What is Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) ?

RFID or Radio Frequency Identification is a technology that provides wireless identification
of people or assets. A RFID tag is attached to an object and contains information about that object. The basic units of any RFID based systems are small RF “tags” – devices which emit RF signals either at periodic intervals (active RFID technology) or when they come in close proximity to an RFID reader (passive RFID technology).

For active RFID solutions, the sensors are mounted at regular intervals throughout a facility, blanketing the entire region in a “sensory network” which can pick up the location of a tag anywhere in the system. When the tagged object passes within range of an RFID reader
(line of sight is not required), the reader will pick up the wireless signal from the tag and the information can then be transferred to a computer system for processing.

This makes it possible to track objects within a controlled environment, which may be a warehouse, a hospital, a high-security building, or wherever important valuable assets need to be tracked closely. Processes can be automated by including item specific information or instructions within the tag.