Electronic Industry Articles Update
Radio frequency identification technology, with its unique charm, brings convenience and efficiency to our lives
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In the vast ocean of the digital world, we navigate the intertwined waterways of physical and virtual, exploring more efficient and secure communication methods. Every technological development is as brilliant as a star, and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology stands out among numerous technological achievements with its unique brilliance. It quietly changes our lives with an invisible hand, from supermarket checkout to highway toll collection, and then to contactless payment - almost everywhere, leading us on this journey.

RFID technology is a wireless communication technology that enables contactless transmission of information through radio waves. It not only simplifies our daily lives - from payment cards to logistics tracking, we cannot do without its presence; However, as the application scope of this technology continues to expand, its potential security issues have also surfaced: identity theft, data leakage... These issues, like ghosts, threaten the peace and order of the digital world. In the context of global information security, players are playing an increasingly important role. To discuss the security of RFID, it is necessary to mention its key link: security authentication. Therefore, ensuring the security of RFID technology has become an urgent task, and this has given rise to the key process of three security authentication.

When it comes to security authentication, people often think of complex passwords and complex operations. However, in the world of RFID, everything becomes different. The first security authentication here is not initiated by the user, but automatically performed by the system. When a card or item with a chip approaches the reader, the first step is the detection phase. If the match is successful, it enters the activation state and there is a short time window for both parties to exchange data. This non-contact startup process greatly facilitates the user's operating experience and lays the foundation for subsequent security measures.

Next is the process of the second security certification. This time it's the user's turn to participate. Users need to enter a Personal Identification Number (PIN) or other forms of identity verification to prove their ownership of the card. This step is equivalent to an access control, only those who know the correct method of opening the door can further access the information inside the card or perform transactions and other operations.

Finally, we come to the third security certification. This is an additional layer of protection established for high-risk operations. For example, in certain financial transactions, even after the first two identity confirmations, third-party verification methods such as SMS verification codes or phone verification may still be triggered. This multiple protection mechanism makes it difficult for criminals to obtain all benefits smoothly even if one layer is cracked.

When we turn our gaze back to the real world, it is not difficult to find that behind every progress lies the result of countless explorations and experiments. As demonstrated by RFID technology, even a small piece of paper thin label may contain countless wisdom crystals and expectations for infinite possibilities in the future.

With the development of technology and social progress, future RFID technology will become more intelligent and deeply integrated into daily life. At the same time, we also believe that with the emergence of new challenges, corresponding solutions will emerge one after another, making this digital era more convenient, intelligent, and secure.


RFID PRODUCTS: there have RFID card, RFID wristband, RFID tag and RFID reader.

RFID tag registration management system solution for electric bicycles
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With the acceleration of urbanization and the increasing demand for residents' travel, the number of electric bicycles has grown sharply. This directly led to a sharp increase in management difficulty. In busy urban traffic, electric bicycles have become an important means of transportation, but their rapid increase makes it difficult for regulatory authorities to fully cover and effectively manage them.

Industry pain points

1. Electric bicycles are parked randomly, occupying pedestrian walkways indiscriminately, obstructing pedestrians' travel, and increasing traffic risks. Inconsistent parking direction,

2. The backend site does not match the actual parking space line, and users return their bikes outside of the planned parking space after cycling, which increases the workload of operation and maintenance personnel in moving bikes and increases operating costs.

3. The safety awareness of electric bicycle drivers varies greatly, and some drivers lack knowledge of traffic regulations and do not comply with traffic rules. This non-standard driving behavior not only threatens the safety of the driver themselves, but also poses potential risks to other traffic participants

4. Severe cases can block fire exits, pedestrian evacuation routes, etc., posing serious fire rescue safety hazards, delaying the best time, and posing a threat to people's lives and property!

Solution

To standardize the parking of shared electric vehicles, strengthen the supervision and management of shared electric vehicles, reduce the management costs of operation and maintenance enterprises, promote orderly parking of shared electric vehicles, and avoid safety hazards such as affecting the city's appearance, obstructing traffic, battery fires, loss and damage caused by disorderly parking of vehicles. Therefore, Shenzhen Wanquan Intelligent R&D utilizes intelligent sensing RFID wireless radio frequency identification technology to effectively provide product solutions for issues such as electric vehicle parking management.

