Development and trend analysis of UHF RFID systems
With the widespread adoption of RFID technology across various industries, the demands for electronic tags and readers have become increasingly refined. These systems can generally be categorized into two types based on their reading and writing range: short-range and long-range automatic identification systems.
Short-range RFID systems operate at frequencies up to several tens of centimeters, typically using 13.56 MHz or lower. These systems are well-established and widely used in applications such as China's second-generation smart ID cards, IC cards for public transportation, and access control systems. In these cases, users usually hold the tag or reader close together for data exchange, making them ideal for everyday use.
On the other hand, long-range RFID systems enable reading and writing of tags from a few meters to over ten meters away. This capability is crucial in scenarios involving moving objects like vehicles, baggage on conveyor belts, or workpieces on assembly lines, where stopping the object would reduce efficiency or even be impractical. Long-range RFID plays a vital role in logistics, production automation, supply chain management, and traffic control, and its application continues to grow rapidly.
Long-range RFID systems typically operate in three frequency bands: 840–960 MHz (UHF), 2.45 GHz, and 5.8 GHz. Initially, electronic tags required batteries, which led to higher costs, maintenance challenges, and limited lifespans. However, advances in semiconductor technology have enabled the development of passive tags that draw power from the reader’s electromagnetic field. UHF passive tags can read over 10 meters, making them the mainstream choice for long-range systems. Despite this progress, manufacturing high-performance, long-range passive tags remains technically challenging and expensive.
The UHF RFID system is now experiencing rapid growth. It allows multiple tags to be read simultaneously, offers strong penetration, and supports repeated read/write operations with large memory capacity. Passive UHF tags are cost-effective, compact, and durable, making them suitable for high-speed environments and harsh outdoor conditions. Due to efforts by the U.S. Department of Defense and major companies, along with international standardization and falling tag prices, UHF RFID has expanded beyond vehicle-related applications into sectors like logistics, e-commerce, traffic management, e-government, and military operations.
China has also made significant strides in RFID development. In 2006, 15 ministries jointly released a white paper outlining policies for RFID technology, guiding its future development. Since then, the industry has matured, with companies like Shenzhen Yuanwanggu Technology and Sichuan Xinyuan Modern establishing early systems for vehicle tracking and customs management. By 2001, many systems transitioned from active to passive UHF tags, marking a shift toward more scalable and cost-effective solutions.
Despite this progress, challenges remain. The majority of RFID companies in China focus on system integration rather than core R&D, with only a small percentage developing proprietary technologies. To address this, China's Ministry of Science and Technology has prioritized RFID as part of its 863 Program, aiming to build an independent innovation system, public service platform, and national standards framework.
Looking ahead, ISO/IEC 18000-6C is emerging as a dominant standard for UHF RFID, driven by global logistics needs and support from major retailers and manufacturers. The market for RFID tags is expected to grow significantly, with billions of tags projected to be used annually. This growth will require diverse tag designs to meet varying application requirements, from disposable labels for logistics to durable, reusable tags for industrial use.
In addition, long-range RFID readers are becoming more integrated and modular, allowing for flexible deployment across different environments. As the cost of tags decreases, UHF RFID is expanding into broader applications, including healthcare, security, and retail. Readers must now handle complex tasks such as multi-tag arbitration, interference reduction, and network connectivity to support seamless logistics and real-time tracking.
Mobile UHF RFID systems are also gaining traction, with handheld, vehicle-mounted, and forklift-based readers playing a key role in supply chain management. These systems require robust antennas, efficient power management, and reliable communication under dynamic conditions. As the technology evolves, it will continue to shape the future of automated identification and data collection.
Jiangsu Bailite Transmission Technology Co., Ltd , https://www.zsindustrialbelt.com