Introduction to RFID

RFID, Radio Frequency Identification is a technology, which includes wireless data capture and transaction processing. Proximity (short range) and Vicinity (long range) are two major application areas where RFID technology is used. Track and trace applications are long range or vicinity applications. This technology provides additional functionality and benefits for product authentication. Access control applications are Short range or proximity type of applications.

Why is RFID a hot technology?

The range of application possibilities of RFID technology is creating a growth in the concept that applies to every sector of the world's economy.

RFID isn't a new technology. The earliest work in RFID dates back to at least the 1950s, with commercial applications following in the late 1960s and 1970s. By the 1980s, RFID was deployed in the transportation sector along toll roads, in agriculture for animal tracking, and in security as anti-theft and personnel identification devices. But the industry was fragmented and applications could not communicate with each other.

In the 1990s, as the benefits of RFID became apparent to very large organizations, it became evident that the protocols used between tags and readers needed standardization. This realization galvanized RFID buyers to push for global compatibility standards.

This decade has brought more standardization of communication protocols. This advance plus technological improvements have decreased size and lowered price while simultaneously increasing functionality.

How RFID Works?

An RFID system is composed of two core components: an RFID reader and an RFID transponder (commonly called a tag) which each have an antenna that broadcasts and receives the radio signals.

What is a Tag?

The tag is an integrated circuit (IC) with an attached antenna which is fastened in some way to a physical object. The tag IC broadcasts machine-readable information on a radio frequency listened to by RFID readers. RFID readers locate the objects associated with the IC by tuning into the radio broadcast of the tags. The broadcasts are produced in one of two primary ways:

Passive Tags rely upon reflective power emitted by RFID readers to broadcast information back to the reader. Reflective power is a concept dating back to at least 1948, whereby a radio signal generates power in a remote object. In RFID, reflective power has made it possible for an RFID reader to both locate a tag and supply it with enough power to broadcast a short radio transmission that is received by the reader.

Active Tags broadcast a signal at regular intervals and at longer distances and require an internal power supply. Active tags are an effective solution in environments where the need for a longer and more reliable read range prevails over the factor of higher cost and increased size.

Passive tags are typically much smaller and economical than an average active tag, but with far shorter read ranges.

What is a Reader?

RFID readers are integrated devices with an internal power supply, radio transceiver, radio antenna, and some level of network integration. They can be as small as a US quarter.

The purpose of the reader is to locate, identify, and track tags. It collects information and writes new/updated information to components that store and process the data.

What is a Smart Card?

A smart card is a card that is embedded with either a microprocessor and a memory chip or only a memory chip with non-programmable logic. The microprocessor card can add, delete, and otherwise manipulate information on the card, while a memory-chip card (for example, pre-paid phone cards) can only undertake a pre-defined operation.

Smart cards, unlike magnetic stripe cards, can carry all necessary functions and information on the card. Therefore, they do not require access to remote databases at the time of the transaction.

Today, there are three categories of smart cards, all of which are evolving rapidly into new markets and applications: Integrated Circuit (IC) Microprocessor Cards:

Microprocessor Cards (also generally referred to by the industry as "Chip Cards") offer greater memory storage and security of data than a traditional mag stripe card. Chip cards also can process data on the card. The current generation of chip cards has an eight-bit processor, 16KB read-only memory, and 512 bytes of random-access memory. This gives them the equivalent processing power of the original IBM-XT computer, albeit with slightly less memory capacity.

These cards are used for a variety application, especially those that have cryptography built in, which requires manipulation of large numbers. Thus, chip cards have been the main platform for cards that hold a secure digital identity. Some examples of these cards are:

Cards that hold money ("stored value cards")

Card that hold money equivalents (for example, "affinity cards")

Cards that provide secure access to a network

Cards that secure cellular phones from fraud

Cards that allow set-top boxes on televisions to remain secure from piracy

Integrated Circuit (IC) Memory Cards:

IC Memory Cards can hold up to 1-4 KB of data, but have no processor on the card with which to manipulate that data. Thus, they are dependent on the card reader (also known as the card-accepting device) for their processing and are suitable for uses where the card performs a fixed operation.

Memory Cards represent the bulk of the 600 million smart cards sold last year, primarily for pre-paid, disposable-card applications like pre-paid phone cards. Memory Cards are popular as high-security alternatives to magnetic stripe cards.

Optical Memory Cards

Optical Memory Cards look like a card with a piece of a CD glued on top - which is basically what they are. Optical Memory Cards can store up to 4 MB of data. But once written, the data cannot be changed or removed. Thus, this type of card is ideal for record keeping - for example medical files, driving records, or travel histories. Today, these cards have no processor in them (although this is coming in the near future). While the cards are comparable in price to chip cards, the card readers use non-standard protocols and are expensive.

