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RFID vs BLE? What are the differences between the two technologies and which one to choose?
There are currently several techniques available when it comes to real-time location. Each one with its specificity and particularity. Therefore, in order to choose the technology that best performs within your company, it is important to understand how they operate and the best way to take advantage of each one.
OCORN, for example, can be used in conjunction with the famous beacons. These devices are often used in retail stores, emitting signals through bluetooth, to locate smartphones within a certain radius. This solution allows you to send promotions and discount coupons directly to the visitor's cell phone. RFID, unlike BLE beacons, does not use batteries or batteries, functioning as a magnetic reader. They are usually used in the form of labels, and can be attached to objects or mobile equipment. RFIDs can also come in the form of wearable objects such as wristbands and badges.
Read on to understand more about BLE and RFID!
RFID - Radio Frequency Identification
RFID, as its name implies, is a technology that uses electromagnetic waves to access data stored on a microchip. Initially, RFID was born to succeed the reading of bar codes, being able to contain in its basic system: labels (tags), readers, antennas and an infrastructure system to generate the data of the tags. From the medical industry to thetracking of objects, equipment and people, this technology has a huge range of use cases.
The cost of labels is relatively low, as is their size. However, the antennas to detect them have a high acquisition cost.
RFID technology can also be applied in several situations, allowing access to data without needing visual contact, being able to read even if the label is inside a closed package, for example. It can also be used to control vehicle traffic, prevent theft and locate objects in hard-to-reach places.
How Does RFID Work?
The objects or equipment receive an RFID tag, containing all the important information about it. Antennas, portals, shelves and RFID readers are distributed throughout the company (retail or industry), capable of communicating with the server. From there, the server integrates the information contained in the tags with its ERP, so it is possible to control the information contained in the tag.
After printing the RFID tags, it is possible to follow the entire route of the tracked product, until its final destination. In this way, it is not necessary to intercept each delivery person and check product by product, saving time, people and, consequently, money.
BLE - Bluetooth Low Energy
Compared to RFID, theBluetooth Low EnergyIt's a relatively new technology. The BLE – known for using less battery power than the traditional one, was announced in 2011 and came equipped with all the necessary features of the market in which it initially intended to operate, such as industry and retail. It is a protocol that allows short and medium range wireless connections, in order to transmit data, being able to work most of the time in sleep mode, being activated only when making connections (which usually last milliseconds). ). That's why a bluetooth beacon can work for up to 5 years, without having to change the battery.
Both BLE and RFID are protocols commonly used to manage a company's people and assets. HowPeople and Asset Tracking(people and assets tracking) via BLE, data exchanges happen in small amounts, within regular time intervals, with 4 times more range and speed. Through BLE, it is possible to detect devices faster, with a range of up to 50 meters.
In addition to Bluetooth Low Energy being a great technology option for the asset and people tracking solution, it is also known for working in proximity marketing, through BLE beacons. Beacons function as signal emitters and smart devices as receivers, enabling actions such as sending notifications ofproximity marketingfor smartphones of consumers who are within range. Once this is done, the beacons identify the pre-established actions and perform them within a pre-established perimeter.
How does BLE work?
Being a bit more technical, BLE works on the same industrial 2,4GHz band as standard bluetooth, using different channels. BLE uses more than 30 2 MHz channels for the purpose of transmitting data using a sort of Gaussian frequency shift modulation (method used for smoother transmissions between data pulses). This modulation allows the frequency hopping to suffer less interference when compared to traditional bluetooth.
Since 2012, almost all smart devices support both traditional bluetooth and BLE, and can also be compatible with Windows, Linux and Mac operating systems.
BLE and IoT
The emergence of BLE had a great impact within the IoT – Internet of Things. BLE has enabled many of the popular applications of network-connected devices. Thanks to their low power consumption, it is now possible for IoT devices to be compact and have greater energy durability. Therefore, BLE is responsible for the emergence of many wearable devices, tags and other smart solutions that we use.
RFID vs BLE: Advantages and Disadvantages in Asset Tracking
RFID x BLE –Advantages:
Active RFID:Offers the longest range among all RTLS. These tags are designed for larger assets, so this solution is ideal for large machines, vehicles, and more expensive general products.
Passive RFID:Smaller, cheaper tags need little maintenance and don't use a battery
Both active and passive RFID have high accuracy. Regarding security, as RFID systems are normally linked to standard IP network security systems, any communication between RFID readers and the network is secure.
Disadvantages:
To implement an RFID system, it is necessary to use cables and a wiring complex. This in itself makes it difficult and restricts the use of this solution. In the BLE system, there are few accessories needed for implementation, which greatly simplifies the process. In terms of memory, RFID tags are very limited, as they already record temperatures and humidity. The information needs to be static, while BLE tags store information from sensors and then transmit it through gateways.
RFID x BLE:
Advantages:
The asset tracking system with BLE is easier and faster to implement, precisely because there is no need to install wiring. BLE tags are capable of reading, storing and transmitting larger amounts of data and can be integrated into any smart device, without the need to install additional hardware for asset tracking. Both beacons and BLE on smart devices have minimal power consumption.
Disadvantages:
Location accuracy is low.
In conclusion:
In terms of sophistication and technology, BLE has superior advantages over RFID, especially with regard to asset tracking. However, now that you have a better understanding of the differences between RFID and BLE technology, before making a decision, you need to think about the demands you want to meet, to ensure that the technology used corresponds to the needs and particularities of your business. .
How can Zapt Tech help you?
We are a pioneer in the IoT sector, Real-Time Location Technologies and Digital Location Mapping. Our innovative map, location and indoor navigation products not only enhance the experience of visiting any space, but also increase the safety of participants, performance and productivity of the team as a whole.
Want to know which technology best fits your business? Chat with us! Contact us by email: [email protected]
