INFORMATION PAPER
International Journal of Recent Trends in Engineering, Vol 1, No. 4, May 2009
A Survey of RFID Tags
M Ayoub Khan, Manoj Sharma, Brahmanandha Prabhu R
Communications Research Centre, SoE
Center for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC)
(Ministry of Communications and I.T., Govt. of India), Noida, India
Email: {ayoub, manojsharma, brahmanandha} @cdacnoida.in
Abstract—The Radio Frequency Identification System
(RFID) has become a popular system and its applications
has reached in most of the fields like toll bridge, supply
chain management and defense sector [8]. The RFID has
also entered into the field of medical sciences [4, 7].
Everyday, RFID tags are becoming very small and their
dimensions are also reducing to 0.002 inches (RFID powder
tag) developed by Hitachi [10,11]. There are many different
types of RFID tags available in the market for different
types of applications. Due to reduction in the cost of
production, RFID systems are being deployed everywhere in
large number. Therefore, it becomes important to
understand the tag technology and their applicability. In
this paper, we provide a comprehensive survey of various
RFID tag technologies reported in the literatures and
classify them into different categories.
Index Terms—RFID, Active tag, Passive tag, Semi-Passive
tag, Digestive tag, EPC
I. INTRODUCTION
The Radio Frequency (RF) technology has a wide area
of applications like television, radio, cellular phones,
radar, medical and automatic identification systems. The
RFID technology was invented in 1948, but the
commercial products based on RFID came in 1980s only.
The radio waves used in RFID are Low Frequency (LF)-
125 KHz to 143 KHz, High Frequency (HF) 3MHz to 30
MHz, Ultra High Frequency (UHF) 300MHz to 1 GHz,
Microwave frequency (MW) > 1 GHz.
The RFID is an automatic data capture systems (AIDC)
that is a contactless and uses RF signals for
communication. The data is stored on silicon chips (tag
memory), which has been tagged to the target like books,
parcels, human, animal, or other non-living objects. The
RFID provides a unique identification number for
identifying the particular objects known as electronic
product code (EPC)[12].
The reader sends continuous waves (CW) through which
tag drives power supply in order to operate the chip.
RFID tag stores and transmits the data to the reader in a
contactless manner using radio waves by a technique
known as backscattering. The information can be a
product ID or manufacture ID of specific product.
The RFID tag consists of an electronic chip to which an
antenna is attached. Some passive (semi) tag contains a
battery, to supply the power to auxiliary electronic
circuit. The tag plays very important role in any RFID
application. There are various methods to classify a tag
based on their characteristics. The tag is distinguished
based on power source, frequency and functionality. The
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size of the tag (form factor) has also an important role in
size constraint applications. Researchers are putting
consistent efforts to reduce the size of tag. Presently, they
have achieved such a small tag that is very much smaller
than a human hair. Recently, Hitachi has developed
world’s smallest RFID tag with the size of 0.05x0.05mm
[9](0.002inch) named, as RFID powder [10,11]. The
"powder type" tags are sixty four times smaller as
compared to the previous µ-type RFID tags [15]. The
RFID powder has inbuilt memory of 128 bit ROM; it has
the storage capacity of 38 bit identification number for a
particular tag.
This paper is organized as follows: an introduction to
RFID tag is technology and classification is presented in
section II. Section III described working principal,
communication techniques and detailed schematic. The
application of RFID technology along with the suitability
of particular tag type is discussed in section IV. Finally, a
conclusion is discussed in the section V
II. TAG TECHNOLOGY AND CLASSFICIAITON
An RFID tag is a microchip combined with an antenna
system in a compact package as show in figure 1[4]. The
microchip contains memory and logic circuit to receive
and send the data back to the reader. The antenna receives
signal from an RFID reader and then backscatters the
signal with required data.
Antenna
Microchip
Figure 1. RFID Tag
The RFID tags can be broadly classified in two
different categories as follows:
1. Based on ‘on-board’ power supply
2. Based on capacity to rewrite the data
However, we have classified the tag based on various
parameters like Identification format, frequencies, and
form factors etc. as shown in table 1. There are tags
available in the market, which are digestible in the human
body. Theses tags are used in medical diagnosis. The tag
INFORMATION PAPER
International Journal of Recent Trends in Engineering, Vol 1, No. 4, May 2009

