RFID Tag Fundamentals

Basic InformationTechnology to Improve On-Site Management Efficiency

By attaching RFID tags (IC tags/RF tags) to products, it is possible to read all items within the radio wave range of an RFID reader at once.
Items can be identified at high speed even while inside cardboard boxes or bags, significantly improving the efficiency of inventory management, stocktaking, and distribution management. Currently, widespread adoption is progressing in industries including apparel, logistics, manufacturing, and healthcare, and RFID is attracting attention as a next-generation management method to replace barcodes.

Basic StructureBasic Structure of RFID Tags

RFID tags (IC tags/RF tags) consist of an IC chip and an antenna combined together, which is called an “inlay.” Inlays are rarely used directly; they are typically enclosed in protective materials and used in the form of label tags or cards. For example, tags attached to price labels on apparel products or IC cards used as employee badges fall into this category.

IC Chip	A small semiconductor element that records and manages data
Antenna	Receives and transmits radio waves necessary for communication with the reader

Tag CharacteristicsDifferences Between IC Tags, RF Tags, and RFID

IC tags and RF tags refer to tags composed of an IC chip and an antenna.
“RFID” is often used almost synonymously with IC tags and RF tags, and is also a general term that includes RFID readers and the entire system.
Recently, the term “RF tag” has become more common, but fundamentally all refer to the same technology.

IC Tag	RF Tag	RFID
Refers to the tag itself	Same as IC tag	The entire technology for reading IC tags

Tag TypesTypes of RFID Tags

RFID tags (IC tags/RF tags) come in multiple types depending on the presence or absence of a battery and the frequency used.

Classification by Battery	Characteristics	Use Cases
Passive Tag	No battery Operates using radio waves from the RFID reader Inexpensive and easy to implement	Inventory management for apparel products Pallet management in logistics
Active Tag	Built-in battery Capable of long-distance communication Battery management required	Food products requiring temperature control Freshness management for pharmaceuticals
Semi-Active Tag (Semi-Passive Tag)	Normally operates as passive type Uses built-in power source only when necessary High energy efficiency	Smart meters Industrial equipment management

Classification by Frequency	Characteristics	Use Cases
UHF Tag	Long communication distance (1m to over 10m)	Logistics management Inventory management
NFC Tag	Communication distance of several centimeters Can be read by smartphones	Electronic money Employee badges and passports

How to Select TagsHow to Select RFID Tags

When implementing RFID, it is important to select tags suited to the usage environment and purpose.

Basic InformationReading Method Variations

RFID enables simultaneous high-speed reading of multiple tags, allowing for efficient inventory management.
Here are some representative reading methods.

Batch Reading	Reads all tags within radio wave range simultaneously. Since there is no need to check items one by one as with barcode scanning, inventory management in warehouses and stores is dramatically accelerated.
Communication Distance Adjustment	It is possible to read tags at long distances or selectively read only those at short distances. This is suitable for managing products at high locations or reading only specific nearby products.
Filtering Function	Only tags with specific codes written to them can be read, enabling data acquisition limited to necessary categories or products.