RFID Cards: Everything You Need to Know

Tracking, identification, and access control are all possible with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) cards.An RFID microchip holds all the data needed for specific applications on the cards.

• Different frequency bands are used by RFID cards, including 125 kHz Low Frequency (LF), 13.56 MHz High Frequency (HF), and 860-960 Ultra-High Frequency (UHF).Depending on the frequency band of each card, its applications will differ.A comprehensive RFID card guide is available here.

What are RFID Cards?

An RFID chip stores all the necessary data on these contactless cards. Radio waves transmit the information, which is picked up by RFID readers. An integrated software will analyze and present the data after the reader decodes the data. It will only take a few seconds to complete the entire process!

RFID cards don't require you to swipe them in order to read the encoded data, unlike traditional magnetic or barcoded cards. Instead, RFID cards require only proximity to a reader, which will pick up the signals and complete the transaction quickly.

Types of RFID Cards

Based on the RFID tag's frequency strength and the types of operations it performs, RFID cards can be classified.

Classification of RFID Cards Based on Type of Operation

Active RFID Cards

Battery-powered tags release signals continuously on these cards. In the absence of an RFID reader, they can release and broadcast signals.

In high-speed environments, such as toll stations, the cards are primarily used for tracking high-value assets. They are also relatively more expensive and have a longer reading range than passive tags.

Cards with passive RFID technology

Passive tags are not powered internally, unlike active ones. By using an RFID reader, electromagnetic energy is released and transmitted. Because of this, you cannot use these tags unless you use an RFID reader.

As well as access control, supply chain management, and smart labels, they are used for a variety of other purposes. Furthermore, they are relatively cheaper than active cards, so they are widely used in organizations and industries.

Semi-Passive RFID Cards

Integrated circuits, antennas, and batteries are all part of semi-passive RFID cards. These features are almost identical to those of RFID cards, but semi-passive cards are not equipped with an onboard transmitter.

Because of this, their read range is limited compared to active readers. The battery, however, allows the card to have additional features, such as real-time tracking, sensors, and sound notifications.

Classification of RFID Cards Based on RFID Chip Frequency Wavelength

It is possible to classify RFID cards according to the type of RFID chip they contain. RFID cards fall into three main categories:

Low-Frequency (LF) RFID Cards

A LF RFID tag (300 kHz to 30 kHz) is embedded on these cards. In addition to their slower reading rate, they have a relatively short reading range.

In spite of this, metals and liquids have no effect on the functionality of these cards. In this way, you can use them even in humid or metallic environments.

High-Frequency RFID Cards

Frequencies range from 3 MHz to 30 MHz for these cards. Low-frequency cards have a shorter read range and less memory. Consequently, they are ideal for library management and transportation management.

Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) RFID Cards

300 MHz and 3 GHz are the frequency ranges for these cards. The price of these cards is lower than both low-frequency and high-frequency cards.

In addition to asset tracking, inventory management is a major application of these systems.

Detailed Description of RFID Cards Components

In comparison to an ordinary plastic card, RFID cards don't look much different. You won't notice its uniqueness until you use it to check out at the grocery store or open the door to your office.

How do RFID cards differ from other cards? Is it because these cards seem to have magical powers that allow them to communicate without physical contact? What makes them tick? Here are the components!

rfid cards component

RFID Chip

RFID cards differ from plastic cards in this way. It is a tiny computer chip embedded in your card that contains your identity and account information.

It's usually about the size of a grain of rice, but it's highly sophisticated and can hold thousands of bytes of data. Since the chip has no energy source, it requires a power supply to function.

Antenna

Radio waves are received and sent by this tiny coil embedded in the card. A chip is unable to communicate with a reader without this component.

Electrical power is generated once a radio signal is received from the reader. Data processing and operation are enabled by this.

Substrate

Physically, this is the part of the card you can see and touch. Supports the chip and antenna and holds them together. Typically, RFID cards are made from plastic, although some premium cards are made from PVC, PET, ABS, wood, and other durable materials.

