Active vs.

Passive

Active RFID and Passive RFID are fundamentally different technologies that are often evaluated together.
While both use radio frequency energy to communicate between a tag and a reader, the method of
powering the tags is different. Active RFID uses an internal power source (battery) within the tag to
continuously power the tag and its RF communication circuitry, whereas Passive RFID relies on RF
energy transferred from the reader to the tag to power the tag.

Passive RFID requires stronger signals from the reader, and the signal strength returned from the tag is
constrained to very low levels. Active RFID allows very low-level signals to be received by the tag
(because the reader does not need to power the tag), and the tag can generate high-level signals back to
the reader. Additionally, the Active RFID tag is continuously powered, whether in the reader field or not.
Active tags can also 'beacon,' or initiate communication with a reader (or other tags) when certain
conditions are present. Active tags can also contain external sensors to monitor temperature, humidity,
motion, and other conditions.

Passive Active
Power No internal power Battery operated
Required Signal High Low
Strength
Communication Short range (3m) Long range (100m+)
Range
Data Storage Small Read/Write Data (128b) Large Read/Write Data (128kb)
Per Tag Cost Generally, $0.15 to $0.50 Generally, $15 to $50
Tag Size "Sticker" attached to asset Matchbook to hockey puck size
Fixed Higher – fixed readers Lower – cheaper interrogators
Infrastructure
Costs
Per Asset Variable Lower – see tag cost Higher – see tag cost
Costs
Best Area of Use High volume assets moving through High-value assets moving within
fixed choke points in definable, uniform designated areas ("4 walls") in random
systems. and dynamic systems.
Industries / Supply Chain Auto Dealerships
Applications High Volume Manufacturing Auto Manufacturing
Libraries / Book Stores Hospitals – Asset Tracking Construction
Hospitals – Patient ID Mining
Pharmaceuticals Laboratories
Passports Remote Monitoring
Electronic Tolls IT Asset Management
Item Level Tracking