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What are the two types of RFID tags?
The two main types of RFID tags are passive RFID tags, which do not possess an internal battery and depend on the energy from the reader’s radio waves to activate and respond, and active RFID tags, which are equipped with their own internal power source (battery) that allows them to continuously or actively emit a signal.
Passive RFID Tags
- Power Source: None; they harvest energy from the radio frequency signal sent by an RFID Reader.
- Read Range: Short to medium lengths (up to approximately 30 feet or 10 meters).
- Cost & Lifespan:
Extremely affordable, lightweight, and designed to last nearly forever as there is no battery that can deplete.
- Common Uses:
Retail clothing tags, warehouse inventory tracking, library books, and keycards.
- Power Source: Built-in internal battery.
- Read Range: Long distance (often 100 meters or more).
- Cost & Lifespan: They are more costly, larger in size, and possess a finite lifespan determined by battery longevity (usually lasting several years).
- Common Uses: Real-time monitoring of valuable assets, vehicle toll collection, and cargo container tracking.