Radio Frequency Identification

Radio Frequency Identification, RFID, is a technology that uses interrogators and tags to provide the capability to store and retrieve information on a device that can be attached to an equipment item. RFID tags do not require physical contact to complete a read or write activity. RFID tags transmit stored data via radio waves whenever they come within the proximity of the interrogator. Depending on the type of tag and interrogator, this proximity ranges from one inch to many feet.

RFID tags come in two types: passive and active. Passive tags are typically used in read-only mode and transmit previously encoded unique serial numbers. Self-contained batteries power active tags. They can store millions of characters of data depending on the type of memory chip used. RFID tags are used in situations where physical contact is impossible or impractical.