Electronic Tag is also called smart tag, which is tag or Smart Label in English. Its core is a small memory chip using RFID technology.
Conceptually speaking, RFID radio frequency technology is very similar to bar code, both of which are to confirm and track the target object quickly and accurately; Technically, they are two different technologies, and their application ranges are different (sometimes overlapping).
The biggest difference between the two is that barcode is a kind of "visual technology", and the scanner works under the guidance of people and can only receive barcodes within its field of vision; In contrast, RFID does not need to see the target, and the RFID tag can be read as long as it is within the range of the receiver. Barcodes themselves have other disadvantages. If the label is cut, contaminated or falls off, the scanner cannot identify the target. Barcodes can only identify producers and products, but not specific commodities. All the packages of the same product have the same barcode, so it is impossible to identify which products expired first. More importantly, at present, the world produces more than 500 million kinds of goods every year, and the twelve-digit bar code numbers in the global commodity bar code are almost used up.
In addition, they have the following main differences:
1, whether it has the ability to write information or update memory. The memory of the bar code cannot be changed. Unlike bar codes, radio frequency tags have unique identifiers that cannot be copied.
2. The function of the label is not limited to the visual field, because the information is transmitted by radio waves, and the barcode must be within the visual field. Barcode is widely accepted because of its low cost and perfect standard system, and is popularized all over the world. Generally speaking, RF technology is limited by limited market share.
At present, there are many kinds of bar code control templates in use, and RF has different standards in obtaining information. Due to different components,
Smart labels are much more expensive than bar codes. The cost of barcode is the cost of barcode paper and ink, while the cost of active RFID tag with memory chip is more than 2 dollars, and the cost of passive RFID tag is also more than 1 dollar. However, the price of tags without built-in chips is only a few cents, which can be used in occasions where data information is not so demanding, and at the same time, it has anti-counterfeiting functions that barcodes do not have.
Table 1: Functional comparison between barcode and RFID
Functional barcode RFID radio frequency technology
Read more than one at a time.
Reading mode looks directly at the label, which requires light when reading, and there is no specific direction and light.
The reading distance is about 50cm, 1- 10m (depending on frequency and power).
Small data storage capacity, large data storage capacity.
Reading and writing ability barcode data cannot be updated. Electronic data can be repeatedly overwritten (read/write).
Readability When reading, you must be clear and readable. The label is also readable when it is hidden in the package.
The correctness of data is read manually, which increases the probability of error and can automatically read data for tracking and security.
Anti-pollution bar code pollution, can not see the information clearly. Surface dirt will not affect data reading.
Improper plagiarism is convenient, easy and very difficult.
Reading data at high speed will limit the moving speed, so that data can be read at high speed.
Low cost and high cost
Table 2: Comparison of manual login, barcode and RFID processing speed
Amount of data
Input mode
1 10 100 1000
Manual login 10 second 100 second 1000 second 2 hours and 47 minutes.
Bar code scanning for 2 seconds, 20 seconds, 200 seconds and 33 minutes
RFID identification 0. 1 sec 1 sec 1 sec1min 40 sec.
At present, the core problem of domestic RFID industry is cost and standardization: high cost is the biggest obstacle to its replacement of bar code, and the domestic standard has not been issued for a long time, making it difficult to form an industrial scale. Without scale, it is difficult to reduce costs and form popularization and coverage in the application industry. On the other hand, end users do not have a deep understanding of the benefits that RFID can bring. At the 9th International Smart Card Expo held in Beijing in 2006, the 4th China RFID International Summit held at the same time attracted a lot of people's attention, and basically gathered all domestic enterprises and institutions that manufacture, produce and research RFID tags, but the end users who actually use RFID tags, such as logistics and manufacturing, were not very enthusiastic.
1, characteristics of electronic tags
Data storage: Compared with the traditional tag, it has a larger capacity (1bit-1024 bit), and the data can be updated and read and written at any time.
Reading and writing speed: Compared with bar code, it does not need linear alignment scanning, so it is faster to read and write, and can realize multi-target recognition and action recognition.
Easy to use: small size, easy to package, can be embedded in the product.
Security: special chip, unique serial number, difficult to copy.
Durable: no mechanical failure, long service life and resistance to harsh environment.
