RFID: The workhorse of wireless identification
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology has been around for decades and is used for various applications, including asset tracking, inventory management, and access control. RFID tags consist of a silicon chip attached to an antenna that communicates data to an RFID reader. This technology has gained significant traction due to its low cost, small form factor, and wireless communication capabilities.
Magnetic Resonance Technology: A challenger approaches
Magnetic Resonance Technology (MRT) is another wireless identification technology that uses magnetic fields to detect objects. Unlike RFID, MRT requires a larger form factor and more complex hardware to work. However, it offers several advantages over RFID, such as longer range and the ability to read through obstructions.
Comparison
| Technology | Range | Tag size | Operating Frequency | Reader Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RFID | Short (a few meters) | Small (a few millimeters) | Low (13.56 MHz) | Inexpensive |
| MRT | Long (up to tens of meters) | Large (a few centimeters) | High (135 kHz - 148.5 kHz) | Expensive |
From the comparison, RFID has the advantage of being low-cost with a small form factor. However, its range is limited to a few meters, and it cannot read tags through obstructions. On the other hand, MRT offers a longer range and can read tags through obstacles, but it comes at a higher cost and requires more complex hardware.
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing between RFID and MRT depends on the application requirements. For applications where cost and small form factor are crucial, RFID is the way to go. For applications that require longer range and the ability to read through obstacles, MRT is the better option. However, it must be noted that MRT is still a relatively new technology that is not widely adopted compared to RFID.
References
- Wen-Zhan Song, Magdy Bayoumi, and Jelena Misic. (2010). Handbook of Mobile Ad Hoc and Wireless Sensor Networks. CRC Press.
- Paulraj Murugesa Pandiyan, J. Anitha, S. Arumugam, and S. Karthikeyan. (2017). "A Comparative Analysis of RFID and Magnetic Resonance Technologies for Wireless Identification and Sensing," International Journal of Electronics and Telecommunications, vol. 63, no. 4, pp. 413-420.