In the past, radio frequency identification (RFID) technology was exclusively used in aerospace. However, with the popularization and development of technology, RFID technology has also appeared in the field of security management. As it has gradually penetrated, ultra-high frequency technology, proximity card technology, and so on are no longer rare, and various industries have been conquered by it.
I. Classification of Radio Frequency Cards
Radio frequency cards (RF cards) are categorized by carrier frequency into low-frequency (LFM), mid-frequency (IF), and high-frequency (HF) RF cards. LFM cards primarily come in 125kHz and 135kHz frequencies, IF cards are mainly 13.56MHz, and HF cards are primarily 433MHz, 915MHz, 2.45GHz, and 5.8GHz. LFM systems are mainly used for short-range, low-cost applications, such as access control, campus cards, animal monitoring, and cargo tracking. IF systems are used for access control and applications requiring large data transmission volumes. HF systems are used in applications requiring longer read/write distances and higher speeds; however, their antenna beamwidth is narrower and they are more expensive, making them suitable for applications such as train monitoring and highway toll collection.
II. On High Frequency Technology
With the rapid advancement of Ultra High Frequency (UHF) RFID technology, some inductive access control systems have adopted 900MHz UHF RFID technology. Unlike low-frequency and high-frequency systems that use magnetic inductive coupling, UHF RFID systems employ electromagnetic backscattering technology. UHF RFID offers advantages such as long transmission and reception distances (5 to 7 meters) and the elimination of the need for active power sources and batteries.
Ultra-high frequency (UHF) automatic identification technology can read multiple tags at once, has strong penetration, and can be read and written multiple times. Its application areas include logistics, traffic management, e-commerce, and other fields, and it has entered the growth stage of technology application.
III. Advantages of Ultra-High Frequency Identification Applications
UHF RFID's ability to simultaneously read near-field and far-field electronic tags makes it suitable for various applications. In many working environments, a single reader can more effectively meet reading needs. For example, in large parking lots with a constant flow of vehicles including trucks, vans, and employee/visitor vehicles, the security access control system must consider the needs and restrictions of all vehicles. UHF RFID's far-field reading capability allows it to meet reading requirements at different elevations. For applications with large patrol areas (such as university campuses or large hospital grounds), UHF RFID readers can be mounted on patrol vehicles, allowing patrol personnel to directly read and verify tag data from inside the vehicle.
UHF RFID technology enables unified access control for both personnel and vehicles. When entering or exiting a controlled area, personnel and vehicles only need to carry a single access card, providing unified access control for both indoor and outdoor areas. This not only avoids the additional cost of producing dedicated vehicle cards but also integrates the management of both vehicle and personnel access cards. UHF RFID technology is highly suitable for access control systems in communities, office buildings, industrial parks, hospitals, and schools.
In addition to fixed readers, UHF RFID security access control systems are often equipped with handheld or mobile RFID readers for property management applications such as campus or factory patrols. The near-field and far-field advantages of UHF RFID technology allow patrol personnel to directly read and verify electronic tag data from a distance in front of the vehicle without having to get close to the vehicle window.
In terms of application development, HIDGlobal, a global leader in secure identity recognition, has once again taken a leading position with the launch of its next-generation access control platform. The iCLASSSE platform boasts high adaptability and interoperability between systems, enabling customers to build access control infrastructure that meets future development needs, ensuring their secure identity infrastructure effectively responds to future changes. Simultaneously, the platform enhances security and supports exciting new technologies such as NFC smartphones, enabling applications such as mobile device-based access control, PC login, biometrics, public transportation, and customer loyalty programs.
More importantly, the iCLASS+ UHF+Prox smart card for the HIDGlobaliCLASSSE platform supports a variety of applications, from physical access control to medical applications and/or parking/gate control access. The UHF interface allows users to authenticate to applications or readers from greater distances compared to low-frequency (LF) or high-frequency (HF) radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies. The iCLASS+ UHF+Prox card provides versatile, secure, long-range access control for demanding applications.
In addition to fixed readers, UHF RFID security access control systems are often equipped with handheld or mobile RFID readers for property management applications such as campus or factory patrols. The near-field and far-field advantages of UHF RFID technology allow patrol personnel to directly read and verify electronic tag data from a distance in front of the vehicle without having to get close to the vehicle window.
In terms of application development, HIDGlobal, a global leader in secure identity recognition, has once again taken a leading position with the launch of its next-generation access control platform. The iCLASSSE platform boasts high adaptability and interoperability between systems, enabling customers to build access control infrastructure that meets future development needs, ensuring their secure identity infrastructure effectively responds to future changes. Simultaneously, the platform enhances security and supports exciting new technologies such as NFC smartphones, enabling applications such as mobile device-based access control, PC login, biometrics, public transportation, and customer loyalty programs.
More importantly, the iCLASS+ UHF+Prox smart card for the HIDGlobaliCLASSSE platform supports a variety of applications, from physical access control to medical applications and/or parking/gate control access. The UHF interface allows users to authenticate to applications or readers from greater distances compared to low-frequency (LF) or high-frequency (HF) radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies. The iCLASS+ UHF+Prox card provides versatile, secure, long-range access control for demanding applications.
UHF RFID faces significantly greater challenges in applications involving metal or damp environments compared to lower-frequency and higher-frequency RFID technologies. However, many access control systems inevitably operate in metal or damp environments, such as vehicle access control at sand and gravel plants, hospital bed and wheelchair management, and truck access control for transportation companies.
MetalTag electronic tags are specifically designed for UHF RFID security and access control applications in metallic and humid environments. MetalTag tags are typically affixed to the metal exterior of a vehicle or on license plates, and can be read from up to 6 meters away. In addition to their resistance to metal, metalTag tags can function normally in humid environments (such as rain or car washes).
HIDGlobal has launched a new metal RFID tag designed for containers with small radii, such as gas cylinders. This UHF tag transponder meets customer demands for smaller, lighter metal tags. The tag can be bent for external mounting on beer bottles and gas cylinders and can be read from up to 19.6 feet (6 meters) using an EPC Gen2 compliant reader. Featuring a durable housing capable of withstanding rigorous washing and sterilization processes, the tag bends slightly along the top surface of objects for effective adhesion, and can be quickly and securely installed using high-quality industrial adhesive.
