What is the difference between rf and rfid

Mounted on individual pieces of equipment, RFID tags can be used to closely track that equipment as it moves throughout the mining site. By mounting RFID readers on crushers or wherever trucks dump their loads, the technology can also monitor cycle times and overall equipment productivity.

Managers can use the data to view and analyze load activity and a chronological summary of all loads on a given day. With RFID tags mounted on transport equipment, the readers can provide a detailed summary of all activity for that equipment as well.

The data can help management identify equipment that is not performing as expected, where there are bottlenecks in movement or gaps in productivity, and can identify operators who are under- or over-reporting their work. While RFID and RADAR play very different roles in equipment optimization, they both contribute to the overall improvement of connectivity, which is one of the fastest evolving aspects of the business.

The goal is to move all elements of the supply chain into an age of data dependency, implemented by the use of a broad range of data-gathering sensors, the Internet of Things, and cloud-based applications. An alternative form of RFID technology, known as active tags, contain more advanced chips and tiny batteries to power them.

They can send and receive signals over much greater distances. The chip—generates a unique identifier code for the particular tag. The substrate—the backing material typically paper or plastic to which the antenna and chip are fixed. As you can see from this photo, most of the space in an RFID tag is occupied by the antenna: the oval-shaped tracks around the edge.

The antenna needs to be this big both to pick up radio waves from the transmitter and because there are no batteries to convert them into energy to power the chip. The chip itself is tiny—sometimes as small as the point of a pencil. Also, NFC smartphones pass along information from one smartphone to the other by tapping the two devices together , which turns sharing data such as contact info or photographs into a simple task.

Recently, you may have seen advertising campaigns that used smart posters to pass information along to the consumers. The data on these tags can contain commands for the device such as opening a specific mobile application. You may start seeing HF RFID tags and NFC tags more frequently in advertisements, posters, and signs as it's an efficient method to pass along information to consumers.

Do you have an NFC enabled smartphone? The widespread use of mobile devices in the warehouse and on delivery trucks means the speed and accuracy of RF can be applied to even more activities, generating more data about your business, your employees and your profitability.

By using RF scans to automatically record activity into your WMS software, you can build reports, access business intelligence, and exchange information electronically throughout your organization and with suppliers, partners and customers. While RFID will eventually find its way into more warehouse environments, RF technology should be used today by all warehouses to improve accuracy, boost productivity, and increase customer satisfaction.

Cadre Technologies is a leading innovator of warehouse management software for distribution and 3PL, 4PL logistics operations and online collaboration.

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