NFC RFID (13.56MHz) is a very close proximity detection technology, up to approximately 1.5”.  NFC is most commonly associated with credit cards that over recent years have advanced from magnetic card swipe to insertion of cards for reading of the NFC chip/label.  NFC devices act as the electronic identity of documents and keycards.  They are used in contactless payment systems and access control systems, allowing tracking of personnel and vehicle, and, mobile payment replacing or supplementing systems such as credit cards and electronic ticket smart cards.

The most common type of barcode is a single identifying number, such as ‘product # 123456’ or ‘asset # 720017.  The barcode’s vertical lines array to precisely represent the ID #, representing an identification # that is machine readable by USB and mobile scanners.  

Scanning the bar code is exactly the same as typing in the ID # using a computer keyboard, but much faster and more accurate, thus speeding transactions and improving performance.

1D barcode

Whereas 1D barcodes only represent a single identifier (ID #), 2D barcodes and QR codes can include many additional data fields, up to 2,000 characters.  For example, ‘asset # 123456’, ‘manufacturer’ and ‘model’ can all be included within the barcode.

2D barcode

Barcode labels can be printed by any organization using roll printers or sheet printers, typically with paper or poly label material.  Thermal and Thermal Transfer printers are most commonly utilized for commercial purposes.

HF (high-frequency) RFID technology was one of the first prominent technologies that enabled passive versus human-dependent tag detection, such as was the case with bar coding. Detection zone antennas have a range of a few feet and a mobile HF scanner a range of about 8”.  HF (13.56 MHz) has largely been supplanted by UHF RFID due to its longer range, however certain use-cases, such as libraries, still favor HF due to its excellent tag detection capabilities at detection zones and its avoidance of the unintended reading of other tags in proximity when utilizing mobile RFID scanners for inventory purposes.

HF RFID tag costs start are as low as around $0.10 depending on quantity.

UHF (ultra-high frequency) RFID addresses use-cases where further distance tag detection is required, typically up to 40’ at a detection zone or up to 20’ with mobile scanner. UHF RFID tags are low cost and do not have batteries, enabling the use of UHF RFID for applications that would be too costly using longer range technologies that utilize expensive battery tags. 

UHF RFID is ideal for a) passively tracking objects going through doorways or chokepoints where objects and people travel b) inventory objects in-circulation to keep the Trackr™ database up-to-date with most current object and people locations c) FIND missing objects with mobile scanners (similar to a Geiger counter) and d) provide security at any RFID doorway, chokepoint or exit to trigger alarm and flashing lights in case of security breach.

RFID tags for non-metal surfaces are flat and are available in various sizes with detection distances up to approximately 40’ at a cost of around $0.10 or greater depending on type of tag and quantity.  RFID tags for metal or near-metal surfaces are specially constructed to avoid interference and generally have a read range up to 30’ at a cost of around $1.00 or greater depending on type and quantity of tags.  Speciality long range tags, approximately 4” x 1” or greater are available with detection ranges up to approximately 100’ at around $4.00+.

Long range tracking technologies have a detection distance from 100 meters to 10 miles, depending on indoor versus outdoors and what obstructions are within the areas where tags are being detected.  Most of these technologies will isolate the location within approximately 5’ to 10’.  With UWB RFID, the location can be pinpointed to within inches.

The primary difference of long range tracking technologies versus barcodes, NFC, HF and UHF RFID technologies is that the tags do not have a battery and do not ‘beacon’ their locations, meaning that a RFID reader has to be within at most 40’ distance to transmit radio waves to the tag and to ‘wake up’ the tag.  Long range tracking technology tags include a battery.  This means that the tag is sending out its location in a robust and aggressive manner that is easy for readers/interrogators to detect from long distances such as 100 meters or miles.  

Long range battery tags are generally in the $40.00 to $80.00 price range, depending on the type of tag, and can potentially be as low as around $25.00/each.  The lifetime of the tag battery is dictated by how often it beacons (sends out) a message “here I am, here I am, here I am” indicating its specific location.  For example a tag that beacons ever second may have a lifetime of 2years, whereas a beacon every hour a lifetime of 5 years, and a beacon once a day a lifetime of 10 years.

UHF RFID tags are small enough to be placed within objects or on even very small objects.  Long range tracking technology tags have sizable battery and as such are of large size.  A decision to implement a long range tracking technology starts with determining if the objects and/or people to be tracked can accommodate a large tag. 

As with Active, LoRa and UWB RFID technologies, GSM-GPS tags have a battery and are sizable.  Pricing generally starts around $70.00.  The battery life can span up to approximately 7 years, depending on how often the tag transmits its location, such as every second versus every hour.

A primary benefit of GSM-GPS tags is that the tags can be detected anywhere inside or outside based on proximity to a cell tower and can also be detected outside by GPS.  GSM/GPS location data automatically updates a customer’s software, like Trackables’ Trackr™ software, whether a local premise or cloud-based server.