1. Vehicle identification and traceability

Unique identification: The RFID electronic license plate is embedded with ultra-high frequency RFID electronic tags, which write vehicle information and ensure data security and reliability. It is not only anti-counterfeiting and anti duplication, but also has a unique identification QR code printed on the outer surface, which can be used as the unique identification of the vehicle, effectively solving problems such as forgery, alteration, and obstruction of license plates, thus achieving traceability and supervision of electric bicycles.

Information recording: RFID tags can record vehicle license plates, models, colors, chassis numbers, insurance and other information, and can flexibly add other information according to needs, providing comprehensive and accurate data support for vehicle management.

2. Improve traffic management efficiency

Automatic identification and tracking: By setting up high protection RFID readers on busy road sections, automatic identification, positioning, tracking and management of electric bicycles can be achieved, improving the intelligence level of traffic management.

Illegal behavior capture: Combined with electronic police cameras, it can automatically capture illegal behaviors such as running red lights, going in the wrong direction, and not wearing helmets around the clock, achieving remote law enforcement and improving law enforcement efficiency and accuracy.

3. Assist in smart transportation and urban management

Smart Transportation: With the continuous advancement of autonomous driving and intelligent vehicle networking, RFID electronic license plates are very suitable for integration into the collaboration of "people, vehicles, and roads", helping the development of smart transportation and promoting the vigorous development of the automotive industry.

Urban management: The application of RFID electronic license plates can also be combined with community access control systems, smart facial recognition systems, etc., to achieve comprehensive safety management of electric bicycles and improve the level of refinement in urban management.

4. Anti theft and security measures

Anti theft management: The application of RFID electronic license plates can help solve the problem of electric bicycles being stolen and robbed. After a vehicle is stolen, RFID technology can be used to trace the vehicle's trajectory, which helps the police quickly recover the stolen vehicle and ensure the safety of the owner's vehicle property.

Charging and Parking Management: The RFID electric bike rental system relies on management base stations (RFID card readers) installed in unit corridors or elevators, battery identity chips, and access control recognition linkage systems to achieve community parking, safe charging, and household control of electric bicycles with one vehicle, one pool, one code, and one person identity binding. When an electric vehicle (battery) enters the unit door or elevator, the system will identify and prevent it from causing fires and injuries due to charging at the entrance.

RFID technology has become an important helper for intelligent sanitation garbage bin data collection
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With the high emphasis on environmental protection, the importance of environmental protection can be imagined. It can not only coordinate the relationship between humans and the environment to protect our living environment, but also ensure the sustainable development of the economy. The rapid development of urban construction and environmental treatment have always troubled many management departments. The number and distribution of environmental sanitation facilities, the execution guarantee of garbage collection frequency, daily garbage production and cleaning guarantee, timely garbage transportation, and timely scheduling will become important components of health hearing supervision. Environmental protection work mainly utilizes RFID technology to collect information from various parts, establish intelligent sanitation platforms, and help the development of smart cities. RFID technology has become an important helper for intelligent sanitation garbage bin data collection.

Due to the large number and wide distribution of garbage sanitation facilities, precise and real-time monitoring cannot be achieved; The serious accumulation of garbage in urban garbage bins, the inability to accurately grasp the situation in public places, and the inability to timely understand the efficiency and quality of task execution by relevant personnel; The status information of sanitation vehicles cannot be obtained in real time, and problems such as not following the prescribed route for collection and transportation, and speeding operations cannot be eliminated; The inability to ensure timely transportation and scheduling of garbage poses many challenges for managers, and RFID technology has become an important helper for intelligent environmental sanitation garbage bin data collection.

Garbage clearance supervision is achieved by installing ultra-high frequency RFID readers and writers inside the garbage truck, and attaching ultra-high frequency RFID tags to the garbage bin. When a garbage truck starts loading and unloading garbage, the RFID reader on the garbage truck will read the RFID electronic tag on the operated garbage bin.