can be classified into two or more categories viz. based tag depend on the VLSI and communication
on power source, based on form factor, based on protocol/technologies. Each tag has different data rate,
operating frequency etc. read capability, memory, cost and life mentioned in
TABLE 1.TAG CLASSIFICATION CRITERIA
table 2.
We have another classification that is based on the
Criteria Types content and format of the information. This classification
Identification format 64-Bit EPC Tag, 96-Bit EPC Tag, is based on EPCGlobal standard as shown in table 3[12].
128-Bit EPC Tag etc The EPC classification has potential to change the way
Power Source 1. Passive
2. Semi-passive many companies do business operations to meet the
3. Active standard and allow business to share information
Frequencies LF, HF, UHF effectively.
Functionality 1. Memory (Size,
Read/Write) TABLE 3.EPC CLASS STRUCTURE
2. Environmental sensors
3. Security functionality EPC Class Definition Programming
Form Factor 1. Size/Shape of the tag Class-0 Gen-1 Read Only, Passive tags Programmed by
2. Digestible, implantable the factory
3. Weight of the tag Class-1 Gen-1 Write-Once, Read- Programmed once
4. The method by which the Many, Passive tags by the user then
tag is affixed locked
Class-1 Gen-2 Write-Many, Read- Programmed once
In general, we classify the tag into passive and active Many, passive tags. by the user then
categories. The passive tag has no ‘on-board’ power locked
Class-2 Rewritable passive tags
source. They extract power from the signal (CW) sent by with extra functionally
the reader that is used to operate the chip. The absence of like encryption,
battery makes their size smaller. The active tag has ‘on- emulation [3]
board’ power source. This ‘on-board’ power source is Class-3 Semi-passive tags that Re-programming
supports broadband
used to transmit the data from the tags to the reader, and communications
this power is also a source for other electronics Class-4 Active tags that can
components of the tags present in the tag. In the passive communicate to other
tag, the reader initiates the communication whereas in peers.
active tag, the tag initiates the communication. A semi- Class-5 Readers, they can power
other tag of class (I, II,
passive tag is passive in nature, but it contains a battery to III) and as well can Not applicable
supply power to auxiliary components like sensors, user communicate to class IV
interface etc. A tag generally operates in three main wirelessly.
frequencies as mentioned in table 1.
The classification of tag based on the format, reader/write
TABLE 2.TAG CHARACTERISTICS capability and programming capability is as shown in
table 3. The EPC classification consists of Class and
Characteristics Passive RFID Active RFID Semi-
Passive
Generation. The Class describes a tags basic functionality
RFID for example whether it has memory or an on-board power
Frequency 860MHz -960 868/915MHz 868/915M source whereas Generation refers to a tag specification's
(UHF) MHz and 2.4 GHz Hz and 2.4 major release or version number.
GHz
Internal Power No Yes Yes
Bit Rate (Kbps) 246 20/40/250 16 III. TAG ARCHITECTURE
Memory (KB) 128 128 4
Multi –Tag 3 sec. to 1000 tag / 7 tags / sec
A. Communications techniques
Collection identify 20 sec at 100 at 3 mph The communication flow in the RFID system is in either
tags mph the reader-to-tag or tag-to-reader direction depending on
Read Range 1-30 ft. 1-300 ft. Up to 15 ft. the type of tag. In passive tag, the EPC/information is
Cost INR 10-150 INR.1250- INR 500- sent to the reader by reflecting, or backscattering. A
2500 2000
Life Time 3-10 years ½ -5 years ½ -5 years pictorial representation of transmitted energy between tag
and reader is shown in figure 2.
The choice of a particular frequency is solely govern by
Power for tag and radio Signal
the type of applications and read-rang required viz.
animal monitoring application requires LF whereas toll-
collection requires UHF. The size, shape, weight and Reader Tag
physical nature plays very important role in selecting a
tag for a particular application. Suppose, we want to Backscattered signal
probe the person’s digestive system then it is possible
Figure 2. Communication between reader and passive tag [6]
through digestive RFID tags only. These edible RFID
Unlike passive tag, active tags has ‘on-board’ power
tags can be swallowed by patient and get disintegrated in
source. This power is used to deliver energy for
the body for diagnostic process. The characteristics of the
transmitting the data from the tag. This energy is also a
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INFORMATION PAPER
International Journal of Recent Trends in Engineering, Vol 1, No. 4, May 2009

source for other electronics components of the tags The reader can send read command to read the data from
present in the tag. tag’s memory. The communication protocols (EPC
Transmitted signal from tag standard) are implemented in the logic circuit of the tag.
Reader The clock extract is used to generate the clock in order to
Tag Battery synchronize with reader clock. A detailed schematic of
passive RFID tag is shown in figure 6.
In this, antenna receives electromagnetic field from the
readers producing a voltage signal of high frequency
Figure 3. Communication between reader and active tag [6] (RF). The voltage is rectified by a diode (which allows
The semi-active tag also has ‘on-board’ battery but this current flow in one direction only) and smoothen using a
battery is used for driving the auxiliary electronics storage capacitor. This would produce a DC like voltage,
(sensors, user-interface etc) circuit only. The data to the which is used to energize the logic unit and the memory
reader is sent using backscattering technique. The semi- unit of the passive tags. The other rectification circuit is
passive tags, reader always initiates the communications used for extracting the reader data command. For sending
as shown in figure 4. the tag data i.e. EPC/ID to the reader, the tag simply
Power for tag and radio Signal
changes the electrical co-efficient property of the
antenna, which changes the signal reflected from the
Reader Tag Sensor Battery
antenna. This process is called backscattering [1]. In the
diagram above, we used a Field Effect Transistor (FET)
as a switch when it’s ‘ON’ the antenna is grounded and a
large current flows and when the FET is ‘OFF’, a small
Figure 4. Communication between reader and semi-passive tag [6]
current is allowed to Flow.
B. Schematic of tag
The active has on-board power supply, control circuitry
The passive tag consists of microchip (memory and logic)
and transmitter to receive/send the data. A detailed
and antenna as shown in figure 5.
schematic is shown in figure 7, where tag synthesizes the
carrier signal by a local oscillator (LO) and a crystal
Demodulator
reference. This enables tag to select a specific frequency
band using one of modulation technique (ASK, PSK,
FSK, QAM) depending upon requirement. The transmit
Rectifier Logic power, filter and amplification are used to produce good
receive sensitivity, due to which the read range of the tag
is measured to be hundreds of meter or more.
Clock
Extractor Memory DC power

