RFID Information
RFID Overview
RFID vs Barcode
Passive vs Active

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RFID vs. Barcodes Comparison

RFID vs. Barcodes | Passive vs. Active RFID

RFID and barcodes are similar in that they are both data collection technologies. However, they differ significantly in many areas. Although this comparison primarily focuses on the advantages of RFID over barcodes, RFID will probably not completely replace barcode technology. Barcodes offer some advantages over RFID, most notably the low cost.

  RFID Barcode
Line of Site Not required (in most cases) Required
Read Range Passive RFID: Up to 25 feet
Active RFID: Up to 100's of feet or more
Several inches up to several feet
Read Rate 10's, 100's or 1000's simultaneously Only one at a time
Identification Can uniquely identify each item/asset tagged Can typically only identify the type of item (UPC Code) but not uniquely
Read/Write Many RFID tags are Read/Write Read only
Technology RF (Radio Frequency) Optical (Laser)
Interference Like the TSA (Transportation Security Administration), some RFID frequencies don't like Metal and Liquids. They can cause interfere with certain RF Frequencies. Obstructed barcodes cannot be read (dirt covering barcode, torn barcode, etc.)
Automation Most "fixed" readers don't require human involement to collect data (automated) Most barcode scanners require a human to operate (labor intensive)


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