2. Technical principle
A typical RFID system consists of an electronic tag, a reading/writing device and a data exchange and management system. Electronic tag, also known as radio frequency card, has the ability of intelligent reading and writing and encrypted communication. The reader consists of a wireless transceiver module, an antenna, a control module and an interface circuit. There is no battery in the electronic tag, and the working energy of the electronic tag is provided by the radio frequency pulse sent by the reader. The electronic tag receives the RF pulse, rectifies it and charges the capacitor. The capacitor voltage is stabilized to the operating voltage. The data demodulation section demodulates the data from the received RF pulse and sends it to the control logic. The control logic accepts instructions to complete storage, data transmission or other operations. EEPROM is used to store the ID number and other user data of electronic tags. There is also an active RFID system, powered by batteries, which can work in a higher frequency band, have a longer recognition distance and have a higher communication rate with readers.
RFID systems are divided into low frequency, intermediate frequency and high frequency systems according to different working frequencies. Generally, the low frequency system works at 100k~500kHz, and the intermediate frequency system works at 10MHz~ 15MHz, which is mainly suitable for applications with short identification distance and low cost. The high frequency system can reach 850~950MHz and 2.4~5GHz microwave bands, which is suitable for occasions with long recognition distance and high data reading and writing rate.
3. Comparison of identification technologies
As far as bar code, magnetic card, ic card, RFID and other identification technologies are concerned, they all have their own characteristics and are suitable for application. The following table lists the characteristics and differences of several identification technologies.
4. Compared with bar codes, the advantages of electronic labels
You can read and write easily even if you can't see it; Able to work in various complex environments; Can be easily embedded or attached to different products in different forms; Longer reading and writing distance, three-dimensional reading and writing mode; Greater storage capacity; With key protection, it is more secure and difficult to forge.
Application of electronic tag
As a data carrier, electronic tag can play the role of identity identification, item tracking and information collection. In foreign countries, electronic tags have been used in a wide range of fields.
The RFID system consisting of electronic tag, reader, antenna and application software is directly connected with the corresponding management information system. Everything can be tracked accurately. This comprehensive information management system can bring many benefits to customers, including real-time data collection, secure data access channel, and all product information can be obtained offline. Abroad, RFID technology has been widely used in many fields, such as industrial automation and commercial automation. The scope of application includes:
1, anti-counterfeiting
Through scanning, detailed logistics records are generated.
(1) production line management
Electronic tag can conveniently and accurately record the process information and process operation information on the production line, which meets the requirements of flexible production. The record of workers' job number, time, operation and quality inspection results can completely realize the traceability of production. It can also avoid errors caused by handwriting and reading information in production environment.
(2) Warehouse management
The application of RFID system to the goods management of intelligent warehouse effectively solves the information management of warehouse goods. For large storage bases, the management center can know the location and storage of goods in real time, which is of great significance for improving storage efficiency, feeding back product information and guiding production. It not only increases the number of goods handled in one day, but also can monitor all the information of goods. Among them, there are various application forms, which can be labeled on the goods and read and written by readers on forklift trucks and readers in corresponding positions in warehouses; You can also combine bar codes with electronic labels.
(3) Sales channel management
It is a strong demand of many enterprises to establish strict and orderly channels and effectively manage the purchase, sale and storage. In the production process, products are embedded in electronic labels, which contain unique product numbers. Manufacturers can monitor the flow of products with identifiers, and wholesalers and retailers can identify the legitimacy of products with readers provided by manufacturers.
3, valuables management
It can also be used in cameras, camcorders, portable computers, CD walkman, jewelry and so on. Anti-theft, settlement and after-sales protection of valuables. Its anti-theft function belongs to Electronic Commodity Anti-theft System (EAS). Labels can be attached to or embedded in the packaging of articles. A special shelf scanner will scan goods in real time and get real-time inventory records. If the goods are taken from the price, the system will verify whether this behavior is legal, and if the goods are taken illegally, the system will call the police.
When the bill leaves the warehouse, all different kinds of items can be scanned by the scanner at one time, and the anti-theft function is released at the same time when the sales slip is generated at the cashier. In this way, when customers leave with shopping items, the alarm will not sound. When the customer pays the bill, the cashier will write down the date of sale on the label, so that the goods purchased by the customer can also be guaranteed and promised accordingly.
4. Book management and rental product management
Attaching electronic labels to books can receive book information conveniently, and it is not necessary to move books when sorting books, which can improve work efficiency and avoid work mistakes.
5. Others, such as logistics, car anti-theft and air parcel management.