| Market forces such as the RFID mandates from | | | | the product packaging at the point of |
| Target, Wal-Mart, the Food and Drug | | | | production. They are readable through most |
| Administration (FDA), and the U.S. Department | | | | materials (except liquid and metal) and many |
| of Defense (DOD) have many manufacturers and | | | | smart tag systems include anti-collision |
| suppliers focused on RFID simply as a | | | | software, to enable multiple tags to be read |
| compliance tool, overlooking the significant | | | | simultaneously.A basic smart tag offers a |
| additional benefits of automatic | | | | 96-bit EPC, which provides more than enough |
| identification technology.In fact, by design, | | | | data storage capacity to track-and-trace |
| RFID enables superior supply chain efficiency | | | | items from point of manufacture to point of |
| and inventory management, resulting in | | | | sale. Gen 2 tags offer a 256-bit EPC code, |
| increased productivity and accountability, | | | | appropriate for specialized applications that |
| decreased shrinkage, and a more robust bottom | | | | require extensive data storage, such as the |
| line.A packaging supplier who is | | | | prescription drug pedigree.Smart tags can be |
| knowledgeable about evolving RFID technology | | | | applied either externally to product |
| and applications is a valuable resource to | | | | packaging or imbedded within the package or |
| help you maximize ROI with your RFID | | | | case. They are unobtrusive and do not |
| integration.RFID systems are completely | | | | interfere with graphic design elements, |
| customizable with infinite combinations of | | | | making them an easy addition to most consumer |
| hardware and software. Each system is | | | | goods packaging.Smart tags can also be |
| comprised of a transponder, a reader and | | | | implanted in key chain fobs or rigid plastic |
| software. (Click here to read RFID: A Smart | | | | cards. Automobile keyless entry and Mobil |
| Tag Primer for a complete explanation of RFID | | | | Speed Pass are two well-known examples.A |
| technology.) In this article we compare | | | | chipless tag is an RFID tag that transmits |
| several forms of the RFID transponder and | | | | data via either a conductive polymer or a |
| discuss possible applications of each.RFID | | | | reflective material instead of an IC |
| transponders are available in a variety of | | | | microchip. Conductive polymer tags operate |
| mediums, including:Smart tags | | | | the same way as RFID smart tags do, differing |
| | | | only in component material.Reflective tags |
| Chipless tags | | | | return a radio wave image to a computer that |
| | | | compares it with the identifying image on |
| Smart labels | | | | file for that item. A positive match means |
| | | | the item is correctly identified. Tags with |
| Conductive ink | | | | RF reflecting fibers can be woven into paper |
| | | | or fabric for specialized |
| Traceless taggantsA smart tag is a microchip | | | | applications.Although chipless tags typically |
| RFID transponder, which includes an | | | | cost less than silicon-based tags, their use |
| integrated circuit (IC) and an antenna, | | | | in supply chain management is limited by |
| encased in a protective coating. Smart tags | | | | their inability to read multiple tags at one |
| most commonly contain a silicon-based IC and | | | | time.A smart label is simply a label with an |
| a copper coil antenna, although demand for | | | | RFID tag integrated into it. An RFID |
| less expensive tags has spurred the | | | | microchip is sandwiched between a paper |
| development of organic alternatives and | | | | substrate and an adhesive, resulting in an |
| chipless tags.Smart tags can be applied to | | | | RFID transponder that can be printed and |
| pallets, cases or item-level units at any | | | | applied like a traditional label. |
| point in the supply chain, or integrated into | | | | |