Install RFID readers and writers at various community sanitation stations to collect RFID electronic tags installed on trash cans. The RFID electronic tags are bound to detailed information about the location of the trash cans. At critical locations along the cleaning path, install geographic location tags. When the sanitation station passes by, the tag information is read to obtain location information, which is beneficial for the system to plan the optimal route. Install an ultra-high frequency integrated reader and writer on the sanitation vehicle responsible for garbage removal. By installing the ultra-high frequency RFID reader and writer on the sanitation vehicle, electronic tags on each garbage bin or hopper can be read to track the working status of each vehicle. Install GPS locators on sanitation vehicles to determine the location and route of each vehicle (sprinkler, road sweeper, garbage truck, etc.). In this way, the system will record the time and ID information of each trash can operation, with specific unique identity information,

RFID technology collects data from various stages, quickly understands the distribution of facilities in garbage classification management, greatly improves the management efficiency of each stage in environmental sanitation operations, enhances work efficiency, and can achieve timely cleaning of garbage. Provide strong data support for the digital management of urban garbage cleaning work. Digital sanitation management provides real-time monitoring, intelligent analysis, data support, and precise scheduling for sanitation operations, which can effectively improve the level of precision and information management, improve the efficiency of urban sanitation work, ensure work safety, and achieve better economic and social benefits.

Security RFID tag with RFID technology cap lock
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Schreiner MediPharm is a global supplier of innovative functional label solutions for the healthcare industry headquartered in Germany. It is known for enhancing its tamper evident professional label Cap-Lock, which uses special RFID inlay technology.


Security RFID tag with RFID technology cap lock


To help the hospital expand its digitalization plan, the label and cap safety concept for pre-filled syringes now also implements automatic inventory and supply chain management, as well as digital first opening instructions. In the process, the new Cap-Lock plus RFID solution provides efficient and reliable product certification and enhanced patient safety.

Injecting syringes of liquid medicines containing RFID tags is a challenge because both the container material and the composition of the liquid may impair the reading of UHF RFID tags. Logo labels protruding from the container are often used for this purpose. However, these usually require extra space, are easily torn off, and must be applied manually.

The Cap-Lock plus RFID chip is integrated in the tag. The cap lock is a combination of cap adapter and label. The adapter is placed on the top of the main closing of the syringe and connected to each other to balance the difference in diameter between the main body of the syringe and the closing. The label is wrapped around the syringe body and the needle cap adapter. Once opened, due to the overall perforation, it can provide irreversible tampering evidence.

The RFID inlay is located at the upper end of the tag, so it is mainly located outside the liquid-filled area, allowing reliable remote reading. Due to the function of RFID, in addition to the purely visual first opening signs provided by the previously destroyed tags, digital first opening evidence is now possible. RFID tags can be automatically processed as part of the normal labeling workflow of the main container.

In automated inventory and supply chain management, in order to monitor and control the logistics process of materials and products in real time, data on syringes with RFID tags can be automatically obtained at various sites. As the selected and placed products are read, the current inventory information is consistently stored in the database. In addition, the integrity of the container, the first opening or tampering can all be digitally monitored through specially developed RFID tags.

In drug management, data stored on RFID tags (such as product name, manufacturer, batch number, and expiration date) can be read individually, or in batches using a simple handheld or dedicated reader, and matched with the database. This enables accurate tracking of inventory and provides transparency for medicines that are missing or close to their expiration dates. This helps protect patients from potential medication errors.

The depth of NFC tag types part 1
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Although NFC is similar to RFID in many respects and is based on RFID, it is an independent concept. In the case of RFID with passive and active tags, active tags can be read from a relatively long distance, while NFC, as its name implies, works in the near-field region of the electromagnetic field.

RFID still exists and will be in the foreseeable future. NFC is a direct development of RFID, and you might consider parallel branches. At the most basic level, NFC is usually two inductively coupled devices whose communication is performed by modulating the power absorbed by the passive device. Passive RFID absorbs RF power and then uses it to transmit data back to the reader-Active RFID can use its own power source to transmit data back to the reader. As with NFC, there are always exceptions to the rule-5 NFC tags have a longer working distance (up to 1 meter).

In the most typical implementation of NFC, a device is an active device, acting as a master device in communication and creating a modulated RF near field that will power passive slave devices. Active devices usually use the name of the reader, while passive devices are called tags. Common examples of tags include stickers and embedded systems. The most common NFC readers you might see in your daily life are smartphones or payment terminals.

Near Field Communication
In a typical RF communication, a transmitting antenna transmits RF signals into free space, and an antenna with at least λ/4 (quarter wavelength) is required to be effective. When the distance between two RF devices exceeds 2λ (two wavelengths), for example, about 245 mm (10 inches) for 2.4 GHz signals, they can usually communicate with each other.

