RFID frequencies and standards

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is based on distinct frequency bands that offer neither the same range, nor the same reading speed, nor the same tolerance to complex environments (metal, water, object density). The right choice between LF (Low Frequency), HF (High Frequency, including NFC – Near Field Communication) and UHF (Ultra High Frequency, also known as RAIN RFID) is decisive for actual performance, regulatory compliance and interoperability with your WMS (Warehouse Management System), MES (Manufacturing Execution System) and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems.

This page explains RFID frequencies, standards (ISO/IEC, GS1), regulatory constraints(ETSI – European Telecommunications Standards Institute, FCC – Federal Communications Commission) and provides concrete guidelines to help you make the right choice.

• Range: very short (a few centimetres).
• Advantages: good resistance to proximity to water and metal; insensitive to orientation.
• Limitations: single reading, low throughput, bulky antennas.
• Typical applications: access control, animal identification ( ISO standards 11784/11785), “close” and harsh environments.

• Range: short to medium (up to ~1 m depending on antenna and coupling).
• Advantages: robust, close exchanges, extensive standardization, NFC (Near Field Communication) compatibility for smartphones.
• Limitations: limited mass reading (stacks of a few labels, no inventories of hundreds of items in a single pass).
• Main standards: ISO/IEC 14443 (contactless cards), ISO/IEC 15693 (longer-range cards/labels), ISO/IEC 18000-3 (RF layer).
• Typical uses: access cards, libraries, healthcare, proximity tracking, operator/smartphone dialogs.

• Range: from a few dozen centimetres to several metres.
• Benefits: very fast mass reading, ideal for flash inventories, shipping tunnels, dockside gantries.
• Limitations: sensitivity to metal (reflection) and water (absorption) – to be addressed by design ( on-metal tags, orientation, shielding).
• Main standard: ISO/IEC 18000-63 (ex-18000-6C), aligned with GS1 EPC Gen2 (Electronic Product Code, protocol layer).
• RAIN ecosystem: ” RAIN RFID ” refers to the industrial alliance and ecosystem aroundpassive UHF (interoperability, usage profiles).
• Typical applications: logistics, distribution, industry, store/warehouse inventories, shipping control.

To link frequencies, components and processes from end to end, see :How does an RFID system work?

• ISO/IEC 18000-63: RF/protocol layer for UHF (ex-Gen2).
• ISO/IEC 18000-3: RF layer for HF (complementary to 14443/15693).
• ISO/IEC 14443 / 15693: HF cards/labels (proximity and long-range).
• ISO 11784/11785: animal identification in LF.

• GS1 EPC Gen2: UHF protocol for anti-collision and frame exchange.
• EPC (Electronic Product Code): coding of unique identifiers (e.g. SGTIN for serialized product, SSCC for pallet/package, GRAI for reusable container, GIAI for active, SGLN for location).
• (Downstream from the identifier, on the event exchange side, you can also find EPCIS and CBV; these are data and vocabulary standards for traceability – useful, but beyond the “frequencies” perimeter).

To remember: ISO/IEC standardizes the radio layer and cards; GS1 provides the UHF protocol (Gen2) and identification schemes (EPC) for ISinteroperability.

RFID does not use the same ranges or the same authorized power depending on the region.

• Europe (ETSI ): UHF typically around 865-868 MHz with limited channels and power (e.g. 2 W EIRP – Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power, depending on country and use).
• Americas (FCC): UHF around 902-928 MHz with different powers and channel access mechanisms.
• Other regions: local variants (Asia, Middle East, Oceania).

Best practices:

• Choose multi-region equipment if you’re deploying internationally.
• Set frequency range and power according to country of installation.
• Check conformity ( CE marking, RED – Radio Equipment Directive, local approvals).

Need a refresher on components (readers, antennas, tags)?
Consult : RFID tags

• LF/HF: single or small batch reading, short range (robust in complex environments).
• UHF (RAIN ): very fast multi-label reading, extended range, ideal for inventories and tunnels.

• Metal: reflects the UHF wave → use on-metal tags, orient antennas, shield if necessary.
• Water/liquids: absorb UHF → multiply tests, bring antennas closer together, consider HF for proximity readings.

• Linear polarization: effective if tag orientation is controlled.
• Circular polarization: more tolerant of random orientations (useful range sometimes less).
• Zone containment: power by antenna, absorbent screens, mechanical gauges (to avoid parasitic readings).

• UHF mobile (pistol terminals): rotating inventories, directed search.
• Fixed UHF (tunnel/port/station): shipment control, zone crossings, peer-to-peer clocking.

Ask yourself three simple questions:

1. • Need to mass-read from several meters away? → UHF (ISO/IEC 18000-63 / GS1 EPC Gen2).
   • Need proximity and operator/smartphone interaction? → HF/NFC (ISO/IEC 14443/15693).
   • Unitary need in a severe environment and close to metal/water? → LF or HF.

• • Metal/water ubiquitous? → anticipate on-metal, orientation and HF testing as alternatives if short range is enough.

• • Need for a single EPC and rapid inventories? → UHF + GS1 EPC Gen2.
  • Working with cards/badges, operator proximity? → HF (+ NFC if smartphone).

• Shipping control (UHF tunnel): ISO/IEC 18000-63 + GS1 EPC Gen2, standard UHF tags, compliance rules (attendu/lu).
• Dockside gantry (fixed UHF): mass reading at input/output, aggregation via SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code).
• Mobile inventory (UHF): pistol terminals, EPC mask filters for rapid scanning.
• Station traceability (HF or UHF targeted): unit reading on template, reference/OF validation.
• Access cards / smartphone interaction (HF/NFC): ISO/IEC 14443/15693, operator pairing.
• Animal identification / proximity sensors (LF): ISO 11784/11785.

• Select UHF by default without considering metal/water → performance at half-mast.
• Ignore ETSI/FCC → non-compliant or incorrectly parameterized equipment.
• Underestimate antenna configuration (polarization, confinement, orientation) → spurious readings.
• Zap the EPC (identity) → shaky traceability despite “good readings”.
• No on-site testing → lab results not reproducible in production.

• Context: target range, unit vs. mass reading, medium (metal/water).
• Regulations: country, authorized range, power (EIRP).
• Standards: ISO/IEC (18000-63, 14443/15693), GS1 EPC Gen2, EPC schemes (SGTIN, SSCC, GRAI, GIAI, SGLN).
• Tags: on-metal vs standard, hardened vs consumables, useful user memory?
• Antennas: polarization, orientation, containment, shielding.
• Software: middleware (filters, rules), WMS/MES/ERP connectors.
• Tests: on-site POC, KPIs (read rate, false positives/negatives, stability).