RFID Asset Tracking Equipment Guide
When talking about RFID asset tracking equipment, we have two main things in mind. RFID Tags and RFID readers. RFID tags are primarily used on the assets, and RFID readers are used to detect those tags. Supporting hardware, such as specialized antennas and RFID-enabled printers may also be part of the system. In this article we’ll go over common RFID Asset tracking equipment.
RFID Tags
What are RFID Tags? As we already mentioned they are one of the main elements of RFID asset tracking equipment. They are small transponders attached to assets, each containing a microchip and antenna. There are two types of tags, passive and active.
Passive RFID tags
They don’t contain batteries and they harvest energy from the reader’s radio signal. The most common passive tags are UHF (Ultra-High Frequency) and are operating around 860–960 MHz.
Main features of passive RFID tags:
- Very cost-effective.
- Unlimited lifespan (no battery to drain).
- Read ranges of up to ~ 30 feet (10 meters).
Because of harvesting energy from radio waves, passive tags can be harder to read when attached to metal or liquid-filled objects. For such cases there are on-metal tags which are encased with insulation or designed with a standoff and have specialized tag antennas to mitigate.
Active RFID tags
The main difference between passive and active RFID tags is that the latter have their own power source, battery, and they actively broadcast a signal.
Main features of active RFID tags:
- Used when a very long read range is needed or when incorporating sensors.
- Much pricier because of batteries and more electronics.
- Limited lifespan (battery life 3–5 years is common).
Active RFID tags can also embed sensors (for temperature, motion, etc.) to report conditions, which can be valuable, especially for cold-chain logistics or hardware condition monitoring.
Anchors and Beacons
Anchors and Beacons are extra pieces of RFID asset‑tracking equipment that add “GPS‑style” positioning inside buildings.
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Beacons & Anchors
Ultra‑Wideband (UWB) Anchors & Tags
RFID Readers
RFID readers—essential pieces of RFID asset‑tracking equipment—send out radio waves that energize the tags and capture their responses. They come in two forms: fixed units mounted at key points and mobile handhelds for on‑the‑go scanning.
Fixed Readers
These are stationary units, usually mounted at strategic points like gates, doorways, conveyor lines, ceilings etc. They scan tags in the area automatically. A fixed reader typically has 2,4, or 8 antenna ports to drive several antennas covering different zones. For example, a warehouse might mount antennas above loading bay doors and connect them to a fixed reader, so every tagged asset passing through is detected. Fixed readers often support hundreds of tags per second and can be tied into building networks via Ethernet or Wi-Fi. They usually require a power source.
Mobile Readers
Handheld RFID readers are mobile scanners with already built‑in antennas, used like barcode guns but for RFID tags. With mobile readers, staff can walk through the site, instantly reading any nearby tags. For example, they can run quick inventory checks or hunt down a specific item—the reader even beeps faster as you get closer. Shaped like a rugged PDA or pistol‑grip scanner, most units run Android with a touchscreen for asset‑tracking apps and often include a barcode imager as a bonus. They send tag data to the system via Wi‑Fi or Bluetooth in real time or store it for upload later.
RFID Antennas
Antennas are the vital “ears and voice” of any fixed RFID reader. Each antenna sends out radio waves and listens for tag replies, and different shapes serve different jobs:
- Patch/panel antennas: flat panels mounted in doorways or on walls.
- Circular‑polarised antennas: pick up tags at many angles, ideal when tag orientation varies.
- Specialty models: built for extra‑long range or tight spaces.
Where you place an antenna controls how well it reads. A forklift tunnel may need one antenna on each side to catch every pallet; a ceiling‑mounted unit can watch a few metres of floor space below it. All antennas link back to the reader with simple coax cables.
RFID Printers
RFID printers are another part of RFID asset‑tracking equipment. They let businesses print and encode RFID labels, tags, and cards in just one step. This saves time, reduces errors, and ensures each item is immediately ready for tracking. Some printers can be installed directly in factories or warehouses, so teams can print on demand whenever needed. RFID printers are easy to set up and work with a wide range of RFID tags and readers.
Conclusion
RFID asset‑tracking equipment works like a well‑tuned team: tags identify every tool or pallet, readers and antennas collect their signals, and optional BLE /UWB anchors and beacons add room‑level or inch‑level positioning. Choosing the right mix—passive or active tags, fixed or handheld readers, standard or specialty antennas—depends on your read range, environment, and budget. When the pieces fit, you gain instant, automated visibility that wipes out manual counts, slashes lost‑asset costs, and keeps operations moving at full speed.