What is RFID?

RFID = Radio Frequency Identification

The range of applications of RFID technology is very diverse and has, since the technology has become available, been used to track products, animals, and other items. It has, however, been found particularly useful in simplifying management of supply chains, which is why it is being introduced to the horticultural industry.

RFID is a method of identification based on radio waves: Radio Frequency Identification. The technology uses an antenna, which most often is referred to as a “tag”. These are typically attached to products and other items and emit radio signals that can be read by a range of scanners or readers. RFID therefore has become a very precise and user-friendly method to ensure a high quality information flow in management of transportation and logistics.

Coupled with the range of software and hardware that can be developed for this technology, RFID can become a very powerful tool adding real value – to small as well as large enterprises in the competitive horticultural industry.

Active vs. passive tags

Active RFID tags have a transmitter and their own power source (typically a battery). Active tags are useful for reading and writing data onto the RFID tag, for instance temperature logging in a cooled supply chain.

Passive tags have no battery. Instead, they are activated by the reader. Passive tags have a shorter read range and are normally used for read-only.

Furthermore, using passive tags leaves less risk of interference from other RFID tags in close proximity to the object in question. They are therefore very suitable to the typical logistical processes that are used in the horticultural industry.