
Antenna and processor unit of a UHF-RFID system for reading and writing over long ranges
Identifying
If you need to uniquely identify a production object for material flow control, a data carrier will be required. This could be an RFID or barcode label or imprinted barcode.
As the object with the data carrier moves through production, a reader located wherever the object needs to be identified can read out the data (such as a serial number) from the data carrier. These data are sent to a processor unit which in turn passes them on to a PLC, PC or higher IT level. The data can then be used to make decisions about production or quality.
There are basically two technologies available to you for identification: RFID, Radio Frequency Identification, which uses radio waves, and barcode readers, which record images which you analyze in software.
RFID systems are either ultra-high frequency (UHF), high frequency (HF) or low frequency (LF). They typically consist of three components: Data carriers (for data storage), read/write head or antenna (for data transmission) and processor unit (for data communication).
Barcode readers read 1D and 2D barcodes. Their range is from a few millimeters up to several meters.