A Smart Card is a plastic card containing a small chip that includes a microprocessor and memory. The same size as a credit card, it has gold contacts that allow other devices to communicate with the card. It can contain more data than a magnetic strip and can be programmed to reveal only the relevant information. For example, it could tell a device in a store that there is sufficient balance in an account to pay for a transaction without revealing the balance amount. Encryption techniques secure the data, and the processor allows it to be programmed for different applications.

Smart Card

Smart card is a card that is embedded with either a microprocessor and a memory chip or only a memory chip with non-programmable logic. The microprocessor card can add, delete, and otherwise manipulate information on the card, while a memory-chip card (for example, pre-paid phone cards) can only undertake a pre-defined operation.

Loyalty Card

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Retail Card

A credit card issued by a retailer, most commonly a department store, which generally requires no annual fee from the user. Unlike major bank cards which are intended to earn a profit for the issuing bank, retail cards operations are expected to lose money or breakeven since their value to the retailer is in encouraging customer loyalty.

Membership Card

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Identification Card ( ID Card )

Whether you need to identify people, control access, or monitor production, Cardsindia give you the peace of mind that the right people have access to the right places.

Security Access Smart Card

A card product that contains a computer chip. If a payment product, the chip is in addition to a magnetic stripe. The chip is capable of storing, more securely, greater levels of information than a magnetic stripe and of holding multiple applications.

Student Identification Card

Secure campuses are an ever-growing concern. With CARDS INDIA, you can create student IDs that do far more than identify who's admitted into school facilities.

Visitor Badges

Building security is a top concern. Whether you need to identify people or control access, CARDS INDIA give you the peace of mind that the right people have access to the right places.

Access Control Card

When you use Access Control Card, to create your ID cards, authorized users can access your security system right away. Plastic card used to gain access to premises, usually associated with magnetic stripe and proximity cards.

Commercial Card

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Transit Card

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Contact Smart Card

A contact smart card must be inserted into a smart card reader with a direct connection to a conductive contact plate on the surface of the card (typically gold plated). Transmission of commands, data, and card status takes place over these physical contact points.

Contactless Smart Card

A contactless card requires only close proximity to a reader. Both the reader and the card have antennae, and the two communicate using radio frequencies (RF) over this contactless link. Most contactless cards also derive power for the internal chip from this electromagnetic signal. The range is typically one-half to three inches for non-battery-powered cards, ideal for applications such as building entry and payment that require a very fast card interface.

Magnetic Stripe Card

A magnetic stripe card is a type of card capable of storing data by modifying the magnetism of tiny iron-based magnetic particles on a band of magnetic material on the card. The magnetic stripe, sometimes called a magstripe, is read by physical contact and swiping past a reading head. Magnetic stripe cards are commonly used in credit cards, identity cards, and transportation tickets.

Blank cards

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These PVC cards can be used to make: a plastic gift card, a plastic business card, a plastic ID card, a membership card, a loyalty card, a fund raiser card, school ID card, photo ID card, Photo ID Badge, any ID Badge or ID card.

Retail Stores

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Casinos

Successful casinos know how to make every player feel like a VIP. When your patrons feel welcome, they get to the floor faster, keep playing longer and visit more often. Loyalty and player tracking cards are essential for keeping every player engaged.

Worldwide Toll Booths

A daily goal of your operation is to move riders as quickly and efficiently as possible. Wouldn't it be nice if you could move them through your system faster? As a leading innovator of ID card systems CARDS INDIA can help. Governments and transit companies around the globe rely on CARDS INDIA to help make riding their buses, subways, ferries and trains smooth and hassle-free.

Privilege Cards

Plastic privilege cards are an excellent method of generating repeat business from existing clients. Clubs, restaurants, shops and trade customers can all increase their income by using plastic privilege cards. Highly durable and a cost effective way of creating a highly professional image. By utilizing both sides of the card, they become an excellent marketing tool. People keep plastic cards!

Health Card

Today's hospitals also need ID cards to work harder. You need to track employee time and attendance. You need to manage inventory. You need to control access to restricted areas. You need to strengthen patient loyalty. Fortunately, CARDS INDIA can help.

Attendance Access Control Card

Employee, Students and faculty thrive in secure environments that cater to their convenience. Our ID systems make it easy to issue multi-technology cards that do it all, from visual identification to cashless payment to attendance tracking and more. So can improve security and make office or campus life more efficient - all with one cost-effective solution.