Chipless RFID: everything you seeks to know

The introduction of chipless RFID is a breakthrough in radio frequency identification systems. Silicon-based chips are very expensive that led to the higher cost of RFID that used silicon ICs. The idea of chipless RFID came to overcome the limitations of silicon-based RFID.

Chipless RFID technology is leveraged with various functionalities like its capability to read/write, automated, and unique identification of each item. Due to its benefits and easy to use a feature, most of the retailer are tended to opt chipless RFID. Due to advantages and affordability, chipless RFID is highly in demand in various sectors including healthcare, retails, logistics, and many more.

Chipless RFID: what is it?

First, we need to know about RFID. It stands for radio frequency identification. It basically uses an electromagnetic field that automatically identifies the tags attached to any object. It has three components a tiny radio transponder, a radio receiver, and a transmitter.

Chipless RFID is an emerging wireless technology. It doesn’t contain a microchip in the transponder. The RFID which doesn’t have silicon IC is known as chipless RFID the silicon-based ICs are replaced either by conductive polymers or plastic.

RFID operates at what frequency?

Chipless RFID uses a wireless non-contact system that is radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. It can capture and transmit data over a range of meters. The Chipless RFID operates at different frequencies of electromagnetic waves. Low frequency, high frequency, and ultrahigh-frequency can be used.

Low-frequency: Typically, LF range from 30-300 kHz, and LF RFID mostly operate at 25KHz. That is why it has a slower read speed.

High-frequency: The high frequency ranges from 3-30MHz, and the HF RFID generally operate at 13.56 MHz. the high frequency is more sensitive than low-frequency RFID.

Ultra-high frequency: The ultrahigh-frequency ranges from 300MHz to 3 GHz. The UHF RFID operates at the 860 MHz bands. It has a faster transfer of data and is more sensitive.

What are the uses of chipless RFID?

There is various use of chipless RFID. It is helpful in tracking and managing inventories, and assets. It is fixed on cars, books, computers, mobile phones, computer equipment, etc. chipless RFID sensors are used for CO2 detection. Nowadays chipless RFID is used in smart Cards and smart tickets. Chipless RFID make smart cards more secure. It is electronically interrogated that will reveal the identity of the holder.

Components of chipless RFID

Chipless RFID uses materials that are capable of reflecting back a part of radiowaves falling on it. The computer analyses their signals to identify that object. The chipless RFID tag have mainly three components are Integrated circuit, an antenna, and a substrate. IC is made up of semiconductor materials.

IC is a microprocessor. It is a logic unit that makes decisions and offers memory to store data. The antenna of the chipless RFID receives signals from the interrogator. It transmits and reflects the received signals. The substrate holds all the tag components together. The substrate is made up of flexible material like plastic.

What are the benefits of chipless RFID?

It is used for automatic identifications, access controls, security & surveillance, tracking, database management, and many others. Chipless RFID has a significant advantage over chipped RFID.

• It reduces human error and has high accuracy.
• They are durable and reusable.
• As silicon IC chips are replaced by plastic or polymer, the cost of chipless RFID is less.
• Chipless RFID is very resistant to harsh environmental conditions.
• This type of RFID is printable. It can be printed on fluids containing metals and bottles.
• It stores more data.
• Chipless RFID has a low manufacturing cost.

Chipless RFID does finds its application in:

Chipless RFID is widely used in retail, healthcare, logistics and transportation, and BFSI. Radio-Frequency Identification technology has gained significant attention. It is being deployed at various warehouses and stores worldwide in order to enhance the customer experience.

As e-healthcare has gained, chipless 2GRFID-Sys integrates different wireless networking technologies to provide facilities. This wireless and chipless RFID use body sensors in order to monitor the medical conditions of a patient. Similarly, the aviation and retail industries are focused to lower expenditure or make operations efficient. That is why they are adopting chipless RFID.

Sum up

The chipless RFID market has been witnessing rapid growth due to its simplified manufacturing technology and development of affordable tags. Chipless RFID is an emerging wireless technology that doesn’t use microchips. The chipless RFID tag has mainly three components that are Integrated circuit, an antenna, and a substrate.

The chipless RFID can operate at different frequencies. There are many advantages of chipless RFID. That is why many warehouses and retail stores are enthusiastically adopting this technology to enhance their performance.