What is the difference between rfid and rtls

Expand Menu. Partner Program Become a Partner. Request Demo. Contact Us. As it stands now, these tags come in a variety of sizes and shapes and typically have a battery life of a few years. They also have a long read range more than feet ; do not require line of sight; and can generate data beyond simple positioning, such as ambient temperature and humidity.

Antennas come in different sizes and designs, depending on a variety of factors. Likewise, read range is important. For example, by increasing the size of the antenna, you can lengthen the read range. Active RFID comes in three distinctive types, which, in turn, lend themselves to different use cases. Here are the basics of each type The most common type by far, beaconing RFID is a relatively simple system, in which battery-powered tags beacon an encrypted identification message at a speed of somewhere between every milliseconds to every five seconds.

For the most part, it uses Bluetooth Low Energy BLE technology, given its low cost and power efficiency - although there are a few proprietary technologies on the market that work just as well. Beaconing RFID systems are most cost-effective when the reader transmits data only when the tag moves, which lowers the amount of information being broadcast.

Automated toll collection systems are a great example of transponding active RFID. In essence, these systems run off of a passive reader, an antenna, and an active, battery-powered transponder or tag affixed to the vehicle that does not transmit, but does receive radio signals. This hybrid functionality not only extends battery life to around 10 years or more, it also requires minimal infrastructure.

Then the tags send this data back to the reader. In fact, at Link Labs, we were so impressed with these benefits that we converted our AirFinder real-time location system from beaconing to intelligent RFID as a way to lower the cost for our customers. For starters, these systems are more location-accurate and less infrastructure-heavy, while also requiring little to no IT integration.

Likewise, the only data they transmit through the backend are asset location and condition changes. These RFID systems operate at a general frequency range of between 30 and KHz, with a read range of as much as 10 centimeters.

That translates into a particularly short read range, limited memory storage, and a slower data transmission rate than those systems with higher frequency transmissions. RFID Vs. Deployment Active RFID : Because of the limited infrastructure, you can deploy a smaller area or function that requires asset location and test it before rolling out a larger deployment. Questions about WiFi vs. LinkedIn Twitter. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consecteturm.

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