Instead, NFC communicates in a spatial near-field area below λ/2 (less than half of the wavelength). Two near-field devices are used as two coils of a coupled inductor or transformer wound on a common magnetic core.

NFC technical parameters
Since NFC tags operate in the near field, the technical features and specifications are completely different from the more traditional far-field-based wireless technologies that you may be more familiar with. Let’s look at some interesting technical data related to NFC and how to compare it with far-field wireless technology.

Working distance


Although a dedicated point-to-point device can reach more than 100Km in compliance with the standard, it is estimated that the typical maximum outdoor range of a 2.4GHz WiFi device is about 50 to 75 meters. When a Bluetooth device runs on the same 2.4GHz WiFi, it will trade off bandwidth to increase power consumption, and expand to more than 300 meters for version 5.0. The range of LoRa equipment can exceed 10Km, its power consumption is much lower than these two technologies, and the bandwidth is very limited.


NFC is limited by design to a maximum of 10 cm.

Near-field magnetic induction communication systems (such as NFC) have very strict power density. The power density decays at a rate proportional to the reciprocal of the sixth power range. This is much larger than far-field communication, so that at the end of the near-field region of 13.56MHz (the most common frequency of NFC), its energy level is 10,000 to 1,000,000 times lower than far-field communication (-40dB to -60dB) ). The equivalent deliberate far-field transmitter.

Like any good rule, there are exceptions. NFC Type 5 tags using the ISO-15693 protocol can be read by dedicated hardware at a distance of up to one meter; however, in fact, if not all, most smart phones can only comply with the 10 cm limit. Some high-performance NFC antennas allow tags up to 15 cm to be read, while on the other side of the spectrum, some smaller tags limit the distance to around 2 cm.

The reduced distance causes the user to require explicit physical actions for the protocol to work. Contrary to the always-on characteristics of WiFi and Bluetooth, NFC is the only widespread wireless communication protocol that requires users to take conscious actions to use.

Frequency

MHz is a unit of measurement that one cannot expect to find in the wireless specifications of modern smartphones. iPhone 11 has a communication frequency of up to 8GHz, and 60GHz WiGig devices are becoming more and more popular in the market. NFC uses a different method to reduce power consumption, range, price and frequency.


Compared with a wide range of high-speed connections, the limited frequency and short distance make the implementation of NFC antennas relatively stress-free. For reasons of simplicity or inexperience, wise designers may wish to use modules with integrated antennas for Bluetooth or WiFi. In the NFC field, if you follow the IC’s recommendations, your design may perform well regardless of small manufacturing differences or nearby objects (for example, at microwave frequencies).

Data rate
The maximum bandwidth supported by the NFC standard is 424Kbit/s, which is about eight times the speed of a traditional dial-up 56K connection. This limitation makes the standard comparable in performance to Bluetooth, which is about half the data rate of version 4.0. Unfortunately, the standard has a lot of overhead, and most devices usually run at 50Kbit/s. Even if the data rate on the connection is so limited, and there is some ingenuity and creativity, the applications are endless. Since the memory on most tags is relatively limited, there is almost no need for higher data rates.

Memory
Most models of NFC tags contain 100 bytes to 1KB of memory, although the available models have a memory capacity of up to 64 KB. These larger storage capacities are usually used for smart cards.
Although this storage volume sounds a bit limited, it allows a large number of 8-16 bit (1-2 bytes) sensor readings or data about the contents of the tag attached.

Current draw
Many NFC ICs provide energy harvesting output, which can provide about 5mA of current under better conditions. The following are no special suggestions for processing methods less than 5mA:
Supply power to external sensors and analog circuits. In terms of temperature sensing, NFC ICs with embedded temperature sensors have been widely used to track perishable goods.
For external storage, its capacity is greater than that provided by the NFC IC.
Update the electronic ink display.
Charge a small lithium battery.
Charge the super capacitor (electrolytic double layer capacitor)

Price
NFC tags, tags and basic ICs are widely used for asset tracking and therefore need to be very affordable. If NFC tags are affixed to every item in a supermarket, or every piece of clothing in a clothing store, even 50c per tag, it will quickly become unpopular. Fortunately, the simplicity of NFC makes the production of tags and basic tags easy, and each tag costs between 10c and 50c, depending on the volume.

