Did you know that we use objects that incorporate RFID technology on a daily basis without even being aware of it? Whether through public transport cards, anti-theft devices in shops, RFID badges, security badges, or even the recently introduced contactless car keys. One of the main advantages of this technology is the time savings it offers users by reading data quickly and efficiently. But do you really know what RFID is?
RFID, or Radio Frequency Identification, is a technology that allows data to be stored and retrieved remotely. This method is based on the use of metal marks, called”RFID tags“, to store and retrieve data remotely. These tags, which can be stuck or integrated into various products, react to radio signals and transmit information remotely. This technology has the potential to replace the use of bar codes in the future. Although its initial use was discreet and mainly military during the Second World War, this technology gained popularity in the 2000s. In the field of logistics, it helps to ensure the traceability of products throughout the supply chain, from the warehouse to the store. Subsequently, it is used as an anti-theft system and for the identification of products at the checkout. In libraries, RFID makes it easier to recognize books. It is also present on passports, cards of public transport and even in the microchips used to identify our pets. More recently, it has paved the way for the sale of connected objects.
NFC is the acronym for Near-Field Communication, which can be translated into French as “Near Field Communication”. This technology is also based on RFID protocols. The particularity of NFC, compared to RFID, is that an NFC device can not only function as a reader, but also as a tag, thanks to the card emulation mode. In “peer-to-peer” mode, two NFC devices can also transfer information. NFC systems operate at the same frequency as HF RFID systems, i.e. 13.56 MHz, which means limiting the reading range to a short distance.Because of these restrictions, NFC devices must be positioned at a very short distance from each other, usually a few centimeters. This is the reason why NFC technology is commonly used for secure communications, for example for access control systems or in the consumer field for contactless payments.
RFID technology works through RFID reading devices that generate radio frequencies. The latter activate RFID chips within their perimeter - ranging from a few centimeters to several hundred meters for the most sophisticated devices - thus allowing information interaction with them.The higher frequencies facilitate the transfer of a large amount of information at a higher speed, while the lower frequencies offer better penetration through the materials.Radio tags, which may or may not be rewritable, are made up of an antenna, a tiny silicon chip, and a protective coating. Some of these tags are said to be passive, they depend on the energy of the RFID reader to function. On the other hand, others are said to be active, having an additional battery that allows them to transmit information to a reader even remotely. Smart radio tags, on the other hand, can encrypt the information they store.
RFID technology comes in three distinct forms:
On the one hand, the passive version of RFID operates only one reading mode. This is because the chip does not have a battery and must therefore be moved closer to the reader to be read. A powerful electromagnetic signal is then transmitted to activate the RFID chip and read the information it contains. On the other hand, the RFID active relies on an energy source such as a small cell or a battery. This therefore allows reading at a greater distance. This method is mainly used for the monitoring of people, vehicles or for logistical monitoring. As for the RFID semi-passive, just like the active version, it is powered by an energy source. However, the battery powers the RFID chip at regular intervals. The chip itself does not emit a signal. This technology is particularly effective for monitoring food, in particular for recording temperature variations during transporting.
For many years, RFID has mainly been used for the safety of people, whether for access control in businesses or the prevention of store thefts. Currently, its main objective is to identify:
This technology is also found in the field of information and advertising. In some cities such as Tokyo, the installation of 10,000 RFID tags makes it possible to inform pedestrians when they travel or to broadcast certain promotions. Paris, for its part, has integrated RFID chips into 95,000 trees to facilitate their tracking.
To make consumers' daily lives easier, businesses have integrated RFID into many everyday objects. For example, it can be found in electronic tolls, public transport (such as the Navigo pass), biometric passports or even contactless payment systems. In the future, RFID could be used in other fields, such as medicine, public trash cans or even in combination with Wi-Fi.EXAMPLE: Esso has developed a system that allows you to fill up with fuel using a drive located in the vehicle.
RFID also contributes to the fight against shoplifting thanks to discreet anti-theft tags that can be placed directly on the product or its packaging.
Many distributors and logistics companies are discovering new applications for this technology: baggage management at airports, in-store inventory, on-shelf picking or stock management in general.
Equipped with a RFID tag, you can track a product from its manufacture to its sale at the cash register. Analyzing this data optimizes the supply chain and saves time and money. One of the oldest uses of this process dates back to the 1980s, for identifying and tracking livestock. RFID technology makes it possible to monitor animals from birth to slaughter, without fraud, for better traceability for consumers and farmers. Today, more and more subcutaneous chips are implanted in certain animals for better identification of pets (in case of loss) or control of endangered species. In industry, this label is applied to the product or its packaging during its manufacture. The chip makes it possible to follow the product throughout its journey: during transport, storage, or even when placed on the shelf in a store. This technique makes it possible to better estimate the cost and duration of the supply chain, to anticipate malfunctions and to keep a history of the product in case of damage.
In stores and factories with inventory, the RFID tag is a way to quickly analyze flows. The computerized system allows you to have a record of movements: from stock to sale. The cash register communicates with the computer, updating the inventory list. This technique allows better control of inventory costs. Technology informs the entry and exit of products. In the event of theft from a stock, it is possible to trace the product's path. Beyond inventory, stores can also speed up in-store inventory. Companies like Tesco, a British brand, use robots equipped with RFID readers to read chips and take inventory. RFID tags make it possible to identify a product and obtain all of its information. For example, it is used on labels that authenticate wine to prevent theft and counterfeiting. To optimize its supply chain, companies like Decathlon use RFID technology to identify products and exchange them without cash receipts.
Like any technological innovation, RFID has its own challenges. Data distribution raises questions about privacy. Indeed, an unprotected card can easily be duplicated to access or alter sensitive information. There is therefore a major security issue around this technology. To do this, there are several actions to put in place:
Despite everything, the future of this technology remains promising. The possibilities of use are vast, regardless of the business sector. RFID printers or RFID readers can encode these chips to modify information (identifiers, sensitive data, etc.).
