RFID-Tag?
What is a RFID-Tag?
The term “RFID tag” (short for “Radio-Frequency Identification Tag”) refers to a radio transponder that transmits data to an RFID reader without direct line of sight or a physical connection. In German-speaking countries, the terms “RFID transponder,” “RFID label,” or “RFID tag” are also used synonymously.
Unlike a barcode, an RFID tag does not require optical scanning. Multiple passive RFID tags can be read simultaneously in bulk, even through packaging, plastic, or from a distance of several meters. This feature makes RFID tags a central component of RFID technology, Industry 4.0, and the digital supply chain.
Each tag has a unique identification number that is never duplicated, even within large quantities. In addition, programmable memory can be used to store product- or process-specific data directly on the object—such as batch numbers, maintenance intervals, or material records.
Structure of an RFID Tag
An RFID tag consists of three core components:
- Microchip (RFID chip, IC):
Stores the unique tag ID, manages communication with the RFID reader, and, depending on the type, contains additional memory for user-defined data. Common memory sizes range from 96 bits (EPC standard) to several kilobytes.
- Antenna: Receives the reader’s radio signal, powers the chip in passive tags (via induction or backscatter), and transmits the response back. The antenna’s geometry determines the read range and sensitivity to materials such as metal or liquids.
- Carrier Material (Inlay/Substrate): Mechanically connects the chip and antenna and protects them from environmental influences. Typical designs include self-adhesive RFID labels for a wide range of applications, hard plastic tags, metal transponders, or textile RFID tags.
The combination of these three elements determines what a tag is suitable for: food logistics, use on metal parts in automotive production, or extreme temperatures in sterilization processes.
How does an RFID tag work?
The operation of an RFID tag is based on electromagnetic coupling between the tag and the RFID reader. The process consists of four steps
- Activation: The RFID reader emits an electromagnetic field. If a tag is within range, its antenna is energized by this fiel
- Data Request: The reader sends a command, such as “Send your ID” or “Read memory area X.”
- Response: The RFID chip modulates the received field and sends the requested data back. For UHF tags, this occurs via backscatter; for HF tags, via inductive coupling.
- Decoding: The reader receives the signal, decodes it, and transfers the data to the inventory management or ERP system.
The entire process typically takes less than 100 milliseconds per tag. Modern UHF readers can capture hundreds of tags per second in batches—for example, during goods receipt, when an entire pallet is scanned in a single pass.
What types of RFID tags are there?
RFID tags can be classified based on their power source and frequency range.
By power source:
Passive RFID tags: Derive all their energy from the reader’s radio field. They are inexpensive, small, maintenance-free, and can be used for decades. The range varies depending on the frequency, from a few centimeters to about 12 meters. Passive RFID tags are by far the most common type used in logistics, retail, and industry
Active RFID tags: These have their own battery and transmit signals independently. Ranges of up to 100 meters are possible. They are used for vehicle tracking, container logistics, and the real-time tracking of high-value equipment.
Semi-passive tags: The battery powers only the chip; data transmission continues to occur via backscatter. Advantage: higher sensitivity than passive tags, longer service life than active tags.
By Frequency Range::
LF (125–134 kHz): Short range, highly resistant to metal and liquids. Used in animal identification and access control.
HF (13.56 MHz): Medium range up to approximately 1 meter. Standard for NFC applications, library systems, and payment cards.
UHF (860–960 MHz): Long range, batch reading capability. Industry standard for logistics, supply chain management, and retail. Universally applicable RFID FlagTags for demanding materials are frequently used here. Within this range, the ETSI standard applies in Europe, and the F standard applies in the U.S.
Applications of RFID Tags
RFID tags are used across a wide range of industries. The most important areas of application:
- Logistics and Supply Chain: Inbound goods, order picking, shipping control, container tracking. Companies benefit from customized RFID solutions for logistics and supply chain management to manage inventory and optimize operations.
- Automotive:
Component identification, just-in-sequence delivery, workpiece carrier management. Rugged OnMould RFID labels for industrial applications are particularly well-suited for these environments. Industry-specific requirements such as the VDA standard and IATF 16949 labeling apply here.
- Pharmaceuticals and Medical Technology:
Batch tracking, tamper protection, sterile goods tracking. Tags must often withstand sterilization processes, low temperatures, or meet GxP requirements.
- Retail:
Real-time inventory management, anti-theft protection (EAS), self-checkout. In the fashion retail sector, RFID is now the standard for store inventory.
- Manufacturing:
Tool management, machine identification, quality assurance on the production line. Durable identification solutions, such as robust RFID loop tags for industry and logistics, support process reliability.
- Asset Management: Identification of IT devices, tools, rental items, or reusable containers. Here, RFID labels for logistics, retail, and industry provide an efficient foundation for automated inventory management.
In each of these applications, the combination of tag design, frequency, and substrate determines the quality of the process. A label certified for pharmaceutical logistics differs significantly, from a technical standpoint, from a high-temperature tag used in a paint shop.
RFID Tag vs. Barcode – What's the Difference?
| Characteristic | RFID Tag | Barcode |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | Radio-based, no line-of-sight required | Optical, line-of-sight required |
| Batch reading | Yes, hundreds of tags at once | No, each code |
| Rewritability | Yes, rewritable multiple times | No, static |
| Range | A few centimeters to 100 meters | A few centimeters |
| Durability | High, readable even when dirty | Sensitive to dirt and damage |
Both technologies have their place. In many industrial applications, RFID tags and barcodes are combined on the same label to ensure reliable reading across multiple process stages—for example, in the initial sample inspection report in the automotive supply chain.
RFID Tags from PMG – What Matters in Industrial Applications
Plöckl Media Group has been developing and manufacturing RFID tags for demanding industrial applications for over two decades. The focus is not on standard catalog products, but on custom-engineered RFID, barcode, and specialty label solutions designed for real-world operating conditions.
Specifically, this means:
- Material-specific inlays:
RFID labels for metal surfaces with a customized antenna design to ensure a stable signal even on steel, aluminum, or stainless steel.
- Industry-specific designs: Dedicated tag families for the pharmaceutical, automotive, and logistics sectors—each with the appropriate certifications and material grades.
- Made in Germany: Production in Germany with short lead times and custom encoding ex works.
Those who view an RFID tag not as a mass-produced item but as part of a process reap practical benefits: fewer reading errors, less rework, and higher data quality—provided that projects and supplier relationships are based on the Plöckl Media Group’s clear delivery and payment terms.
FAQs
What is an RFID tag?
Trade shows and industry events focused on logistics, identification, and automation offer valuable insights into the latest RFID applications and products, such as those from the Plöckl Media Group; interested parties can find an overview of relevant trade shows and events related to RFID and logistics on our website.
An RFID tag is an electronic data carrier that transmits information contactlessly via radio waves to an RFID reader. It consists of a microchip with memory and an antenna embedded in a carrier material such as a label, card, or rugged housing, and is used for the automatic identification of objects in logistics, manufacturing, and retail.
How much does an RFID tag cost?
In addition to the unit prices for tags, production and processing expertise also play a role behind the scenes—this includes qualified specialists who, for example, are trained as media designers for printing technology at PMG.
Prices for passive UHF RFID tags start at around €0.07 per unit for large quantities. Special designs for metal surfaces, high-temperature applications, or certified pharmaceutical tags range from €0.50 to several euros per unit, depending on the design. Active tags with batteries typically cost between €5 and €50 per unit.
How far can an RFID tag be read?
The range depends on the frequency and power supply. Passive HF tags operate within a range of a few centimeters to about 1 meter. Passive UHF tags can reach up to 12 meters under optimal