Rockwell Automation 56RF RFID System User Manual - Manual (Page 9)

Rockwell Automation Publication 56RF-UM001A-EN-P - October 2011 9
Chapter
1
Introduction
What is RFID? RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. It is a method for
communicating information from one point to another point by the use of
electromagnetic waves (i.e., radio waves). It has unique characteristics that make it
attractive for use in industrial systems.
For example, you have a shipping carton that must be loaded with various goods
to meet a customer’s specific purchase order. You can attach a tag to the carton.
Prior to attaching the tag, you fill the tag with the specific items that the customer
wants. Then, as the carton moves to the filling stations, each station places the
required objects, only if needed, into the carton. If the tag does not require
something, the station is skipped.
Each filling station has an RFID transceiver. The transceiver reads and writes to
the tag. When the tag approaches the RFID transceiver, the transceiver reads the
contents of the tag. Based on the information received, the packaging process
adds items (or skips this step) and then writes to the tag that the item(s) was
added. The carton moves to the next filling station.
This is a common use of RFID technology. What makes the Bulletin 56RF
product line unique is its conformance to the open international standards:
ISO15693 and ISO18000-3 M1.
International Standard
Compliance ISO/IEC 15693 is an ISO standard for what are called vicinity tags. The tags,
commonly referred to as ICODE tags, can be read from a greater distance than
proximity tags and closed couple tags. ISO/IEC 15693 systems operate at the
13.56 MHz frequency, and offer maximum read distance of 3.3…4.9 ft
(1…1.5 m), depending on the transceiver. Library applications with very large
antennas are capable of these distances. Most industrial applications are less than
8 in. (20.3 cm) for a read/write range.
The ICODE compatible tags permit users to use lower cost tags than proprietary
systems currently provide. Users have the ability to use tag configuration options
from multiple vendors.
ISO/IEC 15693 forms part of a series of International Standards that specify
non-contact tags. The tags can be attached to objects, like cartons, bags, and
valuable items, which can then be tracked while in the vicinity of a reading device.
ISO/IEC 15693-2:2006 defines the power and communications interface
between the vicinity card and the reading device. Other parts of ISO/IEC 15693
define the physical dimensions of the card and the commands interpreted by the
card and reader.