Issue
I would like to read a RFID product with an RFID antenna and then print that number.
I would like to write to an RFID chip and then read to verify.
Does you controller do that?
We have done Mifare RFID projects and they are not like reading from a camera or writing to an inkjet. They can be very tricky. Reasons: many RFID standards, authentication, encryption, customized systems, time to read an RFID, time to write and RFID (lots of transactions, including passwords)
The first thing a customer has to do is to select the RFID device and antenna that works for his application. Presently, Graph-Tech does not sell these RFID devices.
If the application is just reading the RFID tag without encryption, the integration into the controller will probably take a week. Provided you have an RFID device and antenna that work.
If the application is writing and reading the RFID tag with encryption, the integration into the controller will probably take 4-6 weeks and on-site visits 2-3 times. Provided you have an RFID device and antenna that work at the speed you want.
Questions
Please answer below questions to Graph-Tech
Basic questions:
1) What RFID? Mifare, EPC?
2) Do you have an RFID device with antenna? How does it work?
3) Have you done RFID projects?
4) What do you want to read?
5) What do you want to write?
6) How do you want to write and read ? is the product moving?
Detail questions:
1) Do you have a detailed specification for your RFID project?
Basic RFID Mifare information
- Data is organized in sectors that contain 16 bytes blocks.
- Sector 1 block 1 is a unique serial number and manufacturer. This is a hexadecimal string, for read applications; the customer has to specify what is to be done. One can read this sector with an RFID device (antenna plus decoder that sends result to the GT controller serially).
- Sectors 2 and up can only be accessed after authentication and involves encryption and customized data that is usually proprietary because companies want to protect data in the RFID at all costs. Remember that the RFID can be read contactless.
- In order for an antenna to read an RFID tag, I have observed a couple of things:
- The RFID tag has to be readable (and writeable). I have seen tags with < 1% waste and tags with >50% waste. I have seen tag people blaming the antenna and the antenna people blaming the tag. However, there are now tag quality control devices.
- The antenna needs enough time to read the tag. That is, RDIF tags moving past an antenna can only advance so fast.
- The antenna needs even more time to write a tag. If the application involves authentication and encryption, the product might have to be under the antenna for seconds. Also, one can write a lot of information, 4 kbytes and more, that needs even more time. That is why some companies have this carrousel.
- The antenna does not work well if there is too much metal around. A transport has metal parts.
Some Companies that make RFID devices and Antennas:
www.scmmicro.com
www.intermec.com
www.omron.com
www.northernapex-rfid.com
For information, see also www.rfidjournal.com