What is Active and Passive RFID?

What are active and passive RFID? What are the differences between them? What are their features? Which one is better to use in which area? Let's give answers to these and similar questions together?

If RFID system will be used in an environment, the system may differ depending on whether the label is passive or active. However, the products required in the RFID system never change. A tag, an antenna, a reader and a digital database are the parts required for the system to work. After placing these parts, the tracking process takes place in four stages.

1- Data is stored in a tag and attached to an asset.

2- The antenna identifies the signal of a nearby tag (passive or active)

3- A reader is then connected to the antenna and receives the data stored on a tag.

4- The reader transmits the data to a database.

They are one-piece labels that can change during the above process. These labels are also divided into their own. Active and passive RFID tag

ACTIVE RFID TAG:

Whereas a passive tag has no internal power supply, an active RFID tag comes equipped with its own battery or internal transmitter. This means that an active tag can continuously transmit signals to an RFID reader up to 150 metres away, depending on frequency levels. This makes the use of an active RFID tag popular with businesses looking to track assets in real time and create an accurate real-time location system (RTLS).

HOW DOES AN ACTIVE RFID TAG WORK?

When implementing an active RFID system to track assets, businesses therefore need a reader and an active tag. Unlike a passive tag with no internal power supply, an active RFID tag has a long-lasting battery. This allows it to continuously send signals and transmit data stored on a tag.

Advantages of Active RFID Tags

1. Long data reading distances of up to 75 metres
2. Significant data memory and storage capacity
3. Advanced data capabilities
4. Robust and weather-resistant active labels

Disadvantages of Active RFID Tags

1. More expensive than passive RFID tags
2. Batteries should be replaced when the battery life expires

PASSIVE RFID TAG:

These tags are a battery-less tag used in small-scale monitoring systems. A passive tag does not have an internal power source. Passive RFID tags, when compared side by side with their counterparts, are generally a more commonly used tag for businesses with a large inventory of physical assets. This is because of their cheap cost and longer lifespan.

HOW DOES A PASSIVE RFID TAG WORK?

A passive RFID system consists of a reader, an antenna and a passive tag. Since the tag has no battery or power supply, it consists of two components: an antenna and a microchip or integrated circuit (IC).

Advantages of Passive RFID Tags

1. It is more affordable than active labels.
2. It has a long life expectancy.
3. It has a wide range of label options.
4. It is small, in other words, lightweight.

Disadvantages of Passive RFID Tags

1. Have a low signal range of up to 5-10 metres
2. Require a reader to power the tag's microchip/IC