Intermec EasyCoder F2 Installation Instructions Manual page 3

Description
Introduction
RFID 13.56 MHz Interface Board for EasyCoder F2 and F4 Printers – Installation Instructions
The term RFID (radio frequency identifi cation) describes the
use of radio frequency signals to provide automatic identifi ca-
tion of items.
RFID is a fl exible technology that combines advantages not
available with other identifi cation technologies. It is conve-
nient, easy to use, and well suited for automatic operation.
RFID does not require contact or line-of-sight to operate, can
function under a variety of environmental conditions, and pro-
vides a high level of data integrity. In addition, because the
technology is diffi cult to counterfeit, RFID provides a high
level of security.
Radio waves transfer data between an RFID reader and an item
to which an RFID tag is attached. The tag can contain data
about the item, such as what the item is, what time the device
traveled through a certain zone, etc. RFID tags can be attached
to virtually anything—from a vehicle to a pallet of merchan-
dise.
RFID is similar in concept to bar coding. Bar code systems use
a reader and coded labels that are attached to an item, whereas
RFID uses a reader and special RFID tags that are attached to
an item. Bar code uses optical signals to transfer information
from the label to the reader; RFID uses radio frequency signals
to transfer information from the RFID tag to the reader.
RFID technology uses frequencies within the range of 50
kHz to 2.5 GHz. As shown below, an RFID system typically
includes the following components:
• RFID tag or transponder that contains data about an item
• Antenna used to transmit the RF signals between the reader
and the RFID tag
• RF transceiver that generates the radio frequency signals
• Reader that receives RF transmissions from an RFID tag
In addition to this basic RFID equipment, an RFID system
includes application-specifi c software.
RFID
Tag
Reader with Transceiver
www.idsys.co.uk www.idsys.co.uk
RFE
SYSTEMS SYSTEMS
System & Application
Write to Tag
Antenna
Read from Tag
Chapter 1
Hardware & Software
1