Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

RFID is a generic term for technologies that use radio waves to automatically identify objects.

Key points:

• Several methods of identification exist, but the most common is to store a serial number that identifies the object (and possibly other information) on a microchip attached to an antenna.
• The chip and antenna together are called an RFID transponder or RFID tag.
• The antenna enables the chip to transmit the identification information to a reader.
• The reader converts the radio waves emitted by the RFID tag into digital information.
• The digital information can then be passed on to computers for further use.