First let’s see the difference between active RFID and passive RFID tags:
Frequency:
Passive: The most common use LF is 125kHz; HF is RFID tag: 13.56MHz; UHF is from 860MHz to 960MHz.
Active: 2.45GHz
Battery:
Passive: No internal power supply, powered by a reader, low cost, signal range lower than active RFID tags
Active: Equipped with its own battery and an internal transmitter in the form of a beacon or responder.
Reading range:
Passive tags: HF, LF up to tens of centimeters. For UHF tags, up to 30m
Active tags: can reach distances of several hundred meters or more.
Application
Passive tag UHF tag: generally used for logistics and container tracking, personnel tracking, and asset positioning.
Active tags: Active RFID tags have batteries inside, so they can have sensors (for example, to measure temperature, humidity, or intrusion), LEDs, buttons, and do other things. This tag is used to keep track of the temperature in refrigerated trucks that carry frozen foods and farm products, to keep track of the temperature of lab samples and drugs, or to keep track of intrusions in containers that are sealed. Also are used to find things inside places like hospitals, warehouses, and office buildings.
Why animal tracking use passive rfid tags?
Passive RFID tags not only have low cost, but also do not require battery maintenance, reducing the cost of long-term use. At the same time, its wide reading range and powerful penetration ensure stable tracking of animals in different environments, whether it is grazing in the wild or during transportation. These characteristics make passive RFID tags the preferred technology in the field of animal tracking.
How to choose frequency for animal tracking ?
LF Advantage:
It’s very strong for low frequencies 125K and 134.2K to get through. Unless it’s made of metal, low-frequency can usually go through anything without shortening the distance it can read. 13.56M high frequency and 900M ultra-high frequency will lose a lot of power. Animal control often requires injecting tags into the animal’s body. Low-frequency RFID tags can read normally even when they are in contact with liquids or the animal’s body. Tags for injections: This tag can be put into an animal’s body by injecting it, for example, under the skin or into the ear label. When it comes to big animals like cows, horses, etc., they are usually used.
UHF advantage:
Low-frequency RFID readers (with frequencies of 125 or 134 kHz) can only read one tag at a time and can only read tags that are a few centimeters away. The reader can read hundreds of UHF tags per second. That means we need to get close to the machine that reads cards. The following is an example of UHF tag management.
We can still find tags on animals that move quickly through openings and exits, like deer. This is possible with UHF technology. You can also get a reading rate of almost 100% with LF tags, but the tag has to be very close to the phone. Like a UHF tag: With ear tag pliers or other tools, this kind of tag is usually put on an animal’s ear. Animals and birds like cows, sheep, and pigs often have ear tags on them.