SATO CL408E User Guide
Version 0.8
21/10/2004
Page 6 of 44
WHAT IS RFID?
RFID is best described as a wireless memory chip, or “smart tag”, that is attached to both
the product and transport packaging.
Q: How does an RFID system work?
RFID offers higher data storage capacities, higher identification speeds, and greater
immediacy and accuracy of data collection. RFID readers control the wireless reading and
writing of information stored on an RFID tag by generating a radio frequency field around
the antenna. The RF field gives the tag power (if passive tag), and a way to transfer data
from the tag to the reader. The tag modulates the reader's RF field, and the reader can
detect this. Likewise, the reader turns the RF field on and off in the right sequence in order
to write the tag.
Q: Why are supply chain management companies embracing this technology?
An increasing number of supply chain management companies worldwide are embracing
RFID technology to identify multiple items in a single container in an expeditious manner—
a feat that is not always possible with bar-coding systems. The technology’s enhanced
accuracy and security in data collection makes it an ideal data collection platform for the
healthcare, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, warehousing, logistics and retail sectors.
the product and transport packaging.
Q: How does an RFID system work?
RFID offers higher data storage capacities, higher identification speeds, and greater
immediacy and accuracy of data collection. RFID readers control the wireless reading and
writing of information stored on an RFID tag by generating a radio frequency field around
the antenna. The RF field gives the tag power (if passive tag), and a way to transfer data
from the tag to the reader. The tag modulates the reader's RF field, and the reader can
detect this. Likewise, the reader turns the RF field on and off in the right sequence in order
to write the tag.
Q: Why are supply chain management companies embracing this technology?
An increasing number of supply chain management companies worldwide are embracing
RFID technology to identify multiple items in a single container in an expeditious manner—
a feat that is not always possible with bar-coding systems. The technology’s enhanced
accuracy and security in data collection makes it an ideal data collection platform for the
healthcare, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, warehousing, logistics and retail sectors.
Q: What was the first application of RFID?
RFID can be traced back to World War II days, when the British military needed to find a
way to identify whether an approaching aircraft was friend or foe. Even today, as more
sophisticated navigation technology becomes accessible, the United States military is
currently using various forms of RFID.
Q: When was RFID first used to track inventory or livestock?
In the 1980s, Compaq Computer had begun using RFID tags to trace components through
the production process. The railroad industry has also used RFID to track nearly every rail
car in North America, while the agricultural industry has used RFID tags to trace its
livestock.
Q: What was the first implementation of RFID towards consumer applications?
Additionally, RFID has also been used for various consumer applications. Vehicle
transponders use RFID to communicate with toll booths on bridges, expressways, or
special toll roads to automatically deduct funds from the account holder of the transponder.
Q: What is the driving force behind the initiative of so many companies to
implement RFID?
One of the major reasons is because a few major retailers, along with the U.S. Department
of Defense (DoD), have decided to utilise RFID technology within their supply chain
management. The major retailers are mandating that their top 100 suppliers utilise RFID
tags on all product deliveries by 2005.
RFID can be traced back to World War II days, when the British military needed to find a
way to identify whether an approaching aircraft was friend or foe. Even today, as more
sophisticated navigation technology becomes accessible, the United States military is
currently using various forms of RFID.
Q: When was RFID first used to track inventory or livestock?
In the 1980s, Compaq Computer had begun using RFID tags to trace components through
the production process. The railroad industry has also used RFID to track nearly every rail
car in North America, while the agricultural industry has used RFID tags to trace its
livestock.
Q: What was the first implementation of RFID towards consumer applications?
Additionally, RFID has also been used for various consumer applications. Vehicle
transponders use RFID to communicate with toll booths on bridges, expressways, or
special toll roads to automatically deduct funds from the account holder of the transponder.
Q: What is the driving force behind the initiative of so many companies to
implement RFID?
One of the major reasons is because a few major retailers, along with the U.S. Department
of Defense (DoD), have decided to utilise RFID technology within their supply chain
management. The major retailers are mandating that their top 100 suppliers utilise RFID
tags on all product deliveries by 2005.