RFID Chipset What Is It? The Importance of the Chipset in RFID Systems

What Is an RFID Chipset? The Importance of the Chipset in RFID Systems

RFID Chipset (or RFID chip, microchip) is the most important component of an RFID system. This small electronic component is located inside the tag and, besides storing identification information, performs all the functions necessary to communicate with RFID readers.

What Does an RFID Chipset Do?

The chipset that enables RFID tags to work performs three main tasks:

• Identification: Assigns a unique ID (UID) to each tag.
• Data Storage: Thanks to its memory area, it can store information such as product details, user data, or stock codes.
• Communication: It can send and receive data to RFID readers via radio frequency.

Types of RFID Chipsets

1. Passive RFID Chipset: It gets its power from the reader, is low-cost and long-lasting. Generally used in inventory and access control systems.
2. Active RFID Chipset: Has its own power source (battery). Can transmit data over longer distances, common in transportation and logistics.
3. Semi-Passive (Battery-Assisted Passive): Suitable for some sensor applications. Powered by a battery but active only during data transmission.

Popular RFID Chipset Manufacturers

• NXP Semiconductors (MIFARE, ICODE, UCODE series)
• Alien Technology (Higgs chips)
• Impinj (Monza series)
• EM Microelectronic
• STMicroelectronics

Applications

• Smart cards (NFC cards, transit cards)
• Inventory and stock management
• Animal tracking
• Logistics and supply chain
• Smart packaging and product authentication

Conclusion

The RFID chipset acts as the brain of a tag and determines the reliability, speed, and functionality of the entire system. Choosing the right chipset is of great importance in terms of the performance and cost-effectiveness of the application area. When developing RFID solutions, the technical specifications of the chipset to be used must be thoroughly analyzed.