When you read the NFC standards, you will find that they have been built to support multiple existing standards and applications. Fortunately, out of our sanity, almost all electronic engineers who are not engaged in mainstream NFC implementation work need to understand the depth of NFC tag types. All modern smartphones must support each tag type to comply with the NFC standard. The data sheet will clearly explain the functions and characteristics of each NFC IC, whether it is active or passive, tag or reader, sticker or the entire SoC.

Mark Type 2 can satisfy most NFC cards, stickers and asset tags of NFC Forum Mark Type 2. Basic information storage and retrieval can be performed through NFC communication or the I2C interface used to connect to the microcontroller.

Tag type 4 mainly supports functions that perform calculations on the basis of storage and retrieval, as well as advanced security functions. Finally, if you need to read for a long time and allow users to interact with the tag through a smartphone, you will need tag type 5.


The part 2 of the depth of NFC tag types
The depth of NFC tag types part 2
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If you are building a nfc reader for a custom application, the type of label you use will most likely depend on the application and the labels that can be purchased, rather than choosing a specific label type. If you want to build a custom tag, you will usually make a choice for you, because the NFC IC used for tag implementation will determine the tag type.

NFC Forum Mark Type 1
As shown by the numbers, NFC Type 1 tags are the simplest and very cheap of all NFC tag types. Typical Type 1 tags support read-only or write-once operations. However, models with R/W capabilities can be used, they usually have about a hundred bytes (maximum 2 Kbyte) of memory and have a relatively slow 106kbit/s bandwidth. Typical applications include stickers, marketing, product tracking, so these labels are of little significance to ordinary electronic engineers.

The standard adopted by NFC Type 1 tags is ISO-14443A.

NFC Forum Tag Type 2
Similar to Type 1 tags, NFC Type 2 tags only support ISO-14443A in read-only and read-write applications. Many Type 2 ICs provide energy harvesting functions and I2C connections to external microcontrollers. However, Type 2 tags are commonly used as stickers, cards and tickets.

As mentioned above, Type 2 tags are the most common tags on the market, with a wide range of shapes and sizes, and can be used for tags attached to cable ties.

NFC Forum Mark Type 3
Type 3 tags based on the Sony FeliCa protocol are mainly used in Japan and Asia. In related Japanese markets, this tag type is often used for electronic money, identification, bus tickets and similar applications. The adoption of this standard in international electronic goods is restricted, and its main purpose includes supporting older versions of applications.

NFC Forum Tag Type 4
Type 4 tags compatible with ISO-14443A and ISO-14443B protocols have added support for the ISO-7815 standard for smart card identification. These tags can modify the data contained in its memory and are commonly used in security, identification and payment applications.

NFC Forum Mark Type 5
The Type 5 label is the latest specification to be released. The underlying physical layer is different from all other NFC tag types because it is based on RFID technology (ISO-15693) instead of ISO-14443A, allowing a maximum reading distance of 1.5m. However, like any other NFC tag type, the maximum length of a customer’s NFC device (such as a smart phone) is limited to 10 cm, and interaction with further places requires a special reader.

Types of NFC interaction
NFC supports three main communication modes: read/write, peer-to-peer and card emulation.

Read/write mode
The read-write mode is the simplest and most common mode of operation in the NFC standard. The NFC tag implements a memory whose content is usually composed of data in NDEF (NFC Data Exchange Format) format. Readers can read or write the contents of such memory.
The definition is very simple, but like most simple concepts in electronic products, it has a wide range of uses.

When an NFC tag has a complete SoC (System on Chip) function or is connected to an external microcontroller, it can usually be accessed not only by the reader, but also by the tag itself. In this case, the tag acts as a dual-port memory, just like a database accessed by two computers. In addition, the tag itself can be powered by the NFC reader and/or auxiliary MCU. Therefore, no matter where you visit, Tag can always be powered, just like a database hosted somewhere on the Internet.

