Just as in science, technology often means sticking with current solutions until superior alternatives appear. RFID and barcodes are two established technologies which exemplify this trend. Each technology has its unique application areas.
Barcodes are famous for their universal code. It identifies everything from chip packets and chocolate boxes to keyboards or printers. In contrast, the chipless RFID market gained traction especially in the retail sector. It is because of its capability to wirelessly identify and track objects or individuals over short ranges.
Even though the chipless RFID market is seen as a more efficient option and there has been a long-standing hope that it would eventually replace barcodes, they are still very much in use. The rise of 2D barcodes or commonly acknowledged as QR codes has revitalized barcoding. From advertising to digital payments, these codes have carved out a niche in quick-response applications.
This brings us to the question. When will it take the place of barcodes? The hope is that it will be soon. It is thanks to innovations like chipless RFID. As it is getting more popular around the world, there is a growing expansion in the chipless RFID market size.
RFID technology has changed the business world significantly. It is by delivering an effective and precise approach to inventory tracking, supply chain monitoring, and logistics streamlining. RFID tags differentiate themselves from traditional barcodes by using radio waves to send information to a reader. This allows communication without needing to be in direct view. It has seen rapid evolution in recent years with implementation expenses falling significantly. The chipless RFID introduction is leading to a definitive barcodes replacement.
Barcodes have served as the main technology for inventory management and tracking since several decades ago. Even though barcodes are cost-effective and easy to scan, they have several inherent limitations. Barcodes can store only a limited amount of information which is a problem addressed by QR codes. They are also prone to damage or obstruction. They also necessitate line-of-sight scanning. These drawbacks often result in errors, processing delays, and ineffectiveness in managing supply chain. On the other hand, chipless RFID technologies offer a transformative answer to these challenges.
Chipless RFID is basically ultra-thin labels that come from paper. It includes small metal particles which react to electromagnetic signals. Chipless RFID does not require a microchip for data storage. Instead, they use linear encoding on reflective and resonating materials to meet storage requirements. Similar to conventional tags, chipless RFID does not need direct view scanning. This makes it perfect for tracking items in challenging environments. That includes warehouse racks or shipping containers.
Additionally, chipless technology does not depend on semiconductor chips and batteries. This results in tags that are more durable and affordable in comparison to conventional tags.
How is it possible to store information without utilizing a chip? Chipless RFID relies on plastic and conductive polymers instead of silicon microchips. There are some variants using materials which reflect part of the RF signal from the reader. The code is embedded in a printed encoder that can be made with conductive inks.
The chipless RFID market can utilize several resonators for data encoding with a greater spiral number of different lengths. It allows for increased storage capacity. Traditional RFID provides sensing capabilities through the integration of sensors with chips. Chipless RFID employs various sensing materials. That includes paper and organic semiconductors. These materials can be printed on a resonator substrate or applied during fabrication. There are also sensing capabilities according to their dielectric properties.
