Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is a technology that uses communication via electro-magnetic waves to exchange data between a terminal and an electronic tag attached to an object, for the purpose of identification and tracking. Some tags can be read from several meters away and beyond the line of sight of the reader. The application of bulk reading enables an almost parallel reading of tags.
Most RFID tags contain at least two parts. One is an integrated circuit for storing and processing information, modulating and demodulating a radio-frequency (RF) signal, and other specialized functions. The other is an antenna for receiving and transmitting the signal.
There are three types of RFID tags: passive RFID tags, which have no power source and require an external electromagnetic field to initiate a signal transmission, active RFID tags, which contain a battery and can transmit signals once an external source ('Interrogator') has been successfully identified, and battery assisted passive (BAP) RFID tags, which require an external source to wake up but have significant higher forward link capability providing greater range.
RFID Technology is very popular among the Commercial Markets. From product tracking to distribution control, RFID technology is become now the need of Commercial Markets. Most of the commercial markets like shopping malls & Super Markets are implementing RFID technology because the Management of these commercial Markets relies on automated technology then security guards.
In retail market, thousands of people visit everyday to buy products from different stalls therefore it is hard for the market owners to keep eyes on every customer. In past times many products used to misplace or theft but the arrival of RFID technology, has grown a new confidence among the Commercial Market Owners. By Using RFID technology, Product Tracking & inventory system is now become easier and there is no chance of product theft or misplaced.
Retail stores can use RFID to manage product inventory, and automatically re-order supplies of decreasing (sold) products. The technology can also replace bar code scanning in the final purchase of products by customers.