Peer-to-peer model
In peer-to-peer mode, two active devices communicate with each other through one of the following two methods.
One device can be simulated as a tag, and another device can be simulated as a reader. This situation is obviously a master-slave solution. It is very suitable for systems with “smart” and “clumsy” parts, such as the main microcontroller communicating with a smaller auxiliary MCU through a physical barrier. This mode also allows the system to maintain compatibility with smartphones, because the smartphone itself can act as a reader, and the embedded device can act as a tag.

Realizing a peer-to-peer network through a protocol called LLCP (Logical Link Control Protocol) is a more abstract method, but it is also more flexible to connect. The LLCP protocol is designed to allow arbitrarily flexible communication between two active devices similar to BSD sockets, and many embedded and Unix programmers are familiar with this protocol. Uniquely, the LLCP protocol allows rapid migration of existing protocols, such as Modbus, RS485, CAN, LIN or UART via NFC connections, thereby realizing novel communication methods.


The disadvantage of exchanging data through the LLCP protocol is the lack of support for smart phones, which can only be delegated to embedded-to-embedded communication or embedded-to-PC. If you want to build a custom NFC application, or you can use NFC to meet project requirements without smartphone integration, then if you need a short-range wireless connection, LLCP may be what you want.


The part 1 of the depth of NFC tag types

The application of RFID technology in the linen washing industry innovation leads industrial upgrading
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With the continuous growth of the Chinese economy and the flourishing development of industries such as tourism, hotels, hospitals, catering, and railway transportation, the demand for linen washing has sharply increased. However, while this industry is rapidly developing, it also faces many pain points. Firstly, traditional linen management methods rely on manual operations and paper records, which are inefficient and prone to errors. Secondly, there are issues with information opacity and difficulty in tracking during the washing, circulation, and inventory management of linen, leading to frequent problems such as linen loss, mixing, and unpredictable lifespan. In addition, due to concerns about cross infection, some of the quantity statistics of laundry linen cannot be carried out, which increases the risk of commercial disputes. These pain points severely restrict the further development of the linen washing industry.

Advantages of RFID technology

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology, as one of the fastest developing high-tech in the 21st century, has brought a new solution to the linen washing industry. RFID technology utilizes wireless radio frequency for non-contact bidirectional communication and data exchange, with advantages such as waterproofing, demagnetization, high temperature resistance, long service life, long reading distance, and the ability to recognize multiple tags. These features give RFID technology significant advantages in linen management, such as fast scanning and identification, real-time information updates, efficient inventory management, and full process tracking and tracing.

Specific application scenarios and stages

1. Cloth tracking and recognition

The application of RFID technology in the linen washing industry is first reflected in the tracking and identification of linen. By sewing or attaching RFID washing tags on each piece of fabric, the tags are embedded with RFID chips that can store relevant information about the fabric, such as number, type, color, size, etc. Through RFID readers, rapid identification and tracking of linen can be achieved, and the status of linen during the washing process can be understood. This technology not only improves recognition efficiency, but also reduces the error rate of manual operations.

2. Washing frequency record

RFID washing tags can also record the number of times linen has been washed. Each time it is washed, the reader will read the information in the label and increase the number of washes by one. By counting the number of washes, the service life of linen can be predicted, providing data support for procurement plans. This helps companies to scientifically and reasonably arrange their linen procurement and replacement plans, reducing operating costs.

3. Classification and sorting of linen

Before washing, it is necessary to classify and sort the linen. The traditional manual sorting method is inefficient and prone to errors. By using RFID washing tags, automatic classification and sorting can be achieved, reducing manual operations and improving work efficiency. At the same time, it can also avoid damage and pollution caused by mixed washing of linen.

4. Inventory management of linen

RFID technology can also achieve inventory management of linen. The reader can read the information in the tag in real time, understand the inventory situation of the linen, and avoid inventory backlog and waste. At the same time, it is also possible to locate and search for linens, making it convenient for management personnel to conduct inventory and retrieval. This greatly improves the accuracy and efficiency of inventory management.

5. Washing data statistics and analysis

By collecting data from RFID washing tags, the washing process can be statistically analyzed. For example, it is possible to understand the washing frequency, washing time, washing temperature, and other information of each type of linen, providing a basis for optimizing the washing process and improving washing quality. This data analysis function helps enterprises continuously improve their washing processes and enhance service quality.