Figure 5. Block diagram of passive tag [5] Vdd

The Rectifier shown in the figure 5 converts the AC Filter Amp UID
power into DC power from reader and the extracted TX Logic Memory
power is used for other components of the tag like Modulator User
memory/logic circuit etc. in order to interpret the XTAL LO
SYN
command, the demodulator block demodulates the
received signal from the reader. RX
Filter Amp Mixer
Antenna Radio

DC Figure 7. Schematic diagram of Active Tags [6]

Power Diode Big capacitance The schematic of semi-passive tag is similar to the
Vdd passive tag except the DC power sources is attached for
Reader
Data UID auxiliary circuit like sensor, user interface etc.
in Logic Memory
Small capacitance User IV. APPLICATIONS
out
The RFID technologies are currently considered major
enabling technology in IT for automation of supply chain
Backscattering management, asset tracking, animal monitoring [2],
FET medical applications, warehouse and access control in
contactless fashion as shown in table 4. The data
1 0 1
collected from the application contributes quantitative
Figure 6. Schematic of passive tag [6] data for IT decision makers. Presently, RFID is not very
widespread, but leaading stores like Wal Mart [13],
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International Journal of Recent Trends in Engineering, Vol 1, No. 4, May 2009
K-Mart, Target, BestBuy has discovered that RFID
technology can keep their inventories at optimal-level,
reduce stock-losses, limits shoplifting and speedup the
billing process.
TABLE 4.RFID APPLICATIONS
Application Area Tag Technology
Supply chain automation UHF passive tag used to track the
consignment in the supply chain
Asset tracking HF/UHF passive tag can be used to
track the item in offices, labs,
warehouses, pallets and containers
etc. The metal items absorb radio
waves; therefore special type is
required for metal assets tracking.
Medical applications UHF passive tag can be used for
patient monitoring, the drugs,
biometric measurements and
diagnosis using digestive tags.
People tracking UHF passive/active tag can be used
for the purpose of presence
management or security.
Warehouse UHF passive tag can be used for
real-time inventory by automated
registration of items in a warehouse
or store-room
Animal monitoring LF implantable passive tag can be
used in monitoring the animals [2].
Toll collection UHF passive/active tag can be used
for automatic deduction of toll at
highways.
Access control LF/HF passive tag can be used to
provide access control in the office,
stores, or sensitive part of buildings
RFID Cashless/Wireless RFID Wireless payment
Payment technologies provide a safe way to
do business. In these technologies
no cash is involved, and no wallet
is required [14].
This technology can be used to
Electronic Immobilisation check the authenticity of the key
for ignition lock.
Sporting Events In large-scale sporting events like
10000 participants, major problem
are calculating exact running time.
The tag is attached to the runner’s
shoes in order to calculate exact
time at the start-line only.
The interesting the application of RFID has emerged in
medical sciences for the diagnosis process. These are the
special class of passive tags known as powder or
digestible tag [10,11] etc.
The digestive tag is used for probing human system. The
RFID digestive tags are harmless and intentionally
fragile. These tags are covered with a soft gelatin material
so that it takes some time to dissolve in the stomach. The
RFID digestible tags are used to monitor digestives tracks
of the stomach, hip joints, knee joints and other human
body [9]. These digestive tags will stop working when
they are exposed to the gastric acid for a specific period
of time enabling the experts to monitor the digestive
function of the patient.
The RFID applications are not limited to the above-
mentioned area only. This technology can be applied in
any area based on the business process requirement.
However, we can categorize the applications in into two
principal categories: firstly, short-range applications
where the reader and tag must be in close proximity (like
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access control, RFID Cashless payment, Electronic
Immobilisation etc) and secondly, medium to long
application, where the distance may be much longer (like
Toll collection, Vehicle tracking system etc).
CONCLUSIONS
In the presented work, we have discussed various types of
tag technology that are available in the market. We have
broadly classified tag based on five major criteria. The
classification based on the EPCGlobal [12] standard is
also discussed in detail. Each tag has some strength and
weakness, which are reported in the characteristics of the
tag. The working principle, communication technique and
schematic show the data flow of tag. Therefore,
understanding of classification, communication
techniques, architecture, application of tag becomes
very much useful for end-user as well as for the designer.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors would like to thanks Dr. George Varkey,
Executive Director and Dr. N W Nerurkar, C-DAC,
Noida for their encouragement for this work. The authors
also would like to thank Dr. Arti Noor, C-DAC, Noida
and Dr. Abhijit Sen, Kwantlen Polytechnic University,
Canada for providing constructive comments and help in
improving the contents of this paper.
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