Overview of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a technology utilized in multiple industries involving the use of miniature tags to store information, and electromagnetic fields to retrieve it. The process involves attaching or embedding small microchips, known as tags, to an object. These tags have had information about the object loaded onto them. This information can then be quickly and easily read using an electromagnetic tag reader. Many RFID tags are read only, although in some cases these readers can be read/write so new data can be entered as well.
Radio identification technology has been around for awhile, having had been used as far back as World War II. True RFID technology wasn’t developed until more recently. The first real predecessor to RFID was a device developed on January 23, 1973 by Mario Cardullo for use as a toll device. It was a small radio transponder with memory that could be read using a signal. The term RFID though was only first used in a patent in 1983. The technology has continued to develop to this day.
The main use of RFID in the process industries is to store information about equipment or assets. Because RFID tags can be embedded, they can store the information within the part itself. This information can include things like born on dates, certification dates, part numbers, or days in use, among others. It can also be used to track and trace asset history, including inspection and maintenance activities.
This means that, unlike other methods of information storage, RFID tags can’t be lost, wear off, or associated with the wrong equipment, and are less prone to errors. Along with being longer lasting, RFID data acquisition is also ten times faster than bar codes. Moreover, because they are read with electromagnetic fields, they don’t require a line of sight to be read.
Is this definition incomplete? You can help by contributing to it.
Share this Topic
-
BlogMay 26, 2015 By Nick Schmoyer at Inspectioneering
These are interesting times when it comes to inspection technology in the process industries. With the advent of big data, mobile and wireless technology, and various other technological advances, we thought it would be a good idea to provide a...
-
January/February 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy Layne Tucker at EchoRFID, Jim Anspach at Cardno, Inc., and Steve Slusarenko at ProStar Geocorp, Inc.
In the Oil & Gas business we have hundreds of event process chains, each of which bears a cost and contains certain elements of risk. So what can we do to reduce our burden and improve our business? Let’s take a look at the current state of...
-
September/October 2014 Inspectioneering JournalBy Layne Tucker at EchoRFID, and Peter Forster at ProStar
Recently developed RFID best practices provide an opportunity for pipeline businesses to transform their asset management and pipeline integrity management processes away from traditional paper-based systems to more efficient, highly-integrated...
Inspectioneering Journal
Explore over 20 years of articles written by our team of subject matter experts.
Company Directory
Find relevant products, services, and technologies.
Job Postings
Discover job opportunities that match your skillset.
Case Studies
Learn from the experience of others in the industry.
Event Calendar
Find upcoming conferences, training sessions, online events, and more.
Industry News
Stay up-to-date with the latest inspection and asset integrity management news.
Blog
Read short articles and insights authored by industry experts.
Acronyms
Commonly used asset integrity management and inspection acronyms.
Downloads
Downloadable eBooks, Asset Intelligence Reports, checklists, white papers, and more.
Videos
Watch educational and informative videos directly related to your profession.