Development Trends and Application Prospects of RFID Middleware Products
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With the rapid development of Internet of Things technology, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, as an important component, has been widely used in logistics, retail, manufacturing, medical and other fields. As a key component in RFID systems, RFID middleware plays a crucial role in data collection, processing, and management. This article will explore the development trends and application prospects of RFID middleware products, providing valuable references for industry practitioners.

Definition and Function of RFID Middleware

RFID middleware is a software layer located between RFID readers and upper level application systems. It is responsible for processing data from RFID readers, converting it into usable information, and transmitting this information to enterprise application systems. Its main functions include:

Data filtering and aggregation: Middleware can filter out invalid or duplicate data, ensuring the accuracy and validity of the data.

Device Management: Responsible for managing and monitoring the status of RFID devices to ensure their normal operation.

Event management: Trigger corresponding events according to preset rules, such as alarms, notifications, etc.

Data Conversion and Integration: Convert RFID data into standardized formats for easy data exchange and integration with other systems.

The Development Trend of RFID Middleware

Intelligence and self-directed learning

With the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, RFID middleware will become increasingly intelligent. Through machine learning algorithms, middleware can autonomously optimize data processing flow, improving system efficiency and accuracy. For example, equipment failures can be predicted and maintenance can be carried out in advance by learning the operating data of the equipment.

Application of edge computing

With the rise of edge computing technology, data processing can be carried out near the data source, reducing the delay of data transmission and the occupation of network bandwidth. Future RFID middleware will adopt more edge computing technology to improve real-time data processing capability and response speed.

Combining with blockchain technology

Due to its decentralized and tamper proof nature, blockchain technology is widely used in the fields of data security and traceability. RFID middleware combined with blockchain technology can achieve tracking and management of the entire lifecycle of items, improving the transparency and security of the supply chain.

Openness and Standardization

With the popularization of RFID applications, devices and systems from different manufacturers need to be interconnected, which requires RFID middleware to have good openness and standardization. In the future, middleware products will follow more industry standards and protocols, supporting compatibility and integration of multiple RFID devices and systems.

The application prospects of RFID middleware

Intelligent Manufacturing

In the field of intelligent manufacturing, RFID middleware can achieve refined management of the production process. By collecting and analyzing production data in real-time, middleware can help enterprises optimize production processes, reduce production costs, and improve production efficiency. For example, automobile manufacturers can use RFID middleware to achieve real-time tracking and management of components on the production line, ensuring the smooth progress of the production process.

supply chain management

RFID middleware plays an important role in supply chain management. By real-time tracking and monitoring of goods, middleware can improve the visualization level of the supply chain and reduce the risk of goods loss and damage. For example, the retail industry can use RFID middleware to achieve real-time inventory management, optimize inventory structure, and reduce inventory costs.

Medical field

In the medical field, RFID middleware can be used for tracking and managing drugs and medical devices, improving the efficiency and safety of medical supplies. For example, hospitals can use RFID middleware to automatically identify and verify patient identities, improving the accuracy and efficiency of medical services.

smart city

In the construction of smart cities, RFID middleware can be applied in multiple fields such as traffic management, environmental monitoring, and public safety. For example, urban management departments can use RFID middleware to achieve real-time monitoring and management of public facilities, improving the intelligence level of urban operations.

Challenges faced by RFID middleware

Although RFID middleware has shown broad application prospects in various fields, it still faces some challenges in its development process:

Data Privacy and Security

The large amount of data collected by RFID systems involves user privacy and commercial secrets, and ensuring data security and privacy protection is an important issue. Effective encryption techniques and access control measures need to be taken to ensure the security of data during transmission and storage.

Integration with blockchain technology

There are differences in data formats, communication protocols, and other aspects among RFID devices and systems from different manufacturers. How to achieve interconnectivity between different devices and systems is an important challenge. It is necessary to establish unified industry standards and protocols to improve system compatibility and interoperability.

Integration with blockchain technology

The deployment and maintenance costs of RFID systems are relatively high, especially in large-scale application scenarios. How to reduce technical costs and improve system economy is an important issue. It is necessary to reduce the cost of equipment and systems and increase their popularity through technological innovation and large-scale production.

In the future, RFID middleware will show broader application prospects in fields such as intelligent manufacturing, supply chain management, healthcare, and smart cities. Although it still faces challenges such as data security, standardization, and technical costs in its development process, with the continuous progress of technology and the joint efforts of the industry, these challenges will gradually be solved, and RFID middleware will play a greater role in the Internet of Things era.


