How RFID Wristbands Work, Decoded

Ever wonder how RFID wristbands work? You’ve probably seen them at music festivals such as South by Southwest or Sasquatch!. We often get questions about how RFID technologies really work. So today, we’ll explain RFID in an easy-to-understand way.

Types of RFID Systems

RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification and uses radio waves to transmit information between two or more devices. At the most basic level, an RFID system is comprised of a tag and a reader device. The tag is comprised of a transmitter, receiver, and an integrated circuit that stores information. An RFID tag can also have a battery, though it depends on the type of tag. There are three types of tags: passive, active, and battery-assisted.

Passive – Passive RFID tags do not have a battery built-in and they utilize radio energy transmitted by the reader for power.

Active – There is an onboard battery that powers the RFID tag, which transmits information regularly without requiring a reader.

Battery-Assisted – The RFID tag contains a battery that only powers the tag when in the presence of a reader.

Communication between the tag and reader does not require line-of-sight or physical connection. But there are limits on range, depending on what frequency the system operates at.

-Low Frequency (125-134 kHz) – Very short read/write range of no more than a few centimeters, with limited memory storage capacity. Low data transmission speeds and few tags can be read at once.

-High Frequency (13.56 MHz) – Short read/write range of several inches, but with larger memory capacities and medium data transfer rates.

-Ultra-High Frequency (433 MHz & 856-960 MHz) – Long distance read/write range of up to 70 feet and large data capacities. High data transfer rates as well.

When it comes to RFID wristband systems at parks and festivals, most operate at high frequency with passive tags. A low power radio wave activates the chip to read and write data that is used to identify a patron.

How Much Data Can an RFID Tag Store?

An important element in how RFID wristbands work is storage capacity. The largest passive RFID tags can store up to 3720 bytes, or 3.72 kilobytes of information. That may seem like a small amount, but that is enough to store your name, address, credit card numbers, date of birth, and whatever identifying information the local administrator wants to track.

Ultra-high frequency tags can store up to 8 kilobytes of information, but such tags are typically reserved for use in the aerospace industry. For wristbands and access control systems, RFID tags typically are 3 kilobytes or smaller and do not contain sensitive information such as your social security number.

Data you sometimes find stored on RFID tag can include identification credentials, purchasing credits, vouchers, and even social media integration. So when you walk through a checkpoint, you can choose to have your activity posted to social media automatically. For hotels, an RFID system can even replace keycards for access control.

Dorney Park, an amusement park in Allentown, PA implemented a FastPay system that used PDC’s RFID wristbands and saw increased customer spending and greater revenue. Meanwhile, customers enjoyed peace of mind knowing that their credit cards remained safely tucked away in lockers.

RFID as a Tracking Device

Since most RFID wristbands use passive tags that operate at high frequency, they cannot track wearers actively and are limited to very short distances. However, an RFID system may track a wearer’s last known location by recording the last checkpoint they used their wristband at. For venues, RFID wristbands serve best as contactless payment and access control.

Conclusion

RFID wristband systems and RFID technology in general is here to stay. If increased profits and more efficient payment systems are a priority for you, then RFID wristbands are a natural fit. Armed with the information above, you now understand how RFID wristbands work and know their uses and limitations.