14 DAY TRIAL // Radio-frequency identification ( RFID for short) is an automatic identification protocol that is based on data transmitted by a number of wireless capable devices using RFID tags or transponders. Such a transponder can be inserted into almost any kind of object ranging from electronic components like computers and cell phones to pet animals, livestock and so on.
According to the news site InfoWorld, active RFID taging and tracking is rising on a day by day basis as it is very convenient tracking and monitoring technology that is able to use just about any wireless media from 802.15.4 sensor radios to Wi-Fi networks and even cellular carriers. In contrast with the passive RFID technologies that rely on the reader's energy from a wireless scan to identify a transponder, the active RFID takes the matters one step further allowing active communications to be achieved even over great distances.
The interest in the active RFID technologies is going to increase its market share from almost 13 percent of the RFID market in 2007 to more than 26 percent in 10 years time, which translates into an increase of $7 billion, according to IDTechEx, a British consulting company. One of the most active applications of the active RFID technology is the real-time location systems (RTLS for short) that can be used for tracking and locating things or people. One of its applications is in health care programs, where these systems will soon be found in most hospital and other health related institutions.
Another application of the active RFID is the implementation of sensor systems that are used for monitoring and management of different conditions like temperature, electricity use and movements inside designated areas. The entire market for active RFID sensor suites and applications is blooming as institutions like the Georgia Port Authority spent over $15 million for implemented active RFID tags on its 7.500 trucks after it already used RFID to tag its entire fleet of containers.