“Like traditional RFID tags, Chipless RFID tags work on the same principle of wireless radio wave communication but chipless RFID tags do not have a silicon microchip/IC. Chipless RFID finds many applications in retail, supply chain, inventory management, asset tracking, healthcare, waste management, animal tracking, etc.”
Though barcodes have been in use for over 60 years now, and barcodes do a pretty good job in item-level labeling and identification technology now exists we can say goodbye to the traditional UPC-12, and EAN-13 barcodes. Chipless RFID is an inexpensive replacement of barcodes that not only offers all the features of barcoding technology but it also offers extra memory for detailed information on products, and business owners can track the chipless RFID items/packages as well.
Chipless RFID is a new advancement in the field of AIDC technology, a new, inexpensive version of traditional RFID tags. Unlike traditional RFID tags, chipless RFID tags don’t use a silicon IC/microchip for storing information but a unique pattern of resonator and reflector materials for encoding the tag data. These encoding materials are utilized as memory points using the encoding techniques, time domain, and frequency domain. Apart from encoding methods-time domain and frequency domain, image-based and hybrid chipless RFID tags are available too.
The chipless RFID market is witnessing rapid growth led by retail, supply chain, healthcare, wearables, etc. The global chipless RFID market is expected to reach at 4744 million USD by 2027 from 903.3 million USD in 2019.
Chipless RFID: Applications
Chipless RFID tags are easy to fabricate, unlike the complex fabrication of traditional RFID tags with microchips. The lack of silicon microchips also makes it inexpensive (0.01 USD per tag), allowing small and big business owners to choose chipless RFID over barcodes for efficient item-level tagging and tracking. When used in bulk, chipless RFID tags provide accurate inventory management, enhanced visibility in warehouses, and order fulfillment, which are the most important aspects of running a business these days.
Let’s see some of the applications of chipless RFID in Retail, supply chains, and logistics, etc.
Chipless RFID in Retail item-level tagging
In the retail business, chipless RFID tags offer a cost-effective inventory control system that provides retailers with accurate data on inventory management, accurate details on products in high demand, and their supply chain management as well as enhanced customer experience inside the store. By tagging each item with chipless RFID inside a retail store, retailers can prevent shoplifting and ensure faster checkout and shorter queues inside the store. This leads to better customer experience and builds customer loyalty. Accurate retail inventory management also means no out-of-stock scenarios. This creates a positive impression on shoppers and builds trust amongst customers.
Chipless RFID tagging also allows fast billing of items at POS and customers are billed accurately. Unlike traditional RFID tagging, chipless RFID tags can be embedded in apparel and shoes which prevents counterfeiting and ensures that customers get the genuine product and verify it through proper channels (say a company app).
It also ensures fast return of items.
Chipless RFID in Healthcare
Chipless RFID tags can be used for tagging medical devices medicines and vaccine vials. These tags provide a unique identification no. and ensure accurate tracking and administering of medication to the right patient. Chipless RFID tags can be used as identification for patients and doctors (ID cards) as well. It ensures patient and doctor tracking within hospital premises. RFID technology also helps hospital administration to enable access control systems, preventing unauthorized access to access-only areas including operation theaters, ICU, etc.
Chipless RFID tags can be used to prevent counterfeiting of vaccines and medicines which is the most important use of chipless RFID in healthcare. It ensures that people are getting genuine medicines and vaccines.
Chipless RFID in Supply chain and Logistics
Chipless RFID tags allow a cost-effective method of supply chain and logistics management. Supply boxes and pallets can be tagged with Chipless RFID and inventory-level tagging of items can be carried out enabling high item visibility inside the inventory and real-time item tracking. This leads to a robust supply chain network and order fulfillment.
Chipless RFID sensing applications
Apart from supply chain and logistics, chipless RFID also has many sensing applications it can be used to tag waste bins to sense fill levels, and food packages can be tagged where chipless RFID sensors can measure the temperature and humidity of cold chains. It ensures that food items are transported safely and perishable items are consumed on time.
Chipless RFID sensors can be used in smarthomes as well. In refrigerators, chipless RFID sensors can find out if milk is available or if a certain food item is about to run out.
To conclude, chipless RFID, like traditional RFID (a version of it), is a prominent IoT technology and it offers a cost-effective method of item-level tagging in retail, supply chain, and logistics, healthcare, etc. Apart from item tagging, chipless RFID also offers sensing applications at low costs. It can be used to monitor the fill level of waste bins, temperature, and humidity of food item storage units as well. Though RFID tags costs have come down greatly in last decade, chipless RFID provide even cheaper alternative, virtually replacing barcodes in item level tagging and identification.
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