Advanced ID - The Leaders in RFID Solutions

Embedded RFID Microchips

Visual RFID Ear Tags

Ear Tags | Scanners/Readers | Trace Back Software | How To Buy | FAQs

1. How does radio frequency identification (RFID) technology work?
RFID is a thin, low cost, wireless communication device used for transmitting and receiving data. RFID tags use computer microchips and antennas to transmit information that is carried over radio frequency waves, activated when placed within the transmission field of a reader.

There are active and passive tags that range in capabilities from simple, unique identification numbers to tags with encryption, memory and read/write ability. Passive tags are less complex than active tags because the reader provides the tags with their operating power. Passive tags, which are what we offer, are small, lightweight, inexpensive, and can last more than 25 years. The transmission range of passive tags is shorter than active tags.

Active RFID tags reduce the power requirements of the reader which transmit information over longer distances. They are powered by a battery that typically lasts two to seven years. The downside of active tags is cost and size. Generally, the more functions an RFID tag can perform, the more complex and larger it will be.

2. Are there different types of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags?
Different RFID tags include: (1) Read-Only tags which have a fixed, factory-set identification code that is tamper-proof. Each tag’s unique identification code enables the tag to be cross-referenced with a database; (2) Read/Write Once tags can be field programmed through a special process that enables greater flexibility in the application process since the information on a tag can be set after the tag is affixed to an object. Once written, this tag performs like a Read-Only tag; and (3) Read/Write Many tags offer advantages in applications where the identification code must be changed or where variable data is more important than a unique identity. These tags also provide an option when a database lookup may not be available or reliable.

3. Why do you use ultra high frequency tags for livestock instead of low frequency tags?
Since embedded RFID microchips, which utilize low frequency technology, are not accepted by the livestock and food industries, we have developed a visual ear tag utilizing ultra high frequency (UHF) technology because their attributes far exceed the benefits offered by low frequency (LF) technology. The advantages of UHF technology over LF technology include significantly longer read ranges, faster data transfer rates (this will become more important with the use of read/write tags that allow users to write up to two kilobytes of data such as the animal’s birth date, health history, location, etc.), UHF is also more cost effective, can read multiple tags, and operates reliably in environments with high levels of electromechanical or electromagnetic interference.

These advantages allow our customers to implement a cost effective identification and trace back system, attain greater efficiency and automation, and ensure reliable data for expedient trace back queries.

4. Why does the livestock and food industries not want to utilize low frequency embedded tags?
The one key advantage of low frequency (LF) tags over ultra high frequency (UHF) tags is that they can read through flesh which is why they work so well as embedded tags for pets and other animals. Embedded tags in livestock are not accepted for two reasons: (a) Public Safety – The Livestock and Food industries do not want the tag to enter the food system and potentially cause harm to individuals consuming meat products; and (2) Production Rates – The Livestock industry does not want to reduce their production rates by having to retrieve an injected tag, a process that could take several minutes since the tags can be as small as a grain of rice.

Since speed and efficiency is a key goal of processing plants, they do not want a production line to be shut down for several minutes to extract an embedded microchip (some processing plants have an animal coming down the line in ten second intervals).

5. Does low frequency technology work in environments with high levels of electromechanical or electromagnetic interference?
The normal operations of a processing plant create electromechanical or electromagnetic interference (“electrical noise”). Although low frequency (LF) technology does work in processing plants, it is significantly more susceptible to electrical noise. High enough levels of electrical noise will result in the inability to read LF tags or the possibility of misreading LF tags. Ultra high frequency (UHF) technology does not have this same susceptibility to electrical noise. In September 2003, we conducted a trial of our UHF technology at the Cargill Beef Processing Plant in High River, Alberta, Canada. Our trial was performed in an area of the plant where LF technology was previously tested and failed to read a single tag due to electrical noise. During our trial, all 66 tagged cattle were read successfully with both our handheld and fixed-mount readers from a distance of approximately three feet (one meter).

