Comprehensive Comparison of RFID Across Different Frequency Bands

Understanding RFID Frequency Bands and Their Performance

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology operates across different frequency bands, each with distinct characteristics in reading, writing, and data storage. This article provides a detailed comparison of Low Frequency (LF), High Frequency (HF), Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) Tags, and Microwave RFID to help users choose the best solution for their applications.

RFID Frequency Band Comparison

Low Frequency (LF) RFID (125–135 KHz)

• Reading & Writing Range: Short-range, typically <1 meter

• Multi-Tag Reading: Single-tag reading, lacks anti-collision capability

• Data Transmission Speed: Low (~1kbps)

• Storage Capacity: Up to 64,512 bits

• Common Uses: Fixed ID applications like animal ear tags, access control cards

• Security & Customization: Mostly read-only; limited erasability requiring special equipment

High Frequency (HF) RFID (13.56 MHz)

• Reading & Writing Range: Medium-range, up to 1.5 meters

• Multi-Tag Reading: Supports anti-collision (hundreds of tags per second)

• Data Transmission Speed: Higher (~25kbps)

• Storage Capacity: 18KB, with an Electronic Product Code (EPC) and user-defined data

• Common Uses: Library book tracking, access control, mobile payments

• Security & Customization: Read/write capability with password authentication for secured transactions

Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) RFID (860–960 MHz)

• Reading & Writing Range: Long-range, up to 10 meters

• Multi-Tag Reading: High-speed batch reading (thousands of tags per second)

• Data Transmission Speed: Very high (~640kbps)

• Storage Capacity: 512-bit to 4KB, with separate EPC, TID, and user data areas

• Common Uses: Logistics tracking, supply chain management, inventory monitoring

• Security & Customization: Erasable and updatable; supports dynamic tracking in real-time

Microwave RFID (Above 2.45 GHz)

• Reading & Writing Range: Ultra-long range (>50 meters, for active tags)

• Multi-Tag Reading: Strong anti-interference, optimized for high-speed scenarios

• Data Transmission Speed: Highest (>1Mbps, under development)

• Storage Capacity: 4KB or more

• Common Uses: Intelligent transportation, vehicle tracking, sensor integration

• Security & Customization: Advanced encryption; actively transmits data with custom protocol support

Key Differences in RFID Performance

1. Read and Write Capabilities

• LF & HF RFID: Rely on electromagnetic coupling, ideal for short-range applications requiring precision.

• UHF & Microwave RFID: Utilize electromagnetic backscattering, suitable for high-speed, large-scale operations.

• HF Tags: Enable two-way communication, making them ideal for secure transactions (e.g., mobile payments).

• Microwave Tags: Can integrate sensors for active data reporting (e.g., vehicle speed tracking).

2. Storage Architecture

• LF RFID: Primarily stores static ID numbers (e.g., animal identification tags).

• HF & UHF RFID: Feature structured memory blocks, including reserved, EPC, and user-defined areas.

• Microwave RFID: May evolve to include dynamic partition storage, adapting data allocation based on application needs.

3. Security and Access Control

• HF & UHF Tags: Implement password-protected areas to regulate data access.

• Microwave RFID: May integrate hardware encryption for advanced security applications like intelligent transport networks.