RFID tags are widely used in retail, logistics, manufacturing and many other industries to improve efficiency and accuracy. However, issues regarding the durability and working life of RFID tags have always been of concern. RFID tags are mainly attached to items that need to be identified, and their working life is very important for the stable operation and long-term use of the system. Its working life is mainly related to the type of tag. RFID tags are divided into passive RFID tags, active RFID tags and semi-active RFID tags. Generally speaking, passive RFID tags have a longer life, and active RFID tags are subject to The battery capacity is limited and the lifespan will be shorter than that of passive RFID. So, how long is the working life of RFID tags?
1. Passive RFID tags
Passive RFID means that there is no battery on the tag and does not require additional energy supply to work. It obtains energy by capturing the radio waves sent by the reader through the antenna. The RFID reader can continuously emit radio frequency waves to activate each RFID electronic tag within the range. The chip/antenna assembly is encapsulated in a tag or card to protect it. Therefore, RFID electronic tags must be used within the specified frequency and reading distance. This technology is widely used in different applications such as inventory management systems, manufacturing process control, smart transportation, etc. Compared with active tags, passive tags are more economical and have a longer lifespan. Their basic lifespan is more than 10 years, and they can be reused.
2. Active RFID tags
Active RFID tags have a built-in power source (usually a battery) and their own transmitter. Active RFID tags can often support sensors that measure and transmit conditions such as temperature, light, and humidity. This makes them popular in harsher environments. They are typically used to track larger assets such as vehicles and cargo containers. The battery life of RFID active electronic tags with non-replaceable batteries is generally 2-5 years. The battery life of RFID active electronic tags with replaceable batteries is not less than 6 months. The battery life of RFID active electronic tags with rechargeable batteries should be charged each time. It can ensure that the continuous working time of RFID active electronic tags is not less than 7 days.
3. Semi-active RFID tags
Due to battery assistance, semi-active RFID tags have a longer reading range than passive RFID tags. Moreover, it requires very little energy to maintain a relatively long service life. By using paper-thin batteries, the size of the label can be significantly reduced. The main application areas of semi-active RFID tags are chemical monitoring in the chemical industry, transportation monitoring of drugs and food in the medical industry, etc. Under normal circumstances, semi-active RFID products are in a dormant state and only power the parts of the tag that maintain data, so they consume less power. Generally speaking, the working life of semi-active tags is basically more than 3 years.
In short, the working life of RFID tags is determined by multiple factors, such as tag type, tag quality, usage environment, operating frequency and reader power, etc., which will all affect the tag's life. Reasonable selection of label types and specifications, reasonable layout and installation of labels, as well as effective management and maintenance can help extend the service life of labels. To ensure the long-term reliability of RFID tags, users also need to take care to protect the tags from physical damage and harsh environments.
