific’s Bartender software giving you everything you need to begin printing RFID labels today.
Easy to Manufacture
The HF RFID Tag is a passive device that doesn’t emit a radio signal until it receives a reader signal. This reduces energy consumption, allowing for longer battery life.
HF tags are manufactured in various durable materials for different applications. These materials range from common plastics and epoxies to Teflon, ceramics, metals and proprietary materials for individual customer requirements. The choice of material depends on the application and is influenced by several factors, including the frequency bands to be used, power levels, read/write distances, tag memory size, IC chip type, and environmental considerations.
A defining feature of the HF ISO 18000-3 Mode 2 standard is its excellent tolerance of water and metals, and its ability to handle multiple tags in close proximity. These characteristics make HF ISO 18000-3 tags ideal for document tracking, casino chips and playing cards, laundry, and item-level applications in the retail industry.
However, HF RFID systems can suffer from interference issues, particularly if the tag is placed near other devices that use the same frequency band. This can include cell phones, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth transmitters, and other electromagnetic/radio wave emitting devices. The use of a separate HF antenna can mitigate this issue. HF RFID tags are also well-suited for healthcare applications. They can be affixed to gurneys or sewn into blankets, making it easy for hospitals to track inventory of medical supplies.
Long Read Range
HF RFID Tags have the longest read range of any type of tag. These tags have antennas that use radio waves from the reader to “wake up” the tag and send back a signal to be read. Antenna designs vary, but they are typically designed for the environment in which the tag will be deployed, and the reading range required.
The reading range of HF RFID Tags depends on several factors, including the frequency in which they operate, and the material in which they are placed. Metals, liquids, and water absorb frequencies in different ranges, while other materials like plastic and glass reflect them. Additionally, the frequency space in which HF RFID tags operate is crowded by other devices like cell phones and Wi-Fi, which can cause transmission collisions.
Ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID systems, which are the most commonly used, work at a higher range of frequencies (between 3 and 30 MHz). This makes them well-suited for electronic ticketing and payment transfer. HF RFID technology is also used in proximity card and hotel key card applications, as well as in Near Field Communication (NFC) technologies that are built upon it.
Active UHF RFID tags have their own internal battery that powers them and enables them HF RFID Tag to beacon (transmit data on demand) to readers over long distances. This enables UHF RFID to be used in logistic and supply chain applications where large objects need to be tracked.
Wide Range of Applications
HF RFID Tags are used in a wide range of applications, largely due to their low cost and long read range. They can be found in everything from inventorying kegs to tracking airline baggage and retail items. They can be used to track products throughout the supply chain and are often combined with sensors to create an Internet of Things solution.
Unlike LF and UHF tags, which rely on passive backscatter to communicate with RFID interrogators, HF tags have an internal battery that powers the signal-boosting beacons they transmit. These beacons are detected by RFID readers that can detect the signal even through materials that block RF waves, such as metal and liquid.
The HF tag category also includes Near Field Communication (NFC) tags, which can be read by nearly all smartphones that contain a HF reader. This functionality makes NFC tags popular in promotional labels and posters, where they can be used to provide a more intimate customer engagement experience.
The four primary radio frequency ranges for RFID systems are 300 MHz to 3 GHz, with most of the RFID world utilizing the 860 and 960 MHz frequencies. Each frequency has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on the material of the product and the read range needed. For example, LF tags are less susceptible to interference from liquids and metal but have much lower data transfer rates.