The advantage of our UHF technology is that it offers a complete solution from birth to harvest, meeting the needs of all industry users.

6. What is the reading range of low frequency technology versus ultra high frequency technology?
The reading range of our low frequency (LF) technology is three to seven inches (eight to eighteen centimeters) depending on the power output of the reader. The reading range of our ultra high frequency (UHF) technology is three to ten feet (one to three meters) depending on which of our tags are being utilized. It should be noted that the reading ranges cited above have been obtained under field conditions at animal shelters, veterinarian offices, farms, ranches, feed lots, processing plants and other livestock facilities. Reading distances would be significantly longer under laboratory conditions.

7. What other industries are utilizing ultra high frequency technology?
Although fewer manufacturers currently support ultra high frequency (UHF) tags as compared to low frequency (LF) tags, this is changing quickly as much focus is now centered on the UHF band for its growth potential in RFID applications. Available in North America, Asia and Europe, the UHF band has nearly worldwide regulatory approval. Currently, Japan is one of the few countries that do not allow transmission in the UHF band but they are expected to grant approval within the 950 to 956 MHz range of UHF.

The retail industry, led by Wal-Mart, Target, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, Tesco, Metro Group, and other major retailers has embraced the use of ultra high frequency (UHF) technology for supply chain management, as has the U.S. Department of Defense. The airline industry has adopted UHF technology to identify and trace back luggage. The automobile and tire industries are evaluating the use of UHF technology to identify the Vehicle Identification Number with each tire on every new vehicle. Microsoft recently formed a new Radio Frequency Identification Council to make it easier for retailers and manufacturers to track and ship merchandise. Boeing is using UHF technology for the identification and trace back of parts in the manufacturing of their airplanes. There are numerous other applications utilizing UHF technology and which continues to grow.

8. Which is better for animal identification, low frequency or ultra high frequency technology?
Since each frequency offers different characteristics and benefits, we offer our low frequency (LF) and ultra high frequency (UHF) technology for different applications.

Since UHF technology cannot be used for embedded tag applications, LF technology is utilized for the identification of pets and other animals that require a nominal read range, and for animals that will not become part of the food supply.

With few exceptions, the UHF band is superior for livestock applications. The higher frequency provides for a faster data rate, allowing simultaneous reads to occur faster. Tags operating in the UHF band also offer more favorable tag costs, read ranges and speed, and the ability to function near metal and in environments with high levels of electromechanical or electromagnetic interference.

9. What is driving the adoption of RFID technology for animal identification?
In the livestock industry, the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy disease (i.e. Mad Cow Disease) that plagued Europe in 1998 was thought to have infected North American herds. This resulted in legislative efforts for animal identification and tracking systems with RFID being the preferred technology. The World Trade Organization is insisting that all of its members upgrade their diagnostic and surveillance capabilities to reduce risk when animals are imported and exported.

The global livestock industry is actively seeking a solution to improve the speed and accuracy of tracing livestock to minimize or eliminate the impact of biosecurity and food safety issues related to the spread of disease. The increasing occurrences of Mad Cow Disease (i.e. Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy), Bird Flu (i.e. Avian Influenza), Foot and Mouth Disease, and other livestock diseases has created a dire concern over the economic ramifications of a disease outbreak and the inability to ensure food safety. Consequently, a growing number of governments which includes Canada, Australia, United States, the European Union, Taiwan, Thailand, Brazil, Argentina and others, have implemented, or have indicated their intent to implement, mandatory livestock identification. Mandatory identification ensures that a food safety tracking system is in place to trace back diseased animals to their origin for immediate containment or eradication.

In addition, countries that import livestock or meat products are demanding that their suppliers implement a livestock identification and trace back system to ensure food safety. In some countries, an identification and trace back system has become a mandatory condition for the continued importation of livestock and meat products.

In the pet industry, a growing number of municipal animal control agencies are setting policy and by-laws for permanent tagging of pets forcing pet owners to buy RFID identification tags in place of collar tags.