Advantage & disadvantage RFID

Advantage of Radio Frequency Identification:

 1: Efficiency

·         RFID tags do not require line-of-sight to be deciphered They can be read through cardboard, plastic, wood and even the human body. RFID tags can easily track moving objects and send the required information back to the reader. This eliminates human errors, reduces labor and provides quick access to a wealth of information.

2: Return on Investment (ROI)

·         RFID costs more to implement than a barcode system, but provides a good return on investment in the long run, since RFID is significantly more efficient.

3: Less Vulnerable to Damage

·         RFID tags are less susceptible to damage. An RFID tag is securely placed within an object or embedded in plastic, enabling the system to be used in a variety of harsh environments, such as areas of high temperature or moisture, or with exposure to chemicals or the outdoors.

Disadvantage of Radio Frequency Identification:

1: Expense

·         RFID systems are typically more expensive than alternatives such as barcode systems. While passive tag reading is similar to (and generally less expensive than) barcode reading, active tags are costly due to their complexity. Active tags consist of an antenna, radio transceiver and microchip, increasing the overall cost of an RFID system.

2: Collision

·         Tag collision and reader collision are common problems with RFID. Tag collision occurs when numerous tags are present in a confined area. The RFID tag reader energizes multiple tags simultaneously, all of which reflect their signals back to the reader. This results in tag collision, and the RFID reader fails to differentiate between incoming data. RFID reader collision results when the coverage area managed by one RFID reader overlaps with the coverage area of another reader. This causes signal interference and multiple reads of the same tag.

3: Security

·         RFID technology gives rise to numerous security concerns. Since the system is not limited to line-of-sight, external (and malicious) high-intensity directional antennas could be used to scan sensitive tags. Fraud is always a possibility when the technology is used for high-security operations, such as pay