A hard substrate is essential for cards that will be subjected to harsh physical conditions. Due to their ability to withstand extreme temperatures, chemicals, and other environmental hazards, epoxy RFID cards are commonly used in industrial environments.

RFID Cards Applications

Contactless payments, access control, supply chain management, and supply chain management all use RFID cards. Throughout this section, we will discuss various RFID card uses that will make your life easier.

In addition to contactless payments, RFID cards can also be used for access control.

1.     RFID Cards for Contactless Payments

Fast and convenient payments can be made using RFID cards at eateries, grocery stores, and other retail outlets. The process of clearing your bills with an RFID card takes only a few seconds!

What is contactless payment?

Credit card payments were traditionally made by swiping cards through magnetic readers. Direct contact between the scanner and the card would take a lot of time, so this method would take a long time.

By using contactless payment options, cardholders can pay their bills without all these hassles. A simple tap or wave of an RFID card over a reader is all it takes to process a payment using this technique.

With this RFID card payment option, you can tap and go. Smartphones, wristbands, and watches are all RFID options. You have a variety of options to pay your bills using contactless technology.

How RFID Card Contactless Payment Works

As we mentioned earlier, an RFID chip is embedded in your RFID card. Microchips emit radio waves that are detected by RFID readers.

The RFID card contactless technique requires you to hold the card near an RFID reader (no direct line of sight is required). A reader or scanner picks up the radio signals, communicates with the card, and processes all payments. Payment terminals indicate successful or unsuccessful payments after a few seconds.

Why RFID Card Contactless Payment is Not Working

You must have a valid reason for not being able to pay your bills with your RFID card if you've attempted to do so in vain. In some cases, RFID card contactless payments may fail due to the following reasons:

Your account does not have enough funds. The bill will show an error if your account does not have enough money to clear it. The most common and straightforward reason for RFID card failures is this.

You have reached your daily spending limit. It is possible to have a daily spending limit in some regions or banks. Payment requests that exceed the amount will be declined.

Reasons related to security. As a security measure, the system may temporarily block your card if suspicious activity is noticed on your account. After completing a certain number of transactions per day, some cards require you to enter your PIN or password.

The card has not been activated. Contactless payments require activation of new RFID credit/debit cards. When the card is activated and the payment option is unlocked, first-time users must set their pins.

There is a problem with your card. Physically damaged cards may not be able to be used for contactless payments. A variety of natural and human-made factors may cause the damage, such as water ingress, excess pressure, and excessive sunlight. You'll need to contact your provider for a new RFID credit/debit card if that's the case.

There is no support for contactless payments on the card reader. You won't be able to use contactless payments at a merchant without a POS terminal that supports them. Make sure you check the compatibility of contactless payments.

Other Uses of RFID Cards

RFID cards can be used for more than just access control and contactless payments. These include:

The Library System. Library inventory can be managed using RFID cards. When visiting the library, students must carry their RFID library cards. In turn, the card will be used to store all the student's information. A list of borrowed books, expected return dates, and other important information.

Organizing events. In order to improve logistics at events, event organizers have turned to RFID technology. A RFID card is provided to each guest so that they can access the event's venue and make purchases there. They can also access customer data with RFID cards for better planning.

Management of healthcare. As a result of the use of RFID cards in hospitals, medication errors are reduced and patients receive the best care possible. Identifier codes will be printed on RFID cards for each patient. When the doctor scans this card, he will immediately know whether the patient is taking a particular medication, as well as meal times and any other crucial information.

Management of transport. Transportation fees can be paid with RFID cards. In order to ensure real-time payment processing, the cards are linked directly to their bank accounts. Users benefit from the cashless payment option because it is healthy and convenient.

Where to Buy RFID Cards

We offer customized RFID CARD services. The card will be customized based on the casing, color, and size specifications of the customer. A logo or image of your organization can also be printed on the exterior of the card, making it more personalized. For more information, please feel free to contact us