RFID wristbands - what are they and how do they work?

Were you ever asked to wear a fancy wristband at a music or arts festival? The importance of this wristband might have escaped your attention. The use of a small device, however, serves an essential purpose.

It is imperative to mention that silicone bands are a replica of RFID wristbands. Despite looking alike, they are very different. You will easily be able to distinguish RFID wristbands from silicone wristbands after reading this guide.

How does Radio Frequency Identification work?

As the long-form of RFID, Radio Frequency Identification uses radio waves to identify objects or people. From a distance, the device can read the information on a tag or wireless device. It can interpret the information in the tag without making physical contact.

Scanners capture the data embedded in RFID tags and send it without physical contact to the backend of the computer system.

In order for RFID to work properly, it does not need a direct line of sight. Furthermore, RFID tags can modify or update data instantly. The last type of RFID tag is passive, which does not require power to operate.

How do RFID wristbands work?

Everyone intending to enter the event's center must wear RFID wristbands during big events. Attending a big event before, there is a good chance you have worn an RFID wristband.

A RFID wristband contains a tiny chip. Either wristband readers or smartphones are used to scan these chips. The wristbands serve as guests' tickets for entry, and they collect the data that the organizers can use for organizing future events.

The RFID wristbands work by transmitting the wristband's identity via radio waves. RFID technology allows the scanner to receive data from RFID tags and send it to the backend area of the computer system.

RFID scanners transmit encoded radio signals that spotlight tags when they are tapped. A special identification number is returned to the wristband within a half-millisecond of receiving the transmission.

Wristbands and readers communicate wirelessly without a physical connection. There are, however, range limits depending on the frequency at which the system operates.

Short range and low storage capacity of Low-frequency systems make it difficult to read RFID wristbands instantly. High-frequency systems have a better range, bigger storage capacity, and faster data transfer speeds than low-frequency systems.

Ultra-high frequency systems offer high data transfer rates and long ranges, but depending on the type of festival or event you are organizing, you can use any frequency option.

When an RFID wristband is scanned, what happens?

Once an RFID wristband is tapped, the RFID scanner transmits an encoded radio signal, which identifies the tag immediately. RFID tags receive the transmission quickly, and their unique identification numbers are generated.

When an RFID wristband is scanned, it is similar to scanning the barcode on a soda can. In the case of a barcode, the information database related to the soda is scanned when it is scanned. As the barcode is read, the price, name, weight, and expiration date of the product are revealed.

Do RFID wristbands work the same way as barcode wristbands?

RFID wristbands and barcode wristbands are often mistaken for each other by many people. Despite the fact that they both retrieve data through scanning, their similarities end there.

Wristband comparison table between RFID and barcode:

Constituents of an RFID Wristband

RFID wristbands contain smart tags that have antennas and RFID chips. Tags may resemble visible cards, which are durable plastic-like cards. Typical wristband assortments like silicone and cloth could also conceal the tag.

Three types of tags can be used: Active, Passive and Battery-enabled

Active tags: Active tags have an inbuilt battery that sends information without the need for a reader.

The passive tags generate power by using the energy produced by the reader. Unlike active tags, they don't have batteries inside. The venues of big events often use passive tags.

Battery-enabled tags: When the tag is within the range of the reader, the tag is powered by the battery.

How much Data can an RFID Wristband store?

The size of an RFID wristband does not determine how much data it can store. Among the data you can store are access control codes for guests' rooms and hotels, credentials, coupons, details of products, and social media data. Listed below are categories of information that do not require much data to be contained.

You can choose whether or not to post your social media activity when you get to a checkpoint if you wear an RFID wristband.

Up to 4 kb of information can be stored on the largest RFID tags (Passive). In this way, personal information such as address, name, and so on can be stored. It is possible to keep 8kb of information on UHF tags.

Typically, RFID tags can store up to 4kb of information.

How much is the cost of an RFID Wristband

The cost of RFID wristbands depends on the volume of wristbands ordered. Additionally, the quality of an RFID wristband affects its cost. In general, RFID wristbands cost between 0.10 cents and 0.25 cents per piece. Since several factors are involved, it is difficult to give precise information about the price of an RFID wristband.

The price of some reusable RFID wristbands could be as low as $10, or even lower. RFID wristbands can be discounted if you purchase them in bulk.

The cost of RFID wristbands also depends on whether you use passive HF wristbands or passive UHF wristbands.

What Data can an RFID Wristband collect?

An RFID wristband can be a valuable tool for event organizers. Event organizers can track the analytics of the entire event with RFID wristbands. It is possible for the organizers to know how many people attended the event and how they interacted with its details.

