AN2399

Operating ranges and applications

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3

Operating ranges and applications

The RFID operating ranges are defined by the distance between the transponder(s) and the

reader.

3.1

Close coupling

The close-coupling range includes the transponder-reader distances up to 5 cm. Brand

protection, anti-counterfeiting of electronic goods and food consumables, as well as

electronic purchases at vending machines operate in the close-coupling range. These

applications employ low-cost readers operating with a limited number of transponders and

require security features such as password, anti-clone, or cryptographic capabilities.

3.2

Short range

In addition, RF technology systems are a universal solution for various ticketing applications,

regardless of the means of transport used (public transportation or private car). Contactless

systems can also be used in a wide range of access-control applications, including entrance

systems to and within public buildings (in offices, for example), time and attendance

systems, room logistics at hotels, locking systems, and amusement parks. These short-

range or proximity-range applications use low-cost transponders embedded in plastic cards

or paper tickets and operate in the range up to 20 cm. Readers and transponders from

different suppliers must be fully interoperable. Required security levels are satisfied through

password, anti-clone, or cryptographic capabilities.

3.3

Long range

RF transponders are a low-cost universal solution for tracking a wide variety of valuable

assets (e.g. package delivery, animal tracking) and improving the product supply chain

management from manufacturing to stock handling to distribution. Capable of storing

traceability history, transponders provide accurate real-time information on each tagged

item. Similarly, they can be used for anti-theft applications (using Electric Article

Surveillance) or access control from a longer distance.

These long-range or vicinity-range applications operate within 1 m from the reader and

typically involve a large number of low-cost transponders (100+), requiring reliable anti-

collision mechanisms and transponder-reader interoperability.

3.4

Extended or very long range

Extended or very long-range (up to 10 meters) RFID systems will be instrumental in creating

low-cost contactless solutions for new supply chains, logistics, and tracking applications that

can offer improved efficiency, accuracy, and security standards to major manufacturers,

retailers, and their customers.