
CSL CS101-2 EPC CLASS 1 GEN 2 RFID HANDHELD READER
USER'S MANUAL, VERSION 1.0
Copyright © Convergence Systems Limited, All Rights Reserved
161
10
RFID Cookbook
10.1 Introduction
RFID (radio frequency identification) is a wireless means to obtain a unique ID that can
identify a product (similar to barcode that however requires optical line of sight). Since 2004,
it was applied by companies in USA and Europe successfully to various business processes and
brought major cost benefits. Because of the success of these early adopters, such as Walmart
(USA) and Mark & Spencer (Europe), there is a growing trend throughout the world to replace
barcode (or augment) with RFID. The advantages of RFID over barcode are widely
publicized, consisting of the following:
Features
RFID
Barcode
Line of Sight
Line of sight is not required
Must be line-of-sight visible – items
must be tediously separated out for
reading, very inconvenient
Storage
Store data up to 1 Kbyte
No storage capability
Anti-Counterfeit
Ability
Hard to counterfeit, hard to
find (can be stowed inside
item)
Easy to counterfeit, always exposed
outside and therefore easy to copy
Processing Speed
Automatic processing possible
at very high speed
Processing has to be manual in most
cases, with very low speed and
throughput
Bulk Reading
Many tags can be read at the
same time – virtually parallel
reading
Must be read sequentially
Durability
Durable, usually safely stowed
inside item.
Easily scratched, wrinkled or wetted
beyond reading.