Moreover, the RFID wristband can be used to monitor busy times, famous attractions, etc. Visitors and guests usually enjoy a surreal and memorable experience when RFID wristbands are used.

How to program an RFID wristband

There are several important data fields on RFID tags, including a unique ID number. As stated earlier, there are active and passive tags. A passive tag usually comes with an antenna, which is a coil of wire. Near a reader, the antenna produces a minuscule charge sufficient to send the tag's unique identification.

For the passive tag to work, it must be placed close to the reader since this charge is so minuscule.

RFID can only be used with a specific ID. Moreover, it allows one tag to be distinguished from another. Put the tag on the product and assign an ID to it if you want to track inventory. It is possible to give unique keys to several things this way.

A credit card tag can serve as a membership card according to this principle. Creating a new field within the membership database for the Tag identification is all it takes. Give the card to the member after scanning it and assigning a tag ID to them.

Can RFID wristbands be used as a tracking device?

It is not valid to use RFID wristbands as tracking devices. Many RFID wristbands come with high-frequency passive tags. Therefore, the location of the wearer cannot be tracked and monitored. Due to the fact that these tags can only be used within a short distance, this is the reason for this.

RFID wristbands are great at recording the last location of an individual, but they are also useful in tracking traffic flows and security during future events.

You can transform every aspect of your event, hotel, or attraction

Besides streamlining guests' entry, RFID technology improves your audience's experience by bringing it to a whole new level. When guests come to your event or hotel, they no longer have to carry tickets, wallets, and the like. For regular ticket holders, it is a relief, as they can focus better on the event.

The benefits of RFID Technology for Events

There is a good chance you will see people wearing RFID wristbands at the top festivals and events. RFID, for the occasion, offers immense benefits, both to the organizers and to the attendees. Attendees can also connect their social media handles and emails to their wristbands before the event.

Quick admittance

It is possible to avoid long queues at big events by using RFID wristbands. Guests don't have to dig through their personal effects to find their tickets. Their RFID wristbands must be scanned at the event's venue, and they are good to go.

Using RFID wristbands also reduces the number of staff attending to guests. Technology is helpful in relieving the burden of individuals who have to go through the rigorous process of checking guests.

Organize better events with instantaneous insights

Real-time insights into your event's traffic flow are available with RFID wristbands. It would be easy to monitor the status and influx and exit of guests if your event is more than one day long. Using these insights, you can plan for extra seating, additional parking spaces, surplus refreshments, and so on.

Fraud reduction

When planning your event, RFID wristbands can help you eliminate fraud. RFID wristbands come with RFID chips that have a special feature that makes it almost impossible to duplicate them. It means that the practice of duplicating tickets has now been abolished.

Cashless operation

It would be great if your guests didn't have to wait in long ATM queues before they could get cash at your event. By tapping their RFID wristbands, your guests can pay for drinks, food, and other merchandise.

Before the event, they can include their payment data to their RFID wristbands to make things easier. When they want to buy, this is effortless for them. As a result, your guests won't have to worry about fraud because they won't have cash on them.

Better relationships with sponsors

RFID wristbands make it easier for sponsors to engage their attendees by providing fun experiences. Polls, competitions, and promotional offers are available to attendees. Their wristband or badge will do the trick.

In this way, sponsors can gather information seamlessly without being bothered. This is also an opportunity for sponsors to monitor their event traffic.

Better VIP Experience

Most events or occasions have VIPs to whom the organizers or sponsors should pay special attention. Using RFID wristbands to monitor your VIPs' activities is one way to improve their experience.

If any of your VIPs need anything done or have a complaint, they can easily contact the organizers using their RFID wristbands. You will have happier attendees who will be eager to attend your next event.

Overwhelm your guests

Having RFID tags around your event is one of the best ways to impress your guests and make them think your event is cool. The moment your guests place their wristband on their wrist, excitement builds up within them. You might be interested to know that several guests prefer to keep their RFID tags after the event. The reason for this is that they love to relive the experience.

By making your RFID tags fanciful, attendees will want to keep them for a long time.

Know your audience better

You are limited to the information on the ticket when purchasing tickets en masse or registering for an event as a group in the past and even today. You cannot get to know each attendee individually this way.

In contrast, RFID wristbands must be worn by all individuals. A ticket purchased on their behalf also falls under this rule. You can use these email addresses to market to your attendees in the future when they register their wristbands.

Additionally, organizers are able to improve each year's event with the insights they receive from RFID wristband data.