How does RFID technology ensure peace of mind for every bite, from farm to table?
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Are you curious about how a cabbage can stay fresh even after crossing thousands of miles? The answer is hidden in the small RFID electronic tag!

1、 Full traceability: Transparency from farmland to dining tables. Taking the "Basket of Vegetables" project as an example, RFID tags are used for packaging vegetables, meat, and other foods. Consumers can scan tags to real-time query the production location, distribution path, storage conditions, and responsible person information of food, forming a full chain traceability system from farmland to dining table. For example, a cabbage is assigned a unique electronic identifier during cultivation, which records the growth environment and harvest time; During transportation, the labels update temperature and humidity data in real-time to ensure uninterrupted cold chain operation; Finally, on the supermarket shelves, consumers can scan the code to verify its freshness and safety. 2、 Intelligent preservation and logistics optimization

RFID tags not only store information, but also can be combined with sensors to monitor environmental parameters such as temperature and humidity. For example, in cold chain transportation, tags can provide real-time feedback on the status inside the carriage. Once the temperature control is abnormal, the system will trigger an alert to adjust storage and transportation conditions in a timely manner, maximizing the shelf life of vegetables. This technology has been widely used in high-end fresh food logistics. 3、 Efficient management and reduction of losses

Through RFID technology, warehousing and logistics enterprises can automate inventory counting, track the location of goods, and reduce manual errors and transportation delays. For example, supermarkets use RFID to quickly inventory the vegetable inventory on shelves, dynamically adjust replenishment strategies, and avoid waste caused by backlog or shortage. 4、 Anti counterfeiting and tamper proof label data encryption storage, eliminating counterfeit and shoddy products, making "organic" and "pollution-free" no longer marketing gimmicks.


How RFID retail tags revolutionize clothing and footwear inventory management
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How RFID retail tags revolutionize clothing and footwear inventory management
Walking into the warehouse of any large clothing retailer, you are likely to see employees manually scanning the barcode on each piece of clothing. In the era of e-commerce and omnichannel retail, this traditional approach is becoming increasingly unsuitable. According to retail research data, inaccurate inventory costs the global retail industry approximately $450 billion annually. At this time, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology emerged and is completely changing the inventory management methods in the clothing and footwear industry. Many leading brands are embracing this' silent revolution '. This article will explore how RFID can reshape the supply chain and unleash new business value.
Part 1: RFID vs. Traditional Barcodes - From single item scanning to batch reading, traditional barcodes require "line of sight scanning", which processes each item one by one. RFID achieves non-contact and batch identification. For example, when a whole vehicle of clothing passes through RFID access control, scanning can be completed in just a few seconds, increasing efficiency by up to 80 times. Accuracy: Improved from 95% to over 99.9%. According to a study by Harvard Business School, the average accuracy of barcode based inventory is 95%, which means that there may be 5 record errors for every 100 items. By using RFID, the accuracy can reach over 99.9%, which is particularly important for luxury brands - as the misplacement of a high-value item can result in significant losses. Real time visualization of RFID: From latency to instant synchronization. Traditional systems often suffer from data latency (such as a 3-day delay in inventory updates). RFID technology enables real-time synchronization, ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of inventory data during high demand periods such as Black Friday.
Part 2: End to end application of RFID in the supply chain, manufacturing process: anti-counterfeiting and traceability. Brand products are embedded with RFID tags during the production stage to achieve the following functions: ① full traceability of the manufacturing process ② anti-counterfeiting verification (consumers can confirm authenticity by scanning the tags with their mobile phones). 90% reduction in delivery verification time (from 30 minutes to 3 minutes)
Conclusion: The irreversible digital transformation of RFID is not just an inventory management tool - it is reshaping the operational model of the retail industry. As the CEO of a retail technology company once said, 'In ten years, clothing brands that haven't deployed RFID will be as outdated as those who are still using an abacus to keep track.'. ”For companies that are still observing, the question is no longer whether to adopt it, but: ① how quickly to follow up on this technological change ② whether they are willing to bear the cost of missing the opportunity to deploy RFID first, and the companies that have already begun to reap the benefits; Enterprises that are slow to take action may be irreversibly left behind by the era of intelligent retail.

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